Jehovahs Witnesses

Have you ever wondered what Charles Taze Russell would make of the religion he started if he came back today? His first thought would probably be; What the hell happened to the big beard and no moustache look? I really liked that! When handed a copy of a modern Watchtower magazine he would wonder where the Masonic imagery had gone that he liked to include on the front cover, including the Knights Templar logo of a cross in a crown and the Knights of Malta symbol. At the Kingdom Hall he would glance at the noticeboard and realise his shoulder length hair is no longer acceptable and beards are a big thumbs down, yes even beards without a moustache. He would also be disappointed that not only his predictions for Armageddon but also those of his successors have all failed miserably.  Still he would be relieved to find out that the 'light has got brighter' and there's now another 'new' thought on the subject. The legal problems Jehovah's Witn...

Witnessing a persons life end is a strange and troubling experience.   Not only does it shock you in to the realisation that life is transient it also makes you realise that our own importance is negligible.   This particular realisation struck me nearly twenty years ago when I was involved in a car accident on the M62 motorway between Manchester and Leeds.  It was an otherwise unremarkable Friday afternoon and I was travelling home from an appointment in Liverpool to my office in South Yorkshire.  I overtook a small lorry and in my rear view mirror I saw a small car coming up behind me at speed.  I pulled into the middle lane and looked to my right as a black Daihatsu Domino began to pass me.  A young woman was driving, at a guess I would say she was in her early twenties at most.  Suddenly the car in front of me, I think it was a Peugeot estate, pulled into the outside lane without any indication. I remember the sudden look of fear on the ...

For years the term 'apostate' was used by the JW's to describe a former member who used lies and deceit to lure other Witnesses away from the organisation.  For decades the Governing Body have been demonising 'apostates' as the worst of the worst.  Ironically they have been far more likely to warn the congregation of the dangers of an individual 'apostate' than they are of a child molestor. However, if a former Witness uses truth and verifiable facts to expose the wrong within the organisation, can they still be termed 'apostate'? JW's own bible, the New World Translation, says this at Proverbs 11:9; By his mouth the apostate brings his neighbour to ruin, But by knowledge the righteous are rescued. So what is knowledge if it isn't the truth? The truth is Jehovahs Witnesses were an NGO of the United Nations. https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2001/oct/08/religion.world The truth is the Governing Body have deliberatel...

Okay there's no apology to the victims that suffered abuse as a result of their damaging 'two Witness' rule.  Okay they haven't even acknowledged that they were wrong to order the destruction of evidence from past judicial hearings relating to potential child abuse.  They haven't even admitted that the rules in the 'Shepherding the Flock' book were wrong even though they've asked all elders to redact the previous instructions.  They haven't even apologised for the terrible damage that they have done to the reputation of their religion and their Gods name over the past two decades because of their pigheaded refusal to accept that they were wrong. However what they HAVE finally done is issued sensible, reasonable and intelligent instructions to their elders on how to deal with accusations of child abuse within their congregations.  Someone in their organisation has finally seen sense.  Would I be cynical if I suggested that it was very likely ...

We are told that we are made in Gods image.  He is described as being male, all powerful, perfect and, dependant on which bible verses are being quoted, He is attributed qualities as diverse as love and jealousy.  It is claimed that His justice is perfect and that He cannot lie. All Christian religions accept the bibles portrayal of the Almighty Creator without any question, in fact without any logical analysis of the claims.  So who is God and what is he really like? Firstly the Bible clearly indicates that He is the ultimate being and He requires all creation to acknowledge that fact.  Here is the first contradiction.  If God is all powerful why would He care about recognition of that position?  He is all powerful, He is the ultimate, recognition or the lack of it has no bearing whatsoever on the fact .  A billion people insisting that red is in fact green doesn't alter the fact that red is red.  So why do the bible writers insist...

This will be my last blog as Rydler.  (sorry in the end this didn't become my last post as I found a new source of inspiration.)  I will leave you with a few last thought provoking comments on the Governing Body and Jehovahs Witnesses. Lots of JW's who have read my blogs have commented that us 'apostates' are negative and are motivated by destroying faith.  I should, according to many of them, keep my views to myself. There are a couple of comments I would make here to defend my views.  Firstly, Jehovahs Witnesses are renown for NOT keeping their views to themselves.  In fact it is a badge of honour for them to promote the views of their organisation.  Could I politely ask why they should be allowed to actively and aggressively push their beliefs upon billions but those who have a different viewpoint should keep quiet? Secondly are my views negative?  Do I want to destroy faith?  First and foremost I want people to hear the tr...

In my years attending the Kingdom Hall I experienced many funny moments.  One brother who was having a difficult time in his marriage inadvertently opened a prayer with the immortal words; Our dear Heavenly Barbara! Another elder used an octopus as an illustration throughout his talk and frequently referred to it’s eight testicles. The most cringeworthy moment came from an old Ministerial Servant who was asked to make the announcements during a Thursday meeting.  After stumbling through a letter from the Society his frustration boiled over and he uttered the word sh*t, both loudly and clearly, however instantly realising his dire error, he attempted to cover the expletives by a sudden and violent coughing fit. This faux par of epic proportions (foul language at any time for a JW is not acceptable) became not just the talk of our Kingdom Hall but every other within a fifty mile radius. The Ministerial Servant – lets call him Bro Sweary – desperately tried to pass the ...