Learn more at Jehovah's Witness Support Forum.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
The Watchtower's Faulty Bible (New World Translation)
This video is an excerpt from the well known documentary "Witnesses of Jehovah". You can view it in its entirety here.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Jehovah's Witnesses and the Generation of 1914
Since this documentary was made there have been multiple changes to their generation doctrine. They now believe that this generation is made up of Jehovah's Witnesses who hope to go to heaven. They still believe that Armageddon is imminent, but their doctrine doesn't put any time constraints on when it will come.
This video is an excerpt from the well known documentary "Witnesses of Jehovah". You can view it in its entirety here.
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Some Music Videos
Her are some music videos that have been described as relevant to the experience of leaving Jehovah's Witnesses. This first one has the following description on Youtube. "A video clip of a Greek song "Eftychos" (Fortunately) that I believe expresses all exJWs or those struggling for freedom of this CULT! Ok this guy talkes about a girl, but if you substitute "you" with "you the WTS" there you have it!"
Ultimate video clip for Ex-JWs
This next Greek music video also has words that seem to be relevant to the experience of leaving Jehovah's Witnesses.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Watchtower Comments for Week of 4/14/08-The Generation
This is a big Watchtower study for Jehovah's Witnesses. It discusses a very important doctrinal change for Jehovah's Witnesses.
Watchtower Comments-The Generation
See also this discussion about that Watchtower article.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Ezekiel Chapter 1 (Animated)
I think there is value in Bible literacy, even if you don't believe in it. Besides being culturally relevant, it has some bizarre and fascinating passages. Ezekiel chapter one is one of the strangest. Here it is presented visually with a kingdom melodies soundtrack. (Kingdom melodies are the official worship songs of Jehovah's Witnesses.) I'll leave it to you to decide if this passage is the result of divine inspiration or was inspired by something closer to home.
Ezekiel Chapter 1
This heavenly vision is very important to the doctrine of Jehovah's Witnesses. They consider their constant revisions of doctrine to be pictured by the movement of God's heavenly chariot. If a member disagrees with a current teaching that is later revised (new light), they still accuse him of going ahead of "Jehovah's Organisation". This is considered apostasy and can result in disfellowshipping and shunning. It makes little difference if they later decide he was right after all. I find it offensive that a symbolic representation of God's throne would be used to bully people into accepting lies.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Friday, April 11, 2008
Monday, April 7, 2008
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
The Watchtower Comments Videos are Back
The Watchtower Comments videos are among the most popular on this site. They were recently taken down from Youtube as a response to a legal threat from the directors of the "Knocking" documentary. This blog also received a legal threat, despite the fact that I have nothing to do with the production of those videos. Click here for my comments or here for the latest news on this situation.
I'm pleased that these excellent videos are back. Jehovah's Witnesses are now producing two versions of their Watchtower magazine. One is a public edition that waters down their controversial teachings. The other is a study edition for Jehovah's Witnesses and contains much stronger language. This makes it much harder for outsiders or former members to know what is going on in that religion. (I have family in that religion and am very concerned about this increased secrecy.) The Watchtower Comments videos are valuable because they discuss these study articles and provide observation that won't be heard at the Watchtower studies of Jehovah's Witnesses. I hope you will take a look at them. I intend to keep posting them on this blog as they become available.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
This Blog Receives a Legal Threat
I recently received an email threatening me with legal action if I don't remove a short video clip from the Watchtower Comments series of videos. The email claimed that the clip was copyrighted. This is strange because I have nothing to do with the production of those videos. They are hosted on Youtube and I only embedded them on this site.
I learned later that the clip in question was only three seconds long. That sounds like fair use to me. If that isn't fair use, then what is? Well, the videos are now gone. I don't know if Youtube removed them or if they were removed by the producer. I hope they will be replaced soon with edited versions. I will try to embed the new videos soon after they are available. I will place them on the same blog pages as the old videos.
I hope to discuss this situation more thoroughly when I have more information. In the meantime you can check out these ongoing discussion about this issue.
"Knocking" Legal Action Against Watchtower Comments
Some of My Thoughts About Knocking's Legal Threats
Emailed Legal Threats
How to get Watchtower Comments videos back up (with Knocking section)
The three second clip in question comes from the "Knocking" documentary, a film that has caused a great deal of controversy. Here are some links.
Jehovah's Witnesses PBS Film KNOCKING Omits the Facts
KNOCKING: A New Pro-JW Documentary
Knocking on Jehovah's Witnesses
Update 4/1/08: The Watchtower Comments videos are back. See this post.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Friday, March 21, 2008
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Watchtower Comments-The Memorial
Jehovah's Witnesses have been busy handing out invitations to their yearly Memorial. This video discusses what takes place at this event, including their efforts to recruit new ones and the fact that the vast majority in attendance do not partake of the emblems. In most congregations, everyone present rejects the wine and unleavened bread.
I just received my invitation a few days ago. I think it is ironic that they invited me to a meal where I'm not supposed to eat anything and where no one will talk to me. (I am being shunned, because I dared to disagree with their teachings.) I consider this kind of invitation to be less than hospitable.
Watchtower Comments-The Memorial (Special Edition)
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Friday, March 14, 2008
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Watchtower Comments (Special Edition with Don Cameron)
Don Cameron is the author of the book "Captives of a Concept". Listen as he describes what concept enslaves Jehovah's Witnesses.
Watchtower Comments Interview of Don Cameron
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Watchtower Comments for Week of 3/10/08
This video analyses Jehovah's Witness teachings about the "faithful and discreet slave" and the governing body.
Watchtower Comments for Week of 3/10/08 (Counted Worthy to Be Guided to Fountains of Waters of Life)
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
The Light Has Blinded Them
See also this article about the New Light Doctrine among Jehovah's Witnesses.
Prophetic Dates of Jehovah's Witnesses-1840
"We need not here repeat the evidences that the 'seventh trumpet' began its sounding in A.D. 1840, and will continue until the end of the time of trouble." -The Watchtower Reprints, November 1890, page 1
Later, the Watchtower Society dropped this date and settled for a new one.
"The trumpet blast of the seventh angel was reflected in highlights of the Bible Students' convention in Detroit, Michigan, July 30-August 6, 1928." -Revelation, It's Grand Climax At Hand, page 172
See this page with a large collection of quotes about the Watchtower's understanding of the seven trumpet blasts.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Vintage Recordings of False Prophecies
Here are some interesting historical recordings of Judge Rutherford and Charles Sunutko making false predictions of the nearness of Armageddon.
Soon
Sunday, March 2, 2008
The Great Sodom and Gomorrah Flip Flop
Will the people who were destroyed at Sodom and Gomorrah be resurrected? It's a tough question for Jehovah's Witnesses. They were destroyed, but there was no warning work like the Jehovah's Witnesses think they are doing today. It seems inconceivable that God would destroy someone and then resurrect them for another chance. On the other hand, if God was able to just read their hearts and destroy them without giving them a warning, then the preaching work of Jehovah's Witnesses seems pointless. This kind of confusion leads to flip flops, as this video demonstrates. Jehovah's Witnesses believe the light grows brighter. In this case the light appears to be flickering.
Jehovah Gives Light to His People
See also this page with detailed quotations about this great flip flop.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Prophetic Dates of Jehovah's Witnesses-1833
Charles Taze Russel sure liked his Bible prophecy. In 1833, there was a spectacular meteor shower. He explained that this was a sign foretold in the Bible.
"Half a century passed before the next sign appeared, the falling of the stars from heaven, as when a fig tree casteth her unripe fruit when shaken of a mighty wind. Our Lord's words found a fulfilment (though not their complete and only fulfilment, as we shall see later) in the wonderful meteoric showers of the early morning of Nov. 13, 1833." -Studies in the Scriptures IV-Battle of Armageddon, page 589
See also the article on 1780.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Is There a Child Custody Packet?
Jehovah's Witnesses have a custody packet that is meant to assist with child custody cases where religion is an issue. It is frequently mentioned in the Our Kingdom Ministry (a monthly Jehovah's Witness publication). It's strange that this elder claims to have never heard of it while he is testifying under oath. Actually, it isn't that strange if you are familiar with their practice of theocratic warfare.
An Elder Testifies Under Oath
Monday, February 25, 2008
STAY ALIVE 'TIL 75!
1975 was a bad year for Jehovah's Witnesses. They expected Armageddon to come then. Many witnesses postponed marriage, having children, or surgery because they thought the end was so close. Others quit their jobs or sold their homes. Afterwords when nothing happened, the leadership failed to apologise and indicated that their members were to blame coming to the wrong conclusion about 1975. This recording of a talk from around 1967 by Charles Sunutko gives an indication of how 1975 was hyped by their leaders.
STAY ALIVE 'TIL 75! (Talk by Charles Sunutko)
Also consider what was said in the May 1974, Kingdom Ministry on page 3, "Reports are heard of brothers selling their homes and property and planning to finish out the rest of their days in this old system in the pioneer service. Certainly this is a fine way to spend the short time remaining before the wicked world's end."
Please also see this page for many more direct quotes about 1975.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Prophetic Dates of Jehovah's Witnesses-1829
The founder of the Watchtower Society, Charles Taze Russel, was strongly influenced by the Millerite movement. Russel even claimed that the beginning of the Millerite movement coincided with Bible prophecy.
"Thus it will be seen that the separating work of the 'Miller movement' had its beginning at the time foretold - at the end of the 1290 days, 1829." -Thy Kingdom Come (1891)
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Friday, February 22, 2008
Jehovah's Witnesses and Secret Trials
Jehovah's Witnesses use secret trials in their excommunication process. The accused isn't allowed representation or a way to record the proceedings. The person in this video brought a hidden recording device and posted the recording here.
Jehovah's Witness Disfellowshipped
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Crazy Quotes #9, Medical Advice
"Air baths are good for preventing colds... What you do is strip naked mornings and evenings and then bob up and down for a while." -The Golden Age (now Awake!) of February 10, 1926 page 310
"All human ailments have their start in the intestines." -The Golden Age of November 28, 1928 page 133
"Sleep on the right side or flat on your back, with the head toward the north so as to get benefit of the earth's magnetic currents. Avoid serum inoculations as they pollute the blood stream with their filthy pus... Stop chewing gum, as you need the saliva for your food." -The Golden Age of November 12, 1929 page 107
See also this article on The Watchtower Society and Medical Quackery.
Prophetic Dates of Jehovah's Witnesses-1799
Jehovah's Witnesses used to think that 1799 was a very important date. The Watchtower of March 1, 1922 said, "The indisputable facts, therefore, show that the "time of the end" began in 1799..."
The actions of Napoleon were seen as confirmation of this important prophetic date.
"Having thus furnished grounds for establishing the identity of this character (Napoleon), whose deeds mark the beginning of the 'Time of the End,' the prophecy proceeds to show which particular event of that time is to be understood as definitely marking the exact date of the beginning of the 'Time of the End.' This event is shown to be Napoleon's invasion of Egypt, which covered a period of a year and nearly five months. He sailed May, 1798 and, returning, landed in France Oct. 9, 1799." -Studies in the Scriptures-Thy Kingdom Come (1915) page 44
They also thought 1799 was significant because it was 1260 years after the fall of the Ostrogothic monarchy in 539 AD. Daniel 12:7 mentions three and a half times or 1,260 days. They just converted the days to years. Jehovah's Witnesses now believe that these 1,260 prophetic days refer to the 684 days (from June 21, 1918 to May 5, 1920) that the second president of the Watchtower Society, Joseph Rutherford, spent in prison on charges of espionage.
See also this page of Watchtower quotes about 1799.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Prophetic Dates of Jehovah's Witnesses-1780
The Bible makes numerous references to celestial signs. Charles Taze Russel took these seriously and looked for visible fulfillments of these prophecies. In 1780, a combination of clouds, fog, and smoke from forest fires caused a great darkness that made it necessary to light candles in some places. For most of us, this is just just an interesting historical curiosity. For Charles Taze Russel, it was a fulfillment of Bible prophecy! Consider his comments in Studies in the Scriptures IV - Battle of Armageddon, page 585.
"On May 19, 1780 (still 'in those days,' the 1260 years of Papal power, but after that power had begun to wane and the brunt of the tribulation had passed) a phenomenal darkening of the sun occurred, for which scientists of that time and since have never been able to account.. This unaccountable day, except as a sign from the Lord, is reckoned to have extended over 320,000 square miles - an area about twenty-five times the size of Palestine, to which the signs of the first advent were limited. Indeed, the fact that these signs were chiefly confined to the New England and Middle States need not surprise us, when we remember that the first movement amongst the 'Virgins'* (Matt. 25:1-5) was chiefly in the same locality."
See also the article on 1833.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Crazy Quotes #8, Physiognomy
"The size of the nose, as also the size of the eyes, is not without significance. The small-nosed man cannot have a judicial mind, whatever his other excellencies may be. And a man whose nose upturns can no more be expected to administer justice than a pug dog can be expected to act as a shepherd." -Golden Age (now Awake!) of January 19, 1921 page 224
A New Video Site About Scientology
I started this blog because I believe videos are a great way to learn about cults and high control groups. I was pleased when I learned of a site that takes a similar approach with Scientology. The website Scientology Victims Testimonies contains numerous videos of former scientology members who are speaking out about their mistreatment at the hands of the Church of Scientology. It's well worth a visit.
See also the Committe on Religious Shunning. They also have some videos of former memebrs discussing Scientology.
Jehovah's Witnesses and College (Talk by Gerrit Lösch, Governing Body Member)
This is from a talk in Monza, Italy. One of the leaders of Jehovah's Witnesses discusses their view of college and higher education.
Jehovah's Witnesses and Higher Education-Gerrit Lösch
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Monday, February 4, 2008
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Prophetic Dates of Jehovah's Witnesses-1776
It's a little known fact that Charles Taze Russel, the first president of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, thought 1776 had prophetic significance. He thought that year marked the end of a period of persecution.
"And this long persecution, in which 'many were purified and made white and tried,' and in which the Mother of Harlots was 'drunk with the blood of the saints and the martyrs of Jesus' (Rev. 17:6) ended as we have already shown, practically in 1776..." -Studies in the Scriptures IV, page 584
Jehovah's Witnesses no longer discuss 1776 as a prophetic date in their literature. It is comical that they also had problems with dates that they discussed after the fact and didn't involve any type of prediction.
Friday, February 1, 2008
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Prophetic Dates of Jehovah's Witnesses-Introduction
Jehovah's Witnesses have a long history of assigning prophetic importance to certain dates in both the past and future. They have tried to cover up this shameful history of false prophecies and doctrinal flip flops. Most Jehovah's Witnesses are unaware of most of these dates or are ignorant of what there own religion has said about certain years like 1914, 1925 and 1975.
This series will take one year at a time and include direct quotes from Watchtower publications. You can judge their history of date setting for yourself.
Please click on this label link to see all the articles published in this series so far.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Monday, January 28, 2008
Crazy Quotes #7, Psychiatry
It is believed that depression and various forms of mental illness are much more common among Jehovah's Witnesses than the general population. They have a rigorous schedule of about five hours of meetings a week plus door knocking and studying. They often feel like they just can never do enough. One study indicated that Jehovah's Witnesses have a rate of schizophrenia that is about three times the rate of the general population and a rate of paranoid schizophrenia that is almost four times the rate of the general population. With this in mind, it may be interesting to examine some of their past quotes about psychiatry.
"So we must shun the false guides of men and their false religions, babbling psychologists, wordy psychiatrists and polluted politicians, all of which have built up such tremendous reputations as colossal failures. Look at the messes they have made, know them by their rotten fruits, reject them for their fruits." -Watchtower of January 15, 1952 page 53
"As a rule, for a Christian to go to a worldly psychiatrist is an admission of defeat, it amounts to 'going down to Egypt for help.' —Isaiah 31:1.
Often when a Witness of Jehovah goes to a psychiatrist, the psychiatrist will try to persuade him that his troubles are caused by his religion, entirely overlooking the fact that the Christian witnesses of Jehovah are the best-oriented, happiest and most contented group of people on the face of the earth. They have the least need for psychiatrists." Awake! of March 8, 1960 page 27
See also this article.
A Documentary About Jehovah's Witnesses
Witnesses for the Prosecution, Part 1
Witnesses for the Prosecution, Part 2
Witnesses for the Prosecution, Part 3
See also these documentaries:
Jehovah's Witnesses Exposed
Silent Witness
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Watchtower Comments (Introduction)
I plan on posting this series at this blog as the videos become available.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Crazy Quotes #6, Teddy Bear Discipline
It's hard to be a kid among Jehovah's Witnesses. There are five meetings a week, door knocking and strict discipline. Consider this quote from the February 1, 1956 Watchtower on page 95.
"Modern parents, in this age of delinquent youngsters, can take a lesson from the mother "teddy bear," the koala. When baby koalas "are really naughty," writes Ivan T. Sanderson in his new book Living Mammals of the World, "the mother turns them over her knee and spanks them on their bottoms for minutes on end with the flat of her hand, during which time their screams are soul-rending."
This next quote from the February 1, 1960 Watchtower on page 80 is far more sinister.
"There may be rare instances where a child is so hardened in its stubbornness that even the rod of correction cannot drive it out. In the days of Israel parents were instructed by Jehovah to take such a rebel to the city fathers and they, in turn, took the incorrigible one out and stoned him to death. There were no juvenile delinquents under such a system. (Deut. 21:18-21) So also today, the New World society of Jehovah's witnesses can not and will not tolerate juvenile delinquency to exist in its midst."
Just to be clear, they are threatening disfellowshipping and shunning, a type of spiritual death, in their view.
See also this page at Watchtower Society Quotes.
A Jehovah's Witness Calls in to a Talk Show
I feel sorry for this guy. He didn't realise how difficult it would be to defend the things he was taught as a Jehovah's Witness. I think the problem comes from the fact that Witnesses are discouraged from reading anything that is critical of their official teachings. (They can actually be expelled and shunned for doing so.)
A JW Caller in London
See also this article on the New World Translation.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Thursday, January 24, 2008
An Elder Discusses Shunning While Under Oath
See also this article on theocratic warfare at Watchtower Society Quotes to learn more about how Jehovah's Witnesses view lying.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Crazy Quotes #5, The Pleiades
Jehovah's Witnesses used to believe that God lived on the star Alcyone in the Pleiades star cluster. Consider this quote from Thy Kingdom Come (1903 edition) page 327.
"Alcyone, then, as far as science has been able to perceive, would seem to be the 'midnight throne' in which the whole system of gravitation has its central seat, and from which the Almighty governs his universe. And here is the wonderful corresponding fact, that at the date of the Great Pyramid's building, at midnight of the autumnal equinox, and hence the true beginning of the year as still preserved in the traditions of many nations, the Pleiades were distributed over the meridian of this Pyramid, with Alcyone precisely on the line."
Silent Witness-Australia
A lot of evidence has come out recently about how the leadership of Jehovah's Witnesses has covered up cases of pedophilia. This is a powerful video about that scandal.
Silent Witness
Please also see this video (I'm not allowed to embed it.)
For more information:
Silent Lambs
Watchtower Documents
Are All Jehovah's Witness Buildings Modest?
Jehovah's Witnesses have often criticised the ornate buildings of other religions and brag about their usually modest kingdom halls and other buildings. Well, I invite you to watch this video about one of their assembly halls and come to your own conclusions.
Stanley Theater Assembly Hall
See also this article at JWD about how this building conflicts with official statements of Jehovah's Witnesses.
Monday, January 21, 2008
A Danish Movie About Discipline Among Jehovah's Witnesses
This preview is in Danish, but if you are familiar with the disfellowshipping policies of Jehovah's Witnesses, you will likely understand some of what is going on.
To Verdener (Worlds Apart)
See also this discussion at Jehovah's Witnesses Discussion Forum.
Jehovah's Witnesses, the Happiest People on Earth?
See this page to learn more about mental health among Jehovah's Witnesses.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
The September 2007 "Our Kingdom Ministry" on Independent Bible Study
The Clampdown on Independent Bible Study
Another Video About that "Our Kingdom Ministry"
Friday, January 18, 2008
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Monday, January 14, 2008
Fun With Covers, Part 4
Fun With Covers 16
Fun With Covers 17
Fun With Covers 18
Fun With Covers 19
Fun With Covers 20 Best
Sunday, January 13, 2008
The Watchtower Library
Jehovah's Witnesses change thier beliefs so often that their older literature is deeply embarrasing to them.
Six Screens of the Watchtower Library
For more information:
Six Screens of the Watchtower
Watchtower Society Quotes
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Crazy Quotes #4, The Biola Machine
This is what the Golden Age magazine (now Awake!) of April 22, 1925 had to say about the amazing Biola machine.
"The Biola automatically diagnoses and treats diseases by the use of the electronic vibrations. The diagnosis is 100 percent correct, rendering better service in this respect than the most experienced diagnostician."
The back page of that magazine advertised these machines for only $35.
The Golden Age magazine was infamous for making crazy scientific claims. Please see this article from AJWRB.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Fun With Covers, Part Three
Fun With Covers 11
Fun With Covers 12
Fun With Covers 13
Fun With Covers 14
Fun With Covers 15
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Fun With Covers, Part Two
Fun With Covers 6
Fun With Covers 7
Fun With Covers 8
Fun With Covers 9
Fun With Covers 10
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Phone Conversations With A Jehovah's Witness Elder
This is a powerful demonstration of the control that the elders try to have over their congregation.
Part 1
Part 2
Friday, January 4, 2008
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Fun With Covers, Part One
Fun With Covers 1
Fun With Covers 2
Fun With Covers 3
Fun With Covers 4
Fun With Covers 5
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
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