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. Besides meetings and literature, what is the Watchtower doing, or even attempting to do to truly refresh, uplift, and inspire their young people? 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. The Supreme Court of Canada will rule this year in a case involving shunning and discrimination, and if Watch Tower loses this case, the repercussions will be felt worldwide. Now that their arrogance has has gotten the better of them and they mistakingly feel theyre better than anyone else to sit in front of the camera and pontificate, we see how bad they are. And, as is human nature, it is much easier for Watchtower leaders to put all of the blame for this on invisible metaphysical characters such as Satan, instead of dealing with the elephant in their own living room. Im astonished at the totally creepy nature of the GB Videos I have seen lately. Jehovah's Witnesses 'use the Bible to victim-shame,' sex abuse survivor says. 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. 726 Followers. Young Korean Witnesses languish in prison for no reason. The Holy Spirit is . The problem is that former Jehovah's Witnessesand others who've left cults or religionshave had to filter out the language of cataclysmic ending when seeking a secular life. These groups are designed to approach the young people where they are at right now not from where someone thinks they should be. Their whole going out to knock on doors sounds commendable, but truth be known, the reason why they do it is because theyre trying to earn their own way into Jehovahs new world; paradise Earth. When curious JWs find communities like this one, they realize they're not alone and there's hope/life for them outside the borg. Website powered & protected by Jehovah's holy spirit. 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. This raises the question: Who is an. We grew up together. Andrea embraced its teachings and followed all of JWs beliefs to a T. She didnt celebrate Christmas, Thanksgiving, or any other holidays, and she avoided birthday celebrations. (Translation they are on their own: no health care, no jobs, no training. She didnt party, she didnt drink, and she stayed out of politics. 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). ITV Dancing On Ice's Christopher Dean issues Jayne Torvill health announcement. Many former friends, including my best friend of 10 years, shunned me. 37:2337-Minute Listen. Its what we dont post. While I tried to maintain the utmost respect for their beliefs and not attempt to preach my own, they refused to extend me the same courtesy, and many assumed Id left so I could experience more freedom for worldly things. They have been issuing subpoenas from the Southern District of New York to various internet providers in the US, along with Google, Inc., in an attempt to track down the source of the leaks and identify the individuals involved in leaking their literature and videos. It is truly a heavily works based religion. She learned she couldnt get that from being a Jehovahs Witness. Moving to Warwick eliminated these costly payments. In situations such as this, I have often noticed that the kids dont have much in the way of emotional support and guidance. The Watchtower organizations sole purpose is to proselytize, whereby all of its human capital must be channeled into that goal. Its not what we post on AvoidJW.org that should worry Watch Tower. 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. The reason for this is because theyre on the verge of going totally belly up, and they need money to be able to handle all of the child sex abuse cases that they have under their belts and so on. Being a Witness and following the doctrines didnt automatically mark you as different or better than anyone else. I remember that first year after Id left the Jehovahs Witness faith. You know what its like to have no hope. And they actually tell you that you cant read the Bible alone that you need these other publications written by them to be able to understand scripture because it comes down from the governing body, and what they say goes. 100 years is a pretty long time to wait. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. It is law according to the Jehovahs Witness. THE Jehovah's Witnesses religious denomination has been accused of selling assets and sending cash offshore to avoid paying Australian child-sex abuse victims. Like Stockholm Syndrome victims, Jehovahs Witnesses continue to support the only organization they think has the answers, identifying with and revering their captors men who have little sympathy for the victims of child abuse, shunning, or death by blood policy. It made them revered. The Internet's most comprehensive resource for ex-Jehovah's Witnesses, a community for support, recovery and a few laughs along the way. (source: Pew Research: https://www.pewforum.org/religious-landscape-study/religious-tradition/jehovahs-witness/) and https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2016/04/26/a-closer-look-at-jehovahs-witnesses-living-in-the-u-s/). However, disfellowshipping is. And at one time their teaching was that Jesus was like God or was a God.. The leadership of Jehovah's Witnesses has never admitted that any valid reasons to leave the religion exist. Can baptism be Annulled? 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. 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. Steps 1 Do personal research. Literature carts are being used not just in the Newcastle area but all over the world and we foresee them being a regular feature of our public preaching for many years to come.. No immaterial soul. If a Jehovah's Witness were to break any of the rules they could be spoken to by an elder (the equivalent of a . Jehovah's Witnesses in Newcastle City Centre. Watch Tower is in the process of implementing a new records management program along with a destruction of documents procedure which is designed to ensure that no documents exist which would tie Watch Tower to any legal responsibility or repercussions. . all because thats THE NEW FOUR DOOR SEDAN BY TOYOTA! Raymond Victor Franz (May 8, 1922 - June 2, 2010) was a member of the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses from October 20, 1971, until his removal on May 22, 1980, and served at the organization's world headquarters for fifteen years, from 1965 until 1980. 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! Its psychology 101. (Rutherford must be having a meltdown in his grave). That our faith is true. The graph below shoes how the 18-29 crowd have aged up, but new young adults are not replenishing the numbers. Many of these were good kids too. Once more and more world wide governments either ban Watchtower from their nations, or make them pay for all the evil that they have done through their evil practice of shunning and other terrible things not mentioned here, the Watchtower organization may be forced to shut its doors. 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. Many churches offer separate classes, services, or groups for children that are compatible with their maturity level and that get them acclimated to going to church. I dont remember feelling that way 30yrs ago, but perhaps I am starting to get back to normal? In 2015, the court hit Watchtower with a $13.5 million verdict after the organization failed to turn over documents and provide witnesses in a lawsuit filed by Jos Lopez. Well, the reason for the recent increase is simply due to a change in tactics, according to our sister title the Chronicle. Once that happens, shunning will have very little power over JWs. But she realized she couldnt help her sister if she remained at a distance. I expect this is partly due to many young ones being DF or DA due to "misconduct" because children and teens are held to the same rigorous standard as fully realized adults. Everyone has a different "wtf" trigger and access to that information is just a curious click away. Sawyer and many others like her are now denouncing the church's shunning practices in the wake of a recent murder-suicide in Keego Harbor that killed a family of four ex-Jehovah's Witnesses who . You're taught by the organisation that once you leave you will. Found some information I thought you all might be interested in. Jehovah's Witnesses ban comes into force in Russia after appeal fails. I began a life where I could decide what to believe for myself, and I wasnt afraid of someone telling me I couldnt. 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. They really have no proof of God giving them this high and mighty position of being Gods only spoksperson on Earth. Apologies, but something went wrong on our end. I tried at all costs to avoid any discussions of faith with Jehovahs Witnesses with whom I was still in contact mostly because I didnt want to be forced into an argument with them over my anger and frustration at some of the doctrines. 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. Jehovah's Witnesses and Covid-19 Within ten years, a The gathering was a Bible study. Should you Disassociate and Sample Letters, The Hardship of being a Gay Jehovah's Witness. However, the Seventh day Adventists say that theyre the only true religion, the Mormons say it and so do the Catholics and so on. The following is just my opinion and observations based on events from the past year. As she grew up as a third-generation Jehovah's Witness, there were certain things . The Holy Spirit is the name of God's active force in the world. -65% of JWs are women, compared to only 35% men. As she started to lose trust in the unsteady teachings of JW, Andrea turned to the Church Of Christ for doctrinal stability because, in the Church Of Christ, everything that they follow is written in the Bible. The establishment of Jehovahs Witnesses is not in the Bible. Jehovah's Witnesses are among the most racially and ethnically diverse religious groups in America. Jehovah's Witnesses believe that: God the Father (whose name is Jehovah) is "the only true God". Are Jehovah's Witnesses a Cult? The mountain of bullshit has finally gotten high enough that it's starting to collapse on itself. The carts also provide the public with the choice of approaching us or not, which some people appreciate. I have several observations to add to this. In March 1997, the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, the nonprofit organization that oversees the Jehovah's Witnesses, sent a letter to each of its . 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. Now if they all say this, surely not all of them could be the truth huh? 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My Story of Leaving Jehovah's Witnesses Lloyd Evans 108K subscribers Subscribe 7.2K 232K views 4 years ago (Cedars' vlog no. Followers famously wont accept blood donations - nor do they celebrate birthdays, claiming such celebrations displease God. Jehovah's Witnesses, a millenarian denomination of Christrianity, follow strict guidelines regarding the use of blood in medical practices. - Among all U.S. adults who were raised as Jehovahs Witnesses, two-thirds (66%) no longer identify with the group. Photos of JWfacts.com being Promoted (source: Detroit Free Press: https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2018/03/18/jehovahs-witnesses-murder-suicide-keego-harbor/409695002/). The present study of 50 Jehovah's Witnesses admitted to the Mental Health Service facilities of Western Australia suggests that members of this section of the community are more likely to be admitted to a psychiatric hospital than the general population. Many of them not only help the young people with their unique issues, but also really inspire them enough to get active and pay it forward. Other churches give single parents some relief by offering activities and programs for their children to get involved in and bond with other young people. There are millions trapped inside a mental prison, but we can help them. Many will have had to cover over passions and talents that would have given their lives much greater meaning. He lives in Stockholm. Consider this: any Witness can now sit in an assembly during the morning session; dutifully nod their head like a bobble head doll; and then walk outside and link up with ex-Witnesses online via their iPhone to express what they really think. Jehovah's Witnesses can now be found in Birmingham city centre. Included with this the commissioning of the Last Messenger! - The number of young Jehovah's Witnesses (aged 18-24) has dropped by 6% over the past 7 years. ", BBC Beyond Paradise star Jamie Bamber is married to Eastenders actress. You can get shunned just by reading literature from another church, and you can even get shunned for smoking a cigarette. Does a recession/pandemic/war indicate Armageddon? Jehovah's Witnesses, a Christian denomination with an estimated 175,000 followers in Russia. Reportedly, one of the rules is that unless a perpetrator confesses to committing a sin, two people must witness the commission of the sin. . If at any point you do have doubts and want to leave, your forced isolation up to that point makes the decision inevitably intimidating and potentially overwhelming because of the prospect of being alone and without a support network to guide you through the process. 10. Franz stated the request for his resignation and his subsequent disfellowshipping resulted from allegations of apostasy. If anyone defected, the leaders simply blamed it on American influence, the defectors lack of gratitude, or on some horrible personal defect of the defector. Why Are People Leaving The Jehovah's Witness In Droves. How can anyone watch these buffoons and think theyre Gods voice. But why have they stopped knocking on our doors? It is all about how much you can do in the organization that earns you status and salvation. - About 1% of the entire membership is disfellowshipped every year. Was Russell a Freemason? 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 don't have any groups or programs tailored to them as teens, or which meet their needs. Boom Boom Boom! Copyright 2023 Jehovah's Witnesses. When curious JWs find communities like this one, they realize they're not alone and there's hope/life for them outside the borg. (We already know that growth has become stagnant and more and more people seem to be waking up than previously.). Two thirds of those disfellowshipped never return. "(We) encourage them to make urgent contact with the Department of Social Services so . This is definitely one organization that you need to steer clear of at all costs. I dont think Ive ever seen my mum cry so much, so often. These doctrines made perfect sense to me!. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. To this day I search, I study, and I read. 1. They worship the organization in which theyre a part of. Like Stockholm Syndrome victims, Jehovah's Witnesses continue to support the only organization they think has the answers, identifying with and revering their captors - men who have little sympathy for the victims of child abuse, shunning, or death by blood policy. This article provides basic information on leaving this faith. Imagine if Ford was blaming the consumers - saying that consumers had poor judgment for not wanting to buy the Pinto anymore. 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. Truly the Watchtower organization has absolutely nothing good to say about any other religion because theyre too busy puffing themselves up over them. Is the Book of Daniel Prophetic or Historical? I believe this with my whole heart. Change in teachings? I was allowed to make friends with people outside my congregation. Andrea sat down. In 2017, Russia banned the denomination, whose members believe in nonviolence and refuse to take up arms in war; Russia . Branches around the world are struggling to keep up with their own accounting procedures. 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. In the book, they [JW] taught that Jesus Christ is a Mighty God. And its peppy acceleration will get you far and away from Zeb and his feisty cart crashes!. Witnesses believe that they are living in . Contrast this to the July 2009 issue of Awake! Authorities have also been accused of failing to look into allegations by whistleblowers that Jehovah's Witnesses may be hiding its money . Jehovah's Witnesses will often turn away from any Bible discussion that challenges their beliefs, using the excuse that they cannot listen to apostates.