With all of the new doccumentaries being produced about this organization, YouTube channels and other types of media being produced, Watchtower doesnt stand a chance at survival. Globally there are about eight-and-a-half million Jehovahs Witnesses. The leader Kim Jong is so deluded that his idea of inspiring his people is to walk out on his balcony with his huge Elvis glasses and clap his hands. The. Jehovahs Witnesses are taught to welcome doctrinal changes. Reportedly, one of the rules is that unless a perpetrator confesses to committing a sin, two people must witness the commission of the sin. By Brendan Cole On 7/28/20 at 11:09 AM EDT News Russia Intensifies Persecution of Jehovah's Witnesses with 110 Armed Raids The. And you have no promise. The carts also provide the public with the choice of approaching us or not, which some people appreciate. The people present were Jehovah's Witnesses -- a Christian religious sect first founded in the United States in the 19th century but now has an estimated 8 million followers around the world. Answer (1 of 10): Well, it's resulted in them having to resort to baptizing children to keep their numbers up (something they used to criticize the Catholic church for). This has happened in other countries as well. Jehovah's Witnesses will often turn away from any Bible discussion that challenges their beliefs, using the excuse that they cannot listen to apostates. Most congregations have not filed returns for 2 to 4 years, primarily because local elders do not understand how to file returns, and are quite frankly not interested in the business aspect of this religion. young ones leaving. I can never forgive them for betrayal. They may think they do, but we have seen, we have seen the proof that our God is real. At 18 I turned my back on the cloistered isolation of my familys faith and began a life where I was free to question ideas and beliefs. There are millions trapped inside a mental prison, but we can help them. Well, the reason for the recent increase is simply due to a change in tactics, according to our sister title the Chronicle. In more recent news concerning the Watchtower organization, Steven Lett made a really shocking and quite frankly damning statement concerning babies. In South Africa, over 1400 congregations struggle to file their government mandated tax returns required of each congregation. Two thirds of those disfellowshipped never return. Originally from Kent, Laetitia says her parents became Jehovah's Witnesses about four years before she was born. There was always an air of mysti'c never seeing them except on occasion at a district convention. The leadership of Jehovah's Witnesses has never admitted that any valid reasons to leave the religion exist. - 63% of current Jehovah's Witnesses are a high school education or less. Governing Body member Geoffrey Jackson callously stated in 2015 before the Royal Commission in Australia that he had not even read the details of the victims who had testified before the Commission. The new Toyota Drove! Jehovah's Witnesses can now be found in Birmingham city centre. A few weeks later, the Jehovah's Witnesses closed on a $200 million sale of that building to the private equity firm Kayne Anderson Real Estate Advisors, which plans to turn the property into . The minister who was teaching my Bible lessons (in the Church Of Christ) mentioned the Let God Be True book in my studies, and he asked me if I knew that the doctrines of the Jehovahs Witnesses had changed over the years. https://www.pewforum.org/religious-landscape-study/religious-tradition/jehovahs-witness/, https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2016/04/26/a-closer-look-at-jehovahs-witnesses-living-in-the-u-s/, https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2018/03/18/jehovahs-witnesses-murder-suicide-keego-harbor/409695002/. Nov. 20, 2019, 9:49 AM PST. And now with other countries finding out the harshness of their rules and their inhumane practices of shunning, and not turning child sex abuse cases over to the police is really causing a huge problem for Watchtower. It is quite funny when the Watchtower wants to shut down somebodys YouTube channel because they said something bad about Watchtower, but at the same time, Watchtower sees absolutely no problem bashing other religions out of their mouths online during their dramas, talks and other programming that they put out. Watch Tower has taken over responsibility of all kingdom halls worldwide, but many sit in disrepair awaiting renovations in excess of what congregations can afford. When curious JWs find communities like this one, they realize they're not alone and there's hope/life for them outside the borg. There simply isnt anything designed or built into the programs that work with the attention spans of young children. For years, members have gone door-to-door to spread the word about the faith. There is dissent in South Africa right now because of the fixed per capita amount assigned to each publisher who attends a circuit assembly. Additionally, it has been noted by many of us that when there is a family in which the father does not hold some kind of office, the family is often left out on the periphery without much social support. Andrea started to panic and pulled Cynthia aside. The Internet is what is really hurting the Watchtower organization bigtime because in the past, information could be controlled and managed. By the time many young Jehovah's Witnesses reach their teen years, not only have they been conditioned to associate worshipping Jehovah with great displeasure; but they still dont have any groups or programs tailored to them as teens, or which meet their needs. Instead of engaging in some honest soul searching and introspection about how to help and nurture young people at an organizational level, the Watchtower leadership, writing department, and traveling overseers all attribute the high turnover to their favorite straw man: Satan. The mountain of bullshit has finally gotten high enough that it's starting to collapse on itself. For them to stay in the organization and have an approved standing, they will have had to squash their inner self, and adopt an organizationally-created identity. This is an area where I believe the Watchtower leadership shows an astounding lack of insight. They use Office 365 now and embed data into PDF files in an attempt to track where the leaks are coming from. And instead of just forgiving you of your sin, this evil shunning practice is what they do to you until youre reproved and brought back into good standing which by the way can take a very very long time. The Jehovahs Witnesses originated as a branch of the Bible Student movement, which was founded by Charles Taz Russell, a Christian Restorationist minister. In order to avoid climate passivity, we must redefine Armageddon. I have seen many really good kids in the organization totally get neglected because they didnt have a father who was a Witness. What would you expect to see if that was a news headline within the coming year? Am I an Apostate? The graph below shoes how the 18-29 crowd have aged up, but new young adults are not replenishing the numbers. Therefore, if young people are uninspired, bored, or unmotivated to engage in the theocratic treadmill, Jehovah's Witnesses can simply blame it on the influences of MTV, high school, or on their favorite buzzword: the world. One has since died but had rarely attended before her death. I made a concentrated effort to stop using the word, because I knew it wasnt the truth to me, and that its use was just a very 1984 Newspeak method of subtle control. And so after learning from the Bible that God commissions or sends people to communicate the truth, Andrea came to the conclusion that those who wrote the Let God be True book could not have been commissioned by God. Leaving the faith at 18 changed my life completely. There's a limit on how long you can tell people that the world is about to end for so long before they get sceptical. When curious JWs find communities like this one, they realize they're not alone and there's hope/life for them outside the borg. The Let God Be True book was written by imperfect men, and imperfect men make mistakes, and it was a mistake. She didnt party, she didnt drink, and she stayed out of politics. Press J to jump to the feed. Not even Watchtowers huge lawyers can stop it. People are finally not afraid to talk, and the very massive Ex-JW community is really having a huge affect on Watchtower and on those still inside of it. It should be noted that the Soviets used the same methods of argumentation and reasoning claiming that nothing was lacking in Mother Russia. Elders at a Utah congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses allegedly forced a 15-year-old to listen to a recording of her rape over and over again for hours as part of a religious inquiry, a. They compared the doctrines taught by the churches with what the Bible really teaches. Jehovah's Witnesses believe that they have the one and only true religion and that their Governing Body is appointed by God himself. The Internet's most comprehensive resource for ex-Jehovah's Witnesses, a community for support, recovery and a few laughs along the way. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Much like Kim Jong walking out and clapping his hands, the Watchtowers idea of motivating its people is to deliver talks denouncing college, Watchtower articles ridiculing those who disagree with them, and the repetitive promise that the end is just around the corner. Because I love my sister so much, I felt like I had to give her the opportunity to just listen. To scan all documents located in Brooklyn, retaining only the hard copies they were required to keep by law. As education becomes increasingly important to eek out even a meager living, Witnesses are already being forced to become more educated. The Holy Spirit is . This raises the issue of whether any benefits will ever be paid to other full-time JWs across the globe, who deserve them equally. About the most exciting thing that most of the young people will get to do is hold up printed signs at conventions that say Please Be Seated, or turn knobs in the Kingdom Hall sound booth. Most Jehovah's Witnesses - roughly two-thirds (65%) - are . I have observed that children in families like this most often never thrive, and are swiftly on their way out by the time they reach teenage years. Religious fact, faith and delusion, home> I was allowed to make friends with people outside my congregation. Its psychology 101. Is it the sign of the end or just the end of a religion? However, the rate of growth has almost certainly also been dependent on child baptism for several years and, with the average age of the membership growing older and decades of discouragement from current members having children, there are also simply fewer children to indoctrinate. And its peppy acceleration will get you far and away from Zeb and his feisty cart crashes!. Now if they all say this, surely not all of them could be the truth huh? They are not allowed to question the Watchtower leadership or teaching. All Witnesses are expected to obey instructions and doctrines that influence every aspect of life: Women are considered subservient to men, higher education is discouraged and homosexuality is not permitted. The graph below shoes how the 18-29 crowd have aged up, but new young adults are not replenishing the numbers. Sitting through hours upon hours of talks and Watchtower studies is not going to help them with many of the emotional and social challenges theyre grappling with. The groups are handing out copies of The Watchtower from carts outside New Street station. Instead, Andrea spent her time attending meetings at Kingdom Hall, sharing her faith, and being with her family. With all of the publically displayed lies and deceptions that this organization has dished out over the years, people are finally waking up to the real truth about the Watchtower organization and its agenda. This is another religion. An organization that has established itself as the sole possessor of truth and the single place of refuge from the coming apocalypse cannot divert time and resources to anything that is not related to its recruitment activities. I dont remember feelling that way 30yrs ago, but perhaps I am starting to get back to normal? I was also lucky that both my parents encouraged me to get a good education to work hard at school so I could go to university if I wanted. Jehovah's Witnesses 'use the Bible to victim-shame,' sex abuse survivor says. . However, disfellowshipping is. After completing her Bible studies, Andrea was baptized into the Church Of Christ in 1981. Those few born-in Jehovah's Witnesses who do stay in will pay an enormous price in that they will never have gotten to know who they really were. The rest will live forever in a paradise on Earth, never meeting the person who died for them - Jesus Christ. Biblically, however, the word "soul" is multifaceted. As she grew up as a third-generation Jehovah's Witness, there were certain things . However, it is too late because it is all laid bare for everybody to see online and it will never ever be erased or taken down. Is the Book of Daniel Prophetic or Historical? This is definitely one organization that you need to steer clear of at all costs. . Jehovah's Witnesses, Hendricks said, "fundamentally disagree with the idea of the Holy Trinity." "We believe that Jehovah is the sovereign, the only eternal one, and that Jesus Christ is a created being perhaps living in the heavens for billions of years," Hendricks said. Are you inspired yet? Beliefs. The organization of Jehovahs Witnesses is not Gods organization and never ever will be either. random musings> As always you can unsubscribe at any time. Included with this the commissioning of the Last Messenger! By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Most people who currently identify as Jehovah's Witnesses (65%) also were raised outside that tradition. On February 4, 2019, rumors of the release of a new Elders manual, meant only for the eyes of the top leaders in each congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses (JW), began to surface on ex-JW forums across the Internet. -65% of JWs are women, compared to only 35% men. Mr. Lopez alleged he was abused by a church elder named Gonzalo Campos. She tried to push his friendship away, which meant pushing Cynthia away too. These elders are being retrained, and have been called disobedient by the branch. And when youre a member of the Church Of Christ, the peace that you have in knowing that the promise that God has made to you will be fulfilled is everything. Branches around the world are struggling to keep up with their own accounting procedures. Does a recession/pandemic/war indicate Armageddon? Tell your story. - Quora Answer (1 of 27): It isn't a religion its a cult. Sections: politics business autos jobs career education romance computers phones travel sports fashion health Witnesses hold a number of traditional Christian views but also many that are unique to them. Updated at 12:25 p.m. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. I have several observations to add to this. With multiple documentaries being filmed, protests being organized, news reports being written and lawsuits being filed, Jehovahs Witnesses can choose to buckle up and attempt to survive the crash or they can release that belt and get the hell out of the vehicle which is about to catch fire. Moving to Warwick eliminated these costly payments. Their lackluster growth will only continue; and they will find it harder and harder to recruit new members. Something went wrong, please try again later. In 2017, Russia's Supreme Court declared the group an extremist organization, lumping its. If the religion continues to have to pay out millions of dollars to the victems of child abuse, and it they continue to loose new converts simply because theyre finding out the real truth about the religion, then theres no way that it will be able to remain standing. It is all about their money. But she realized she couldnt help her sister if she remained at a distance. If the Jehovahs Witnesses were the true religion, sanctioned by God, there would be no room for error and no mistakes!. The fact that the [Church Of Christ minister] can go to the Bible and prove when, where, and how the Church was established in these last days is the reason I am a member of the Church Of Christ! Right away, Andrea recognized that there was nothing Biblical about her grandmothers answer. This was not a tax, it was a fee paid because New York owns the underground and the airspace. Jehovah's Witnesses are among the most racially and ethnically diverse religious groups in America. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. World. One troubling result is most high control groups, including the Jehovah's Witnesses and Scientologists, discourage their members from seeking help from mental health care professionals, even when they display troubling signs of acute depression, anxiety, panic disorder, dissociation, suicidal thoughts, autism spectrum disorder or a variety of We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. If they are really lucky, and they are privileged enough to have a dad whos a prominent elder, they might land an exciting acting role - waving their arms around in huge pantomime gestures in an assembly drama. Being a Witness and following the doctrines didnt automatically mark you as different or better than anyone else. Well here goes. The Russian Supreme Court's shocking ban of the Jehovah's Witnesses on 20 April 2017 also violates Russia's own Constitution which, in words, guarantees freedom of religion. Nobody at the London HQ would comment on whether the strategy resulted in an increase in followers. But why have they stopped knocking on our doors? The Witnesses still experience growth, but at a huge expense. She met George, his family, and a few others from the Church Of Christ, including Brother Eddie San Gabriel, a Minister of the Gospel. By Elizabeth Chuck. Sparlock Warrior Wizard When Andrea learned that the re-emergence of the Church Of Christ is clearly found in the Bible, she looked into the origins of JW and found that there was no Biblical proof to support JWs establishment. But now members are heading into the city to try and reach out to more people. Watch Tower was spending tens of thousands per year to New York City just to maintain their tunnel and air-bridge spaces between buildings. Mum, I havent died. 1. Only ten years ago, every single member, that is 28 members were Jehovah's Witnesses. Found some information I thought you all might be interested in. On the heels of a $35 million jury award to a woman who alleged the congregation mishandled her childhood abuse, other . And even though it was a challenging journey, she doesnt regret it. Yet Governing Body members like Samuel Herd have publicly stated how beautiful their new surroundings are at Bethel how they hear the birds chirping as they observe the serene landscape of upstate New York. 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This is not to say that there are no enthusiastic young people in the Watchtower organization, because there truly are. Within ten years, a If they act up and dont sit still; spankings are usually soon to follow. Its a great field service vehicle with four doors and plenty of ankle length dress room in the back! Animal Suffering As a result, most young Witnesses grow up sequestered in their homes and their congregations, fearful of anything outside those boundaries. A life of meaningless sex, drugs and alcohol is often woven into this picture. Lets make it happen. . How can anyone watch these buffoons and think theyre Gods voice. Its what we dont post. Steven Lett said that when people walk up to admire a little baby, they often would say, Look at that little angel! Steven then went on to say, more accurate, look at that little enimy of God. This statement has circulated round the Internet and has appeared in many YouTube channels and so on. . You know what its like to have no hope. And, it doesnt help the organization at all when governing body members like Jeffery Jackson get onto the stand in court and lie about their organization saying that it would be presumptuous to say that theyre the only spoakspeople for God when in fact, it says just that very thing in their literature. ITV Dancing On Ice's Christopher Dean issues Jayne Torvill health announcement. Jesus himself is truth, not those club-like religions. I knew the Bible back and forth. When you take a look at many of the mega-churches for example, it is very impressive how much they put into creating support groups and programs for their young people. He focused on his defense, like a narcissist who believes they are the center of the universe, unable to empathize with real people with real problems. Jehovah's Witnesses must believe and teach that their group has been directly appointed by God and Jesus. However, the Watchtower stubbornly sticks to a one size fits all program for everyone. A moment that changed me: dropping out of university | Anne T Donaghue, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, Leaving the faith at 18 changed my life completely., remember that first year after Id left the, Former Jehovah's Witness elders call for mandatory reporting of child sexual abuse, MPsdemand action over Jehovahs Witness abuse allegations, Jehovah's Witnesses accused of silencing victims of child abuse, Child sexual abuse inquiry considers Jehovah's Witnesses UK investigation, Jehovahs Witnesses criticised over handling of child abuse case, Jehovah's Witnesses charity drops attempts to block abuse inquiry, Jehovah's Witnesses did not protect children from abuse, inquiry finds, Jehovah's Witnesses under pressure over handling of sexual abuse claims, Jehovah's Witnesses accused of damaging Otomi religious site in Mexico. Statistically, two-thirds of born in members leave, and of those that leave on. All monies were directed at finishing Warwick, then selling off their cranes and millions of dollars worth of vehicles and other high prices tools, right down to a 5 dollar screwdriver. Issues such as shunning and adjusting to normal life outside the faith can prove challenging to those wishing to leave. Jesus said himself that he was the way, the life and the truth and that nobody comes to the father but through him. But in another respect, its quite sad, when considering the young people in the organization who desperately need and yearn for something more. Im grateful every day for my education and my desire to learn and think independently, a skill that fostered in me those initial doubts about Jehovahs Witnesses, and enabled me to have the strength to search for answers elsewhere in non-biased literature. In the spring of 2015, Stephen Lett asked for donations after stating that JW.org had more money going out than coming in. (We already know that growth has become stagnant and more and more people seem to be waking up than previously.). My grandmother was a pioneer. In many countries, such meetings would be nothing unusual. SALT LAKE CITY The Utah Supreme Court has revived a woman's lawsuit alleging she was forced to listen to a recording of her own rape. Change in teachings? Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Jamie Bamber plays Archie Hughes in Beyond Paradise on BBC One. Jehovah's Witnesses in Newcastle City Centre. That our faith is true. Today it has 252 members, with those who have been associated with Pentecostalism, the Anglican and Baptist churches and the Jehovah's Witnesses dominating the group. At what point do they begin to ask themselves if there is something that THEY are doing wrong? We are in a great position to be a source of strength and compassion for those younger people who are wandering out and stumbling into forums like this. BeyondJW - Timothy Campbell
