Jim63

Although the Governing Body was FORCED to admit, after the fact, by the Australian Royal Commission on Child Abuse that they were NOT inspired of God ... OR infallible ... until the ARC met and pried that out of Geoffery Jackson, under oath ... the "working theory" was that they WERE inspired of God, and infallible. 
At the very least they are in actual fact TREATED like they are ... even now ..... EVEN BY YOU!
Abraham was loved by God so much that they had a special two-way relationship and TALKED TO EACH OTHER DIRECTLY!
If you think the Governing Body has that relationship it would demonstrate one of TWO things ...
(1.) it would prove that Jehovah God is flaky, petulant, cruel, irrational, and that there is no real love or Justice in his principles .. all of which is absurd on the face of it ... or
(2.)that the people claiming to be his "Faithful and Discrete Slave"  are flaky, petulant, cruel and have no real love Or Justice in ITS applied interpretation of core principles.
If you have been keeping up with current events internationally, and have eyes to see, you know that one or the other HAS to be true.
There is no third choice for rationally thinking people.
If I had the same personal relationship with Jehovah God that Abraham had, and I do not ... I also would have had the faith that Jehovah's Justice would prevail, and that slaughtering my son was a righteous thing to do.
When the Governing Body commands that Love and Justice as defined by Jehovah God involves what disfellowshipping has become ... for people that DO love Love and Justice ... that too is absurd on the face of it ... and unfortunately, we here down at the bottom of the theocratic food chain have to sacrifice the sheep to the ones with the power to disfellowship US ALSO, if there is any real discussion, questioning, or demand for accountability.
We too are sheep, and MAY BE NEXT TO BE EATEN.
THERE IS A REASON that Judicial Trials at the Kingdom Halls are held in secret ... and that those charged cannot have tape recorders, stenographers, or friendly Witnesses to observe the goings-on, completely unlike the Judicial System that worked well for thousands of years, where the accused would be tried in the City Gates, where all people could observe, and the Judges, KNOWING that, were restrained by fear of retribution from incensed everyday Jews, to actually act justly.
Back then, the judges were accountable to the general population to actually make Justice happen.
Now, there is no Earthly checks and balances whatsoever on whatever the Governing Body says is the standard ... and because that is true ... the NATURAL result is that is self aggrandizing tyranny ... as is ALWAYS the case among the affairs of men, when there is no restraint of power.
There has never been any exceptions in the history of the world, and there are none now.
With my own eyes I have seen the cruelty and injustice of punishing whole families for one person's transgressions, and the shedding of crocodile tears, and seeing people beat down with a metal fist in a feathered silk glove, with soothing words, and a LOT of them.
So don't pull this "Abraham" crap on me .... they are two entirely different scenarios ..... except for those who bent it into a pretzel to support their cruelty, power, position and status.
The Governing Body cannot be criticized, or FIRED for screwing up peoples' lives ... they are accountable to NO ONE on this Earth.
.If I personally screw up my life, I personally am responsible, and I personally have to pay the price the Universe always demands.
If the Governing body screws up my life to sustain it's position of power and authority ... NO ONE is responsible.
They NEVER apologize for ANYTHING!
 

So many people (even some who say they are my brothers) put this situation is a negative light. Disfellowshipping serves the purpose of saving a persons life hopefully. Jehovh wants them to turn around and quit practicing what he doesn't approve of. He wants them to be able to continue living into His wonderful new world He has promised.
People say: "how heartless his family is for "shunning" him." Those people don't understand! They are trying to save that ones everlasting life by 'disciplining in righteousness'. People just won't see past the momentary pain needed to save the life of the one who has gone astray.
Hebrews 12:10, 11 . . . "True, no discipline seems for the present to be joyous, but it is painful; yet afterward, it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it."
Then Upon his / her reinstatement:
(2 Corinthians 2:5-7. . . "Now if anyone has caused sadness, he has saddened, not me, but all of YOU to an extent—not to be too harsh in what I say. This rebuke given by the majority is sufficient for such a man, so that, on the contrary now, YOU should kindly forgive and comfort [him], that somehow such a man may not be swallowed up by his being overly sad."

So many people (even some who say they are my brothers) put this situation is a negative light. Disfellowshipping serves the purpose of saving a persons life hopefully. Jehovh wants them to turn around and quit practicing what he doesn't approve of. He wants them to be able to continue living into His wonderful new world He has promised.
People say: "how heartless his family is for "shunning" him." Those people don't understand! They are trying to save that ones everlasting life by 'disciplining in righteousness'. People just won't see past the momentary pain needed to save the life of the one who has gone astray.
Hebrews 12:10, 11 . . . "True, no discipline seems for the present to be joyous, but it is painful; yet afterward, it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it."
Then Upon his / her reinstatement:
(2 Corinthians 2:5-7. . . "Now if anyone has caused sadness, he has saddened, not me, but all of YOU to an extent—not to be too harsh in what I say. This rebuke given by the majority is sufficient for such a man, so that, on the contrary now, YOU should kindly forgive and comfort [him], that somehow such a man may not be swallowed up by his being overly sad."

So many people (even some who say they are my brothers) put this situation is a negative light. Disfellowshipping serves the purpose of saving a persons life hopefully. Jehovh wants them to turn around and quit practicing what he doesn't approve of. He wants them to be able to continue living into His wonderful new world He has promised.
People say: "how heartless his family is for "shunning" him." Those people don't understand! They are trying to save that ones everlasting life by 'disciplining in righteousness'. People just won't see past the momentary pain needed to save the life of the one who has gone astray.
Hebrews 12:10, 11 . . . "True, no discipline seems for the present to be joyous, but it is painful; yet afterward, it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it."
Then Upon his / her reinstatement:
(2 Corinthians 2:5-7. . . "Now if anyone has caused sadness, he has saddened, not me, but all of YOU to an extent—not to be too harsh in what I say. This rebuke given by the majority is sufficient for such a man, so that, on the contrary now, YOU should kindly forgive and comfort [him], that somehow such a man may not be swallowed up by his being overly sad."

This could be the U.S's beginning to act like Russia in implanting false notions about Jehovah's Witnesses.

These parents... This family say's they are Jehovah's Witnesses??????
I'm sorry. But they are appearently NOT (Dad, beard, ponytail). This almost appears to be someone claiming to be Jehovah's Witnesses in order to bring reproach on Jehovah's people. They obviously are not practicing the standards of style and dress that Jehovah's people have adopted such as modest grooming, etc.
Am I the only one who notices this?
Watch the video.

“Go in through the narrow gate, because broad is the gate and spacious is the road leading off into destruction, and many are going in through it; whereas narrow is the gate and cramped the road leading off into life, and few are finding it. “Be on the watch for the false prophets who come to you in sheep’s covering, but inside they are ravenous wolves. By their fruits you will recognize them. Never do people gather grapes from thorns or figs from thistles, do they? Likewise, every good tree produces fine fruit, but every rotten tree produces worthless fruit. A good tree cannot bear worthless fruit, nor can a rotten tree produce fine fruit. Every tree not producing fine fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Really, then, by their fruits you will recognize those men." - Matthew 7:13-20
 

“Go in through the narrow gate, because broad is the gate and spacious is the road leading off into destruction, and many are going in through it; whereas narrow is the gate and cramped the road leading off into life, and few are finding it. “Be on the watch for the false prophets who come to you in sheep’s covering, but inside they are ravenous wolves. By their fruits you will recognize them. Never do people gather grapes from thorns or figs from thistles, do they? Likewise, every good tree produces fine fruit, but every rotten tree produces worthless fruit. A good tree cannot bear worthless fruit, nor can a rotten tree produce fine fruit. Every tree not producing fine fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Really, then, by their fruits you will recognize those men." - Matthew 7:13-20
 

Kenneth Flodin: Beware of Deceit (Jude 9) 

Just one more smart phone DISTRACTION to trap people in another gaming addiction. Big frivolous time waster.

My Dad used to take me deer hunting when I was a teenager.  We'd go out when it was dark and be in a deer stand in a tree as the light began to come up.  At first you could make out precious little, but as the light slowly intensified, the tree stump that may have initially looked like a sleeping bear, became more easily identifiable.  Once the morning had broken, much more became clear.  Now if someone had asked me at that point if I felt I was required to believe that what I had thought was a bear really was a tree stump, the question would make no sense.  Of course, it was a tree stump.  Why would someone ask a person was required to believe it was tree stump when that was so obviously clear?
But what about the seedling that was growing out of the ground 30 yards away?  Well, at first, that was not even visible when  there was little light.  But then at mid-morning, one could see the seedling, but still it was unclear exactly what it was.  Likely a relative of a nearby plant or tree.  But upon returning to the sight a while later and doing some in research into the leaf shape, etc, we might come to some pretty good conclusions.  But even then, the passage of time made the identification more discernible. 
Of course, in some situations, identification of the plant could have been mistaken or need to be altered if one realized that there could have been a slight error at the initial or subsequent examinations.  
Likewise, JW's understanding of the scriptures continues to grow and mature.
This is one of the great advantage that Jehovah's Witnesses have over most other religions.  It is their willingness to change or adjust based on new insights or investigations.  That is in fact how science works (or at  least is supposed to).  How silly it would be to be required to, for instance, be bound to the beliefs astronomers had back in the 1900's.  As Hubble peers into space and other bits and pieces of information are discerned, our knowledge of the stars and space grows.  Likewise with the scriptures.  
The question as to whether we are required to believe the new insights might be best rephrased, "Does one want to progress in knowledge or not?"
By way of contrast, it is most apparent that most churches are mired in the doctrine of the third - sixth centuries. They cling to, for instance, the Athanasian Creed.  It's as if they are required to believe that the tree stump is really a bear!
Now as to which camp one chooses to belong, that is a choice for each individual.  But as for me and my household, we choose continual progress.
 
   
 

Just one more smart phone DISTRACTION to trap people in another gaming addiction. Big frivolous time waster.

For those of you who think this person is sincere, think again.  This is illustrating absurdity by being absurd. They are trying to make the point that you are branded like slaves to an organization, not to God.  I'm at least thankful that this was rejected completely by the commenters.  With what I've seen with JW.org logos recently, I wasn't so sure people wouldn't think this was a good idea.  

The picture is obviously a "photoshop". No real worshiper of Jehovah would make such a mark on their bodies. The marking of Gods people is a figurative, spiritual marking. Not a literal one. Perhaps the picture could be taken as a kind of warning for us though. We are to be loyal to Jehovah and His son Jesus in the Heavens. As far as the Earthly organization that we are a part of goes... It is merely a slave of our Creator. They only use technology and their imperfect best wits along with sincere prayer and deep Bible study to help us to improve our relationship with Jehovah. Any logos they have made are just that - logos. We don't want to put those logos up on high. They just help us to remember where to find help in learning of Jehovah and His purposes. We need to be careful to not let these logos and media aids (such as the cartoon characters Caleb and Sophia) on the Bible teaching web site jw.org NOT become "images to which we offer worshipful devotion. Imperfect Humans tend to wrongly set up physical icons to represent God. God has said: 'DON'T DO THAT'. That is why Jehovah took Moses' body and buried it secretly... So the Isrealites wouldn't try to make a shrine of Moses' grave. Our devotion is to Jehovah God DIRECTLY. JW.org helps us to do that. WE MUST BE CAREFUL to not render worship to JW.org.

The picture is obviously a "photoshop". No real worshiper of Jehovah would make such a mark on their bodies. The marking of Gods people is a figurative, spiritual marking. Not a literal one. Perhaps the picture could be taken as a kind of warning for us though. We are to be loyal to Jehovah and His son Jesus in the Heavens. As far as the Earthly organization that we are a part of goes... It is merely a slave of our Creator. They only use technology and their imperfect best wits along with sincere prayer and deep Bible study to help us to improve our relationship with Jehovah. Any logos they have made are just that - logos. We don't want to put those logos up on high. They just help us to remember where to find help in learning of Jehovah and His purposes. We need to be careful to not let these logos and media aids (such as the cartoon characters Caleb and Sophia) on the Bible teaching web site jw.org NOT become "images to which we offer worshipful devotion. Imperfect Humans tend to wrongly set up physical icons to represent God. God has said: 'DON'T DO THAT'. That is why Jehovah took Moses' body and buried it secretly... So the Isrealites wouldn't try to make a shrine of Moses' grave. Our devotion is to Jehovah God DIRECTLY. JW.org helps us to do that. WE MUST BE CAREFUL to not render worship to JW.org.

The picture is obviously a "photoshop". No real worshiper of Jehovah would make such a mark on their bodies. The marking of Gods people is a figurative, spiritual marking. Not a literal one. Perhaps the picture could be taken as a kind of warning for us though. We are to be loyal to Jehovah and His son Jesus in the Heavens. As far as the Earthly organization that we are a part of goes... It is merely a slave of our Creator. They only use technology and their imperfect best wits along with sincere prayer and deep Bible study to help us to improve our relationship with Jehovah. Any logos they have made are just that - logos. We don't want to put those logos up on high. They just help us to remember where to find help in learning of Jehovah and His purposes. We need to be careful to not let these logos and media aids (such as the cartoon characters Caleb and Sophia) on the Bible teaching web site jw.org NOT become "images to which we offer worshipful devotion. Imperfect Humans tend to wrongly set up physical icons to represent God. God has said: 'DON'T DO THAT'. That is why Jehovah took Moses' body and buried it secretly... So the Isrealites wouldn't try to make a shrine of Moses' grave. Our devotion is to Jehovah God DIRECTLY. JW.org helps us to do that. WE MUST BE CAREFUL to not render worship to JW.org.

Un Surveillant de circonscription  travaillait avec un très humble frère dans une partie riche de la ville. Quand ils ont atteint une belle maison, ils ont rencontré un homme qui ne cache pas son hostilité. Ce fut au tour de l'humble frère de parler:

Bonne journée Monsieur. Nous sommes ici pour montrer le nom de Dieu.
 Comme vous pouvez le voir ici dans le Psaume 83:18 il lit: «Que les gens sachent que toi, dont le nom est Jéhovah, toi seul es le Très-Haut sur toute la terre. '

Après un moment, l'homme a dit: Je veux que vous me montrer que, dans ma Bible.
 L'homme est revenu avec sa bible et il a donné au frère. Le texte lu: «Qu'ils sachent que toi seul, dont le nom est le « Seigneur", le Très-Haut sur toute la terre. '

Tu vois? Dit l'homme avec une voix altérée - le nom de Dieu est «Seigneur! - Tu ne comprends rien de la Bible! C'est moi qui devrait vous enseigner et qui est exactement ce que je vais faire!


 Et la première chose que vous devez faire est de jeter votre Bible. Donnez-moi votre nom et votre adresse! Je vais étape dans votre maison pour vous apprendre à chaque fois que vous voulez.

Avec un crayon et un morceau de papier prêt, l'homme demanda: Quel est ton nom?
 L'humble frère répondit: Mon nom est Seigneur.


 Non, je veux savoir votre nom personnel - a insisté l'homme.
 Mon nom est «Seigneur», a insisté le frère.
 Vous devez avoir un nom. Quel est-il? Insisté le résident.
 Mon nom est «Seigneur», a insisté le frère encore plus.
 Comment pouvez-vous être aussi stupide? Cria l'homme. «Seigneur» c"'est pas un nom ...


 De retour à la bible de l'homme, le frère répondit calmement:
 Eh bien, si «Seigneur» est pas un nom, alors  jeter votre Bible!

It would be true to say that there are wicked men in any religious organization (including ours at times).  It's also true to say that we used to be very graphic, specific and expressive in our description of other religions.  In today's climate however, tact becomes important and we often need to choose our words carefully so as to maintain Jehovah's standards, and yet not alienate people who could potentially become our brothers and sisters, or unnecessarily bring governmental/legal restrictions that would curtail our preaching work.  We don't want to sound like "haters," while trying to reach those very same individuals (whether regarding religion or lifestyle).  That's not to say we approve of or tolerate wickedness, but we need to also guard against "painting with a wide brush" millions of people of whatever persuasion who like the Ninevites Noah was sent to -  "did not know their left hand from their right hand."  My next door neighbour happens to be Muslim as was one of my previous employers.  They were very nice to me.  I can't imagine how they would feel if I started referring to them all as wicked Muslims or how receptive they would be to our message with that description.  I'm sure the poster wasn't intending to make broad sweeping generalizations (even though we know Jehovah will destroy Babylon the Great), but my point is we need to be tactful in the way we relate to others who we may want to reach.  

@ Jay Witness The main thing they said was: "Our thoughts are with his family and friends, particularly his fellow worshippers... in the congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Minnesota [where he attended]. We hope that all find comfort in the Bible’s promise of a future time when death, pain, and tears will be no more.—Revelation 21:3, 4."
The JW brothers acknowledge not knowing the details surrounding this mans death. Their main point was acknowledging the family he left behind. They were not not giving him undue praise.
These words about Satan really do apply. (And they can also apply to many who follow Satan in the way he continually makes his ACCUSATIONS): Revelation 12:10, 11: "And I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have come to pass the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ, because the ACCUSER of our brothers has been hurled down, who ACCUSES them day and night before our God! And they conquered him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their witnessing, and they did not love their souls even in the face of death."
Since Prince has widely been known as one of our group of fellow worshipers and so well known to millions in the world, it obviously was decided that at least a brief statement should be made. We don't feel that he deserved any more recognition than any other of our brothers. But we also don't want to appear calloused (Since he was so well known).
That being said... You obviously look to find ANYTHING AT ALL to accuse our brothers of... Just like "your father, the Devil." - John 8:44,45

Dear Brothers and Sisters, the best response to a critical comment is no response at all.
At Luke 7:31-35, Jesus discussed "the men of this generation" who were critical of others, finding fault.  His conclusion was simply, "All the same, wisdom is proved righteous by all its children."
There is no need to respond.

An answer when mild turns away rage.
We don't have all the answers but we can be kind nonetheless. Please don't be  offended, I'm sure  no offense was contemplated.
How unkind to turn our dear brother's death into something shameful. Console one another and compose self with kindness. To each one who ask provide an answer.... if you do some research at JW.org  search all the topics you want and be sure to read the scriptures provided.  You won't find a better source.

I saw this movie. I'm ashamed to say that I didn't walk out due to the terrible violence in the film.
Yes Jehovah's name was mentioned by Lex Luthor as part of a list of names of other (false) gods. I considered this to be rather blasphemous, because the true God was lumped together with several false gods (including Superman). Really bothered me.
More and more, Satan is using all means at his disposal including the entertainment industry to minimize our God Jehovah. It's no wonder that the number of atheists and godless people is growing.
I would NOT recommend anyone else to go see this movie.

@Jay Witness
I was NOT calling you the devil. I was merely using a phrase that Jesus used toward those religious leaders who were always seeking to find fault with his true teachings. Jesus even told his loyal follower Peter once: "Get behind me Satan" when Peter need to be corrected in his understanding.
I am sorry that you misinterpret my meaning when I choose to use the phrase, quoting Jesus: "your are from your father the Devil"... I was NOT calling you the Devil sir.
I was merely making a comparison between the first accuser and those who follow in his lead of finding fault with those earnestly trying to do their best in serving Jehovah.
Jesus said those words to the Pharasies: "YOU are from YOUR father the Devil, and YOU wish to do the desires of YOUR father. That one was a manslayer when he began, and he did not stand fast in the truth, because truth is not in him. When he speaks the lie, he speaks according to his own disposition, because he is a liar and the father of [the lie]." - John 8:44.
Do those words that Jesus said to those Pharisees make him "liable to the fiery Ge·henʹna."? (Matthew 5:22)... I think not.
You are a human being... Sinful just like me. But it seems that your aim is to slander a group of other sinful humans who are just trying their best to do Gods will as best they know how. And Satan did the same thing to Jesus and his first followers.
 
 

Most of us JW's came out of this wicked world into a spiritual paradise leaving behind bad habits, old ideals, twisted reasonings, traditions of men,philosophies and empty teachings or reasonings....etc... Leaving behind a former course of life and putting on a new christian  personality. We are the same person the only change being we now have a personal relationship with God Jehovah with a new insight into truth and now knowing what the love of God means and wanting to please him.
Famous individuals are the same. the only difference being they are under a microscope and reminded daily in a public display how they once were. An individual knows in themselves they are now fellow workers with Gods purposes and not against it and purpose to uphold Jehovah's will. 
Imagine if you would if you personally did many pieces of work that everybody loved because it was dramatic it was beautiful; you receive awards for it so others have an exhibit to display  your many other works. You love your work as do many others. You later learn that a few pieces were untrue or faulty in some way, defective. You rectify your standard to make it more to your satisfaction and true. Many will judge their opinion of you based  on  your  passed  work, but those who know you will know you no longer use the old standard and  will know your improved works and commend your faithfulness.  God commends such faithfulness. others can not see it perhaps; but it is not theirs to see it is the individuals.
 

@Jay Witness
I was NOT calling you the devil. I was merely using a phrase that Jesus used toward those religious leaders who were always seeking to find fault with his true teachings. Jesus even told his loyal follower Peter once: "Get behind me Satan" when Peter need to be corrected in his understanding.
I am sorry that you misinterpret my meaning when I choose to use the phrase, quoting Jesus: "your are from your father the Devil"... I was NOT calling you the Devil sir.
I was merely making a comparison between the first accuser and those who follow in his lead of finding fault with those earnestly trying to do their best in serving Jehovah.
Jesus said those words to the Pharasies: "YOU are from YOUR father the Devil, and YOU wish to do the desires of YOUR father. That one was a manslayer when he began, and he did not stand fast in the truth, because truth is not in him. When he speaks the lie, he speaks according to his own disposition, because he is a liar and the father of [the lie]." - John 8:44.
Do those words that Jesus said to those Pharisees make him "liable to the fiery Ge·henʹna."? (Matthew 5:22)... I think not.
You are a human being... Sinful just like me. But it seems that your aim is to slander a group of other sinful humans who are just trying their best to do Gods will as best they know how. And Satan did the same thing to Jesus and his first followers.