Best way to handle our JW friends and family...???

Ms_ladyblue

Well-known member
The brother who is our "new" "group overseer" keeps bugging me about "meeting with another brother in person or over Zoom", and he's a really nice brother whom I really like. I don't think I would want to meet with "two" brothers, I know better, but I'm not sure how long I'm going to be able to continue to ignore him. But this I think will be the approach I use if I do talk to him. The issue is, the way my personality is it goes against my nature to just keep quiet, so I have been trying to think of a way to approach the situation in a simple way, but in a way that cannot be argued with (not honestly), so they'll leave me alone.

I think it's important to keep in mind, that who they label "apostates" are people who, once they find out all the lies, they don't just leave WT, they are so disgruntled they leave the truth all together, and that gives the WT their defense against these so-called "apostates". I think they don't know what to do with us, and I am sure they know all too well about us!


Any way, it's not just my decision about talking to them, I have to consider my wife's feelings on the matter as well. And that's not something I'm at liberty to talk about right now.
I understand about trying to avoid meeting with the brothers. Even though my circumstances and yours is a little different, a while back the brothers kept trying to meet with me and I kept putting them off. Then the CO came and he and a brother wanted to meet with me. So far no problem but they probably feel like giving me my space due to the fact I lost my husband.

I know at least one of the elders do know how I feel about this whole pandemic thing because in 2020/21 I was questioning things about it when we’d be on zoom. Plus they’d see us out in public not wearing masks…many times. Anyway, our new CO will be coming soon, so will see. Maybe I can use your outline as talking points…ya think?

As time goes on and the GB gets more tyrannical I’m afraid I won’t be able to hold back from speaking out. Sometimes I have a tendency to be outspoken. A sister called me today after calling me the last 3 days 3 or 4 times a day. I told her that I’ve been upset, not wanting to talk because I’ve found something out that’s upset me very much but I can’t talk about it now. Two other sisters stopped by today too but I didn’t hear them knock so they left me a note.

I only know that one day soon I’m going to have to say something. Besides I don’t feel too comfortable anymore being associated with this organization. I’m also very concerned about my daughter being in this cult organization now.

I hope it goes well for you whatever you decide, and I can understand you having to take your wife’s feelings into consideration. You’ll be in my prayers brother. 🙏
 

SusanB

Well-known member
What would they DF y’all for? Please don’t tell me for being an apostate…
We wrote a letter to the Elders. I posted it on the forum months back but basically it was saying that it “appeared” to us that the GB might be the evil slave because of their mandating the vaccine and we quoted the applicable scriptures showing that isn’t appropriate. We also stated that we are positive that the vaccines are inspired by Satan and pointed out all of the vaccine injuries to the friends in our congregation as well as the truth about the vaccines. We couldn’t understand why the “shepherds” weren’t stepping in to protect the sheep. We had several meetings and they declined to DF us but then they started to call us again and try to setup a meeting and we just declined to meet with them. I know the one brother (they used to call it Presiding Overseer but they have a new name now) he seemed to be looking forward to DF’g us. But we have been in this congregation for about 18 years and had friends. I’m sure there was some push back on DF’g us.
 

Ms_ladyblue

Well-known member
We wrote a letter to the Elders. I posted it on the forum months back but basically it was saying that it “appeared” to us that the GB might be the evil slave because of their mandating the vaccine and we quoted the applicable scriptures showing that isn’t appropriate. We also stated that we are positive that the vaccines are inspired by Satan and pointed out all of the vaccine injuries to the friends in our congregation as well as the truth about the vaccines. We couldn’t understand why the “shepherds” weren’t stepping in to protect the sheep. We had several meetings and they declined to DF us but then they started to call us again and try to setup a meeting and we just declined to meet with them. I know the one brother (they used to call it Presiding Overseer but they have a new name now) he seemed to be looking forward to DF’g us. But we have been in this congregation for about 18 years and had friends. I’m sure there was some push back on DF’g us.
I wonder if elders are going to start becoming more tyrannical as time goes on? If so, I think I wouldn’t care what they decide anymore. I’m not trying to suggest to what you should do, but I think the day will come when Jehovah says to us “Get out of her MY PEOPLE.”
 

BagdadBill

Well-known member
I wonder if elders are going to start becoming more tyrannical as time goes on? If so, I think I wouldn’t care what they decide anymore. I’m not trying to suggest to what you should do, but I think the day will come when Jehovah says to us “Get out of her MY PEOPLE.”
The GB have tried over the decades to make the mental connection that they are in the chain of authority between us and Jehovah. Mormons did the same thing with Brigham Young. I feel you said it. When Jehovah has to tell us to GET OUT, it means that things are bad. I had always bought into the thinking that it meant Christendom. Why would God need to warn his people to extricate themselves from churches which they've already identified as scripturally corrupt? RK's attention to Isaiah and Ezekiel regarding shepherds made me rethink how I viewed our organizational structure as one of Jehovah's Witnesses. It is no light thing to abuse the sheep with untruth.
 

Nomex

Well-known member
lus they’d see us out in public not wearing masks…many times. Anyway, our new CO will be coming soon, so will see. Maybe I can use your outline as talking points…ya think?
Feel free...want I'd really like to do, is invite preferably one brother over, and lay out three respirators I have, my half mask, that i use almost every day, the full face respirator, which looks like something firefighters use, and my Pappr, which is a Powered Air Purifying Respirator, i tincludes a belt, battery, huge filter and hose and a full face mask, with a hood... and lay this all out on a table and ask the brother....so, who do you think knows more about masks, me, or the Governing Body? And what I'd really like to say next is, "Jesus is not directing these clowns!"
 

Ms_ladyblue

Well-known member
The GB have tried over the decades to make the mental connection that they are in the chain of authority between us and Jehovah. Mormons did the same thing with Brigham Young. I feel you said it. When Jehovah has to tell us to GET OUT, it means that things are bad. I had always bought into the thinking that it meant Christendom. Why would God need to warn his people to extricate themselves from churches which they've already identified as scripturally corrupt? RK's attention to Isaiah and Ezekiel regarding shepherds made me rethink how I viewed our organizational structure as one of Jehovah's Witnesses. It is no light thing to abuse the sheep with untruth.
And why would Jehovah be telling HIS PEOPLE…who are no doubt already dedicated baptized witnesses, to get out of BABYLON THE GREAT?
 

BagdadBill

Well-known member
And what I'd really like to say next is, "Jesus is not directing these clowns!"
But you won't because you're decent. You also realize by now, until they are ready for the truth they will not hear you nor anyone else. Let's be clear on this, this is biblically uncharted area we are in because there was a time that our leadership too the lead in rejecting the nonsense of the world, and their medical demands. Now we are adrift until a majority of elders start counting the dead and it finally clicks for them. That slap in the face when they realize what they've done.
 

BagdadBill

Well-known member
And why would Jehovah be telling HIS PEOPLE…who are no doubt already dedicated baptized witnesses, to get out of BABYLON THE GREAT?
They crept in while we weren't watching. We were infiltrated by the weeds. Wasn't our fault and it was prophesied to happen. Most of our friends had good intentions. If they still do, they will wake up and see with their heart instead of their eyes.
 

SusanB

Well-known member
And why would Jehovah be telling HIS PEOPLE…who are no doubt already dedicated baptized witnesses, to get out of BABYLON THE GREAT?
I don’t understand what you are saying. Revelation 18:4 does say that a voice from heaven (obviously Jehovah) says “Get out of her, my people…
 

SusanB

Well-known member
This is an except from Robert King’s Book from page 382, “Contrary to presently prevailing assumptions, Jehovah’s Witnesses have not gotten out of Babylon the Great. That is because Jehovah’s Witnesses have not even gone into exile yet! Babylon the Great is yet to conquer Jehovah’s people. That will come about as a result of the king of the north moving into the land of the Decoration. Just as when Nebuchadnezzar’s armies sacked Jerusalem’s holy temple and dragged the Jews off into exile, it will seem as if Jehovah God is inferior to the gods of the nations that support the eighth king, which is what the king of the north eventually becomes during the time of the end.
After Jehovah humbles his people, the greater Cyrus—Christ Jesus—will then re- gather his chastened loyal ones and liberate them from whatever bondage they may find themselves in then.”
 

Eira

Well-known member
This is an except from Robert King’s Book from page 382, “Contrary to presently prevailing assumptions, Jehovah’s Witnesses have not gotten out of Babylon the Great. That is because Jehovah’s Witnesses have not even gone into exile yet! Babylon the Great is yet to conquer Jehovah’s people. That will come about as a result of the king of the north moving into the land of the Decoration. Just as when Nebuchadnezzar’s armies sacked Jerusalem’s holy temple and dragged the Jews off into exile, it will seem as if Jehovah God is inferior to the gods of the nations that support the eighth king, which is what the king of the north eventually becomes during the time of the end.
After Jehovah humbles his people, the greater Cyrus—Christ Jesus—will then re- gather his chastened loyal ones and liberate them from whatever bondage they may find themselves in then.”
Does this mean that JW’s are part of Babylon the Great??
 

Charming Primrose

Well-known member
Funny, I also said at some point, ok probably many times
On the official religious exemption form when I seen it actually names Jehovah's witnesses As people whose religious leader support covid vaccination

At that instance I became PIMO
My employer wanted letterhead or elders to sign my exemption......let's be real, that's wasn't going to happen.
That really got me thinking too about my religion.
 

Charming Primrose

Well-known member
OMG...I don't know how many of you still look over the weekly WT study but I just finished choking through this weeks and it's pure propaganda regarding the FFDS and how well they followed Jesus directions regarding the Plandemic.
Check out paragraph 14 (if you can stomach it):
"Jesus provides wise direction in times of crisis. The benefits of that direction were evident when the COVID-19 pandemic broke out. While many in the world were uncertain about what course to take, Jesus made sure that we received clear guidance to keep us safe. We were encouraged to wear face coverings when out in public and to practice physical distancing. The elders were reminded to maintain regular contact with all in the congregation and to be aware of their physical and spiritual needs. (Isa. 32:1, 2) We received additional direction and encouragement by means of Governing Body updates."
And this garbage from paragraph 16:
"Some may have felt that the organization was being overly cautious with regard to the pandemic. But time and time again, it became evident that the direction we received was well-founded. (Matt. 11:19) And as we meditate on the loving way in which Jesus is leading his people, we are assured that no matter what tomorrow may bring, Jehovah and his beloved Son will be with us.—Read Hebrews 13:5, 6."

It seems to me like the GB are trying to cover their butts. Fortunately Jesus isn't as easily deceived as most of the sheep. And he's not one to be mocked. It's only a matter of time before he cleans house.
A sister encouraged me to have a read. Said it was a good study 🙄 I couldn't finish it.
 

Ms_ladyblue

Well-known member
This is an except from Robert King’s Book from page 382, “Contrary to presently prevailing assumptions, Jehovah’s Witnesses have not gotten out of Babylon the Great. That is because Jehovah’s Witnesses have not even gone into exile yet! Babylon the Great is yet to conquer Jehovah’s people. That will come about as a result of the king of the north moving into the land of the Decoration. Just as when Nebuchadnezzar’s armies sacked Jerusalem’s holy temple and dragged the Jews off into exile, it will seem as if Jehovah God is inferior to the gods of the nations that support the eighth king, which is what the king of the north eventually becomes during the time of the end.
After Jehovah humbles his people, the greater Cyrus—Christ Jesus—will then re- gather his chastened loyal ones and liberate them from whatever bondage they may find themselves in then.”
I’m sorry…but yes I already knew that. It was just a rhetorical question I was asking…
Revelation 18:4 was one of those verses that kept going over in my mind, ( up until last year) I wondered if it pertained to Jehovah’s already dedicated witnesses. Of course I didn’t have a clear picture of everything until I started reading RK commentaries. The WT always said that JW’s already started coming out of BTG in 1918, but to me that didn’t seem to fit with the prophecy and led to other questions for me.
Thanks for posting the information to help remind me.
 
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Z

Zane

Guest
Regarding those private back-room meetings with elders, they are not scriptural and go against Christ's directions.

(Matthew 18:15-17) “Moreover, if your brother commits a sin, go and reveal his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen, take along with you one or two more, so that on the testimony of two or three witnesses every matter may be established. 17 If he does not listen to them, speak to the congregation. If he does not listen even to the congregation, let him be to you just as a man of the nations and as a tax collector.

The final step is to bring the issue before the congregation. In the Bible the term "congregation" never refers to the elders.

There are two slightly different Greek words used in Matthew 18:17 (ek·kle·siʹa and ek·kle·siʹas) that are translated as "congregation." Those same Greek words were used in many other scriptures. They always referred to the whole congregation and never just the elders of the congregation. When the congregation leaders were being referred to in the Bible terms such as elder, older man, and overseer were used, and were referred to separately from the term "congregation." (Ac 15:22; 20:17; 1Ti 3:2, 5; Jas 5:14; 3Jo 1, 6)

Paul followed Christ's instructions regarding Cephas and spoke to him privately first.

(Galatians 2:11) However, when Ceʹphas came to Antioch, I resisted him face-to-face, because he was clearly in the wrong.

But when that did not work, Paul took the issue before the congregation, as Jesus instructed things to be done.

(Galatians 2:14) But when I saw that they were not walking in step with the truth of the good news, I said to Ceʹphas before them all:

The following verse was directed at the entire congregation of Corinth. (1Co 1:1) The decision to rebuke, or not rebuke a sinner, was made by a simple majority of the congregation, NOT by a couple of men hidden in a back room drunk on power.

(2 Corinthians 2:6) This rebuke given by the majority is sufficient for such a man

Christ himself was falsely accused, judged, and sentenced to death in the middle of the night by the religious leaders in private meetings. He always knew what was going to happen to him (Joh 18:4), and he didn't want Christianity to be like the Jewish system where the religious leaders judged and sentenced those in their flock. He knew the hearts of men (Joh 2:25), and being an eye witness to human history Christ knew that power tended to corrupt, however insignificant the position of power was.

So he initiated a new way of doing things for Christianity so that what happened to him could not happen to his followers. (Mt 16:21; Lu 9:22) The Jewish way was susceptible to abuse. Even good men who had the best of intentions were imperfect and made errors in judgment. But Christ's new way of bringing issues before the entire congregation to decide on eliminated such things. (1Pe 5:3; Lu 22:26; 1Jo 5:16, 17)

:)
 

Citrine

Well-known member
Feel free...want I'd really like to do, is invite preferably one brother over, and lay out three respirators I have, my half mask, that i use almost every day, the full face respirator, which looks like something firefighters use, and my Pappr, which is a Powered Air Purifying Respirator, i tincludes a belt, battery, huge filter and hose and a full face mask, with a hood... and lay this all out on a table and ask the brother....so, who do you think knows more about masks, me, or the Governing Body? And what I'd really like to say next is, "Jesus is not directing these clowns!"
 

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Jess

Well-known member
I have been thinking a lot about this subject too. I go back and forth ALOT in my mind. Thoughts like "But there is SO MUCH good in the organization. They know the Bible like no one else. They sanctify Jehovah's name, devote more time to spiritual things than any other religion, they promote clean, moral living, they are against war" and the list goes on...

But then I come back to the very same analogy that was used on me regarding still being in Christiandom and eating poison: "Lets say you are eating a candy bar and 80% of the ingredients in the candy bar are good, But 20% is poison. Would you still eat the candy bar?"

This is what I am pondering and praying on myself lately 🙏

But ones from the congregation still reach out to me. And it makes me feel bad and guilty because I know their intentions are good but I am not in a place right now to respond other than to ones I am very close with.

I moved to a neighborhood with 2 Witnesses from my hall who live on the same street as me. We have never met in person. Only on Zoom but I do pass them in my car when they are outside and we wave and I wonder what they must think of me.

Its a difficult space for us all.

Lately just been repeating the wise words from the latest podcast.

Seek Jehovah.
Seek Meekness.
Seek Righteousness.

May Jehovah make our paths straight. Proverbs 3:6
 
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kirmmy

Well-known member
Ogre Fauci
I prefer "Satan's lawn gnome". :)

The brother who is our "new" "group overseer" keeps bugging me about "meeting with another brother in person or over Zoom", and he's a really nice brother whom I really like.
They're setting you up for a disfellowshipping. They know you speak your mind and they're counting on that. Don't meet with any of them under any circumstances...unless you want to be DFed. It may be difficult to avoid them at some point. I knew a Bethelite who wanted to quietly leave. They ran him to ground, even showing up at his job to "talk to him". He finally told them to get bent and they DFed him. He's Italian (Family is everything) and his whole family was in the truth so it was very difficult for him.
 
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