Watchtower Corruption Reaches New Lows

[BARNABY THE DOG.]

This is gonna have some serious back lash. From the Watchtower July 20-26 study article on additional education

a EXPRESSION EXPLAINED: In this article and in the next, “additional education” refers to any secular education or training beyond the basic education provided by the government, including universities, apprenticeships, trade schools, technical schools, vocational training, short courses, and continuing education.

b This information also applies to sisters.

c In the past, our publications have discouraged Christians from obtaining certain types of additional education. For example, the article “Parents—What Future Do You Want for Your Children?” published in the October 1, 2005, issue of The Watchtower commented on the dangers associated with higher education. While these dangers still exist, deciding whether to obtain additional education is a personal matter. Each Christian—and in the case of young children, each family head—should prayerfully consider Bible principles and the unique factors involved with a certain educational program before making a decision. No Christian—including elders—should judge a fellow Christian’s personal decision on this matter.—Jas. 4:12.

It certainly has painful memories of regret for me Melinda. For some reason, I still vividly recall giving a talk on further education - denouncing it watchtower style, and making pointed remarks about the need for witnessing to be the primary goal of young people leaving school. I knew at the time that one brother had sent his son to university as well, and so the regret of giving the talk has always stayed with me. I recall him looking me in the eye!

How the gb can actually have the gall to have the article you refer to published as though their admonition at the time was not meant in the manner it was received, leaves me somewhat breathless in its hypocrisy. England in the early 70’s was awash with witnesses cleaning windows for a living - I was one of them - so that we could go out in the ministry seven days a week. The responsibility given to witnessing became a burden of struggle to make ends meet, but 1975 was foremost in our minds so we became deluded, poverty stricken, and family life suffered. Of course, poverty, so long as it was not spiritual, was applauded - mainly by the elders etc; that already had high paying professional jobs of course with fancy cars and homes.

What leaves a spiritual bitterness for me, is that I gave so much to the watchtower instead of Jehovah, through their lies, burdens of guilt and the entrapment from men. The only recompense being the realisation later in life that Jehovah Himself sees that, is aware of it and rescues us by placing the Truth in our way. So many leaving watchtower today do not even have the foresight to recognise when Jehovah’s hand is extended to them and that is where watchtower will have to answer for their murderous misleading of the flock. This backtracking by watchtower will come back at them with a vengeance and also to my regret, I can’t say I will not rejoice at the uncovering of their bigotry.

 

[a believer]

Is college education a bath and bathwater situation, though? Personally, I've never understood the use of their position of [self-appointed] authority to ... shall we say strongly infer that a faithful and loyal Witness wouldn't turn to "higher" education and that the Witness should be content with a trade, or general laborer level employment for their living needs. . . while employing as an organization those trained by the same "higher" education, including the attorneys representing the interests of the Watchtower organization. Just falls flat for me. /shrug

Besides, I didn't raise my children to be dependent upon me when they matured and became adults: it was my God-given obligation to teach and instruct them to be able to stand on their own feet when they got out into the battle. Sure, they come back to me with questions and advice, as they should because I, too, have been in the battle, and have a few scars— most probably of my own making.

But I didn't raise them to be dependent on their parent. And I certainly tried my best to awaken any spiritual interest that is/was/might be in their heart, during the time they were with me as children in my care and keeping.

The Watchtower organization's system is, by design, the very opposite of the functioning parental course set into motion by Jehovah (thus, defining itself as dysfunctional). One is to depend on their direction; One is to have faith in that organization. Witnesses aren't taught that they one day will be standing in the absence of the parent organization, but instead are to become co-dependent on the organization. Not only is "higher" learning discouraged, but "independently" thinking something other than what "mother" (a term I heard throughout my time with Witnesses in reference to the Watchtower organization, but now in decline I've heard) says we should think is equally discouraged by the full weight and authority of the Watchtower organization ("mother").

This in spite of the Bible's clear word on whom we will be called account before— and it sure isn't some organization. (2 Corinthians 5:10; Romans 14:10-12)

That's problematic.

At best.

And yet I'm not going to say that "higher" learning doesn't have secularism at its heart and core, either. The man that stands apart from Jehovah still has the drive for knowledge and exploration that Jehovah embedded within his very nature, doesn't he? The secular man simply does so through his own capacity between his senses and secular reason. (Psalm 14:1), right?

But at the same time, a believer trained in the way that they should go, isn't likely to depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6)

"Mother" is showing her insecurity here, the lack of confidence that the upbringing she was providing was as sound as could be managed, and that now it is time to entrust that child to Jehovah, for they now have reached the age of accountability (John 9:23): they will stand as an individual before the throne.

Will the temptations be there? Will there be an underlying inference of evolution and man's self-aggrandizement in his own secular achievements? Yep.

But if we can use the secular legal system to defend rights in a secular judicial system under a secular government, why are we not using the secular education system to the same advantages??! Luke 16:9 uses the expression "worldly resources" in the New Living Translation, for example. Other translations use the term "wealth" but it amounts to the secular in any translation. That which is apart from God in that respect, as I presently understand it.

Is a believer going to encounter ungodly and or apostate teaching at the "higher" learning tier? How is that even a question when by that time a believer has hopefully been taught and armed for just such encounters. (Romans 13:12; Ephesians 6:11-18; 2 Corinthians 10:5)

Still, there are other realities, too. For example, the debt that comes from being educated by secularism, which will take years to repay, making a believer beholden to that system. (Proverbs 22:7) One might be earning a higher wage, by appearances, but by the time taxes along with any loan repayments are deducted, how far ahead is one landing, income-wise? In the present job market, especially!

Just my two cent's nickel's worth (since cents have gone obsolete along with common sense).

—Timothy,
a believer.

 

[Proverbs 14 v 15]

gave so much to the watchtower instead of Jehovah, through their lies, burdens of guilt and the entrapment from men. The only recompense being the realisation later in life that Jehovah Himself sees that, is aware of it and rescues us by placing the Truth in our way

Exactly Barney, we all did everything we did, and gave everything we gave, to Jehovah, not the Watchtower. I never once even felt like I was giving or doing for the Watchtower, as far as I was concerned I was doing it all for Jehovah and for my kids, so they could know about the true meaning of life Even Jehovah himself says that if we give to the poor he classes it as if we give to he himself and he'll pay us back. So we don't ever have to worry about who or what we gave to, Jehovah only looks at the spirit in which we gave it
As for all those exjws over on Reddit moaning and groaning because they missed out on being indoctrinated with all Satan's ideas at university, my goodness, do I get sick of hearing them complain about it! Moan, moan, moan, about all the money, money, money they missed out on making!! Like the apostle Paul said, it's all a load of rubbish compared to the knowledge of Jehovah and his word. Very few people get to the end of their lives and say "I'm soooo glad I'm dying RICH and not POOR!"

 

[Proverbs 14 v 15]

Still, there are other realities, too. For example, the debt that comes from being educated by secularism, which will take years to repay, making a believer beholden to that system. (Proverbs 22:7) One might be earning a higher wage, by appearances, but by the time taxes along with any loan repayments are deducted, how far ahead is one landing, income-wise? In the present job market, especially

Exactly!! I've never yet met a happy and content financially rich person, in fact, they don't seem to be able to get much joy out of life at all really, just a bit of bragging and showing off here and there because their lives are so shallow..

 

[Proverbs 14 v 15]

Is college education a bath and bathwater situation, though? Personally, I've never understood the use of their position of [self-appointed] authority to ... shall we say strongly infer that a faithful and loyal Witness wouldn't turn to "higher" education and that the Witness should be content with a trade, or general laborer level employment for their living needs. . . while employing as an organization those trained by the same "higher" education, including the attorneys representing the interests of the Watchtower organization. Just falls flat for me. /shrug

Besides, I didn't raise my children to be dependent upon me when they matured and became adults: it was my God-given obligation to teach and instruct them to be able to stand on their own feet when they got out into the battle. Sure, they come back to me with questions and advice, as they should because I, too, have been in the battle, and have a few scars— most probably of my own making.

But I didn't raise them to be dependent on their parent. And I certainly tried my best to awaken any spiritual interest that is/was/might be in their heart, during the time they were with me as children in my care and keeping.

The Watchtower organization's system is, by design, the very opposite of the functioning parental course set into motion by Jehovah (thus, defining itself as dysfunctional). One is to depend on their direction; One is to have faith in that organization. Witnesses aren't taught that they one day will be standing in the absence of the parent organization, but instead are to become co-dependent on the organization. Not only is "higher" learning discouraged, but "independently" thinking something other than what "mother" (a term I heard throughout my time with Witnesses in reference to the Watchtower organization, but now in decline I've heard) says we should think is equally discouraged by the full weight and authority of the Watchtower organization ("mother").

This in spite of the Bible's clear word on whom we will be called account before— and it sure isn't some organization. (2 Corinthians 5:10; Romans 14:10-12)

That's problematic.

At best.

And yet I'm not going to say that "higher" learning doesn't have secularism at its heart and core, either. The man that stands apart from Jehovah still has the drive for knowledge and exploration that Jehovah embedded within his very nature, doesn't he? The secular man simply does so through his own capacity between his senses and secular reason. (Psalm 14:1), right?

But at the same time, a believer trained in the way that they should go, isn't likely to depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6)

"Mother" is showing her insecurity here, the lack of confidence that the upbringing she was providing was as sound as could be managed, and that now it is time to entrust that child to Jehovah, for they now have reached the age of accountability (John 9:23): they will stand as an individual before the throne.

Will the temptations be there? Will there be an underlying inference of evolution and man's self-aggrandizement in his own secular achievements? Yep.

But if we can use the secular legal system to defend rights in a secular judicial system under a secular government, why are we not using the secular education system to the same advantages??! Luke 16:9 uses the expression "worldly resources" in the New Living Translation, for example. Other translations use the term "wealth" but it amounts to the secular in any translation. That which is apart from God in that respect, as I presently understand it.

Is a believer going to encounter ungodly and or apostate teaching at the "higher" learning tier? How is that even a question when by that time a believer has hopefully been taught and armed for just such encounters. (Romans 13:12; Ephesians 6:11-18; 2 Corinthians 10:5)

Still, there are other realities, too. For example, the debt that comes from being educated by secularism, which will take years to repay, making a believer beholden to that system. (Proverbs 22:7) One might be earning a higher wage, by appearances, but by the time taxes along with any loan repayments are deducted, how far ahead is one landing, income-wise? In the present job market, especially!

Just my two cent's nickel's worth (since cents have gone obsolete along with common sense).

—Timothy,
a believer.

I've seen this band live, they're definitely the best Pink Floyd tribute band out there. Nick Mason said they're actually better than Pink Floyd themselves

 

[a believer]

I've seen this band live, they're definitely the best Pink Floyd tribute band out there. Nick Mason said they're actually better than Pink Floyd themselves

I haven't seen them, but I have to agree. And that video! Outstanding art! The closing scene of the person in the suit walking away, tho...!

 

[Proverbs 14 v 15]

I haven't seen them, but I have to agree. And that video! Outstanding art! The closing scene of the person in the suit walking away, tho...!

And the dead robin under his hat

 

[Dave Bannister]

This is gonna have some serious back lash. From the Watchtower July 20-26 study article on additional education

a EXPRESSION EXPLAINED: In this article and in the next, “additional education” refers to any secular education or training beyond the basic education provided by the government, including universities, apprenticeships, trade schools, technical schools, vocational training, short courses, and continuing education.

b This information also applies to sisters.

c In the past, our publications have discouraged Christians from obtaining certain types of additional education. For example, the article “Parents—What Future Do You Want for Your Children?” published in the October 1, 2005, issue of The Watchtower commented on the dangers associated with higher education. While these dangers still exist, deciding whether to obtain additional education is a personal matter. Each Christian—and in the case of young children, each family head—should prayerfully consider Bible principles and the unique factors involved with a certain educational program before making a decision. No Christian—including elders—should judge a fellow Christian’s personal decision on this matter.—Jas. 4:12.

I agree. Why all the changes? The beards, reporting hours, dress code etc. Trying to retain members or lure younger people in? I doubt the people in for several decades would leave anyway.

 

[Proverbs 14 v 15]

I agree. Why all the changes? The beards, reporting hours, dress code etc. Trying to retain members or lure younger people in? I doubt the people in for several decades would leave anyway.

It's Satan destroying Jehovah's people from within..
I've just been checking out the Watchtower's 3 new investment companies in Ireland again, just double checking they're definitely nothing to do with "charity" and everything to do with making money. Literally anyone with money to invest can use them. Most of the directors are "higher up" "brothers" with a couple of renowned "worldy" "money" men. It all puts the Pharisees doing a bit of "wheeling and dealing" in the temple back in Jesus' day in the shade, that's for sure

 

[BARNABY THE DOG.]

Is college education a bath and bathwater situation, though? Personally, I've never understood the use of their position of [self-appointed] authority to ... shall we say strongly infer that a faithful and loyal Witness wouldn't turn to "higher" education and that the Witness should be content with a trade, or general laborer level employment for their living needs. . . while employing as an organization those trained by the same "higher" education, including the attorneys representing the interests of the Watchtower organization. Just falls flat for me. /shrug

Besides, I didn't raise my children to be dependent upon me when they matured and became adults: it was my God-given obligation to teach and instruct them to be able to stand on their own feet when they got out into the battle. Sure, they come back to me with questions and advice, as they should because I, too, have been in the battle, and have a few scars— most probably of my own making.

But I didn't raise them to be dependent on their parent. And I certainly tried my best to awaken any spiritual interest that is/was/might be in their heart, during the time they were with me as children in my care and keeping.

The Watchtower organization's system is, by design, the very opposite of the functioning parental course set into motion by Jehovah (thus, defining itself as dysfunctional). One is to depend on their direction; One is to have faith in that organization. Witnesses aren't taught that they one day will be standing in the absence of the parent organization, but instead are to become co-dependent on the organization. Not only is "higher" learning discouraged, but "independently" thinking something other than what "mother" (a term I heard throughout my time with Witnesses in reference to the Watchtower organization, but now in decline I've heard) says we should think is equally discouraged by the full weight and authority of the Watchtower organization ("mother").

This in spite of the Bible's clear word on whom we will be called account before— and it sure isn't some organization. (2 Corinthians 5:10; Romans 14:10-12)

That's problematic.

At best.

And yet I'm not going to say that "higher" learning doesn't have secularism at its heart and core, either. The man that stands apart from Jehovah still has the drive for knowledge and exploration that Jehovah embedded within his very nature, doesn't he? The secular man simply does so through his own capacity between his senses and secular reason. (Psalm 14:1), right?

But at the same time, a believer trained in the way that they should go, isn't likely to depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6)

"Mother" is showing her insecurity here, the lack of confidence that the upbringing she was providing was as sound as could be managed, and that now it is time to entrust that child to Jehovah, for they now have reached the age of accountability (John 9:23): they will stand as an individual before the throne.

Will the temptations be there? Will there be an underlying inference of evolution and man's self-aggrandizement in his own secular achievements? Yep.

But if we can use the secular legal system to defend rights in a secular judicial system under a secular government, why are we not using the secular education system to the same advantages??! Luke 16:9 uses the expression "worldly resources" in the New Living Translation, for example. Other translations use the term "wealth" but it amounts to the secular in any translation. That which is apart from God in that respect, as I presently understand it.

Is a believer going to encounter ungodly and or apostate teaching at the "higher" learning tier? How is that even a question when by that time a believer has hopefully been taught and armed for just such encounters. (Romans 13:12; Ephesians 6:11-18; 2 Corinthians 10:5)

Still, there are other realities, too. For example, the debt that comes from being educated by secularism, which will take years to repay, making a believer beholden to that system. (Proverbs 22:7) One might be earning a higher wage, by appearances, but by the time taxes along with any loan repayments are deducted, how far ahead is one landing, income-wise? In the present job market, especially!

Just my two cent's nickel's worth (since cents have gone obsolete along with common sense).

—Timothy,
a believer.

I have never found anything wrong with learning or what is available to learn. The determining factor is what one does with it. No knowledge, apart from that which is unrighteous, devious or chosen to be used inappropriately is bad. Knowledge is a matter of informed choice and benefit to all in the right hands. The real danger to faith is general ignorance and in that, the watchtower overflows with its influence in the everyday life of millions. They lack the key ingredients of love, empathy, insight, and experience and yet overflow with greedy pride through insulating themselves in a fairyland of righteous indignation fuelled by social ignorance of breathtaking depths in navel gazing, planning stupendous buildings and business's that are far more likely to form its graveyard epitaph than any positive legacy. How can they build their future comfort and “leadership” on the back of stolen Kingdom Halls? That is the primary indicator of how much they care for the sheep.

You’re absolutely right in thinking that watchtower is disassociating themselves from family matters of choices, yet at the same time they retain moral governance and leverage over the same issues through threats of disassociation, disfellowshipping, moral standards or approval and disapproval from others and which certainly are driven by the gb influence. This is unseen by the law of the land, as was their hiding of CSA. Thus the lie of relaxation of control is overshadowed by the undercurrent of what is inferred as the correct choice by the gb. Those that are seen to prefer education to pioneering at a young age will still be “encouraged” to pioneer. This is actually made clear in that teenagers are now made elders. A reward of ‘authority’ is dangled before young impressionable eyes. Thus no matter what the gb say is okay, has no relevance to those who made ‘zealous’ by watchtower influence. One wonders how much comfort a twenty year old can comfort the ill, the poverty stricken and the dying.

If watchtower simply told the truth of the bible, they would find that the sheep would follow naturally according to their faith - the value of which Jehovah would judge. As the gb have chosen instead to force their own opinion upon the sheep through enslavement and heavy loads of responsibility through poverty and lack of independent growth both spiritual and moral that the sheep can own inwardly, the gb are reaping their own reward and which will be far greater than the suffering they inflicted upon the sheep.

 

[BARNABY THE DOG.]

Exactly Barney, we all did everything we did, and gave everything we gave, to Jehovah, not the Watchtower. I never once even felt like I was giving or doing for the Watchtower, as far as I was concerned I was doing it all for Jehovah and for my kids, so they could know about the true meaning of life Even Jehovah himself says that if we give to the poor he classes it as if we give to he himself and he'll pay us back. So we don't ever have to worry about who or what we gave to, Jehovah only looks at the spirit in which we gave it
As for all those exjws over on Reddit moaning and groaning because they missed out on being indoctrinated with all Satan's ideas at university, my goodness, do I get sick of hearing them complain about it! Moan, moan, moan, about all the money, money, money they missed out on making!! Like the apostle Paul said, it's all a load of rubbish compared to the knowledge of Jehovah and his word. Very few people get to the end of their lives and say "I'm soooo glad I'm dying RICH and not POOR!"

I never thought about earning more money by further education when I left watchtower. I simply wanted to be able to respect myself. In reflection, I think many witnesses unwittingly feel repressed by watchtower - not morally, but in the joy of living the Word of Jehovah. The entire ethos of watchtower is based upon being in subjection, in not doing enough, the need to do more, and to add a burden of never achieving….”for we are doing only what we aught to be doing.” Even children suffer loss of reward through their systematic eating away at one’s very reason for living. The gb have effectively turned the joy to be had at understanding Jehovah into a grim burden of servitude to man. I think the Bible says as much - perhaps you’d be so kind as to tell me where.

 

[Proverbs 14 v 15]

The gb have effectively turned the joy to be had at understanding Jehovah into a grim burden of servitude to man.

Only if we allow them to stamp out our joy of serving Jehovah. I noticed as the years passed by, more and more rules were coming in about can't to this and can't do that, no more congregation get togethers, and if we MUST then 30 people tops, I could go on and on, honestly, the Watchtower clamped down on enjoying life waaaay before the world started in earnest in 2020. To be honest with you, I ignored them, my conscience was fine before Jehovah and so I wasn't too worried. Unhappy people can't bear to see happy people. Satan is determined to take away every little bit of joy humans can get from life and living, that's one of the reasons he turned Adam and Eve away from Jehovah, they were getting too much joy out of life. And believe it or not, that's the very reason KFC and McDonald's have redecorated all their premises (at least in the UK) in a hideous green, and black. No pretty, cheerful colours allowed apart from in the 5/6 letters community, they've stolen all the colours of the rainbow

 

[BARNABY THE DOG.]

Only if we allow them to stamp out our joy of serving Jehovah. I noticed as the years passed by, more and more rules were coming in about can't to this and can't do that, no more congregation get togethers, and if we MUST then 30 people tops, I could go on and on, honestly, the Watchtower clamped down on enjoying life waaaay before the world started in earnest in 2020. To be honest with you, I ignored them, my conscience was fine before Jehovah and so I wasn't too worried. Unhappy people can't bear to see happy people. Satan is determined to take away every little bit of joy humans can get from life and living, that's one of the reasons he turned Adam and Eve away from Jehovah, they were getting too much joy out of life. And believe it or not, that's the very reason KFC and McDonald's have redecorated all their premises (at least in the UK) in a hideous green, and black. No pretty, cheerful colours allowed apart from in the 5/6 letters community, they've stolen all the colours of the rainbow

I hadn’t noticed the new decor at McFats etc. Surely their colour scheme can not be more repellant than the food they churn out?

 

[Proverbs 14 v 15]

I hadn’t noticed the new decor at McFats etc. Surely their colour scheme can not be more repellant than the food they churn out?

It's AS repellant!
KFC before and couple of after pics. Black as death cos that's what their "food" leads to!

Mcds before and after. Black as death cos their "food" kills too