Witness

https://www.osce.org/files/f/documents/e/b/83530.pdf
Statement of Dr Massimo Introvigne, Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office on Combating Racism, Xenophobia and Discrimination, also Focusing on Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians and Members of Other Religions HDIM, Warsaw, October 4, 2011
I came to this mandate with a background not as a politician or a diplomat, but with some thirty years of experience as a sociologist of religion and religious liberty activist. Those who came in touch with me this year would probably agree that this background may involve both advantages and disadvantages. The mandate is broad, and the time is short. I will limit myself to four remarks about four main areas of the mandate.
1. Racism. Social theory teaches us that economic crises generate stereotyping and scapegoating of minorities, easily degenerating into racism. Recent experience shows that this stereotyping is unfortunately not limited to marginal racist organizations, but occasionally contaminates mainline political speech. Intolerance should not be tolerated, be it intolerance against immigrants, refugees, women or any other minority. Working with NGOs and civil society is particularly important in this field, and several NGOs gave us a real treasure of information, particularly during our country visits.
2. Roma and Sinti issues. The growth of intolerance against Roma and Sinti communities is also in part a consequence of the international economic crisis. Two main aims of the mandate have been to involve directly Roma organizations in any international and domestic discussion about their community, and to facilitate conversations between the same Roma organizations, ODIHR specialized personnel, and some participating States. At least with respect to certain States, some real progress has been made, although visits to settlements and communities in several countries confirmed that much remains to be done.
3. Members of other religions. I fully understood my mandate not to be only about Christians, and recently had a significant meeting with leaders of the Sikh community in what is now the largest European Sikh temple, in Northern Italy. They report that problems still exist, but their situation has significantly improved in several participating States. I also interacted with so called traditional or "tribal" religions, particularly - in conversation with the World Intellectual Property Organization and other relevant actors in this field - in connection with one of their concerns, the protection of their "traditional knowledge" through the use, and the prevention of possible misuse, of intellectual property. But I also tried not to forget the non-traditional religions and experiences, by meeting representatives of both new religious movements and of secular humanist organizations, which are struggling for appropriate forms of legal recognitions in some countries.
4. Christians. The September 12, 2011 conference on hate crimes against Christians in Rome, with its quite high attendance, confirmed that these crimes are a matter of great international concern. The spiral of intolerance against Christians can be described through a three-step model. First comes intolerance, a cultural phenomenon. Second, discrimination, a legal process. Third, hate crimes. The social actors involved in the three steps are obviously different. But there is a slippery slope from the first step to the second and from the second to the third. I am very much aware that my role as Representative is not to be a spokesperson for any Christian church or community. But it involves hearing their claims and complaints, checking the facts, and discussing these claims with the relevant participating states. It should be recognized that not all claims should be accepted at face value. Christian churches and communities may have been responsible of hurting local sensitivities in different ways. But it is also a fact that intolerance against Christians is growing in many countries and regions.
My mandate is about building bridges. Bridges between countries. Bridges between religions. Bridges between religions and governments. Bridges between believers and unbelievers. Bridges between those who cherish the religious heritages of their countries and those who cherish traditions of separation between church and state.
Bridges are also about friendship. Let me conclude by mentioning that in this year I saw professional acquaintances grow into real friendships with personnel of OSCE , ODIHR and the Lithuanian chairmanship, women and men of great professional capabilities and moral integrity. For this, I am particularly grateful.
GB and JW representatives refuse any dialogue with representatives of other religions (except perhaps when they communicate through real estate agents while selling KH to another “fake” religion).
In this aspect, Massimo argues that he builds bridges between religions.
Is “building bridges between religions” something JWs want? From what we know the answer is, No. But WTJWorg GB doesn't mind, for now, that Massimo Introvigne wants to achieve exctly that with his work.
WTJWorg complains that others (whole world) are intolerant of them and discriminate and hate them. Well, can’t the same be found in a JW assembly whose members refuse to greet a former member when they meet on the street? Not greeting someone you know is not only rude and unkind, it is intolerant, discriminatory and hateful. It is the demolition, the burning of bridges.

The point is, he was hired to lobby for the Wt.  Hired; given money to announce how JWs are persecuted.  Does God need the help of the world at any time to fight His battles?   If the persecution of JWs in Russia was really for the sake of Jesus Christ, must it be advertised and fought against?  Or, should JWs accept the path of Christ, and walk humbly on that path?   (Matt 16:24-26)
But, JWs are not suffering for the sake of Christ.  They are suffering for the sake of an organization, an idol.  This is why the leadership must fight to save it.  It is built with money, not with the Spirit of God.  It uses money to fight its battles.  (Exod 20:4,5; 32:8,4; Isa 57:13; Matt 22:36,37; Rom 1:21,22,25)
At least JWs are not the victims of mass sterilization.  https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/china-conducting-mass-sterilization-muslim-minorities-amount-genocide/story?id=71519132

But JWs are not law abiding in every way. The GB use their Lawyers to tell lies in court rooms and to defend Pedophiles in the W/t, CCJW, JWOrg.  The GB hide a 25 year Pedophile database that is protecting Pedophiles in the USA.  The GB / JW Org was refusing to pay compensation to Victims of CSA in Australia until the W/t was threatened with losing it's Tax relief.  The W/t / GB gets voluteers to build Kingdom Halls at no labour costs, then the W/t /GB sells off those Kingdom Halls for gross profit. The GB / W/t moves cash 'offshore' to hide it. The GB / W/t has now taken over the 'ownership' of ALL Kingdom Halls worldwide so that congregations have no collateral when being sued for CSA.
The GB / W/t are greedy and dishonest, and have no real love for God or Christ or people. 

I’m sure its because JWs are high profile, and appear very meek and clean cut.  Catholics and Baptists blend in with all people.  A person can be a Catholic and still be accepted as a gambler, a bar hopper, a smoker.  Anything out of the understood ordinary for a JW, especially something like this murder, is brought to the attention of the community.
I’m also sure most people in the world don’t realize that the leaders of the organization’s mantra is making sure that only the outside of the cup is clean.  (Luke 11:39)

I’m sure its because JWs are high profile, and appear very meek and clean cut.  Catholics and Baptists blend in with all people.  A person can be a Catholic and still be accepted as a gambler, a bar hopper, a smoker.  Anything out of the understood ordinary for a JW, especially something like this murder, is brought to the attention of the community.
I’m also sure most people in the world don’t realize that the leaders of the organization’s mantra is making sure that only the outside of the cup is clean.  (Luke 11:39)

First of all, the people taken from the nations for God's name, are His chosen anointed since Christ.  They, are to bear the name of God and Jesus Christ - not the name of an organization.(Isa 45:10-12; 1 Pet 2:5,9; Rev 3:12;5:9,10) 
I am sure somewhere buried in Wt's history that truth can be found.  
 
"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matt 5:10
A.               “righteousness’ sake” - In a broad sense: state of him who is as he ought to be, righteousness, the condition acceptable to God. integrity, virtue, purity of life, rightness, correctness of thinking feeling, and acting
 Is it righteous to hide child abuse cases for years?  Is it righteous to continue promoting a lie that GB members have doubts about, as JWI told us concerning 1914?  To think that your leaders feared being disfellowshipped for exposing 1914 as wrong.  Were they, are they, following in Christ’s footsteps who exposed lies and stood only for truth, or are they following the path of the crooked one?  John 8:44
Is it righteous to lead a person to believe in a date that Armageddon will arrive, and then blame the person for going astray in their anticipating the fulfillment of that date?  (Isa 9:16)
Is it righteous to disfellowship individuals who keep their faith in God and Christ intact, yet reject the dreams of “organization”, which was none other than a “unique idea” to pursue, in Rutherford’s day? 
Is it righteous to shun individuals, caring not whether they live or die? Refusing to help a child who was baptized way too young, and fell into sin.  Today's youths before they reach ten years old, are innocently being baptized into an organization.  What will happen to them when they realize their own folly and leave?  Will they be rejected by the likes of the people here, who have given your post an upvote, a "like", a "thank you"?    
Is it righteous to tell God’s priesthood under Jesus Christ that they must not bond together to study the word of God?  (Dan 11:36,37; Rev 13:5-7)
Is it righteous for elders to act as that priesthood/Temple of God?  (Ezek 44:6-9; 1 Cor 3:16,17; 2 Thess 2:3,4; Rev 11:1,2)
There are two types of persecution outlined in the Bible.  Persecution put upon God’s wayward people for sinning (Deut 28:19-25);  and persecution by one’s own people for standing up to the lies of men, and for upholding the truth in Christ.  (John 15:18-20)
Why is this organization persecuted? 
It is not for upholding the truth in Christ when its leaders are so good at creating falsehoods, speaking lies, hiding lies, hiding their sins, and shunning any who disagree with their doctrine. (John 16:2; Rev 13:15)
 
By the way, speaking of doctrines of men, Jesus does not make new “rules” – an excuse for the GB to do so today.  That, is another lie. We have the Bible where the word of God is all we need. The “rules” are set, not to be added to or taken away from.  (Deut 4:2)
Wt 2/2021 ….Headship -  As our head, Jesus has the authority to make and to enforce rules that govern the conduct of individuals, of families, and of the entire congregation. (Gal. 6:2) But Jesus does more than just make rules. He feeds and cherishes each one of us.—Eph. 5:29.
Under the headship of Christ Jesus, the members of the Governing Body provide helpful direction to organize Jehovah’s people worldwide. They appoint Branch Committee members and circuit overseers. (Eph. 4:7-13) In turn, circuit overseers appoint congregation elders. (Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5)
Etc., etc., etc., etc. 
More is said in this article about the GB and their lengthy responsibilities, than Jesus Christ himself. All of these needs that the GB have devised to run the organization, does require rules and regulations as any organization in the world does. But, do JWs really believe that uninspired men are hearing Jesus Christ telling them to make these new rules? Did Jesus Christ tell them they needed to revamp and organize their child abuse policies? If so, what took him so long? Does Jesus Christ tell them to create new doctrine?  Or, as the GB admitted to, they have thought up doctrine and ideas, only to find out they were wrong.
And those who leave such empty philosophy are the apostates? (Col 2:8)  No. The apostates are those who have become slaves of men. (Gal 1:10; Rom 6:16)
Maybe it is the spirit-directed idol that hears the new rules and regulations that must be enforced; such as controlling what God’s priests are allowed to study, and not to study.  (Dan 11:38,39; Rev 13:1,2) 
Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth. 16 Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior. 17 This kind of talk spreads like cancer as in the case of Hymenaeus and Philetus. 18 They have left the path of truth, claiming that the resurrection of the dead has already occurred; in this way, they have turned some people away from the faith.
19 But God’s truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and “All who belong to the Lord must turn away from evil.”  2 Tim 2:15-19
 
Persecution
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

In your first statement, you begin by boasting about the persecution to come upon JWs.
And then, make excuses for the sins of the organization, that have come to light...about child abuse.  
 
The other points I made, are not sins?  Should we compare righteousness of all religions and say, well the WT's righteousness is better than most?  Is that how God gauges righteousness where His people reside?  
A mother sends her child to school and tells him if you eat a piece of birthday cake, you will disappoint "Jehovah".  What a guilt trip to put on a little child.   Yet, Wt. sends its well educated lawyers to court to win a child abuse case, and the leadership feels justified in doing so, because no matter what, they must protect their riches.  Do they feel that any of their actions disappoint God?  Never.  The burden of persecution  is always on the sheep, who are persecuted because they listen to men living a  well insulated life from the persecutions that their flock experiences.  
If we are to suffer for Jesus Christ's sake, we suffer by exposing falsehoods of our own people. This is what John the Baptist did, Jesus Christ and his apostles.  We put our entire faith in only the Father and the Son and we ask for repentance in following false dogma and men who create it.    Persecution is nothing to boast about, Tom.  It is something to understand why it happens to God's people, who reside where the leadership's sins are just now coming to light.   Revelation 18:4-8 is speaking to "my people" - God's elect/saints; but all who are where the "man of lawlessness"/elder body has rulership over the Temple/"living stones" of God, are to leave the organization.  Otherwise, those sins that you say are milder than other religions/organizations, are what all JWs will be found sharing in.  
Matt 24:15,16; 2 Thess 2:3,4; Rev 11:1-3
 
 
 

In your first statement, you begin by boasting about the persecution to come upon JWs.
And then, make excuses for the sins of the organization, that have come to light...about child abuse.  
 
The other points I made, are not sins?  Should we compare righteousness of all religions and say, well the WT's righteousness is better than most?  Is that how God gauges righteousness where His people reside?  
A mother sends her child to school and tells him if you eat a piece of birthday cake, you will disappoint "Jehovah".  What a guilt trip to put on a little child.   Yet, Wt. sends its well educated lawyers to court to win a child abuse case, and the leadership feels justified in doing so, because no matter what, they must protect their riches.  Do they feel that any of their actions disappoint God?  Never.  The burden of persecution  is always on the sheep, who are persecuted because they listen to men living a  well insulated life from the persecutions that their flock experiences.  
If we are to suffer for Jesus Christ's sake, we suffer by exposing falsehoods of our own people. This is what John the Baptist did, Jesus Christ and his apostles.  We put our entire faith in only the Father and the Son and we ask for repentance in following false dogma and men who create it.    Persecution is nothing to boast about, Tom.  It is something to understand why it happens to God's people, who reside where the leadership's sins are just now coming to light.   Revelation 18:4-8 is speaking to "my people" - God's elect/saints; but all who are where the "man of lawlessness"/elder body has rulership over the Temple/"living stones" of God, are to leave the organization.  Otherwise, those sins that you say are milder than other religions/organizations, are what all JWs will be found sharing in.  
Matt 24:15,16; 2 Thess 2:3,4; Rev 11:1-3
 
 
 

In your first statement, you begin by boasting about the persecution to come upon JWs.
And then, make excuses for the sins of the organization, that have come to light...about child abuse.  
 
The other points I made, are not sins?  Should we compare righteousness of all religions and say, well the WT's righteousness is better than most?  Is that how God gauges righteousness where His people reside?  
A mother sends her child to school and tells him if you eat a piece of birthday cake, you will disappoint "Jehovah".  What a guilt trip to put on a little child.   Yet, Wt. sends its well educated lawyers to court to win a child abuse case, and the leadership feels justified in doing so, because no matter what, they must protect their riches.  Do they feel that any of their actions disappoint God?  Never.  The burden of persecution  is always on the sheep, who are persecuted because they listen to men living a  well insulated life from the persecutions that their flock experiences.  
If we are to suffer for Jesus Christ's sake, we suffer by exposing falsehoods of our own people. This is what John the Baptist did, Jesus Christ and his apostles.  We put our entire faith in only the Father and the Son and we ask for repentance in following false dogma and men who create it.    Persecution is nothing to boast about, Tom.  It is something to understand why it happens to God's people, who reside where the leadership's sins are just now coming to light.   Revelation 18:4-8 is speaking to "my people" - God's elect/saints; but all who are where the "man of lawlessness"/elder body has rulership over the Temple/"living stones" of God, are to leave the organization.  Otherwise, those sins that you say are milder than other religions/organizations, are what all JWs will be found sharing in.  
Matt 24:15,16; 2 Thess 2:3,4; Rev 11:1-3
 
 
 

First of all, the people taken from the nations for God's name, are His chosen anointed since Christ.  They, are to bear the name of God and Jesus Christ - not the name of an organization.(Isa 45:10-12; 1 Pet 2:5,9; Rev 3:12;5:9,10) 
I am sure somewhere buried in Wt's history that truth can be found.  
 
"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matt 5:10
A.               “righteousness’ sake” - In a broad sense: state of him who is as he ought to be, righteousness, the condition acceptable to God. integrity, virtue, purity of life, rightness, correctness of thinking feeling, and acting
 Is it righteous to hide child abuse cases for years?  Is it righteous to continue promoting a lie that GB members have doubts about, as JWI told us concerning 1914?  To think that your leaders feared being disfellowshipped for exposing 1914 as wrong.  Were they, are they, following in Christ’s footsteps who exposed lies and stood only for truth, or are they following the path of the crooked one?  John 8:44
Is it righteous to lead a person to believe in a date that Armageddon will arrive, and then blame the person for going astray in their anticipating the fulfillment of that date?  (Isa 9:16)
Is it righteous to disfellowship individuals who keep their faith in God and Christ intact, yet reject the dreams of “organization”, which was none other than a “unique idea” to pursue, in Rutherford’s day? 
Is it righteous to shun individuals, caring not whether they live or die? Refusing to help a child who was baptized way too young, and fell into sin.  Today's youths before they reach ten years old, are innocently being baptized into an organization.  What will happen to them when they realize their own folly and leave?  Will they be rejected by the likes of the people here, who have given your post an upvote, a "like", a "thank you"?    
Is it righteous to tell God’s priesthood under Jesus Christ that they must not bond together to study the word of God?  (Dan 11:36,37; Rev 13:5-7)
Is it righteous for elders to act as that priesthood/Temple of God?  (Ezek 44:6-9; 1 Cor 3:16,17; 2 Thess 2:3,4; Rev 11:1,2)
There are two types of persecution outlined in the Bible.  Persecution put upon God’s wayward people for sinning (Deut 28:19-25);  and persecution by one’s own people for standing up to the lies of men, and for upholding the truth in Christ.  (John 15:18-20)
Why is this organization persecuted? 
It is not for upholding the truth in Christ when its leaders are so good at creating falsehoods, speaking lies, hiding lies, hiding their sins, and shunning any who disagree with their doctrine. (John 16:2; Rev 13:15)
 
By the way, speaking of doctrines of men, Jesus does not make new “rules” – an excuse for the GB to do so today.  That, is another lie. We have the Bible where the word of God is all we need. The “rules” are set, not to be added to or taken away from.  (Deut 4:2)
Wt 2/2021 ….Headship -  As our head, Jesus has the authority to make and to enforce rules that govern the conduct of individuals, of families, and of the entire congregation. (Gal. 6:2) But Jesus does more than just make rules. He feeds and cherishes each one of us.—Eph. 5:29.
Under the headship of Christ Jesus, the members of the Governing Body provide helpful direction to organize Jehovah’s people worldwide. They appoint Branch Committee members and circuit overseers. (Eph. 4:7-13) In turn, circuit overseers appoint congregation elders. (Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5)
Etc., etc., etc., etc. 
More is said in this article about the GB and their lengthy responsibilities, than Jesus Christ himself. All of these needs that the GB have devised to run the organization, does require rules and regulations as any organization in the world does. But, do JWs really believe that uninspired men are hearing Jesus Christ telling them to make these new rules? Did Jesus Christ tell them they needed to revamp and organize their child abuse policies? If so, what took him so long? Does Jesus Christ tell them to create new doctrine?  Or, as the GB admitted to, they have thought up doctrine and ideas, only to find out they were wrong.
And those who leave such empty philosophy are the apostates? (Col 2:8)  No. The apostates are those who have become slaves of men. (Gal 1:10; Rom 6:16)
Maybe it is the spirit-directed idol that hears the new rules and regulations that must be enforced; such as controlling what God’s priests are allowed to study, and not to study.  (Dan 11:38,39; Rev 13:1,2) 
Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth. 16 Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior. 17 This kind of talk spreads like cancer as in the case of Hymenaeus and Philetus. 18 They have left the path of truth, claiming that the resurrection of the dead has already occurred; in this way, they have turned some people away from the faith.
19 But God’s truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and “All who belong to the Lord must turn away from evil.”  2 Tim 2:15-19
 
Persecution
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

First of all, the people taken from the nations for God's name, are His chosen anointed since Christ.  They, are to bear the name of God and Jesus Christ - not the name of an organization.(Isa 45:10-12; 1 Pet 2:5,9; Rev 3:12;5:9,10) 
I am sure somewhere buried in Wt's history that truth can be found.  
 
"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matt 5:10
A.               “righteousness’ sake” - In a broad sense: state of him who is as he ought to be, righteousness, the condition acceptable to God. integrity, virtue, purity of life, rightness, correctness of thinking feeling, and acting
 Is it righteous to hide child abuse cases for years?  Is it righteous to continue promoting a lie that GB members have doubts about, as JWI told us concerning 1914?  To think that your leaders feared being disfellowshipped for exposing 1914 as wrong.  Were they, are they, following in Christ’s footsteps who exposed lies and stood only for truth, or are they following the path of the crooked one?  John 8:44
Is it righteous to lead a person to believe in a date that Armageddon will arrive, and then blame the person for going astray in their anticipating the fulfillment of that date?  (Isa 9:16)
Is it righteous to disfellowship individuals who keep their faith in God and Christ intact, yet reject the dreams of “organization”, which was none other than a “unique idea” to pursue, in Rutherford’s day? 
Is it righteous to shun individuals, caring not whether they live or die? Refusing to help a child who was baptized way too young, and fell into sin.  Today's youths before they reach ten years old, are innocently being baptized into an organization.  What will happen to them when they realize their own folly and leave?  Will they be rejected by the likes of the people here, who have given your post an upvote, a "like", a "thank you"?    
Is it righteous to tell God’s priesthood under Jesus Christ that they must not bond together to study the word of God?  (Dan 11:36,37; Rev 13:5-7)
Is it righteous for elders to act as that priesthood/Temple of God?  (Ezek 44:6-9; 1 Cor 3:16,17; 2 Thess 2:3,4; Rev 11:1,2)
There are two types of persecution outlined in the Bible.  Persecution put upon God’s wayward people for sinning (Deut 28:19-25);  and persecution by one’s own people for standing up to the lies of men, and for upholding the truth in Christ.  (John 15:18-20)
Why is this organization persecuted? 
It is not for upholding the truth in Christ when its leaders are so good at creating falsehoods, speaking lies, hiding lies, hiding their sins, and shunning any who disagree with their doctrine. (John 16:2; Rev 13:15)
 
By the way, speaking of doctrines of men, Jesus does not make new “rules” – an excuse for the GB to do so today.  That, is another lie. We have the Bible where the word of God is all we need. The “rules” are set, not to be added to or taken away from.  (Deut 4:2)
Wt 2/2021 ….Headship -  As our head, Jesus has the authority to make and to enforce rules that govern the conduct of individuals, of families, and of the entire congregation. (Gal. 6:2) But Jesus does more than just make rules. He feeds and cherishes each one of us.—Eph. 5:29.
Under the headship of Christ Jesus, the members of the Governing Body provide helpful direction to organize Jehovah’s people worldwide. They appoint Branch Committee members and circuit overseers. (Eph. 4:7-13) In turn, circuit overseers appoint congregation elders. (Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5)
Etc., etc., etc., etc. 
More is said in this article about the GB and their lengthy responsibilities, than Jesus Christ himself. All of these needs that the GB have devised to run the organization, does require rules and regulations as any organization in the world does. But, do JWs really believe that uninspired men are hearing Jesus Christ telling them to make these new rules? Did Jesus Christ tell them they needed to revamp and organize their child abuse policies? If so, what took him so long? Does Jesus Christ tell them to create new doctrine?  Or, as the GB admitted to, they have thought up doctrine and ideas, only to find out they were wrong.
And those who leave such empty philosophy are the apostates? (Col 2:8)  No. The apostates are those who have become slaves of men. (Gal 1:10; Rom 6:16)
Maybe it is the spirit-directed idol that hears the new rules and regulations that must be enforced; such as controlling what God’s priests are allowed to study, and not to study.  (Dan 11:38,39; Rev 13:1,2) 
Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth. 16 Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior. 17 This kind of talk spreads like cancer as in the case of Hymenaeus and Philetus. 18 They have left the path of truth, claiming that the resurrection of the dead has already occurred; in this way, they have turned some people away from the faith.
19 But God’s truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and “All who belong to the Lord must turn away from evil.”  2 Tim 2:15-19
 
Persecution
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Not exactly. They are obedient when it does not conflict with God's 'rules'. But many governments give orders that people must join the military for a few years, and JWs disobey (rightly of course) and get put in prison for it.
Unfortunately the GB and it's Org have earnt the title of being 'secretive'. And we know why of course. 
Once again, unfortunately, the GB and it's Org are also hated for doing 'bad', and we know why.
Again, unfortunately, the GB and their lawyers don't endure it, they cry out that it is all lies. 
BUT, the GB and it's Org are not honest and in some cases not law-abiding. Certainly not living by God's true standards. 
This is where it becomes unfortunate. The Leaders of the many W/t, CCJW, JW Org, etc companies, have been shown to be dishonest. The CSA problems, and the handling of such, earth wide in those orgs, have given it all a bad reputation. The orgs plural now look dirty. Add to this that the Leaders (those 8 men) have gone beyond the things written, raising themselves up above every other person here on this earth, including the (true) Anointed ones. 
Maybe what you see as persecution is actually God through Christ, withholding Holy Spirit, from those orgs, plural. We know that God punished the Nation of Israel for wrong doing. Maybe if those orgs, including the GB, were to repent of their sins, and to turn around and serve God properly, through Christ, then maybe the Holy Spirit would guide them and protect them.  
What happened in Russia reminds me of what happened to Jerusalem, and we know why Jerusalem was destroyed. 
God, through Christ, will be served properly before that great Judgement Day arrives. 

Matt 24:25 – “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”
Mark 8:38 – “If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”
Luke 4:32 – “They were amazed at his teaching, because his words had authority.”
Luke 6:47-49 – “As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. 48 They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. 49 But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”
I agree, but here is the confusion:
This question expects one to dedicate their life to the organization and to the doctrine of the organization  - WORDS of men, whatever doctrine may come or go.  No one, as stated below, should dedicate themselves to a religion or an organization. 
This is truth, but the LIE is practiced – a lie that is doctrine of men and not the words of Jesus Christ.
2 Tim 4:3 - "For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths."  
The Truth is found in the words of Jesus Christ.  
2 Tim 2:15 - Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

So, what the early disciples heard and followed, as the command of Jesus Christ, would identify them as serving “false religion”. You may want to unravel your own lie. 
I am not saying that “every” word has to be spoken, but when the thrust of the command disintegrates, and a new “command” takes its place – a false religion becomes very evident.
Wt 1955/7/1 p. 411 - "A Christian, therefore, cannot be baptized in the name of the one actually doing the immersing or in the name of any man, nor in the name of any organization, but in the name of the Father, the Son and the holy spirit." 
 Wt 1966 Oct 1 pp.603-604 - "We do not dedicate ourselves to a religion, nor to a man, nor to an organization.
Oh, but times have changed!  JWs DO dedicate themselves to both a religion and an organization.
Wt 1985/7/1 p. 30 - “On the basis of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, have you repented of your sins and dedicated yourself to Jehovah to do his will?”
The Holy Spirit is not mentioned.  No one then, was baptized in the name of the Holy Spirit.

“The second is:
Do you understand that your dedication and baptism identify you as one of Jehovah's Witnesses in association with God's spirit-directed organization? Having answered yes to these questions, candidates are in a right heart condition to undergo Christian baptism." Watchtower 1985 Jun 1 p.30
There.  Christ’s command has disintegrated.  This is far from the “right heart condition” needed, to undergo the baptism that Christ outlined to his disciples.  It is the right heart condition that men require, for initiation into false religion.   These questions that one must agree to, is none other than deception.
If there are excuses made for the questions, then whose commands are being upheld?  Those of powerful men, or those of Jesus Christ?  If a JW says, well I dedicated my life to God and Christ, and not to an organization";  then I ask, why are you a JW, and an "associate"/member of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society?
 
 
 
 

The GB are like kids in a candy shop.  They have a plethora of kingdom halls at their disposal. Sounds like they are in the process of trading up real-estate for Ramapo and their mega audio visual center.  
Maybe you need to tell the GB.  As A. Morris just said in his latest video, "“Jehovah’s organization is on the move, and it will not be stopped by the pandemic, or anything else."  If what you say happens, Ramapo may become a money pit.  

The GB are like kids in a candy shop.  They have a plethora of kingdom halls at their disposal. Sounds like they are in the process of trading up real-estate for Ramapo and their mega audio visual center.  
Maybe you need to tell the GB.  As A. Morris just said in his latest video, "“Jehovah’s organization is on the move, and it will not be stopped by the pandemic, or anything else."  If what you say happens, Ramapo may become a money pit.  

I don’t recall the apostles conforming to the belief of three major meetings per year.   Their goal was to make the effort to move away from such traditions. (Col 2:16,17)    I use to swallow down the idea that three yearly meeting were “biblical”, but with the coming of Jesus Christ and the “new” way to worship – in spirit and in truth – I now see the organization reverting right back to beliefs before Jesus came to earth.  Is Jesus the organization's stumbling block? Is it caught between a hybrid of worship involving the nation of Israel, and its temple worship and traditions, while refusing to accept and recognize the "temple" worship that involves "Israel"?
  The anointed since Christ, “Israel”, do not need to observe an earthly pattern of worship, but only the heavenly, involving the heavenly Temple, and not the earthly desires for “organization”.   (Heb 8:3-6; Col 3:2; 2:8) (1 Pet 2:5,9; 1 Cor 3:16,17; Eph 2:20-22)
We need to keep in mind that God's dwelling/Temple today, has been trampled by men assuming to formulate their own form of worship.  (Matt 24:15,16; 2 Thess 2:3,4; Rev 11:1,2)
“When you come to appear before Me,
Who has required this from your hand,
To trample My courts?
13 Bring no more futile sacrifices;
Incense is an abomination to Me.
The New Moons, the Sabbaths, and the calling of assemblies—
I cannot endure iniquity and the sacred meeting.
14 Your New Moons and your appointed feasts
My soul hates;
They are a trouble to Me,
I am weary of bearing them.
15 When you spread out your hands,
I will hide My eyes from you;
Even though you make many prayers,
I will not hear.
Your hands are full of blood."  Isa 1:12-15
Rev 16:4-7
 
 
 
 

I don’t recall the apostles conforming to the belief of three major meetings per year.   Their goal was to make the effort to move away from such traditions. (Col 2:16,17)    I use to swallow down the idea that three yearly meeting were “biblical”, but with the coming of Jesus Christ and the “new” way to worship – in spirit and in truth – I now see the organization reverting right back to beliefs before Jesus came to earth.  Is Jesus the organization's stumbling block? Is it caught between a hybrid of worship involving the nation of Israel, and its temple worship and traditions, while refusing to accept and recognize the "temple" worship that involves "Israel"?
  The anointed since Christ, “Israel”, do not need to observe an earthly pattern of worship, but only the heavenly, involving the heavenly Temple, and not the earthly desires for “organization”.   (Heb 8:3-6; Col 3:2; 2:8) (1 Pet 2:5,9; 1 Cor 3:16,17; Eph 2:20-22)
We need to keep in mind that God's dwelling/Temple today, has been trampled by men assuming to formulate their own form of worship.  (Matt 24:15,16; 2 Thess 2:3,4; Rev 11:1,2)
“When you come to appear before Me,
Who has required this from your hand,
To trample My courts?
13 Bring no more futile sacrifices;
Incense is an abomination to Me.
The New Moons, the Sabbaths, and the calling of assemblies—
I cannot endure iniquity and the sacred meeting.
14 Your New Moons and your appointed feasts
My soul hates;
They are a trouble to Me,
I am weary of bearing them.
15 When you spread out your hands,
I will hide My eyes from you;
Even though you make many prayers,
I will not hear.
Your hands are full of blood."  Isa 1:12-15
Rev 16:4-7
 
 
 
 

Because of a false sense of peace, safety, security found by JWs as members of “Jehovah’s organization”, the type and source of persecution against them, is always directed to those on the outside of the organization, and not inside where spiritual “Jacob” resides among “Gentiles”. (1 Thess 5:2-3)   I’m not saying that JWs do not suffer persecution from governments.  Although, if persecution against them exists outside, is it possible that it exists inside JW walls in the environment of sin?  I believe no JW will say that discipline is needed – repentance of their own sins is needed, because they suffer from external sources.  No JW will link the corruption that flows from the spiritual in-house throne of those who rule over them, with the persecution they face outside the organization.  Although not announced, they will say, this is the great tribulation, and such suffering is to be expected!  It makes you wonder why the announcement hasn't occurred.  But, I am guessing  that one reason is that the GB say it will take "years" to complete their projects of videos on the the gospels about Jesus. Are they so side-tracked in this work, they are completely forgetting about the great tribulation and Armageddon?  Perhaps, they know the truth about who are, the target of the great tribulation.  (Mark 14:13-20)
When Israel suffered at the hands of other nations, it was because of their own sins.  (Deut 31:17,18; Ps 44:17-24) Lamentations is the perfect example of suffering because of Israel’s sins. (Lam 2:8)  JWs are not fighting on the side of righteousness, when their house, their organization is filled with unrighteousness.  How blind, how foolish it is, to think that God is on their side, when His anointed people have allowed men to rule over them and replace His priesthood - His heritage, His chosen people. (Lam 1:10; 2:7; Ezek 44:6-9; Dan 11:36; Mark 13:14; 2 Thess 2:3,4; 1 Pet 2:5,9,10;1 Cor 3:16,17;  Rev 11:1,2)
It is God’s people that must look at their own sins. 
Psalm 94:
Lord, God of vengeance—
God of vengeance, shine!
2 Rise up, Judge of the earth;
repay the proud what they deserve.
3 Lord, how long will the wicked—
how long will the wicked celebrate?
4 They pour out arrogant words;
all the evildoers boast.
5 Lord, they crush Your people;
they oppress Your heritage.
6 They kill the widow and the resident alien
and murder the fatherless.
7 They say, “The Lord doesn’t see it.
The God of Jacob doesn’t pay attention.”
8 Pay attention, you stupid people!
Fools, when will you be wise?
9 Can the one who shaped the ear not hear,
the one who formed the eye not see?
10 The one who instructs nations,
the one who teaches mankind knowledge—
does He not discipline?
11 The Lord knows the thoughts of mankind;
they are futile.
12 Lord, how happy is anyone You discipline
and teach from your law
13 to give him relief from troubled times
until a pit is dug for the wicked.
14 The Lord will not leave His people
or abandon His heritage,
15 for the administration of justice will again be righteous,
and all the upright in heart will follow it.
16 Who stands up for me against the wicked?
Who takes a stand for me against evildoers?
17 If the Lord had not been my helper,
I would soon rest in the silence of death.
18 If I say, “My foot is slipping,”
Your faithful love will support me, Lord.
19 When I am filled with cares,
Your comfort brings me joy.
20 Can a corrupt throne be your ally,
a throne that makes evil laws?
21 They band together against the life of the righteous
and condemn the innocent to death. (spiritual “killing”/disfellowshipping – Rev 11:1-3,7;13:15)
22 But the Lord is my refuge;
my God is the rock of my protection.
23 He will pay them back for their sins
and destroy them for their evil.
The Lord our God will destroy them. 
 
What's wrong with "peace and security"?

"I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive."  Rom 16:17,18
“I did not send the prophets, yet they ran; I did not speak to them, yet they prophesied."  Jer 23:21

Is it somehow connected that high IQ helps individual not to be JW? My IQ in the past (when i was 19) was 120. But despite above average IQ i became JW. Maybe insufficiently above average :))
 Perhaps my IQ has dropped in the meantime :)) Does that explain why I left JW? :))

If the words spoken are not important during the baptism ceremony, then there is no need to ask WTJWorg questions for the “candidate”.
Also, if someone has already been baptized in any other religion, then it is not important to be re-baptized if they change the religious community, because according to some comments it could be inferred that baptism is just a ceremony that does not deserve as much attention as the decision, made previous, to follow Christ.
"Word" is important, as insignificant as it may seem at times. Well, God also spoke the Word, one or more Words when He created the world. "And God said, let it be ...." So, the spirit could act even without the spoken Word, triggered by Thoughts. But, as Pudgy said, the word is a tool, a tool of the thought process hidden in a person. The thought remains hidden until it is uttered. 
Of course I don’t know how God uttered the words that Moses speaks of in Genesis. For Moses writes that God said the words, not that He just uttered them in thought. Well, I guess then he would write that God Thought something and then the Spirit moved because of the Thought.
But this is a bit irrelevant considering what kind of Words WTJWorg uses which is a product of the Thought Process of GB and other “theologians” in WTJWorg.
@Witnessthanks for WT quotes that showed how words are tools for deceiving JW members. 
 
One thought flashed through my mind about something in comment.
Jesus initiated the “new commandments,” which made all the “old commandments” rejected and unnecessary. In a sense, the old has become a "false religion." The Jewish religious system is, even according to WTJWorg, rejected by God. Watch out, "rejected by God." What is rejected by God is worthless. It has become part of global religiously worthless things that God does not accept or acknowledge as true. So, in one categorical sense, the former (truth) of/in the "Jewish religion" became a "false religion." A very awkward thought, and a spoken word, isn't it? But no Christian, of any denomination along with JW members, will say that the “Jewish religion” is the "right" religion, but the “wrong/false" one. 
The ways of God are miraculous and strange.  

You use a calculator, and choose your sums over God's Word. 
 I don't think you understood what JWI asked:
"When Jesus received all authority in the first century, when did he receive more authority?" (Matt 28:18)
 
 
Do you recognize God's authority?
"Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by His own authority. "
If God was to give anyone authority to know the date when this world comes to an end, wouldn't He give it to Jesus Christ, and not to a man with a calculator?
"Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. 4 I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. 5 Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”  Rev 5:1-5
You said something somewhere that you calculate a literal thousand years as a literal day (or vice versa) in 2 Pet 3:8, to aid in your calculations.  Jesus and the apostles talked about "day" in different ways, which shows that 2 Pet 3:8 is explaining that God's "thousand year" time period, cannot be limited by men; but you are doing exactly that.
Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Anyone who walks in the daytime will not stumble, for they see by this world’s light. 10 It is when a person walks at night that they stumble, for they have no light.”  John 1:9,10
Then Jesus told them, “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going.”  John 12:35
“The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.”  Rom 13:1
 
 
 

Always, Wt provides a hint, a taste of truth, followed with a cupful of lies to mask it:
 
"Starting at that time, in 33 C.E., Christ began ruling over the Christian congregation, and his followers happily acknowledged his lordship and heavenly position. (Colossians 1:13, 14) Yet it was not God’s purpose for Jesus to begin ruling over the world of mankind and the universe then.  hp chap. 16 pp. 151-160
 
 
Jesus is the King of God's Kingdom in heaven. He began ruling in 1914.—Revelation 11:15. ijwfq article 44
 
 
 
 

Absolute lie.
King David and Solomon:
1 Kings 1:30 - “I will surely carry out this very day what I swore to you by the Lord, the God of Israel: Solomon your son shall be king after me, and he will sit on my throne in my place.”
1 Chron 29:23 – “So Solomon sat on the throne of the Lord as king in place of his father David. He prospered and all Israel obeyed him.”
Prov 20:8 – “When a king sits on his throne to judge, he winnows out all evil with his eyes.”
Jesus Christ:
Ps 110:1,2 The Lord says to my lord:
“Sit at my right hand
    until I make your enemies
    a footstool for your feet.”
2 The Lord will extend your mighty scepter from Zion, saying,
    “Rule in the midst of your enemies!”
Sitting on a throne = ruling/judging/reigning as a king.
Jesus Christ:
1 Cor 15:25-27 – “For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For he “has put everything under his feet.”
Heb 8:1 – “Now the main point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven”
Heb 12:2 – “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
King Herod:
Acts 12:21 – “On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people.”
Here, Jesus is standing, well before 1914!:
Acts 7:55,56 - But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”
 
Jesus and his faithful ruling priests/kings:
Rev 3:21 - “To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne.”
The Heavenly Father also “sits” on His throne.  Are you saying He is not reigning as King? Dan 7:9;Rev 4:1-3
The scriptures cannot be refuted.  The doctrine of 1914 is blasphemy.   To assume that Christ was not ruling since the first century is the result of Satan's deceit.  Satan "rules" over his kingdom on earth and doesn't want to lose it.  Jesus Christ is his enemy.  Who would tell lies about Jesus' authority to rule since the first century?  Men, who preach "another Jesus" and who are influenced by demonic spirits. (2 Cor 11:1-4,13-15; 1 Tim 4:1; Rev 16:13-16)
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Cor+11%3A1-4%2C13-15%3B+1+Tim+4%3A1%3B+Rev+16%3A13-16)&version=NIV