₦airaland Forum

October 1, 2017 TO ALL BODIES OF ELDERS IN NIGERIA Re: Local Needs For the Week of October 16-22
Dear Brothers:
The mid-week meeting for the week of October 16-22 has a 15 minute local needs part regarding donations that includes a video on ways to contribute electronically. During that part, the following information should be conveyed to the congregation.
Please stress that regularity is very important when contributing. Some 20 years after Pentecost of 33 C.E., the apostle Paul reminds the Corinth congregation about the need for a certain contribution. “Now concerning the collection that is for the holy ones, just as I gave orders to the congregations of Galatia, do that way also yourselves,” he writes. Then he adds a piece of advice: “Every first day of the week let each of you at his own house set something aside in store as he may be prospering, so that when I arrive collections will not take place then. But when I get there, whatever men you approve of by letters, these I shall send to carry your kind gift to Jerusalem.” The resolving of how much to give appears to have included the whole family, whether rich or poor, because it was to take place at their “own house.”—1 Corinthians 16:1-3.
Paul’s suggestion on the manner of contributing can be applied by congregation members today. How? Regularity is the key. If your congregation is to pay the monthly rent and maintenance expenses of your meeting place or Kingdom Hall, it will take “contributing, not so much the amount, but the regularity of setting something aside each week or month for Kingdom interests,” writes the branch office in Peru. Does this idea appeal to you? Even children can be taught to appreciate how regularity in contributing is part of their worship.
We all regularly set aside money for school fees, food, rent and other necessities. How much more important it is to do so for kingdom interests. Taking advantage of whichever way is most convenient for us personally, whether electronically or by using the contribution box in our local Kingdom Hall, regularity in contribution will help us to put true worship first in our lives.
As we wish you Jehovah’s rich blessing on your efforts, please be assured of our Christian love and best wishes.
Your brothers,

rottennaija:
Shey we talk am? At least for more than a year we knew this I was what would happen.

Memorial partakers increases, dwindling growth. Cart witnessing where a publisher can stand or sit as the case may be from morning till evening without actually doing much but will have hours and possibly placement to report.

All these were clear indications that the organization was trying to stem the decline. When they published information in the about us section if their website, they can as well doctored the information anytime any day.

It is very clear from all the changes that they have moved far from the Bible.
They are just imposing loads on rank and file. Where I live, field ministry is now just a charade since almost on daily basis, there is court cases involving child molestiing elders and the bethel has to cough out millions of $ in many cases.
The population at large know all this about Jehovah's witnesses. Guess who is not aware of these cases, yes, Many rank and file Jehovah's Witnesses.

It's such a sad state of affairs now if you compare now with about 15-20 years ago. There is publishers decline even in Japan!
Africa seem to be the only shining spot, for obvious reasons. But African countries don't contribute money. So..

ghettowriter:
I miss their 'Awake' tho....

I used to read almost all Awake magazines published in every given year. Now, I hardly see any new copy...what's gone wrong?

Many people did.
1 reason for the decline of publication of awake was the incoming of the internet. Many now get scientific info from the www.
2nd reason for the general decline of the Jehovah's witnesses is also indirectly related to the internet. Doctrinal changes by the leaders that can't be supported by any bible verses. Rank and file Jehovah's witnesses can now discuss and criticize on social media without the fear of being found out and punished. The number of internet discussion site is growing with one having close to 15,000 members. https://www.reddit.com/r/exjw/
Jehovah's witnesses have moved so far to the right of most cult organizations there are. Members are punished for asking questions or disagreeing. They are disfellowhiped and shunned by even their family members. Going to university is considered lack of faith, accepting or donating blood is a punishable offense, you are considered a bad Christian if you join any sport or sporting organization. Participating in political process is punishable offense etc etc. Many Jehovah's witnesses want to disagree but are quickly aware of the cost of disagreeing. So the rise of dissenting voice on the social media.

Time will tell what will be the fate of this once very good religion

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7R4f9ygxDbk

There is no more increase.
Except in the number of those partaking of the emblem.

The governing body is the most dishonest group of men religion has produced in recent time.

August 15, 2009 TO ALL BODIES OF ELDERS AND TRAVELING OVERSEERS
Re: Reviewing qualifications of those pursuing higher education

Imagine this letter to people in a struggling country, where people need some descent education to feed their family.
All in the name of god!


TO ALL BODIES OF ELDERS AND TRAVELING OVERSEERS

Re: Reviewing qualifications of those pursuing higher education

Dear Brothers:
Recently the worldwide brotherhood has received timely warnings from “the faithful and discreet slave” regarding the dangers of pursuing higher education. Satan’s world associates advanced secular education with success. However, Jehovah’s people measure success in terms of spirituality and displaying aspects of the fruitage of the spirit. As individuals and as an organization, we are “no part of the world,” and thus we have different goals, values, and aspirations from those around us.―Matt. 24:45; John 17:14.
These warnings from the “slave” are wise and necessary. Those pursuing years of extra education in worldly environments expose themselves to so many dangers! There are the dangers of exposure to worldly philosophies and the world’s materialistic spirit, which is what drives many to seek higher education at any cost. (Col. 2:8; 1 Tim. 6:20, 21) It is common knowledge that institutions of higher learning are dangerous hotbeds of immorality, false religious teachings and bad associations. (Prov. 7:4-27; 1 Cor. 15:33) Then there is the element of time. Twice the Scriptures urge us to ‘buy out the time,’ emphasizing that the “days are wicked.” (Eph. 5:16; Col. 4:5) God’s servants are urged to have plenty to do in the work of the Lord, knowing that our labor is not in vain. (1 Cor. 15:58) However, in pursuit of secular qualifications in schools of higher education young Witnesses may sacrifice years of their youthful vigor which could, and should, have been devoted to serving their Grand Creator more fully. Sadly at times, the sacrifices that are made for higher education result in our youths struggling to maintain their spirituality and to keep following Jesus’ direction to “seek first the kingdom.”—1 Tim. 4:15, 16; 1 Cor. 2:12; Eph. 2:1, 2; Eccl. 12:1; Matt. 6:33.

Not long ago, when circuit overseers met with elders during their visits to the congregations, the following question was raised: “Would an appointed brother continue to qualify for privileges in the congregation if he, his wife, or his children pursue higher education?” By asking this question the ‘faithful slave’ was indicating that this matter should be taken seriously. In this regard, any who are presently serving as appointed men in the congregation must honestly examine themselves to ensure that they are irreprehensible, “holding the sacred secret of the faith with a clear conscience.” (1 Tim. 3:9) Also, when considering those who are pursuing higher education for additional privileges of service, elders would want to exercise caution. It could be damaging to the spirit of the congregation if they were to ‘lay hands hastily’ on someone who might be seen by the brothers as one who is ignoring the advice of the “faithful and discreet slave.”―1 Tim. 5:22.

The questions below are provided to assist elders and traveling overseers to evaluate the qualifications of ministerial servants and elders, as well as regular pioneers, who may be pursuing higher education or whose children may be doing so. As circumstances differ, it is not possible to make blanket rules to cover all situations. Rather, what is needed is discernment. (Prov. 2:10, 11; 20:5) Elders would rightly be concerned about the impact on the individual’s spirituality and how the person’s course may affect others. (Matt. 18:6) Heavenly wisdom should guide the elders in properly and impartially evaluating these questions that could affect an appointed brother’s privileges of service. (Jas. 3:17) When this is done, all will be united in consistently applying the fine counsel of the “faithful and discreet slave” and our brothers will have reason to have confidence in those who are viewed as “exemplary” in the congregation.―1 Pet. 5:2, 3.

“Would an appointed brother continue to qualify for privileges in the congregation if he, his wife, or his children pursue higher education?”
• Prayerfully consider the following:
o Does his life pattern show that he puts Kingdom interests first in his life?––Matt. 6:33.

o If he has a family, does he teach his family members to put Kingdom interests first?

o Does he respect what has been published by the faithful slave on the dangers of higher education?––3 John 9.

o Do his speech and conduct reveal that he is a spiritual person?––Ps 1:2, 3; 1 Cor. 2:13-16.
 For example: What of the environment in which he chooses to live? Is he at home or in a campus or hostel accommodation? Does this needlessly expose him to immoral, false religious or otherwise spiritually damaging activities and beliefs even though he claims to keep himself separate? Is this a potential stumbling block to himself or others? (Prov. 5:8; 6:27-28; 1 Cor. 15:33; Rev. 18:4.) (Note: These questions may also be applied to any appointed men or pioneers who are sponsoring or supporting their children who attend university away from home. They should also be considered when assessing the qualifications of others, who are not necessarily pursuing “higher education,” but, who, just for the sake of education, are subjecting themselves to the degraded living environment in some polytechnics and training colleges.) We do not recommend for privileges of service those whose spirituality and soundness of mind may be questioned because of the unwise situation they put themselves or their children in. Neither do we appoint those who, because of these decisions, may be setting a poor example for others.―1 Pet. 4:7; Titus 2:6, 7; 1 Tim. 3:2.

o Why is he or his family pursuing higher learning? Do they have theocratic goals? ––Phil. 3:8.

o Does the pursuit of higher learning interfere with regular meeting attendance, meaningful participation in field service or other theocratic activities of the congregation with which he is a publisher?
 Note: Some may feel that if a person is pursuing higher education then he has an excuse for missing meetings, or attending meetings with different congregations to allow for his lecture or study schedule. Doing so amounts to an attempt to fit our worship of the Most High around arrangements for higher learning. What would that indicate about what a person considers more important? (Phil 1:10, 11) Where one chooses to go for meetings may be a private matter, but we would not recommend for privileges of service any who are not fully supporting their own congregation and its schedule of activities, thus keeping secular matters in their proper place. Also, a congregation should not make special arrangements and adjustments in its theocratic activities to suit those who are pursuing higher secular education.

THOSE ALREADY APPOINTED
There may be brothers who are pursuing higher education who are already serving as appointed men in the congregation. Or perhaps their children are doing so. Their qualifications should be prayerfully reviewed in the light of the above questions to see if they still qualify to serve. Also elders would consider two other very important Scriptural qualifications found in 1 Timothy 3:13 and Titus 1:9. There we read that those who serve as appointed men must have “freeness of speech” and be “holding firmly to the faithful word as respects his art of teaching.” It is vital that elders and servants live up to these two qualifications in order to maintain Jehovah’s high standards and to ensure that the entire body of appointed men are serving as a good example. Anyone in this situation should prayerfully ask himself: “With all that has been said and written about the dangers of pursuing higher education, do I have ‘freeness of speech’ in the congregation? Can the brothers look at me as one who is ‘holding firmly to the faithful word’?”

REGULAR PIONEERS
It is always encouraging to see our brothers seeking to increase their service by enrolling as regular pioneers. However, regular pioneer service should not be used as a cover to legitimize the pursuit of higher education. If an applicant is presently in a course of higher education, elders should indicate this when they send the application form to the office. In a brief letter they should also assure the office that the above questions have been considered in the case of the applicant and provide their reasons for recommending the person for this privilege of service.
If a regular pioneer who is pursuing higher education is not meeting the hour requirements, the elders should provide loving counsel and assistance, just as they do with any pioneer who is not making their time. It may be necessary to help the pioneers to make appropriate adjustments in their schedule so as to meet the hour requirements and to have a productive ministry—not just putting in time. If such ones consistently fail to make their monthly hour requirement, the elders should review their qualifications and recommend their removal from the pioneer list. We do not make special concessions in the hour requirement for regular pioneers who are pursuing courses of higher learning.―See also letter To All Bodies of Elders dated November 1, 2001.

CONCLUSIONS
From now on, this letter is to be used as a reference point as you consider whether any who are pursuing higher education should be “tested as to fitness first” or later recommended for privileges in the congregation. (1 Tim. 3:10) We are asking the circuit overseers to review this information with each body of elders during their next round of visits. When questions arise over the qualifications of a brother who is already serving, please respectfully consider the counsel of the circuit overseer. If a situation appears complicated or there is a need for clarification, this may be referred to the branch office for further direction. All concerned would then need to cooperate with the decision made.―Heb. 13:17.
In the past, some may have reasoned that a young witness will be more useful at a branch office or Bethel home if they pursue a college course or acquire university education. The organization does not encourage young people to learn any profession or skill so that they can serve at Bethel. This is made very clear in the outline that is considered at Bethel meetings at district conventions. The physician Luke did not encourage Christians to follow his example in becoming a doctor. Evidently, Luke became a physician before he learned about Christ. The apostle Paul had been educated at the feet of Gamaliel, but he never encouraged Christians to follow him in that course. Rather, he wrote: “Become imitators of me, even as I am of Christ.” (1 Cor. 11:1) Paul looked upon his former pursuits as “a lot of refuse.” (Phil. 3: Hence, the Bible places the greatest importance, not on pursuing advanced secular education, but on acquiring knowledge of God and of Christ. Spirituality is the greatest qualification for any young man or woman who wishes to expand their service at Bethel, or in other forms of service. We do well to adopt this superior point of view.—John 17:3; Col. 2:2-4.
As shepherds and teachers of the flock, elders have a responsibility to help the brothers to understand and apply the counsel received from the ‘faithful slave.’ These are the “last days” and emphasis must be placed ever more clearly on separateness from the world, and “seeking first the Kingdom and his righteousness.” Elders, ministerial servants, and pioneers are rightly expected to be ‘examples to the flock’ and all should understand that with these privileges come added responsibility and accountability. (Luke 12:48b) It is a privilege to work together with you in supporting the watchman class as they sound clear warnings about the spiritually dangerous times in which we live. (1 Cor. 14: As we all share in sounding a clear “trumpet call” within the congregations, we can be confident that Jehovah and Jesus know what is best for us; that they have put their trust in the “slave” and that the “slave” has always proven itself to be “faithful and discreet.” ―w97 8/15 p.15 par. 14; w09 2/15 pp. 24-27.
Please be assured of our warm Christian love and best wishes.
Your brothers,

Tutorial for Making Donations Electronically



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_z32hlqw-0

October 2, 2017 TO ALL BODIES OF ELDERS IN THE UNITED STATES BRANCH TERRITORY Re: Contributions Received at the 2017 Annual Meeting


Dear Brothers:
We wish to provide you with the following reminders in connection with contributions received during the 2017 Annual Meeting for Kingdom Halls that will be hosting the broadcast event:
• Please place temporary labels on the contribution boxes so that all boxes are clearly labeled “Worldwide Work.”
• The elders may estimate expenses that were incurred during the use of the Kingdom Hall for the annual meeting and deduct the total from the contributions received. The expenses may include utilities and supplies, but not the purchase or rental of audio/video equipment.
• Please transfer the net contributions to the branch office using the jw.org website. The amount should be submitted as a donation to the worldwide work.
We thank you for your support of these arrangements. Please accept our warm Christian love and best wishes.
Your brothers,

Lawsuit claims Jehovah's Witnesses rules and policies protect child sex abusers - CityNews Toronto.




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7YVWmZWSzQ

Peacefullove:
The people u mentioned are people who believed Jesus cannot lie, thus they are trying to understand because they believe he can't lie .

Your own view ?

Are u ready to admit Jesus lied ?

The next time Jehovah's witnesses show up at your door, ask them to explain this verse. (Matt 24:34: "Truly I say to you that this generation will by no means pass away until all these things happen.)
They'll never come back.

September 20, 2017 TO ALL CONGREGATIONS Re: Lead Sheet for “Sing Out Joyfully”


Dear Brothers:
We are pleased to inform you that sheet music is being prepared for each song in “Sing Out Joyfully” to Jehovah. This sheet music, entitled Lead Sheet for “Sing Out Joyfully,” is in the process of being made available in PDF format on jw.org in English and Spanish. It will be made available in additional languages in due course. The sheet music features simplified chords, easy-to-read staff notation for the melody, and lyrics displayed under the melody notes. Songs can be printed for personal use or for use at informal gatherings. This sheet music can also be used for guitar accompaniment during Christian meetings if it is not possible to play the recorded music.
The sheet music is being made available on jw.org as a download option for the PDF format of “Sing Out Joyfully.” Initially, the PDF file will include only the songs that are available in the sheet music format. As additional songs become available in this format, the PDF file will be updated and will eventually include all 151 songs from “Sing Out Joyfully.” We are certain you will enjoy using this additional provision for singing praises to our God, Jehovah.
We send our warm Christian love and best wishes.
Your brothers,
PS to coordinators of the bodies of elders:
At the next midweek meeting, please arrange for an announcement to be made to the congregation that a letter on the above-noted subject has been posted on the information board.

uvalued:
am no JW but this CO them no gree make them marry ne?

They are not stopped from marriage. But they will be removed from CO if the wife becomes pregnant.

According to Jehovah's witnesses in Matt 24:34 Jesus was referring to some "generation" of Jehovah's witnesses in the picture below.
All those people have died so they changed the interpretation of that verse to mean another group of Jehovah's witnesses who are presently in their 70s and 80s, saying that those people will not all die before Armageddon- new world as they say it, comes.
No wonder many are leaving the Jehovah's witnesses.
Failed failed failed predictions.

By the way here is what Jesus said in Matt 24:34: "Truly I say to you that this generation will by no means pass away until all these things happen. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will by no means pass away."

former Circuit Overseer was asked:
If he engaged in Any secret "sin", masturbation et al when he was a CO?

Circuit Overseer answered:
"The District Overseer meets with the Circuit Overseer once a year to encourage him and to give him any needed suggestions. So that week I give some talks and he gives others. Then on Sunday we have a private meeting where I can bring up anything I want. So this one DO, a real intrusive guy, starts asking me about my personal habits, he specifically mentions how almost all the single CO's and single special pioneers and elders have a "problem" with masturbation.
I was surprised at his candor about everyone else. I was also not going to tell him anything personal about myself as I had personally witnessed him drunk at a special Branch dinner for missionaries, saying crazy things into a microphone and just acting drunk. He also hated me for going above his head on a bunch of different matters. So I didn't tell him anything. Every week at least one brother confessed to me about masturbation. So did sisters occasionally, even a couple of older sisters confessed to me. I just told them that Jehovah is patient and to keep fighting against it. Of course, I had my own fight against it, so I tended to go easy on everyone else."

janefarms2015:
What exactly are u driving at?

The ship is sinking. Big guns are leaving.
The maths is not adding up.

https://www.reddit.com/r/exjw/comments/6zkzvt/what_its_like_to_be_a_circuit_overseer_part_1/

I was in the circuit work from 1993 to 2000. Many things were different then, plus I served in a foreign country and I lived mostly in a missionary home. My comments are mine of course and other CO's may have completely different feelings about the circuit work. I did however interact with a lot of other CO's and DO's and hear their personal thoughts, which were often strikingly similar. There was always another CO or DO living in the missionary home where I lived, some were locals and some were missionaries as well. We would talk and compare notes every week. Also, while I vacationed here in the States, I would visit other CO's to get advice, we would talk for a long time. I enjoyed the camaraderie even though they were usually way older than me. We felt the same about a lot of things. I guess what I am trying to say is that a lot of CO's feel the same as I did, they just won't tell you, just as I wouldn't have told you back then.

Anyway, for what it's worth, here is my take:

Tuesday afternoon.

Time to find the Kingdom Hall for that week and go over the records. It was always hot and sometimes I had a hard time finding the Hall. I would sit with the Secretary and go over the numbers. I would pull the last Circuit Overseers report and see what he wrote they needed to work on and I would ask the Secretary what they had done to apply the last CO's recommendations. I would see the percentage of meeting attendance versus publisher count. Usually it was over 100% on Sundays, a lot of non-publisher children were counted, and way less attendance during the week. I looked at the number of new publishers, newly baptized, how many were disfellowshipped and for what, who was deleted as elder or servant and why, who became inactive, what major problems were going on, etc. Mostly it was crunching numbers, though.

I would also see who they wanted to recommend for elder and servant. And I would try and get the secretary to talk to me about congregation problems and matters while I did the numbers, so I wouldn't have to stay too long. There was always at least one disfellowshipping and a reproof or two and they would always tell me why. Fornication or adultery usually. I also looked at the pioneers publishers cards, at those who had become inactive and I would ask why that happened. I wouldn't go over every name, only those that stood out somehow. For example, I would see a publisher card of a brother age 21 who was putting in 30 hours a month and have a lot of placements and a Bible study. I would ask about him. Why wasn't he being recommended as a servant? Sometimes he was recently reproved or he had problems with his attitude or perhaps pornography or drinking or a worldly girlfriend or he misses a ton of meetings or he was in college. Yep, college was a valid reason not to recommend.

Or another card would show someone whose hours had gone way down. Why? They were sick or had been offended or they were reproved or they seemed to be hiding something, they had suddenly started missing meetings. I would try to find out and schedule a visit with them. I would try to get a sense of the personality of the congregation and I learned early on to try to solve the problems early in the week. I tried to limit that initial Tuesday meeting to one hour.

...This brother is answering questions on the thread below, if you want to ask him questions, just go to the link below.

https://www.reddit.com/r/exjw/comments/6zkzvt/what_its_like_to_be_a_circuit_overseer_part_1/


Here is an example of his answer:
Question:
What were you providing by way of training or training materials? Can you give a quick summary of your personal progression from unbaptized publisher through to CO, including approximate ages for each event?
I'm fascinated by your post, please continue. I like how you're outlining within each day of a typical week, I hope you eventually include details of irregular weeks (pre-assembly, various conventions, meetings with GB, annual meetings, etc). Thank you for sharing!

Answer by CO:
Ha ha training materials. All of us in the circuit work in that country used to joke about that. "Where are our training materials? Where is the training book?"
There was no book. I received a letter stating I was invited to CO training in two months time and prior to that to prepare three service talks adaptable to different situations. The training was two weeks long. I observed a CO for one week serving a congregation, I didn't give any talks or preside over anything. Then I served the next congregation and he observed me. Then that Sunday evening we sat down and he reviewed my performance and sent his recommendations to the Branch. Three weeks later I received my appointment and my circuit assignment. That's it! I received a copy of all letters to Circuit Overseers from 1973 on, some said to make sure we start the week Tuesday at 1 pm. Others talked about judicial matters. Others talked about assembly prep. It seems so bizarre that they would give us such a position with so little training. The Branch Organization Manual which was kept in the Branch Office Library, some of you have seen this, has a page or two on Circuit Overseers. It says they should be "seasoned elders and experienced pioneers." So usually a CO has a lot of elder experience. I had three years experience. by that time. After I was a CO for three years or so, I started to train other elders as CO's. Same thing. They would accompany me for a week observing, then I would observe them for a week. Then I wrote my recommendation to the Branch. I trained 7 elders to be CO's, I recommended 6 of them. One guy was so clueless even I couldn't recommend him.

But it's a joke, really. Where was the real training to actually help people? People on here keep asking the same valid question, where was your real training?

There was none.

Its a joke. Men dressing up in suits acting like they know how to tell others how to live.

My personal progression? Publisher at 5 years old. Baptized at 15. Pioneer at 16. MS at 20. MTS at 23. Missionary at 24. Appointed elder at my assignment at 24. CO at 28.

...That is so whether the activity or interest diverting our attention is the pursuit of wealth, get-rich-quick schemes, ambitious plans for advanced education to have a desirable career in this system, or programs for personal fulfillment...Such things may not be sins in themselves. However, do you not see that from the standpoint of everlasting life, those really are “dead works”? (Hebrews 9:14) In what sense? They are spiritually dead, vain, and fruitless. If one persists in them, such works could lead to spiritual death.

University education is "dead work" according to watchtower April 15, 2006
In case you missed that.

It's very certain that the Jehovah's witnesses new light on the "generation" doctrine will soon be changed for the 7th time.

AN ELDER RELATES HIS INTERESTING STORY

This is an interesting read for anyone who wants to know more about the no-blood-transfusion teaching.

https://www.openmindsfoundation.org/saving-thousand-lives-year-reform-watchtowers-policy-blood-transfusions-part-one/

Hull Jehovah's Witnesses speak out after being 'shunned by religion.




Interesting account here below.

https://out.reddit.com/t3_6zftju?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hulldailymail.co.uk%2Fnews%2Fhull-east-yorkshire-news%2Fhull-jehovahs-witnesses-speak-out-444185&token=AQAATDy3WTwd9OOsaPFZboV4_9rzPj3m_l0ujv7JISdrOrSKE6PL&app_name=mweb2x

Money money money.
They don't print so much anymore, why do they need these monies?
Don't go to university, but we need engineers, nurses, doctors etc in bethel. We also "suggested" the following contributions. Wow.

Sussex County Jehovah's Witnesses congregation sued over child abuse

A lawsuit targeting elders of a Jehovah's Witnesses congregation for failing to report suspected child abuse continues to wind its way through Delaware's court system.

The attorney general's office sued elders of the Sussex County congregation in 2014 for not reporting an unlawful sexual relationship between a woman and a 14-year-old boy, both of whom were congregation members.

A judge scheduled a teleconference with attorneys Thursday to discuss the case.

The defendants say they did not have to report what they learned because Delaware's child abuse reporting law exempts communications "between priest and penitent in a sacramental confession."


http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/Lawsuit-Against-Jehovahs-Witnesses-Elders-for-Not-Reporting-Child-Abuse-Continues-443003903.html

There's one bible verse that is rarely quoted or used in any Watchtower publication.
Deut 18:22 (When the prophet speaks in the name of Jehovah and the word is not fulfilled or does not come true, then Jehovah did not speak that word. the prophet spoke it presumptuously. You should not fear him.)

Funny during the midweek meeting one day, a sister in my congregation said and i quote
"This bible verse is not referring to the new light from the governing body, because we know we have the truth".
Suffice to say that the kingdom hall was quiet. I can never forget the body language of most in attendant

achorladey:
Did you say when you are mentally ready. Hmmmmmmm, then start propagating your bias post when you are completely mentally out, because one foot in can mean the other foot can be dragged either way, if you are dragged back in please come back on this thread to refute your claims.

Some have to stay in to help others wake up. Many are waking up.
Close to 15,000 on https://www.reddit.com/r/exjw/ and people are joining that forum at the rate of 1.5 witnesses per hour!
A former CO joined last month. Many serving elders, Pioneers and MS are there. At least few serving bethelites in Warwick, NY.
WT can fool many people sometime, but not all the people all the time

New letters will now be posted here.



August 31, 2017 TO ALL BODIES OF ELDERS Re: Procedure for Handling Certain Cases of Wrongdoing.
Letter to Australia boe. When Bethelites etc messed up

"...but one following a similar pattern, San Diego Superior Court judge Richard Strauss imposed a $4000-per-day penalty against the Watchtower for failing to turn over documents in a case filed by Padron, another one of Campos’s alleged victims. Watchtower’s attorneys, as they did in the Lopez case, filed an appeal..."

$4k per day penalty!
Wow. No wonder they are selling Kingdom Halls left right and center. And they've stopped Kingdom Hall constructions.
And no wonder they are selling all real estate in NYC Brooklyn area.
Why are they not releasing documents?
99% brothers and sisters are not aware this is going on.

Judge orders Jehovah’s Witness to release molestation files. These are files of disfellowshiped witnesses kept by the elders and the branch offices.
https://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2017/aug/30/citylights-judge-orders-jehovahs-witness-release/#

Eighteen years of horror in Linda Vista

The mission of Jehovah’s Witnesses is to spread belief in the Bible in hopes of rescuing folks before the world ends.

Jehovah’s Witnesses’ attorneys seem to have another mission: do anything to keep internal documents revealing the names of alleged child molesters, and the congregations they attended, from seeing the light of day.



“I can’t explain what their logic is or their legal strategy,” says attorney Irwin Zalkin.

IMAGE BY MATTHEW SUÁREZ

The second directive is unfolding in two San Diego courtrooms. Attorneys for José Lopez and Osbaldo Padron — both alleged victims of molestation by an elder from the Linda Vista congregation named Gonzalo Campos — say Jehovah’s Witnesses’ governing body, the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, refuses to turn over documents. This is despite the fact that two San Diego County Superior Court judges have imposed millions of dollars in sanctions for similar conduct.

In a June 17, 2017, email, Lopez’s attorney Devin Storey accuses the Watchtower of withholding documents that his client needs to “establish Watchtower’s practice of protecting molesters from prosecution.”

The struggle for documents is not isolated to San Diego courtrooms but is playing out in several countries. Watchtower’s policies of requiring more than one eyewitness to the abuse before launching an investigation; of forcing the abused, often young children, to confront their abuser; and of prohibiting members from contacting law enforcement with complaints of sexual abuse have created what one former member and outspoken critic of the Watchtower Tract Society, William Bowen, calls a “pedophile’s paradise.”

Last year, a Royal Commission in Australia found that Jehovah’s Witnesses had hidden more than a thousand reports of child abuse from that country’s law enforcement. In the United States, during the past five years, the Watchtower has paid out numerous settlements to people who claimed they’d suffered child abuse at the hands of church elders. To date, seven San Diego residents have sued the Watchtower Tract Society regarding sexual abuse of minors.

Watchtower resistance

In 2015, Superior Court judge Joan Lewis awarded Lopez $13.5 million after Watchtower repeatedly failed to turn over documents and provide access to witnesses. The Watchtower appealed the decision. A state appellate court ruled that the judge did not give the Watchtower enough opportunity to turn over the documents. Appellate court judges remanded the case back to the trial court, providing the church another chance to turn over the requested documents.

In a separate case, but one following a similar pattern, San Diego Superior Court judge Richard Strauss imposed a $4000-per-day penalty against the Watchtower for failing to turn over documents in a case filed by Padron, another one of Campos’s alleged victims. Watchtower’s attorneys, as they did in the Lopez case, filed an appeal.

Attorney Storey from the Zalkin Law Firm, says the Watchtower is back to its old tricks in the Lopez case, once again producing heavily redacted documents and failing to produce others despite orders from a court-appointed mediator. Meanwhile, Storey and lead attorney Irwin Zalkin are preparing for yet another appellate court hearing wherein the Watchtower hopes to nullify the $4000-a-day fine given in the Padron case.

Fled to Mexico

Gonzalo Campos, 54, became a Jehovah’s Witness in 1979 after moving to San Diego from Mexico. He was baptized in 1980 while attending the congregation in Linda Vista. Six months following his baptism, church elders promoted Campos to “publisher,” a member who visits homes with hopes of spreading church doctrine, also the first step in becoming an elder.

But according to accusations against him, Campos and his mother were staying at a member family’s home in 1982. Campos shared a bedroom with a young boy. In the middle of the night, the boy felt somebody pulling down his pajama pants and felt wetness on his buttocks. He opened his eyes and Campos was kneeling next to his bed. The boy punched Campos and then grabbed a baseball bat. The boy’s mother kicked Campos and his mother out of her house. Days later she lodged a complaint with church elders Justino Diaz and Carlos Ramirez at the Linda Vista congregation. The elders did not punish Campos. Instead he remained a publisher and was allowed to teach Bible classes to children.

exchange for their silence, several witnesses have testified, Campos would buy them Hershey’s chocolate bars, McDonald’s Happy Meals, and toys such as Transformers and Matchbox cars. In one case, the alleged victim says Campos repeatedly assaulted him over a five-year span and paid him money to keep quiet.

All the while, church leaders at the Linda Vista congregation continued to promote Campos, eventually to the position of elder, a person responsible for arranging and speaking at meetings.

By 1993, parents began to discover what had happened to their children. One mother found out after finding a note her teenage son had written to a girlfriend. She contacted the elders at the Linda Vista congregation to report Campos.

Days later, elder Roberto Rivera called the mother back. “But he say something to the fact that [Campos] was an elder now and not to do anything,” testified the woman during a December 2013 deposition. “That if I will speak or keep moving things around to find out stuff, that they will say something that I did in the past.”

Rivera’s response was not unusual. Since the late 1970s, according to senior Watchtower official Allen Shuster, who provided testimony in March 2012, church policy required two elders to meet with the accused molester to see if he or she was willing to admit guilt. If the accused denied guilt, in search of what they considered credible evidence, elders needed a witness to the abuse. If no such witness came forward, they would dismiss the allegation. And even if the accused molester admitted to the act, Watchtower’s policy was to keep the incident confidential and not report it to law enforcement. If a witness was present and the accused admitted guilt, the body of elders would expel the person from the church.

But new complaints about Campos continued to surface. In 1995, church elders expelled him from the congregation.

The expulsion, however, was not permanent.

In December1999, Linda Vista elder Eduardo Chavez contacted Watchtower headquarters informing them of Campos’s abuse and that they were ready to accept him back into the congregation.

“In our meeting with him he said he was very repentant for what he did,” Chavez wrote to Watchtower headquarters in New York. “He stated that he wanted to return to Jehovah. He is willing to face the victims and ask their forgiveness. He now wants to obey Jehovah. Before, when he would speak to people on the platform he would not meditate on what he was doing. Although he needed to confess, he felt shameful and had fear of mankind. He would deceive himself thinking that he could continue serving as an elder. Now he realized that he could not change without help. Ever since his expulsion he has not abused anyone. He has read articles of the publications regarding his sin. He says he does not see or read pornographic information. He stated that ever since expulsion he has worked on having a relationship with Jehovah and the expulsion has served to strengthen him spiritually. He does not miss meetings, and he even takes notes of the program. He also said that he is willing to continue accepting Jehovah’s discipline.”

Elders welcomed Campos back into the congregation in 2000.

In 2006, according to a letter the Reader has obtained, elders were considering promoting Campos to conduct field service. The elders at Linda Vista, however, ultimately decided against the promotion. Reads the letter, “Due to the fact that victims and mothers of victims are still grieving this abuse, we have decided as a body at this time to allow for more time to pass by until we consider [Campos] for minor privileges in the congregation.”

Then, in 2009, five of his accusers learned of Campos’s return. They hired attorney Irwin Zalkin. Campos fled to Mexico shortly thereafter. In September 2011 he appeared in Tijuana to testify under oath in a 2010 civil suit brought by five of his victims. During his testimony, Campos admitted to touching and in many cases anally penetrating the boys on numerous occasions. The following is an excerpt between attorney Devin Storey and Campos:

“I touched him in his private parts,” Campos testified.
Attorney Storey: “ Did you touch his penis?”
Campos: Yes.
Storey: “Did you penetrate him?
Campos: “Yes. Yes.”
Storey: “How many times?”
Campos: “More than once. I don’t know.”
Campos then admitted to molesting the other children as well.

In 2012, the Watchtower settled the case brought by Campos’s five victims for an undisclosed amount. Later that year José Lopez, followed by Osbaldo Padron, also filed suits. But unlike in previous cases, Watchtower attorneys seem unwilling to enter into similar settlement talks.

“I can’t explain what their logic is or their legal strategy,” said lead attorney Zalkin during an August 14 phone interview. “The fact that they once again appear willing to reargue the same issues and fight releasing documents that judges have ordered them to turn over is beyond me. All we can do is wait for the hearings and let this play out in the courtroom.”

Barbara Anderson, a former Witness who worked at Watchtower’s headquarters, left the church when she discovered reports that the church tried to hide allegations of sex abuse by elders and high-ranking officials. Anderson runs the website Watchtower Documents.

“In the past, to protect the religion’s reputation, rather than protect children, by not adopting a policy or rule for all Jehovah’s Witnesses to report all allegations of child abuse to the authorities, they endangered the welfare of children.”

But Anderson says the church is implementing change. “In view of the public notoriety and scrutiny of this issue, Jehovah’s Witnesses have asserted that they have in place excellent child protection policies without admitting that they endangered the welfare of children because of their religious viewpoint.

“Of course, no matter what regulations are adopted, there never will be a 100 percent guarantee that molestation of a Witness child by a Jehovah’s Witnesses molester will not happen. However, reporting a molester to the police will help to prevent a second or third child from being molested.”

Attorney Zalkin and Watchtower’s attorneys will appear on September 15 at a hearing to discuss a motion from the Watchtower to seal documents from the public. Zalkin says the appellate court should hear the appeal of the $4000-a-day sanctions sometime next year.

https://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2017/aug/30/citylights-judge-orders-jehovahs-witness-release/#

[size=8p[b]t]Judge orders Jehovah’s Witness to release molestation files[/b][/size]

Eighteen years of horror in Linda Vista

The mission of Jehovah’s Witnesses is to spread belief in the Bible in hopes of rescuing folks before the world ends.

Jehovah’s Witnesses’ attorneys seem to have another mission: do anything to keep internal documents revealing the names of alleged child molesters, and the congregations they attended, from seeing the light of day.

Here is an example.
In the 30s and down to the 40s, Jehovah's witnesses believed that vaccination is a sin. Despite all scientific publications proving the efficacy of vaccines against germ borne diseases.
"...vaccination is a direct violation of the everlasting covenant that God made with Noah after the flood" (The Golden Age, Feb. 4, 1931:293).

Question is, if a Jehovah's Witness refused this directive and left, he is announced as disfelloshiped, do you call such a man "wicked"?

But you can't blame the leadership in New York, they already said:
"The Governing Body is neither inspired nor infallible. Therefore, it can err in doctrinal matters or in organizational direction." - Watchtower, February 2017, page 26, paragraph 12.

Can anyone be clearer than that? They said, We make mistakes in doctrinal matters and we are not inspired.
Meaning, we are like the board of directors of [put any company], but even when we make mistakes, you still need to follow theocratic order. Ha ba!

Finland, Turku - JW in Cart witnessing killed in attack
https://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/6355488641908736/_post/6151316533411840


Åbo Underrättelser, Thursday 24 August 2017
The controversial society lost a member of the knife attack on Friday.
On the western corner of Salutorg Square, Turku grows the sea of ​​flowers and candles in memory of those murdered in Friday's violence. Tim Renvall, resident of Pikis in St. Karins, knows the place well.
Like one of Friday's victims, a member of Jehovah's Witnesses church in Kyrö, he himself has been in the corner of society's journals and literature.
...
See picture of location in the link below.

https://img.jehovahs-witness.com/image/d0ada2b43ccc1f26e3671a1d1133bc5d?s=480

ANGOLA: JW REGIONAL CONVENTION TARGET OF ATTACK.

according to news sources in luanda, angola (read it here, although it's in portuguese language), a regional convention of the jw's taking place this weekend at the outskirts of capital luanda was targeted yesterday, friday, by what may be described as a 'terrorist attack'.. more than 400 attendees (mostly female) passed out in rapid succession in the vicinity of a toilet at the convention place.
reportedly, toxic gas devices were planted there by 3 young members of unita, the main political party that opposed mpla, the dominant regime party in angola since its independence in 1975.
43 people were rushed to the hospital and a few remain there, under medical surveillance.

http://www.portaldeangola.com/2017/08/mais-de-400-fieis-desmaiam-no-congresso-da-igreja-testemunhas-de-jeova/

CO meeting with full timers in conjunction with the 2018 circuit assembly.
Here is the outline.

Watchtower June 2017 pp 15 states

" Even if we do not fully understand or agree with a decision, we will still want to support theocratic order. That is quite different from the way of the world, but it is the way of life under Jehovah’s rulership"

How can one in good conscience agree with the above quote when the writers change their mind sometimes on matters of life and death importance.
An example that comes to mind is this quote from a Jehovah's Witness publication, "...vaccination is a direct violation of the everlasting covenant that God made with Noah after the flood" (The Golden Age, Feb. 4, 1931:293).
Question is, will a Jehovah's Witness follow this no vaccination directive from the watchtower, despite his knowledge that vaccination helps to cure diseases?

It is important to mention that the watchtower has changed its mind on the issue of vaccination, but the point is, will one because of theocratic order obey such a directive that put ones life and family in danger?