In response to this article the following comments are offered,
http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070609/LIVING/706090311/1004
Jesus was no Jehovah’s Witness
In a recently prepared press statement a JW representative stated, “Witnesses consider Jesus as the greatest of Jehovah's Witnesses." This comment is considered the ultimate insult for thousands of victims of abuse. The Jehovah’s Witnesses District Convention theme this year is called “Follow the Christ” it is an attempt to say they have the blueprint to serving Jesus. If Jesus Christ were on earth today would he show up at JW headquarters and say, “You guys got it right”?
For thousands of victims they would wonder if Jesus had gone insane. You see, Jehovah’s Witnesses have many inconsistencies to their beliefs that would brand any person that claims leadership of this group as the ultimate hypocrite.
Jesus Christ loved children and if there was anything that set apart his ministry it was his message that protecting children was to be the highest priority in practicing his precepts. When Christ disciples more than once tried to shuffle him to what they thought was more important affairs he would remind them to take time in the interest of little ones. (Matt. 19:14)
Jehovah’s Witnesses as a group have over 1,000,000 children that are part of their organization worldwide. This represents a tremendous responsibility for a group that claims to “follow the Christ.” So how do these self proclaimed ambassadors of Christ measure up with regard to their children? Would Christ be proud of the way they treat their children? Let’s look at a few of their directives in that regard.
Jehovah’s Witnesses teach that accepting blood for medical emergency is a sin against God. They use the scripture at Acts that states “Abstain from blood” to be taken as literal with regard to medical treatment. The result is it is estimated that over 130 JW children die each year due to this self imposed directive. Jehovah’s Witnesses hold these dead children up as martyrs for the faith and have advertised them in their publications as the ultimate measure of true faith in God. What would Jesus do?
Child abuse within religion has been reported by the media extensively in the last five years. Jehovah’s Witness victims have come forward to report they were abused and silenced by polices of the church. In extreme cases as many as 60 JW children have been abused by one Jehovah’s Witness due to how abuse allegations are covered up within the congregation. When victims tried to report the problem the church had a solution, disfellowship them and cut them off from their friends and family by shunning. The media was told the JW policy was far superior to any other religion with regard to handling abuse. While they denied any wrongdoing in the Spring of 2007 they paid one of the largest settlements ever to silence sixteen victims that sued the church for how they were hurt by the “superior” policy that church leaders bragged to media about. That policy include s a da tabase of over 25,000 JW child molesters known only to the church that as members have continued access to children. Over 80% of these JW database molesters are protected by the twisted misapplication of the first amendment to protect their “religious right” to confidentiality. These molesters are required to “preach the good news,” that is they must go to the homes of the public at large and offer free home bible studies with the unknowing families they meet. Sadly many of these bible study children have been molested as well. Would you really want people with this twisted sense of reality directing you on how to “Follow the Christ?”
When Jesus Christ gave his ‘Sermon on the Mount’ he offered many fine principles to live life by. One comment that he made was at Matt. 5:16 where he stated, “Let your light shine before men that they may see your fine works and give glory to your Father who is in the heavens.” The implication was that how you lived your life and treated others would show if you were truly an example that would make God proud.
How do Jehovah’s Witnesses measure up in this regard? They are one of the largest literature distribution facilities on earth. They distribute over one billion pieces of literature a year that results on over one billion dollars of income to just their New York corporation each year. The labor to print, distribute and deliver this to your door is free and the money is protected by religious non profit status. For their size the corporation owns more property than any religion in their category and are so wealthy they continue to amass property holdings around the world. Members are told to forgo education and “keep their eye simple” while leadership travels around the world and are treated like royalty.
So by the Jehovah’s Witness ethical code, the proper way to follow Christ is to, needlessly kill children by an interpretation of a biblical edict on blood, allow the molestation of thousands of children using church policy to silence them, protect the privacy of child molesters while allowing them access to more children, and using slave labor that includes children to make yourself one of the wealthiest religions on the face of the earth.
Based on these facts, if Jesus were here on earth today would he want this group calling him their greatest Jehovah’s Witness? Perhaps he might instead repeat the following comment he used to address a similar group in his day. At Matthew 23: 27, 28 Christ stated, “Woe to YOU, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because YOU resemble whitewashed graves, which outwardly indeed appear beautiful but inside are full of dead men’s bones and of every sort of uncleanness. 28 In that way YOU also, outwardly indeed, appear righteous to men, but inside YOU are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.”
Yes if Jesus was walking along and found a group of Jehovah’s Witnesses trying to follow him he might think twice about where he went as he would not want to give God a bad name or allow the public to think that in any way he supported what they represent. Jesus was no Jehovah’s Witness and would have considered it an insult of the lowest form if someone called him by what that name has come to represent.
Monday, June 11, 2007
Sunday, May 13, 2007
A JW Mother Writes
A Jehovah’s Witness mother responds to media coverage of victims receiving compensation for being victimized by Watchtower policy on child abuse.
See http://www.silentlambs.org/APpresscoverage.htm
This was received on Mother’s Day and perhaps this can help illustrate how mind control destroys families.
“your newspaper article in hot springs only made friends send me a sympthy card. your not getting the responds you hoped for. you have humiliated us over and over but it doesn't get the response you wish for TO HUMILIATE YOU PARENTS remember when you were little and you didn't want to hurt anyone. i was proud of you then. now you want to hurt people, what a hypocrite you have become. please do not respond. you are not my son. you are evil. i disown you. if you have found the truth god help you. . i have hoped for you prayed for you now i give up on you do as you will but don't bother me any more. i have found peace in my life and i don't need you any more. i will find a true son in the truth to help me and Bill as we grow old to take care of us and we will leave them anything thats left. Brenda B”
See http://www.silentlambs.org/APpresscoverage.htm
This was received on Mother’s Day and perhaps this can help illustrate how mind control destroys families.
“your newspaper article in hot springs only made friends send me a sympthy card. your not getting the responds you hoped for. you have humiliated us over and over but it doesn't get the response you wish for TO HUMILIATE YOU PARENTS remember when you were little and you didn't want to hurt anyone. i was proud of you then. now you want to hurt people, what a hypocrite you have become. please do not respond. you are not my son. you are evil. i disown you. if you have found the truth god help you. . i have hoped for you prayed for you now i give up on you do as you will but don't bother me any more. i have found peace in my life and i don't need you any more. i will find a true son in the truth to help me and Bill as we grow old to take care of us and we will leave them anything thats left. Brenda B”
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Sadistic foster mother's 19-year reign of terror
Sadistic foster mother's 19-year reign of terror
Last updated at 09:43am on 21st March 2007 A foster mother was found guilty today of subjecting three young children to a "horrifying catalogue of cruel and sadistic treatment".
Eunice Spry, 62, routinely beat, abused and starved the youngsters in her care over a 19 year period. The devout Jehovah's Witness forced sticks down their throats and made them eat their own vomit and rat excrement.
Read more...
* THE VICTIM: Somehow, I'll still love her
For further information and pictures click here
Friday, March 16, 2007
Remaining Steadfast when Grandparents Shun
A Christian woman whom we will call Joy tried to raise her son to love Jehovah God. When he grew up to be a man and educated himself about religion and cults the son made a personal decision to no longer be associated with his parent’s faith. As is often the case of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Joy reacted as if it was a personal attack against the family, she stated, “It was the deepest hurt I had ever experienced, I felt betrayed, broken hearted and frustrated. I was overwhelmed with negative thoughts.” Even though her son assured Joy of his love and that he always want his parents to be part of his families life, his parents cut him off completely.
Perhaps you too have tried help your parents understand that a personal choice of faith is no reason to persecute and victimize an innocent family. This son whom we will call Rick recalls, “My mom stated that I was dead to her and due to the teaching of the cult she was involved in, that my children, her grandchildren would be struck dead by God at Armageddon due to my decisions.” She stated, “Your father and I just do not want to attach ourselves emotionally when we know you are all going to be killed by God at any moment.” You see the cult has informed them that God (Jehovah) will kill every man woman and child on the earth for not being Jehovah’s Witnesses. This destruction is so eminent that at any moment the sky could turn red and the slaughter could begin. The only way for anyone to survive this blood bath is to promote the distribution of literature produced by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society based on New York. The more Watchtower literature you distribute the less likely you will be to face execution by Jehovah.
As a result, “Joy” and her husband in their seventies feel it is more important to “pioneer” (a contract to spend 70 hours each month selling Watchtower literature) than to be any part of the lives of their grandchildren.
When a Son rebelled in the Bible
A famous story in the bible is of the “prodigal son”. (Luke 15:11-32) In that parable offered by Jesus the son did not just make a decision based on a difference in faith, but instead outright rejected his family and squandered his inheritance. The father in the story not only provided the son with money (his inheritance) but remained hopeful and supportive that son might someday return. Note the commentary offered in the scriptures when the son returned, verse 20,
“20 So he rose and went to his father. While he was yet a long way off, his father caught sight of him and was moved with pity, and he ran and fell upon his neck and tenderly kissed him. 21 Then the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Make me as one of your hired men.’ 22 But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quick! bring out a robe, the best one, and clothe him with it, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened young bull, slaughter it and let us eat and enjoy ourselves, 24 because this my son was dead and came to life again; he was lost and was found.’”
As noted from the story that son asked for his father’s forgiveness not only for squandering the family inheritance but for not wishing to be his son. The father in his response not only showed that he remained his father throughout his son’s rebellion but that the son remained a member of the family on his return. The forgiving father ordered that a ring be put on the hand of the returning prodigal. (Lu 15:22) This act showed the favor and affection of the father as well as the dignity, honor, and status accorded this restored son.
In this story we see illustrated the essence of loyalty that a family should have for one another. This is further encapsulated in the definition of love offered a 1 Corinthians 13: 1-8, notice the eloquent way that real love is described:
“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels but do not have love, I have become a sounding [piece of] brass or a clashing cymbal. 2 And if I have the gift of prophesying and am acquainted with all the sacred secrets and all knowledge, and if I have all the faith so as to transplant mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 And if I give all my belongings to feed others, and if I hand over my body, that I may boast, but do not have love, I am not profited at all.
4 Love is long-suffering and kind. Love is not jealous, it does not brag, does not get puffed up, 5 does not behave indecently, does not look for its own interests, does not become provoked. It does not keep account of the injury. 6 It does not rejoice over unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth. 7 It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
8 Love never fails,”
The thought carried forth is that when real love is present, especially when dealing with family there is nothing that could justify shunning or disowning a family member simply because of a choice of worship and even more importantly in the event they make poor life choices. When children make mistakes that is when they need the favor and direction of their parents more than ever. As the reader can see this is biblically based and of course a good principle to follow even if you do not accept biblical directives.
Prisoners of a Cult
What though of Joy and the reason that she would choose to in one sense be so distraught and on the other hand so cold hearted and disloyal to her family? Joy and her husband over a period of years were programmed by a cult. The so called religion uses a form of mind control perfected by the Germans in World War II. Each week Joy and her husband attend three meetings in which they answer questions out of prepared paragraphs. They are commended and told how much smarter they are than any other religion as they recycle the same information over and over again year after year. What was the information? Basically sell literature for the “Watchtower Corporation” or Jehovah will kill you at any minute when Armageddon happens. This is the topic of every meeting and every convention attended by Jehovah’s Witnesses.
As a result Joy and her husband live in fear. They are terrorized into thinking if they do not obey this directive that Jehovah has a horrible death with fire coming out of heaven awaiting them. This in some ways is very similar to charismatic religions that teach the “hellfire” doctrine in which members must obey church directives or face eternity in a literal fire that roasts them forever. Jehovah’s Witnesses have simply repackaged this into a “God smashing you to bits” unless you obey our directives.
Directives that destroy families
Sadly those directives do not stop at “sell books for Watchtower or die” they continue with the way family members are treated that may choose to not be part of the cult. Note the commentary from an internal journal called “Kingdom Ministry” dated August 2002;
2 How to Treat Expelled Ones: God’s Word commands Christians not to keep company or fellowship with a person who has been expelled from the congregation: “Quit mixing in company with anyone called a brother that is a fornicator or a greedy person or an idolater or a reviler or a drunkard or an extortioner, not even eating with such a man. . . . Remove the wicked man from among yourselves.” (1 Cor. 5:11, 13) Jesus’ words recorded at Matthew 18:17 also bear on the matter: “Let [the expelled one] be to you just as a man of the nations and as a tax collector.” Jesus’ hearers well knew that the Jews of that day had no fraternization with Gentiles and that they shunned tax collectors as outcasts. Jesus was thus instructing his followers not to associate with expelled ones.—See The Watchtower of September 15, 1981, pages 18-20.
3 This means that loyal Christians do not have spiritual fellowship with anyone who has been expelled from the congregation. But more is involved. God’s Word states that we should ‘not even eat with such a man.’ (1 Cor. 5:11) Hence, we also avoid social fellowship with an expelled person. This would rule out joining him in a picnic, party, ball game, or trip to the mall or theater or sitting down to a meal with him either in the home or at a restaurant.
This is not talking about non-church members per se, but instead the article states,
“The bond between family members can be very strong. This brings a test upon a Christian when a marriage mate, a child, a parent, or another close relative is disfellowshipped or has disassociated himself from the congregation. (Matt. 10:37)”
This covers about every aspect of someone that might be a part of your family. Why would a religion be so harsh in dealing with family members? The reason can be found in preserving the mind control of the group. If member were allowed to have interaction with ex members that have come to terms with cult mind programming then it could cause a mass exodus from the group. So by isolating members from non-believing family they preserve the total commitment to literature distribution without interference by demonizing outside family. This is reinforced by direct quotes from this literature in describing family members that may discourage them from sales, note this comment from the March 15, 2003 Watchtower:
“The apostle John wrote: “We know we originate with God, but the whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one.” (1 John 5:19) Those words show a basic reason why Christians have to struggle to maintain their faith. When a Christian keeps his integrity, it is to a degree a defeat for Satan the Devil. Hence, Satan goes about like “a roaring lion” trying to intimidate and devour faithful Christians. (1 Peter 5:8) Indeed, he wages war on anointed Christians and their companions. (Revelation 12:17) In this warfare, he uses humans who knowingly or unknowingly serve his ends. It takes courage to stand firm against Satan and all his agents.”
So the thought offered is that anyone that does not promote book sales is basically an “agent of Satan”. That includes sons, daughters or any family members. The KM of August 2002 went on to give this example of how to treat a family member,
“13 After hearing a talk at a circuit assembly, a brother and his fleshly sister realized that they needed to make adjustments in the way they treated their mother, who lived elsewhere and who had been disfellowshipped for six years. Immediately after the assembly, the man called his mother, and after assuring her of their love, he explained that they could no longer talk to her unless there were important family matters requiring contact. Shortly thereafter, his mother began attending meetings and was eventually reinstated. Also, her unbelieving husband began studying and in time was baptized.”
So the “example” offered here is of a son and daughter cutting off their mother until she and her husband agreed to sell books for Watchtower. As can be seen cult mind control can have a very pervasive influence on victims of the programming. Many former members report anguish at being forced to pretend that they want to sell books for Watchtower to get “reinstated” and for their family to be allowed to talk to them again. Even so after “reinstatement” if the family member does not regularly sell books family members are directed to avoid close association with them.
Remain Steadfast to Protect your Children
How can a balanced parent today deal with grandparents suffering from cult mind programming and at the same time raise their children to be balanced members of society? In the scripture at 1Corinthians 13, notice the comment offered at verse eight, “Love never fails”. All children should treat their parents with love and respect after all they are the ones that brought them into this world to begin with. So in dealing with parents who are cult members it is important to not confront them in anger when they justify bad behavior. In most cases when you are completely cut off from your cult family remember to not allow this to affect your self esteem or self worth. They made a choice and you simply are trying to live a happy and full life. Occasionally due to age or bad health cult members will bend the rules and allow limited contact, if so remember to check in on them from time to time as to their well being, help them with emergencies and other necessary things that all families do. Whenever they berate you for not being a member simply say, “I respect your beliefs and ask that you respect mine.” In the event of an emergency or funeral with face to face contact, they may attempt to insult your beliefs or speak judgmentally, simply change the subject or if worse come to worse say, “Excuse me,” walk away for a few minutes to give them time to calm down.
With regard to your children it is important to help them understand that their grandparents are victims of a cult and they are not allowed to act as normal grandparents would. Helping them to understand that the reason they never see their grandparents is their choice not yours. Assist your children to understand that you have explained to their grandparents they have an open invitation to be part of your lives and they refuse. Educating your children that cult mind control destroys unconditional love and that is why you would never want to treat them in the same way your parents treat you. By doing this you can help inform your children on the destructiveness of cults as well as reassure them that you want to be like the father in the parable of the “prodigal son”, you will never stop being their parents. Often children that have this frank communication are helped to be well adjusted and protected from the influence of cults.
To assist further look around your neighborhood often there are retired people that would love to have a nice family to befriend. You might share your story with them about how your parents are lost to a cult and that you are looking for adoptive parents to befriend and interact with. There are often many volunteers to fill the void in your family and it helps open your family up to how to show love for others as well.
Take your stand against the Devil
Religions, particularly cults, often use entities to frighten members into compliance. In this instance Jehovah’s Witnesses use the Devil as a way to say that anything that impedes book sales is the Devil trying to control you. The sad reality is the Devil is not involved in trying to stop Watchtower book sales nor if he did exist would he want to involve himself in trying to impede the evil perpetrated by cults. Helping your children to understand this while living a full and happy life free of cult mind control, for many they have found this to be the best way of life. So when Grandparents due to cult mind programming try to influence your thinking to their twisted directives remember to “Remain Steadfast When Grandparents Shun.”
Perhaps you too have tried help your parents understand that a personal choice of faith is no reason to persecute and victimize an innocent family. This son whom we will call Rick recalls, “My mom stated that I was dead to her and due to the teaching of the cult she was involved in, that my children, her grandchildren would be struck dead by God at Armageddon due to my decisions.” She stated, “Your father and I just do not want to attach ourselves emotionally when we know you are all going to be killed by God at any moment.” You see the cult has informed them that God (Jehovah) will kill every man woman and child on the earth for not being Jehovah’s Witnesses. This destruction is so eminent that at any moment the sky could turn red and the slaughter could begin. The only way for anyone to survive this blood bath is to promote the distribution of literature produced by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society based on New York. The more Watchtower literature you distribute the less likely you will be to face execution by Jehovah.
As a result, “Joy” and her husband in their seventies feel it is more important to “pioneer” (a contract to spend 70 hours each month selling Watchtower literature) than to be any part of the lives of their grandchildren.
When a Son rebelled in the Bible
A famous story in the bible is of the “prodigal son”. (Luke 15:11-32) In that parable offered by Jesus the son did not just make a decision based on a difference in faith, but instead outright rejected his family and squandered his inheritance. The father in the story not only provided the son with money (his inheritance) but remained hopeful and supportive that son might someday return. Note the commentary offered in the scriptures when the son returned, verse 20,
“20 So he rose and went to his father. While he was yet a long way off, his father caught sight of him and was moved with pity, and he ran and fell upon his neck and tenderly kissed him. 21 Then the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Make me as one of your hired men.’ 22 But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quick! bring out a robe, the best one, and clothe him with it, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened young bull, slaughter it and let us eat and enjoy ourselves, 24 because this my son was dead and came to life again; he was lost and was found.’”
As noted from the story that son asked for his father’s forgiveness not only for squandering the family inheritance but for not wishing to be his son. The father in his response not only showed that he remained his father throughout his son’s rebellion but that the son remained a member of the family on his return. The forgiving father ordered that a ring be put on the hand of the returning prodigal. (Lu 15:22) This act showed the favor and affection of the father as well as the dignity, honor, and status accorded this restored son.
In this story we see illustrated the essence of loyalty that a family should have for one another. This is further encapsulated in the definition of love offered a 1 Corinthians 13: 1-8, notice the eloquent way that real love is described:
“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels but do not have love, I have become a sounding [piece of] brass or a clashing cymbal. 2 And if I have the gift of prophesying and am acquainted with all the sacred secrets and all knowledge, and if I have all the faith so as to transplant mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 And if I give all my belongings to feed others, and if I hand over my body, that I may boast, but do not have love, I am not profited at all.
4 Love is long-suffering and kind. Love is not jealous, it does not brag, does not get puffed up, 5 does not behave indecently, does not look for its own interests, does not become provoked. It does not keep account of the injury. 6 It does not rejoice over unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth. 7 It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
8 Love never fails,”
The thought carried forth is that when real love is present, especially when dealing with family there is nothing that could justify shunning or disowning a family member simply because of a choice of worship and even more importantly in the event they make poor life choices. When children make mistakes that is when they need the favor and direction of their parents more than ever. As the reader can see this is biblically based and of course a good principle to follow even if you do not accept biblical directives.
Prisoners of a Cult
What though of Joy and the reason that she would choose to in one sense be so distraught and on the other hand so cold hearted and disloyal to her family? Joy and her husband over a period of years were programmed by a cult. The so called religion uses a form of mind control perfected by the Germans in World War II. Each week Joy and her husband attend three meetings in which they answer questions out of prepared paragraphs. They are commended and told how much smarter they are than any other religion as they recycle the same information over and over again year after year. What was the information? Basically sell literature for the “Watchtower Corporation” or Jehovah will kill you at any minute when Armageddon happens. This is the topic of every meeting and every convention attended by Jehovah’s Witnesses.
As a result Joy and her husband live in fear. They are terrorized into thinking if they do not obey this directive that Jehovah has a horrible death with fire coming out of heaven awaiting them. This in some ways is very similar to charismatic religions that teach the “hellfire” doctrine in which members must obey church directives or face eternity in a literal fire that roasts them forever. Jehovah’s Witnesses have simply repackaged this into a “God smashing you to bits” unless you obey our directives.
Directives that destroy families
Sadly those directives do not stop at “sell books for Watchtower or die” they continue with the way family members are treated that may choose to not be part of the cult. Note the commentary from an internal journal called “Kingdom Ministry” dated August 2002;
2 How to Treat Expelled Ones: God’s Word commands Christians not to keep company or fellowship with a person who has been expelled from the congregation: “Quit mixing in company with anyone called a brother that is a fornicator or a greedy person or an idolater or a reviler or a drunkard or an extortioner, not even eating with such a man. . . . Remove the wicked man from among yourselves.” (1 Cor. 5:11, 13) Jesus’ words recorded at Matthew 18:17 also bear on the matter: “Let [the expelled one] be to you just as a man of the nations and as a tax collector.” Jesus’ hearers well knew that the Jews of that day had no fraternization with Gentiles and that they shunned tax collectors as outcasts. Jesus was thus instructing his followers not to associate with expelled ones.—See The Watchtower of September 15, 1981, pages 18-20.
3 This means that loyal Christians do not have spiritual fellowship with anyone who has been expelled from the congregation. But more is involved. God’s Word states that we should ‘not even eat with such a man.’ (1 Cor. 5:11) Hence, we also avoid social fellowship with an expelled person. This would rule out joining him in a picnic, party, ball game, or trip to the mall or theater or sitting down to a meal with him either in the home or at a restaurant.
This is not talking about non-church members per se, but instead the article states,
“The bond between family members can be very strong. This brings a test upon a Christian when a marriage mate, a child, a parent, or another close relative is disfellowshipped or has disassociated himself from the congregation. (Matt. 10:37)”
This covers about every aspect of someone that might be a part of your family. Why would a religion be so harsh in dealing with family members? The reason can be found in preserving the mind control of the group. If member were allowed to have interaction with ex members that have come to terms with cult mind programming then it could cause a mass exodus from the group. So by isolating members from non-believing family they preserve the total commitment to literature distribution without interference by demonizing outside family. This is reinforced by direct quotes from this literature in describing family members that may discourage them from sales, note this comment from the March 15, 2003 Watchtower:
“The apostle John wrote: “We know we originate with God, but the whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one.” (1 John 5:19) Those words show a basic reason why Christians have to struggle to maintain their faith. When a Christian keeps his integrity, it is to a degree a defeat for Satan the Devil. Hence, Satan goes about like “a roaring lion” trying to intimidate and devour faithful Christians. (1 Peter 5:8) Indeed, he wages war on anointed Christians and their companions. (Revelation 12:17) In this warfare, he uses humans who knowingly or unknowingly serve his ends. It takes courage to stand firm against Satan and all his agents.”
So the thought offered is that anyone that does not promote book sales is basically an “agent of Satan”. That includes sons, daughters or any family members. The KM of August 2002 went on to give this example of how to treat a family member,
“13 After hearing a talk at a circuit assembly, a brother and his fleshly sister realized that they needed to make adjustments in the way they treated their mother, who lived elsewhere and who had been disfellowshipped for six years. Immediately after the assembly, the man called his mother, and after assuring her of their love, he explained that they could no longer talk to her unless there were important family matters requiring contact. Shortly thereafter, his mother began attending meetings and was eventually reinstated. Also, her unbelieving husband began studying and in time was baptized.”
So the “example” offered here is of a son and daughter cutting off their mother until she and her husband agreed to sell books for Watchtower. As can be seen cult mind control can have a very pervasive influence on victims of the programming. Many former members report anguish at being forced to pretend that they want to sell books for Watchtower to get “reinstated” and for their family to be allowed to talk to them again. Even so after “reinstatement” if the family member does not regularly sell books family members are directed to avoid close association with them.
Remain Steadfast to Protect your Children
How can a balanced parent today deal with grandparents suffering from cult mind programming and at the same time raise their children to be balanced members of society? In the scripture at 1Corinthians 13, notice the comment offered at verse eight, “Love never fails”. All children should treat their parents with love and respect after all they are the ones that brought them into this world to begin with. So in dealing with parents who are cult members it is important to not confront them in anger when they justify bad behavior. In most cases when you are completely cut off from your cult family remember to not allow this to affect your self esteem or self worth. They made a choice and you simply are trying to live a happy and full life. Occasionally due to age or bad health cult members will bend the rules and allow limited contact, if so remember to check in on them from time to time as to their well being, help them with emergencies and other necessary things that all families do. Whenever they berate you for not being a member simply say, “I respect your beliefs and ask that you respect mine.” In the event of an emergency or funeral with face to face contact, they may attempt to insult your beliefs or speak judgmentally, simply change the subject or if worse come to worse say, “Excuse me,” walk away for a few minutes to give them time to calm down.
With regard to your children it is important to help them understand that their grandparents are victims of a cult and they are not allowed to act as normal grandparents would. Helping them to understand that the reason they never see their grandparents is their choice not yours. Assist your children to understand that you have explained to their grandparents they have an open invitation to be part of your lives and they refuse. Educating your children that cult mind control destroys unconditional love and that is why you would never want to treat them in the same way your parents treat you. By doing this you can help inform your children on the destructiveness of cults as well as reassure them that you want to be like the father in the parable of the “prodigal son”, you will never stop being their parents. Often children that have this frank communication are helped to be well adjusted and protected from the influence of cults.
To assist further look around your neighborhood often there are retired people that would love to have a nice family to befriend. You might share your story with them about how your parents are lost to a cult and that you are looking for adoptive parents to befriend and interact with. There are often many volunteers to fill the void in your family and it helps open your family up to how to show love for others as well.
Take your stand against the Devil
Religions, particularly cults, often use entities to frighten members into compliance. In this instance Jehovah’s Witnesses use the Devil as a way to say that anything that impedes book sales is the Devil trying to control you. The sad reality is the Devil is not involved in trying to stop Watchtower book sales nor if he did exist would he want to involve himself in trying to impede the evil perpetrated by cults. Helping your children to understand this while living a full and happy life free of cult mind control, for many they have found this to be the best way of life. So when Grandparents due to cult mind programming try to influence your thinking to their twisted directives remember to “Remain Steadfast When Grandparents Shun.”
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Become a Jehovah's Witness and you can't...
Celebrate Mother's Day
Celebrate Father's Day
Celebrate Grandparent's Day
Celebrate Birthdays
Celebrate Thanksgiving
Celebrate New Year's Eve or Day
Celebrate Christmas
Celebrate Halloween
Celebrate Easter
Celebrate Flag Day
Celebrate Independence Day (Fourth of July)
Celebrate Hanukkah
Celebrate St. Patrick's Day
Celebrate Valentine's Day
Celebrate "Any" Holiday
Sing any Holiday Songs
Eat Turkey on Thanksgiving
Create Holiday artwork in school
Join the Boy Scouts
Join the Girl Scouts
Buy Girl Scout Cookies
Become a Cheerleader
Attend class reunions (No "Worldly" association)
Go to the school prom
Play School Sports (No competition allowed)
Play Professional Sports
Join any organization that has ties to Christianity
Shop at the Salvation Army
Volunteer for the Salvation Army
Donate to Relief Organizations like the Red Cross, Salvation Army, Charities and more
Shop at Church run thrift stores
Shop at Church Garage Sales
Shop at any Store that has Christian ties
Contribute to the Red Cross
Attend a Church School
Join the YMCA
Join the Military
Become a Police Officer
Attend Alcoholics Anonymous
Have any job with a gun
Strike against a Company
Salute the Flag
Can't Stand at Public Events while others are Standing For National Anthem
Sing the National Anthem
Go to War
Wear Clothing Associated with War; e.g. Combats or Army Tops
Learn karate
Vote (Conscience matter now to please Governments, you will be ostracized if you do)
Run for any Public Office
Campaign for a Candidate
Contribute to the Presidential Campaign Fund on your tax return
Can join union, but not participate in its affairs
Run for class president
Join Sororities or Fraternities
Participate in holiday parties at school
Buy lottery tickets
Gamble
Play Bingo
Can't buy a raffle ticket
Date without supervision - young or old
Watch R rated movies
Cannot work on another Church if it's a regular customer
Own a religious picture or statue
Smoke cigarettes, pipes or a cigars
Sell cigarettes, pipes or a cigars
Accept Blood
Donate Blood
Store your own blood before an operation
Wear blue jeans or casual clothes to the meetings
Wear pants to the Kingdom Hall if you are a female
Wear skirts or dresses that are above the knee at any time
Wear any type of long hair if you are a man
Wear a beard in some Kingdom Halls and areas (judged hard)
Pierce ears if male, other body parts if female
Have any tattoos after joining
Say curse words
Can't be hypnotized
Get divorced unless scriptural (adultery or fornication is committed by one partner) if you do divorce cannot remarry unless ex fornicates first
Toast drinks (pagan origin)
Throw rice at a wedding (pagan origin)
Say "Bless You" when someone sneezes
Say "Good Luck!", "Wish me Luck", "I was Lucky" or "You were Lucky"
Tell ghost stories
Throw a penny into a wishing well
Read Horoscopes
Watch TV shows, "Sabrina, the Teenage Witch", "Touched by an Angel", or "Bewitched"
Say "It was fate" or mention anything to do with "fate"
Engage in any risky acts such as: Sky Diving, Bungie Jumping & Hang Gliding
Can't partake in the Memorial of Jesus' death, by eating the unleavened bread or drinking the wine; only allowed if you are from the elite group of the 144,000
A woman can't hold a position of responsibility in the congregation
Wear or own a Cross
Attend another Church (Spiritual Fornication)
Associate on a regular basis with nonbelievers
Associate with ex-members
Associate with disfellowshipped ones
Talk with disfellowshipped ones
Sue another Jehovah's Witness
Marry a nonbeliever (If you do, you are judged hard by the congregation)
Marry in another Church or attend a wedding in another Church
Have a funeral in another Church or attend a funeral in another Church
Pray, including holding your head down, when a nonbeliever prays
Study other religious articles not from the Society
Read negative information about the Society
Question the Watchtower Society on anything
Exercise your on conscience if it goes against the religion
Question the Society or the Organization
If you are a woman you can't pray aloud in the presence of men, without a covering on your head
Become a Jehovah's Witness and you shouldn't....
.... if you do you will be looked down upon
Discuss politics
Surf too much on the Internet
Attend social functions organized by your place of work
Associate with worldly neighbors
Attend College (The Society has lightened up on this somewhat, but if you attend you are not putting Kingdom interests first, and will be judged.)
Go to Nightclubs
Own a Gun
JWs are discouraged from seeking psychological help from psychiatrists, psycho-therapists, and psychologists because they give "worldly" advice according to the WTBTS.
Become a Jehovah's Witness and you have to....
Must be baptized into the organization
Attend several regular meetings each week
Go out in field service regularly to recruit new members
Report your field service activity to the congregation each month
Attend regular scheduled conventions
Give talks at the congregation (whether young or old, male or female)
Read and fully understand their teachings
Prepare for each meeting
Participate in the meetings
Study with family
Use Theocratic Warfare (War Strategy) - To lie or to hide the truth to a non-JW for protection of the Organization
Fully accept the Watchtower's authority and rules (no exceptions)
Dress according to their rules at the Kingdom Halls, Service and conventions (no exceptions)
• Women and small girls must wear dresses
• Men must wear dress pants with dress shirts and ties
Associate only with fellow members
Report on fellow members including your family, if they are caught doing something against Society's rules
You have to sing at the meetings (even if you have a bad voice) - or you are looked down upon
Women must be in full submission to their husbands
Celebrate Father's Day
Celebrate Grandparent's Day
Celebrate Birthdays
Celebrate Thanksgiving
Celebrate New Year's Eve or Day
Celebrate Christmas
Celebrate Halloween
Celebrate Easter
Celebrate Flag Day
Celebrate Independence Day (Fourth of July)
Celebrate Hanukkah
Celebrate St. Patrick's Day
Celebrate Valentine's Day
Celebrate "Any" Holiday
Sing any Holiday Songs
Eat Turkey on Thanksgiving
Create Holiday artwork in school
Join the Boy Scouts
Join the Girl Scouts
Buy Girl Scout Cookies
Become a Cheerleader
Attend class reunions (No "Worldly" association)
Go to the school prom
Play School Sports (No competition allowed)
Play Professional Sports
Join any organization that has ties to Christianity
Shop at the Salvation Army
Volunteer for the Salvation Army
Donate to Relief Organizations like the Red Cross, Salvation Army, Charities and more
Shop at Church run thrift stores
Shop at Church Garage Sales
Shop at any Store that has Christian ties
Contribute to the Red Cross
Attend a Church School
Join the YMCA
Join the Military
Become a Police Officer
Attend Alcoholics Anonymous
Have any job with a gun
Strike against a Company
Salute the Flag
Can't Stand at Public Events while others are Standing For National Anthem
Sing the National Anthem
Go to War
Wear Clothing Associated with War; e.g. Combats or Army Tops
Learn karate
Vote (Conscience matter now to please Governments, you will be ostracized if you do)
Run for any Public Office
Campaign for a Candidate
Contribute to the Presidential Campaign Fund on your tax return
Can join union, but not participate in its affairs
Run for class president
Join Sororities or Fraternities
Participate in holiday parties at school
Buy lottery tickets
Gamble
Play Bingo
Can't buy a raffle ticket
Date without supervision - young or old
Watch R rated movies
Cannot work on another Church if it's a regular customer
Own a religious picture or statue
Smoke cigarettes, pipes or a cigars
Sell cigarettes, pipes or a cigars
Accept Blood
Donate Blood
Store your own blood before an operation
Wear blue jeans or casual clothes to the meetings
Wear pants to the Kingdom Hall if you are a female
Wear skirts or dresses that are above the knee at any time
Wear any type of long hair if you are a man
Wear a beard in some Kingdom Halls and areas (judged hard)
Pierce ears if male, other body parts if female
Have any tattoos after joining
Say curse words
Can't be hypnotized
Get divorced unless scriptural (adultery or fornication is committed by one partner) if you do divorce cannot remarry unless ex fornicates first
Toast drinks (pagan origin)
Throw rice at a wedding (pagan origin)
Say "Bless You" when someone sneezes
Say "Good Luck!", "Wish me Luck", "I was Lucky" or "You were Lucky"
Tell ghost stories
Throw a penny into a wishing well
Read Horoscopes
Watch TV shows, "Sabrina, the Teenage Witch", "Touched by an Angel", or "Bewitched"
Say "It was fate" or mention anything to do with "fate"
Engage in any risky acts such as: Sky Diving, Bungie Jumping & Hang Gliding
Can't partake in the Memorial of Jesus' death, by eating the unleavened bread or drinking the wine; only allowed if you are from the elite group of the 144,000
A woman can't hold a position of responsibility in the congregation
Wear or own a Cross
Attend another Church (Spiritual Fornication)
Associate on a regular basis with nonbelievers
Associate with ex-members
Associate with disfellowshipped ones
Talk with disfellowshipped ones
Sue another Jehovah's Witness
Marry a nonbeliever (If you do, you are judged hard by the congregation)
Marry in another Church or attend a wedding in another Church
Have a funeral in another Church or attend a funeral in another Church
Pray, including holding your head down, when a nonbeliever prays
Study other religious articles not from the Society
Read negative information about the Society
Question the Watchtower Society on anything
Exercise your on conscience if it goes against the religion
Question the Society or the Organization
If you are a woman you can't pray aloud in the presence of men, without a covering on your head
Become a Jehovah's Witness and you shouldn't....
.... if you do you will be looked down upon
Discuss politics
Surf too much on the Internet
Attend social functions organized by your place of work
Associate with worldly neighbors
Attend College (The Society has lightened up on this somewhat, but if you attend you are not putting Kingdom interests first, and will be judged.)
Go to Nightclubs
Own a Gun
JWs are discouraged from seeking psychological help from psychiatrists, psycho-therapists, and psychologists because they give "worldly" advice according to the WTBTS.
Become a Jehovah's Witness and you have to....
Must be baptized into the organization
Attend several regular meetings each week
Go out in field service regularly to recruit new members
Report your field service activity to the congregation each month
Attend regular scheduled conventions
Give talks at the congregation (whether young or old, male or female)
Read and fully understand their teachings
Prepare for each meeting
Participate in the meetings
Study with family
Use Theocratic Warfare (War Strategy) - To lie or to hide the truth to a non-JW for protection of the Organization
Fully accept the Watchtower's authority and rules (no exceptions)
Dress according to their rules at the Kingdom Halls, Service and conventions (no exceptions)
• Women and small girls must wear dresses
• Men must wear dress pants with dress shirts and ties
Associate only with fellow members
Report on fellow members including your family, if they are caught doing something against Society's rules
You have to sing at the meetings (even if you have a bad voice) - or you are looked down upon
Women must be in full submission to their husbands
Jehovah's Witnesses Child Custody Packet - Released
Child Custody Packet
The following packet is designed to assist in helping you prepare your child custody case. The information contained within should help you to have a working knowledge of what you are up against when dealing With Jehovah’s Witnesses in child custody battles. Included in this packet is the actual child custody handbook used by Jehovah’s Witnesses to discredit the non-jw parent in the court. Also we have linked to key video material to assist you in understanding doctrinal issues that should be a factor in the well being and emotional development of your child.
The information on “Theocratic Warfare” helps the reader to see that Jehovah’s Witnesses routinely will be untruthful before the court to cause a biased judgment in their favor. In addition, the “Advanced Blood Directive” is a must to assist a caring parent in offering counter legal documents to protect their child in the event of a medical emergency. We are happy to assist with further information on how to position yourself to win custody of your child and prevent them from experiencing the developmental harm that results when they are taught Jehovah’s Witness doctrine.
Electronic e-book to be sent to your
email Cost - $19.95
CD to be used with your computer
Cost - $29.95
Copy of the child custody book
Cost - $19.95
If you have any questions JW Child Custody has an extensive library and experience in consulting on JW legal issues. You can reach us at 800-762-9227 or email us at
info@jwchildcustody.com
The following packet is designed to assist in helping you prepare your child custody case. The information contained within should help you to have a working knowledge of what you are up against when dealing With Jehovah’s Witnesses in child custody battles. Included in this packet is the actual child custody handbook used by Jehovah’s Witnesses to discredit the non-jw parent in the court. Also we have linked to key video material to assist you in understanding doctrinal issues that should be a factor in the well being and emotional development of your child.
The information on “Theocratic Warfare” helps the reader to see that Jehovah’s Witnesses routinely will be untruthful before the court to cause a biased judgment in their favor. In addition, the “Advanced Blood Directive” is a must to assist a caring parent in offering counter legal documents to protect their child in the event of a medical emergency. We are happy to assist with further information on how to position yourself to win custody of your child and prevent them from experiencing the developmental harm that results when they are taught Jehovah’s Witness doctrine.
Electronic e-book to be sent to your
email Cost - $19.95
CD to be used with your computer
Cost - $29.95
Copy of the child custody book
Cost - $19.95
If you have any questions JW Child Custody has an extensive library and experience in consulting on JW legal issues. You can reach us at 800-762-9227 or email us at
info@jwchildcustody.com
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Help Jehovah's Witness Children
YOUR ASSISTANCE NEEDED TO HELP CHILDREN
The U.S. Justice Department has been made aware of the Jehovah’s Witnesses use of the Custody Brochure and blatant disregard for the law regarding perjury. We wish to compile a number of affidavits that address the three key areas that children are harmed developmentally by the beliefs and practices of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
The purpose is to use this information in the courts to show why children should
not be brought up in the JW theology due to the emotional and mental anguish it causes. We need you to compile your experience as a JW child and comments as to how your normal growth and development was inhibited. This information will be used to protect children and we ask your permission to use freely in the courts to defend the rights of children to a normal life. We are asking for help from anyone who can write an affidavit (Personal, written, notarized statement) regarding their personal knowledge or experience of the following:
1. Medical issues- Blood and how you were affected: why you believed in not taking blood as well as if you are any family member suffered loss due to the blood doctrine. To enter information click here
2. Alienation from non-JW family members including parents and siblings-how and why you or family members made a choice to not have normal relations as well as how non JW members were viewed by adults and children who practiced the faith. To enter information click here.
3. Isolation from society- How and why you personally were affected as a child by the beliefs about worldly associations, school activities, higher education, careers, patriotism, interaction with people outside the organization as a whole.
To enter information click here.
4. Theocratic Warfare-Your personal belief as a Jehovah’s Witness about being truthful and your actions if you felt your beliefs or religion was being threatened in anyway. To enter information click here.
Please pass this information along to anyone who may be able to help. We will continue to collect cases and affidavits from as many sources as possible. The action you take can assist a child to have a normal life. We ask that you be aware that by signing a notarized affidavit it will not require your presence in court. It will help present the facts to juries and judges around the world to help them see how children are harmed by the practices of this religion.
Please email us if you have any questions at info@jwchildcustody.com
Thanking you in advance...
The U.S. Justice Department has been made aware of the Jehovah’s Witnesses use of the Custody Brochure and blatant disregard for the law regarding perjury. We wish to compile a number of affidavits that address the three key areas that children are harmed developmentally by the beliefs and practices of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
The purpose is to use this information in the courts to show why children should
not be brought up in the JW theology due to the emotional and mental anguish it causes. We need you to compile your experience as a JW child and comments as to how your normal growth and development was inhibited. This information will be used to protect children and we ask your permission to use freely in the courts to defend the rights of children to a normal life. We are asking for help from anyone who can write an affidavit (Personal, written, notarized statement) regarding their personal knowledge or experience of the following:
1. Medical issues- Blood and how you were affected: why you believed in not taking blood as well as if you are any family member suffered loss due to the blood doctrine. To enter information click here
2. Alienation from non-JW family members including parents and siblings-how and why you or family members made a choice to not have normal relations as well as how non JW members were viewed by adults and children who practiced the faith. To enter information click here.
3. Isolation from society- How and why you personally were affected as a child by the beliefs about worldly associations, school activities, higher education, careers, patriotism, interaction with people outside the organization as a whole.
To enter information click here.
4. Theocratic Warfare-Your personal belief as a Jehovah’s Witness about being truthful and your actions if you felt your beliefs or religion was being threatened in anyway. To enter information click here.
Please pass this information along to anyone who may be able to help. We will continue to collect cases and affidavits from as many sources as possible. The action you take can assist a child to have a normal life. We ask that you be aware that by signing a notarized affidavit it will not require your presence in court. It will help present the facts to juries and judges around the world to help them see how children are harmed by the practices of this religion.
Please email us if you have any questions at info@jwchildcustody.com
Thanking you in advance...
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