Witness

It's wise to define mistakes.  Moses clearly was an inspired prophet of God.  We have written evidence that God worked through him. Parting the Red Sea was not by his power, but by the power of God. 
We have clear evidence that prophesy made by Watchtower leaders was never under inspiration from God.  We also have clear understanding from God through his prophet Moses, what to expect will happen to false prophets.
 But a prophet who presumes to speak in My name anything I have not commanded, or a prophet who speaks in the name of other gods, is to be put to death.”
21 You may say to yourselves, “How can we know when a message has not been spoken by the Lord?” 22 If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the Lord does not take place or come true, that is a message the Lord has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously, so do not be alarmed.  Deut 18:20-22
Being a false prophet is not dismissed by a slap of the hand from God.  If a leader expects obedience to his words that fail time and time again; and then makes the judgment call of spiritual death on someone for rejecting his leadership, would you call that an act of "humanity and mercy on other humans"?  Thousands who have accepted Christ's leadership over the leadership of a wicked slave, have been sanctioned as spiritually dead.  
 
“Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.  Matt 24:9-13
 
 
 
https://4womaninthewilderness.blogspot.com/2020/04/discerning-false-christs-and-false.html
 
 
 
 

It's wise to define mistakes.  Moses clearly was an inspired prophet of God.  We have written evidence that God worked through him. Parting the Red Sea was not by his power, but by the power of God. 
We have clear evidence that prophesy made by Watchtower leaders was never under inspiration from God.  We also have clear understanding from God through his prophet Moses, what to expect will happen to false prophets.
 But a prophet who presumes to speak in My name anything I have not commanded, or a prophet who speaks in the name of other gods, is to be put to death.”
21 You may say to yourselves, “How can we know when a message has not been spoken by the Lord?” 22 If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the Lord does not take place or come true, that is a message the Lord has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously, so do not be alarmed.  Deut 18:20-22
Being a false prophet is not dismissed by a slap of the hand from God.  If a leader expects obedience to his words that fail time and time again; and then makes the judgment call of spiritual death on someone for rejecting his leadership, would you call that an act of "humanity and mercy on other humans"?  Thousands who have accepted Christ's leadership over the leadership of a wicked slave, have been sanctioned as spiritually dead.  
 
“Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.  Matt 24:9-13
 
 
 
https://4womaninthewilderness.blogspot.com/2020/04/discerning-false-christs-and-false.html
 
 
 
 

It is a sad situation, and can be interprested as a very "extreme" move, which could remind one of Hitler camps.  
But so does this situation: (translated from German).  It makes one wonder what party is more Hitler-like.  
Dear Brothers.
This is my [response] to the way you dismissed me of the Special pioneer service [effective the first of] January 2016. The [fitting] “loving words” cannot reduce my disappointment.
As you mentioned, I experienced a lot of joy and went through a lot of challenges. I was willing to set the kingdom interests first and to [make] sacrifices to serve Jehovah, wherever you thought it is necessary.
In the belief that the end is near and that the organization is [led] by Jehovah’s spirit, I started pioneering in my youth. I [turned down getting] a good education in the hope that the organization needs me. Jehovah is the best employer, as I was told.
And now you decided that my special pioneer service will end [on the first of] January 2016. I ask myself what changed that you do not need my service anymore after nearly 30 years?
I am astonished that you advise me to serve as an normal pioneer in the future. If the end is near, why is my service as [a special pioneer] not necessary anymore? Is it the money? Am I too expensive for the organization?
Do you need the money, which is donated to support the preaching work for other activities? For example for building projects, like Warwick or temple farms? I really feel betrayed and exploited.
It seems to be the case that some buildings projects are more important for the “slave” than humans, who try to help others. Your offer to release me from my duty to reach the monthly hours goal, that I can do necessary things like looking for a job or for living, is really generous. Until January you want to pay my allowance as usual.
Really generous of you! To be honest it feels like a hit in my face or a kick in my ass.
I have no financial back up in my age and no education. I can probably not expect any support from my family, as they warned me [about getting into special pioneering].
As you mentioned, I did not expect this decision and I do not believe anymore that the Governing Body or the Branch Office are really valuing the work I did.
Your encouragement to trust at Jehovah sounds like derision. As I thought Jehovah provides for his servants through his organization. You do not want to lose my service and my experience, but you do not want to spend a single dollar for it anymore.
How else could I interpret this sentence? Quote: “In view of the valuable experience you have gained in your ministry, we hope your circumstances will allow you to engage in the regular pioneering”… “In that way, your full time service will not be interrupted. As a regular pioneer, you may choose the congregation in which you want to serve; however, we hope that, if possible, you can stay in your current assignment. If you move to another location, please talk to the circuit overseer or write to the Service Department to know where you might be more useful.”
I truly understood now, what is important for Jehovah`s organization: the only things that are counting, are efficiency and the gain for the organization, not the people.
Disappointed greetings.
Your Brother
(I do not want to tell you my name until I am not longer depending on you).
 
https://jwsurvey.org/downsizing/betrayed-and-exploited-dismissed-special-pioneer-lashes-out-against-downsizing/comment-page-1
 

https://studios.vidangel.com/the-chosen
I don't watch television and I'm quite choosy as to films that I will watch, but when it comes to the 'Life of Christ Jesus' I am quite keen to watch films and programmes of interest. 
I have just finished watching Series One of ' The Chosen'. It is about the Life of Jesus from before He made Himself know to the 'public at large'. 
Of course it uses a lot of 'artistic licence' and lots of things in it are not facts, but I find it helpful to see the type of lifestyle the Jews lived and to see Jesus and His followers as real people. 
I don't know if your 'Leaders' will tell you not to watch it, but i found it relaxing and a pleasure to watch. I particularly liked Nicodemus and his meeting with Jesus, the questions asked and answered. 
I don't think any of you would find it offensive but of course you will note many faults in it, as i did. However, in my opinion it is far better to watch this than watch most other films of our time. 
 

I'm not a group of dictators making up rules to suit my own purpose and misleading millions of innocent people. I am only responsible for myself. 
Whereas your GB pretend to the F&DS and therefore take great responsibility upon themselves, whilst suppressing the rest of the Anointed ones. But what they offer is not true spiritual wisdom and they do not follow the instructions from Christ. 

Matthew 5 v 38 through 42
 “You heard that it was said: ‘Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.’ 39  However, I say to you: Do not resist the one who is wicked, but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other also to him. 40  And if a person wants to take you to court and get possession of your inner garment, let him also have your outer garment;c 41  and if someone in authority compels you into service for a mile, go with him two miles. 42  Give to the one asking you, and do not turn away from one who wants to borrow from you.
The GB and their Lawyers do not understand the spiritual things from God. 
It also seems they are ashamed of their own videos. 

..I could not tell is you were being sarcastic or earnest in your comment.
I have to give it my "best shot", guessing to the best of my ability, using my experience and common sense ... often using the "smell test", and have to actually bet my life on the conclusions I reach.
If I guess, or decide wrongly, I of course have to pay the price ... and that can be anything from years of misery, to instant death, or worse.
If I rely on "Sky Pilots" for their wisdom, and THEY are wrong, I STILL have to pay the price, still anything from years of misery, to instant death, or worse.
.... AND THEY PAY NO PRICE WHATSOEVER !
..... while sitting under a waterfall of free money that never stops.
 
 

This is just one of few questions, and not rightly addressed to/for me, but for You too. Issue of "acceptance" and "beliefs" in/about religious matters, here, is in focus, of course. Individual inner sense, feeling about past events and records about such events is question or decision for individual to make. Something about issues we put in focus, is not reasonable to put as black and white format, and to say how not accepting your's beliefs is wrong. 
If i would say how i am fully accept Jesus and Gospel, that doesn't mean how in the same time i have to accept WTJWorg and GB doctrines, because of their claim how only they "have the truth" about Jesus and Gospel. :))   
..... and exactly that is the question you have to deal with. 

At what appears to be the same address - 900 Red Mills Rd, Wallkill, NY 12589...
...is another type of "farm"/corporation, for "religion, spiritual development"
VALLEY FARMS CORPORATION
Mission
Valley Farms Corporation is a religious organization formed to purchase, sell, or lease real property to support the needs of Jehovah’s Witnesses in the United States. The organization remits any income generated from the real property it owns to Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc.     
 https://www.guidestar.org/profile/11-2925405
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
Valley Farms Corporation is a real estate association based in Wallkill, NY that was founded in 1987. As of 2018 they had $284,426 in revenue and $2.0 million in assets.
  The IRS revoked this organization's federal tax exemption on 2013-05-15, for not filing a Form 990-series annual return or notice for three consecutive tax years. Program areas at Valley Farms Corporation
Acquiring real property and holding title to, and collecting income from such property
https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/valley-farms-corporation,112925405/#section_form990s
 
 
 
(information provided by Kim Mikey youtube)

According to Jesus' words, we are being judged by the inclinations of our heart. 
I am happy that both God and Christ are merciful and that whomever is judging me knows more about me than i know about myself. 

@James Thomas Rook Jr.  you continue to condemn the CCJW of which you are a part. 
quote "The specificity ... THE SPECIFICITY ... of those videos is absolute confirmation to me that there are serious, DANGEROUS things going on at Bethel, and with the Society's completely clueless and pharisaic leadership. "
But you still want to be part of it. And you use as an excuse this :-
the way I look at it, it is no different than being in the Marines, when the Officer Corps goes off the deep end ....
BUT the Marines ARE PART OF THIS WORLD so they have that excuse.
It is not good to pretend, either to yourself or others, that the CCJW is God's chosen organisation, then to compare it to a military part of the world.  
Do you really want to bring families with young children into that " serious, DANGEROUS.. organisation with it's " completely clueless and pharisaic leadership. "
My Bible trained conscience would not let me do so. 

Always excuses.
Truth is not a revolving door.  If an anointed remains "in Christ" that one's teachings would be be proven as firm, - reliable, over the years.  John 15:16
 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me."  John 15:1-4
If the fruit taught in the 60's, can be rejected today, then it was never sourced in Christ. If the fruit taught today is proven bogus, God expects us to reject it.  If we love our neighbor, we would not remain silent but speak up for righteousness.  We are told to examine the fruit and reject what is "bad".    Matt 7:15-20
Both Jesus and the apostles taught that there would most certainly be "divisions" in the congregations, based on teachings.  John 15:18-25  Interestingly, those who obey the words of Christ in John 15, and reject falsehoods, are "hated without reason" by their people.  
We embrace Christ's direction, not the wayward direction of uninspired men.   
 
"I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. 18 For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people."  Rom 16:17-18
 
 
 

Always excuses.
Truth is not a revolving door.  If an anointed remains "in Christ" that one's teachings would be be proven as firm, - reliable, over the years.  John 15:16
 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me."  John 15:1-4
If the fruit taught in the 60's, can be rejected today, then it was never sourced in Christ. If the fruit taught today is proven bogus, God expects us to reject it.  If we love our neighbor, we would not remain silent but speak up for righteousness.  We are told to examine the fruit and reject what is "bad".    Matt 7:15-20
Both Jesus and the apostles taught that there would most certainly be "divisions" in the congregations, based on teachings.  John 15:18-25  Interestingly, those who obey the words of Christ in John 15, and reject falsehoods, are "hated without reason" by their people.  
We embrace Christ's direction, not the wayward direction of uninspired men.   
 
"I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. 18 For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people."  Rom 16:17-18
 
 
 

... i agree completely :)) ... my ideas are imperfect !

@James Thomas Rook Jr. quote " The question that needs to be asked is this ....  how can people be dumber than rocks? "
I would have thought that the question that needs to be asked is - ---  
How can anyone that has a bible trained conscience be part of this immoral, dishonest, and basically clueless CCJW Organisation ? 
As for Arauna, she seems to want to delve into sexual immorality. Whereas in scripture it just says this :-
Acts 15 v 28 & 29
 For the holy spirit and we ourselves have favored adding no further burden to you except these necessary things: 29  to keep abstaining from things sacrificed to idols, from blood, from what is strangled, and from sexual immorality.i If you carefully keep yourselves from these things, you will prosper. Good health to you!”
Unless Arauna can show us where in scripture it breaks it down into specific acts. 
A Bible based conscience will know right from wrong. 
I think the GB were just perverted in their thoughts and suggestions. 
However I think James has made it quite clear that the GB does take over people's consciences and people's thinking ability. The conscience is like a muscle in your body. If the muscle is not used it weakens and becomes useless. So it is with your conscience, if it is not used regularly it stops working. This seems to be what happens with Elders and may congregants. They follow the GB's 'rules of men', they become 'robots', they lose their conscience because they no longer need it, because they just follow rules without questioning them.  
Arauna made a point about having independent thoughts but basically keeping those thoughts to ones self. 
James mentioned somewhere about people not being BRAVE enough to question the GB's interpretations.
IMO, the idea of personal study through prayer is to gain truth and spiritual wisdom. Why then would a person want to suppress spiritual wisdom and truth gained through prayer and personal study ? Especially when wrong could be made right in an important way. 
 
 

Humans, not only You, but every of us, many times contradicting to themselves.
If you want to be submissive to your leaders, than there is no place for "exploring new ideas", because you have to wait for new ideas coming from GB and Helpers.
What you teach is not your ideas, but GB ideas.
If you "chat" about "improper ideas" with others you are walking "around the edge", according to JW publications.
"Causing division" is something normal according to Jesus, because he told how His teaching will cause family members to be apart, to renounce and to hate, according to Matt 10 and Luke 14.    

I suppose how private activity of giving gifts is "normal", with or without signature.
GB members representing Private Company, an Organization with millions of members. But most of all they said how they representing and mediating between JHVH, Jesus and JW members.  In this aspect, all their activity is not just "normal activity", because they working on behalf of WTJWorg, and all their decisions and behavior, private and public, have to be looked through another glasses. 

Newspapers commonly advertise the JW Sunday meeting times and address in the church notice section. I have even seen the name of the talk to be given, on a particular Sunday.  The newspaper could only have gotten this information from the elders of the local kh.  When traveling through small towns many times I’ve seen the Jehovah’s Witnesses kingdom hall listed on a sign post, along with all other religions of the town.
Are JWs really “no part of the world” of religions?  Or, are those who have left the organization, no longer part of that  particular world? John 17:15,16  Jesus separated himself from the corruption of the religious system of his own people.  Is there corruption in the religious system of the WT?  What JW, in all honesty, could say no?
 
https://4womaninthewilderness.blogspot.com/2012/02/here-is-answer-to-question-regarding.html
 

Can anyone exercise their conscience without the ability to think independently?  
"But a spirit of independent thinking does not prevail in God’s organization, and we have sound reasons for confidence in the men taking the lead among us."  W 89 9/15/pp 20-25

Newspapers commonly advertise the JW Sunday meeting times and address in the church notice section. I have even seen the name of the talk to be given, on a particular Sunday.  The newspaper could only have gotten this information from the elders of the local kh.  When traveling through small towns many times I’ve seen the Jehovah’s Witnesses kingdom hall listed on a sign post, along with all other religions of the town.
Are JWs really “no part of the world” of religions?  Or, are those who have left the organization, no longer part of that  particular world? John 17:15,16  Jesus separated himself from the corruption of the religious system of his own people.  Is there corruption in the religious system of the WT?  What JW, in all honesty, could say no?
 
https://4womaninthewilderness.blogspot.com/2012/02/here-is-answer-to-question-regarding.html
 

Can anyone exercise their conscience without the ability to think independently?  
"But a spirit of independent thinking does not prevail in God’s organization, and we have sound reasons for confidence in the men taking the lead among us."  W 89 9/15/pp 20-25

What they are ACTUALLY saying is EXACTLY this:
".... The men taking the lead among us have sound reasons for confidence in the men taking the lead among us."
WOW!
I guess that is why we were once taught that men having sex with men, or animals does not dissolve a marriage, and we are taught TODAY ... today,  that two Bethelites sitting naked in chairs, watching each other masturbate IS NOT pornea.
".... The men taking the lead among us have sound reasons for confidence in the men taking the lead among us."
OF COURSE THEY DO!
The question that needs to be asked is this ....  how can people be dumber than rocks?

Can anyone exercise their conscience without the ability to think independently?  
"But a spirit of independent thinking does not prevail in God’s organization, and we have sound reasons for confidence in the men taking the lead among us."  W 89 9/15/pp 20-25

Bethel is sort of building and not place where faith lives. Behtel workers who answer as you had said, have more correct faith than some GB members who before many years (decades) put their signatures on Bibles as gift to some public officials. This "custom" is "normal" for those who are "part of the world", what ever that have or should mean in this or any other context. :))

Perhaps TTH not expecting from me to read his entire column :))) 

Their consciences were stolen because they had to obey the Leaders of the Org due to misuse of the Superior Authorities scripture. This has been admitted by many JWs, even on here. 
And if you could just be honest for once, you would admit it is true.