Legal Seminar: South Africa Bethel
Last year today (February 28, 2015) I was still one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. I’m not soon to forget this day for two distinct reasons. Firstly, a Witness friend of mine damn near died in what proved to be an unfortunate car accident. I recall eventually seeing this giant of a man lying in the hospital bed, intubated, comatose. Gave me existential thoughts. Secondly, I was attending a legal seminar[1] at the local bethel branch in Krugersdorp, South Africa, a seminar that I found myself invited to[2] via an official letter.
The Legal Seminar
The seminar was a full day event held at the “residence hall.” I had come with my wheelchair-bound friend, from the same congregation. We were a few minutes late, so, as we rolled in into the foyer, we got handed our seminar pack, our bottled water, and lapel badges by two pretty ladies (hell yeah, I still remember that). This was the same residence hall that I had shook Anthony Morris’[3] hand in a few weeks ago, that is, prior to his official Branch Visit talk in South Africa on Sunday, January 11, 2015, accompanied by his “sidekick” Anthony Griffin.
The seminar was split between matters that were strictly legal and those that were more tax related; of course, there was an obvious overlap between the two as can be expected. The key speakers were select members of the Branch Committee, in-house legal counsel, and those from the accounts department. A lot was said about Europe, Africa, the U.S., Hayden Covington,[4] child custody, divorces, Advance Medical Directives (“blood cards”), alternative service, Road Accident Fund, legal battles here, legal battles there, tax etc. The bottom-line was this: There’s a lot going down, and we’d appreciate your assistance in these affairs.
It should be noted, however, that “these affairs” require tertiary qualifications… higher education.

South Africa Bethel – Legal and Tax Seminar Group Photo (Feb 28, 2015). I’m on the bottom left, sporting a pair of shades on my head.
The Real Issue
Now, in a previous article that I wrote (“The Organisation Sponsored My Higher Education“), I went to great lengths explaining the issue behind Watchtower’s higher education stance. The important thing when it comes to dissecting this subject is that you have to put it in context. It’s only in context that you can fully appreciate what the big hoo-ha is all about. As one former bethelite Elder put it, “You have to put in a time-line.” Trace and analyse the comments of the Governing Body throughout the years – whose criticism of higher education is the stuff of legend – understand what the predominant teachings and beliefs were, and you’ll see all the “insider-trading-esque” tactics.
As regards the day-long seminar, one thing was particularly conspicuous, that is, conspicuous by its absence. The words “higher education” were never uttered. Not a whiff. It’s almost like there was some kind of memo given to all the speakers specifically instructing them not to utter those two loaded words. Not once were they mentioned. Instead, references to higher education were couched in euphemistic terms like: “your worldly gifts” or “your gifts in this world” or “worldly means.” The ultimate point, of course, being: use these “worldly gifts” to serve Jehovah, blah blah blah.
The irony, huh. Now they’re “worldly gifts,” not “worldly pursuits.” The difference in expression may be negligible, but only a seasoned Witness would appreciate the nuance. In politics they call this “spinning.” They evade the words “higher education.” Why? Because those words pack a wallop, they’ve been immersed in so much negativity that just the mere sound of them puts you in a bad mood. Higher education. Des longs études. Educación superior. Trigger words. Abracadabra!
Now, this seminar took place February 28, 2015; people flew from as far as Cape Town, others Lesotho, and I understand Namibia, to attend this seminar. An important event, to be sure. All attendees paid their own fare and accommodation expenses, save for the bottled water, tea & biscuits, lunch, and supper (if they chose to remain for the latter).
Now, can anyone remember what the January 2015 JW Broadcasting video was all about? It was anchored by the erstwhile Vietnam War soldier, Governing Body member, Anthony Morris III.[5] The topic of discussion was – you guessed it – higher education. After cherry-picking an assortment of tragic stories relating to Witnesses who attended university and consequently left “the truth,” he then showed an interview of a bethelite, Philip Brumley, who was serving as a lawyer for the organisation at the world headquarters in Brooklyn, New York (which lawyer, as irony would have it, “secretly” obtained his law degree through the “discreet” sponsorship of the organisation). In the interview, Brumley proceeds to mention how university affected his character for the worse, what he calls “the venom of self-importance.”
Being a law student myself, I must admit that I understand what he’s alluding to here, although I wouldn’t go so far as to describe it as “the venom of self-importance.” As a law student, you value your time. You know what you can achieve in one hour. Give me one hour and a textbook and I will convert that time into magnificence. And to get good marks in law school requires discipline, dedication and perseverance, more so, in fact, than just mere knack for academia (I learnt that the hard way). Such being the case, you don’t appreciate people who waste your time. You don’t take kindly to people who trifle with your time, who treat it with contempt. And this, quite frankly, is what used to tick me off in my last congregation. The Elders would tell me how I was the most active person in the congregation, that I was doing the most field service (allegedly more so than the “registered” pioneers) at the time. But, then, they’d systematically dismantle me with statements like: “Yes, you’re the most active person in the congregation, but…”, “Yes, you do the most field service, Frère Mabunda, but…”[6] But but but but but… Someone, give me a Glock 17 so I can murder these fools.
Anyways, I digress.
If valuing my time is a symptom of “the venom of self-importance” (if that’s what Brumley in part meant), then, dawg, I’m sorry. I am so sorry. I ain’t gots the time for no Mickey Mouse business in this here life, yo. You feel me? I suspect this Jehovah don’t appreciate his time being wasted neither. This is not a higher education thing, it’s a life thing.
So anyways, here was a legal seminar being held in bethel itself, a seminar that was taking place right after the anti-higher education JW Broadcasting monthly video, in a video where Morris emphatically stated: “In addition to promoting divine education, what secular skills will we be promoting? […] We need construction skills around the world right now. And think about this, we will not need doctors and lawyers after Armageddon, but we will need carpenters and plumbers and similar construction trades.”
How convenient.
I’ll come back to that otherwise prima facie innocuous statement, but suffice is to say at this stage that they (the Governing Body) don’t want – in fact, discourage – young Jehovah’s Witnesses from pursing higher education. For now, however, let’s take a detour to Australia to contextually add more dimension to this particular subject.
Australia
I’ve always said that to appreciate something, sometimes you have to find a parallel to compare it with. Now, it is common knowledge within the circles of erstwhile Witnesses that a commission took place in Australia that investigated the Australian branch of Jehovah’s Witnesses, that is, as to how they dealt with reports of child abuse cases in their ranks, what their policies and procedures were. This was Case Study 29. This commission was a matter of general application; so it wasn’t some, you know, unique “attack” on “Jehovah’s people” by “Satan’s system.” Other institutions, religious or otherwise, were subjected to the same level of scrutiny.
It is, however, interesting – for me anyways – that the Senior Counsel assisting in Case Study 29 was a South African, Angus Stewart SC. Brilliant fella that. Calm. Collected. You get machinegun-type lawyers, but he – he was the sniper-type. Only one bullet. Clean execution. No drama. To the point. Even Geoffrey Jackson, of the Governing Body, had his work cut out with Stewart.
The short version of the outcome of Case Study 29 was that the Australian branch had some 1006 cases of child abuse reports that it was privy to, but which – and this is the point – it had failed to disclose to the local authorities, to the detriment of a not so few people. The overarching defence championed by the organisation was this whole “priest-penitent privilege,” but, under the circumstances, and in the context of the organisation’s modus operandi, I submit that this argument is untenable. In any event, the branch was found wanting by the Australian Royal Commission. Additionally, some of the Big Guns from the Australian branch, who were interviewed at the commission, displayed such contempt at the questionings; I’m surprised that these select “company men” didn’t see fit to mount the table and start doing the Haka in protest. This commission began in July 27, 2015 and ended in August 14, 2015, with Jackson being the, in my opinion, “lacklustre” pièce de résistance.
Interestingly, however, less than three months after the end of that commission’s inquiry, the Australian branch of Jehovah’s Witnesses sent out a letter, dated November 18, 2015, to all Service Committees throughout the congregations of Australian. The letter was “confidentially” seeking baptised members of the congregation who were “qualified as solicitors, barristers, certified practising accountants or chartered accountants.” But, note, all of this exploration was to be done discreetly, “without consulting the publisher” (I suppose this is how they canvass for potential seminar candidates).
Now, let’s juxtapose these two events, the South African seminar and the Australian request letter, and contextualise them.

Australia Bethel – Letter sent out to Service Committees searching for brothers with legal and tax qualifications (2015-11-18).
The Point
The organisation tells folks not to pursue higher education. In fact – little though this is known – if you are an appointed person (Elder, Ministerial Servant, pioneer etc.) and you decide to attend university, your (spiritual) qualifications automatically come under review. What does this immediately tell you? That the organisation has a default disdain for higher education. But then, mirabile dictu, the organisation secretly sponsors select bethelites to obtain these very “worldly” qualifications, using funds donated by some of the simplest and unsuspecting Witnesses, many of whom complied with the “mandamus” from the “Faithful and Discreet Slave” not to pursue higher education. But, then, ironically, per chance that you didn’t comply with this mandamus, and remain a devout Witness, they then implore you to use your “worldly gifts” in service to God (“the organisation”) and, to a large extent, for free. (How am I not laughing right now?)
What’s wrong with this picture?
And if you take the global downsizing that the organisation has been conducting lately its enough to make a thinking person wonder, where veteran bethelites are sent home and special pioneers being essentially sent up the creek without a paddle. Why? Because it’s now becoming too expensive to accommodate them. A burden. And, yet, many of these bethelites faithfully forfeited higher education in order to pursue full-time service at your insistence, now you’re telling them to hamba kahle (“go well”)?
C’mon, man, c’mon… What is wrong with this picture, people?
If, alternatively, the organisation was cool about the subject and it was like, you know, “Go to university, don’t go to university, that your decision to make, as long as you are aware of the inherent challenges and as long as you remain faithful to God.” That would be one thing. But what we’re seeing here is the constant badgering badgering badgering of higher education. They’ve dealt higher education so many head-shots, they’ve bloodied and bruised it; there just has to be some kind of accountability on their part now. You can’t enjoy the assets of other people’s labour without taking ownership and responsibility of the liabilities peculiar with that asset. It’s immoral. This whole thing is just patently duplicitous. Scandalous. Why all these backdoor “transactions?” You say one thing on stage, but, then, em’va kwethu you do something different. Hai wethu, you must never.
Conclusion
Brimstone and humour aside, I personally don’t have a problem with the organisation seeking professional assistance from willing qualified Witnesses per se. That isn’t the problem. It is the duplicity that irks me. It is the selfishness of their approach that vexes me. It is the ruination of people’s lives that ticks me off. It is the unconscionableness of their methods that pisses me off; treating genuine people as expendables and collateral damage for their own selfish gains, gains which they conveniently clothe as “sacred service,” service to Jehovah. That really ticks me off.
The Governing Body needs to pipe down on higher education, and to resist this laughable attempt at gaining some kind of moral high ground on this subject, at other people’s expense no less. Enough of the self-serving sensationalism.
#LegalSeminarBethel
#ThinkingWitnesses
[1] It was more fully a legal and tax seminar.
[2] I say “found myself invited to” because I don’t believe I was originally meant to have been invited; it was “fortuitous” that I found myself invited.
[3] Anthony Morris III, member of the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses, since 2005.
[4] Hayden Covington has been described as “among the most overworked and under-appreciated attorneys in American history.” He was a Jehovah’s Witness and served primarily as the legal counsel for the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society; he was a swashbuckler in court who broke many archaic precedents. After Joseph Rutherford’s death, Covington served briefly as vice-president to Rutherford’s successor, Nathan Knorr. Covington single-handedly paved the way for many religious freedoms and civil liberties in the U.S. He is the author of the booklet Defending and Legally Establishing the Good News (1950). In 1966 he represented heavy-weight champion, Muhammed Ali, assisting him gain draft exemption from the Vietnam War. Covington was disfellowshipped for a time, during which he was dogged with rumours of excessive drinking. He was eventually re-instated, shortly prior to his death in November 21, 1978.
[5] He once related his experience to an audience of Jehovah’s Witnesses of serving in the Vietnam War: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEneVh6ALqU.
[6] (Background story here)
Comments (11)
“Matthew 24:48-51” will be the answer if it keeps on increasing.
Jehovah will start his judgement from his house, especially the one who acts with hypocrisy will have his share from Jehovah.
So please Br Clement leave it to Jehovah, do you think he cannot replace the one or the group inside the Jehovah organization or watchtower who is doing bad.
Think of the time when Jehovah made saul the king of Israel, many bad things happened which should not have happened and the kings to come after David / Solomon acted in unfaithfulness to Jehovah. Jehovah punished them with severity.
But distancing ourselves from what Jehovah has approved is not going to help us. This shows we do not trust in Jehovah. If you really trust in Jehovah, you will accept the Goliath/Saul challenge.
Jehovah will help if you remain in his hand. Who knows Jehovah will help you to make the needed change. But please do not go against Jehovah, Never!!!
1 Samuel 17:32-51
1 Samuel 19:1-24
1 Samuel 20:1-42
1 Samuel 21:1-15
1 Samuel 22:1-23
1 Samuel 23:1-29
1 Samuel 24:1-22
“13 Just as the ancient proverb says, ‘From the wicked comes wickedness,’ but my hand will not come against you. 15 May Jehovah be the judge, and he will judge between you and me, and he will see and will plead my case and judge me and rescue me from your hand.” 1 Samuel 24:13,15
Take care
With regards
Rick
“So please Br Clement… do you think [Jehovah] cannot replace the one or the group inside the Jehovah organization or watchtower who is doing bad.”
I certainly hope he can, Rick… I certainly hope. But I won’t lose my sleep over it…
This would be my final comments in your blog. I type this out of love and there is no hypocrisy in this, I can assure you 200℅. I was also in a similar situation like you, but only difference I did not quit the organization.
Let me tell you my story.
I got to know the truth at my very young age and I am the only one in truth in my whole family. Previously I was in a Christian denomination, although I like to go to church, it was indeed difficult to find True love among them (John 13;34,35) But I assured myself what is recorded in the Bible will help me to identify the true Christians. So I began to thoroughly study both the old and new testment.I was pretty clear what the whole Bible, the only thing that did not match was Trinity. And as I was researching I cam across to 2 witnesses you gave the answer for my question and I began to study the Bible with them and studied for 2 Years, that was pretty long you can say. I was so excited with the new found truth and was eager to share the message with everyone I met.
I got baptized in 2006, the time I got baptism I was doing my Engineering degree. It was that time the society took stand again on higher education. As I was studying I use to attend meetings admist opposition from my family and it was not easy going for me and I struggled a lot to maintain a balance between my higher education and my service to Jehovah. However Jehovah helped me to keep the perfect balance whole throughout my education.
After 2 years of my baptism and getting to know the congregation I associated, the brothers always seem have dispute, this was very much evident since I was closely associated with the Elder. Now again the same question arises to me. ” Do Jehovah’s witnesses have true love among themselves?” This made venture into websites that are apostate in nature. Whenever I cam across such websites I listen only negative side everytime. Because there is always 2 sides for a story.
So in order to properly research I took few books from outside the organization one of them is about 1975 doomed year and few others. Some of the internal publication as well.I began to read and was really awesome struck by stupidity of Jehovah’s witnesses (It’s true). Because it was very clear that JW are overriding Jesus words recorded in Matthew 24:36.
This is simply because few people in the organization believed so. I was infuriated by that and reading the court testimonials regarding 1975 I was really laughing. Certainly there people who are convinced that whatever comes through the organization is infallible and from Jehovah. I corrected myself on that whatever comes from bad kings of Isreal is it from God, not at all. But now the big question arised am I being before the true God Jehovah and am I in the true organization, am I really among the people who love Jehovah and their fellow men.
My research continued I researched from A-Z of the organization, not omitting even a small detail. I was really fascinating when I learned the whole history and was awe struck by the reality of what has become now. So my next step was to understand the doctrines taught by JW and came across the book of Daniel, Revelation, FDS, and last days. You will not believe me I found that almost 90% of what they have arrived is utter Insanity. Only 10% of it make sense but be careful almost 90℅ of what they teach about preaching, Jehovah’s name, new world, love, brotherhood are all right.
So where is real problem. Is Jehovah truly with them. I prayed to Jehovah to let me.identify what really is the way I should go.
I took the verse John 16:23, 24. I was asking Jehovah to really let me know why I am in this organization. After few days I sat down I complied what I researched, you will be shocked to know that…The truth has not changed, the truth about Jehovah, Jesus and the commission to preach throughout the world about the kingdom of God has been the focal front of Jehovah God and Jesus right towards the last days (May 24:14) It’s convincingly clear that Jehovah’s organization refinement on the matter clean spiritually has to be commended, although they still are rigid in some areas. This indicates that Jehovah is using them even through the core of the organization is frantic about prophesy(exculding the prophecy of Jesus life), FDS, Revelation, etc… But ultimately nothing matters it 2 things that Jesus clearly gave as commandment that matters. Love God and Love Fellowmen. And the powerful words of Jesus can never be taken out of context.
Matthew 18:6
6 But whoever stumbles one of these little ones who have faith in me, it would be better for him to have hung around his neck a millstone that is turned by a donkey and to be sunk in the open sea.
So it became to clear, Jehovah is surely using this small organization to spread the Good news of this kingdom to people of all the nations. Even if there is a stumbling block from the organization and people go out because of what the organization has unreasonably acted (I never compare the incident of Jesus and Peter with organization, how can imperfection organization ciam they are infallible like Jesus Christ) it would be better for him to have hung around his neck a millstone that is turned by a donkey and to be sunk in the open sea.
Now coming to all the organization has done wrong and why is still Jehovah supports them. Because these are the only ones who love him very much and hold his name high and try to walk orderly and treat others with respect. For me there is not even a slightest of doubt that I am in organization where they follow the 2 Commandment set by Jesus and. I am also in the organization where people who are in high position acting presumptiously like Saul. Now the time take stand. I took a stand I will obey what the organization says because whenever they take a decision about Preaching, loving others, Jehovah’s name and Jesus it is always right. But wheever they talk about Generation / FDS / Daniel Prophecy I simply shut my ear off. That’s all. I clearly know Jehovah will help the ones who went out his organization because of unreasonable attitude of a GB or a group of GB or JWS for any matter Jehovah will help them. You might surprised when they are in new world and the ones who lead the way or not…I always take to mind Jesus words about stumbling.
Conclusion
So I made it a goal to love my brothers and sisters all around the world in thought it is Jehovah’s flock not just GB and it is Jesus flock which he has brought with the price of his blood and I started to help people to love Jehovah and brothers and to preach to others with what I have received from the organization because Jehovah wants me to and whenever the organization speaks emphatically about Generation/FDS/ Prophecy, I accept it with my mind nd never take it to heart. Because I knew it is their frantic attempt to find the truth and not the whole truth. The truth will be found and it is clear in the Bible in the 12th chapter of Daniel.
When the time comes the only ones who are in Jehovah’s organization who loved Jehovah and their neighbours will be in the new world and not the one who loved the organization. And Jehovah will see to that he will give according each one his due. A righteous one with righteous reward a wicked one with what he supposed to gain.
Romans 8:35-39
So Clement do you think it is not worth to sacrifice your sleep as did King David.
Note: This will be my last and if you want to email me you are welcome. I did a lot of research and I never shared with no one, the only reason being I am waiting for the day when Jehovah himself will reveal it.
“I took a stand I will obey what the organization says because whenever they take a decision about Preaching, loving others, Jehovah’s name and Jesus it is always right. But whenever they talk about Generation / FDS / Daniel Prophecy I simply shut my ear off.”
😀
Okay, that made me laugh; I used to do that! I used to sit at the congregation/convention and mentally sift out all the mumbo-jumbo spoken on the platform about the generation, prophesy and the Faithful and Discreet Slave, because I knew they have a history of botching these topics and then reformulating them moments before failure and then crediting (“blaming”) Jehovah for the changing (“New Light”, “Jehovah has revealed”), and expecting everyone to just go along on this ride until the next train station… where the Governing Body of the future will repeat the same process again.
In the mean time, some people get kicked off of the “train,” others are thrown on the tracks. Others, like myself, after much circumspection, decide: “Ai! Haikhona! I need not get off this train. I don’t believe this train is going in the right direction.” So, we brace ourselves and make the “audacious” jump.
😀
If there is a Jehovah out there, he needs to grant me an interview one day… ’cause, man, I got one thousand and one questions for him…
Rick, I acknowledge your view. If it works for you I won’t fault you… But as for me, I’m satisfied with my decision. Thanks for taking the time to share this with me.
Regards,
Clement
Sorry for.my bad English forgive.me
No need to apologise, man. This is evidence that you speak more than one language; that’s a good thing.
😉
If there is a Jehovah out there, he needs to grant me an interview one day… ’cause, man, I got one thousand and one questions for him…
I am forced to reply on this, your speech shows as if there is no Jehovah, it is seriously needs correction from your part.
Jehovah is supreme sovereign and eternal judge, he need not answer for anybody’s mistake and he never makes mistake. As I said earlier if a king of Isreal makes a mistake Jehovah will reprove him, and he will give each one according to what he has done…Please never accuse Jehovah for what has happened Never !!!!
Please check yourself in the mirror of God’s word.
Deuteronomy 10:12-21
Job 38-41, 42:1-3
Take care
Clement, I read your report on the Legal and Tax Seminar 2015 and the fact that you disassociated yourself around that time. I have read Rick’s reasoning on why, although he questioned much, he has chosen to remain in the Courtyard of Jehovah. Psalm 84:10 For a day in your courtyards is better than a thousand anywhere else! I choose to stand at the threshold of the house of my God Rather than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.
Noteworthy is what Rick implies: Jehovah will see to it that those who love Jehovah will be in the NW and not those who love the Organisation. I tend to go along with that thought. You see Clement, it is about HUMILITY.
1Peter5:6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time
The problem with young energetic ambitious men, like yourself, is they will be drawn to an Organisation or Establishment that will serve their ambitions. They seek self importance, wealth and power in “higher education” at a University or, and, in an Organisation such as Jehovah’s, which is foremost in this world for educating and training people, albeit first and foremost in the Word and Ways of the Most High God Jehovah. It is better than any University in the world because it incorporates Jehovah’s moral standards. Secular universities are known for their amoral permissiveness. It appears Clement, that you were drawn to JW.ORG, whereas Rick was drawn to Jehovah. You Clement, took offence over the FDS urging young people against “higher” education. It clashes with your innermost desire, which apparently is to forge a name and a fortune for yourself in Satan’s system of things. You are very proud of your skill with words. You are seeking to exalt yourself. Rather like Nimrod in ancient times. So, sadly, Jehovah cannot use you and this angers you and incites you to oppose the Universal Sovereign. Bad choice! Opposing JW.ORG may be pitting your wits against imperfect men, but you are biting off more than you can chew by trying it against Jehovah God. You should have chosen to let the Supreme Judge and Lawmaker, Jehovah Himself, exalt you. Rick has made the right decision. Your burning ambition had robbed you of humility and patience with the way Jehovah uses people.
Ecclesiastes 7: 8 Better is the end of a matter than its beginning. Better to be patient than to be haughty in spirit. 9 Do not be quick to take offense, for the taking of offense lodges in the bosom of fools.
May you seek humility Clement and bend your knees before the Most High God Jehovah, before it is too late.
Bonnie,
Well, I don’t believe I’ve ever been castigated like this before. But… I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt. Amidst the “fireworks” I perceive a sincere person.
However, Bonnie, you tender quite a number of inflammatory insinuations that border on, not only an affront on my credibility, but a violation of my dignity; furthermore, insinuations which, if put to task, I strongly suspect you’d be hard pressed to prove.
Having said that, I do appreciate that you’ve occasionally made attempts to qualify your statements by invoking provisos such as: “it appears…” In so doing, it follows that you readily concede that you don’t know for a fact that which you speak.
Bonnie, respectfully, you don’t know me; by what authority can you say of me that “[t]he problem with young energetic ambitious men, like yourself, is they will be drawn to an Organisation or Establishment that will serve their ambitions”. Ask any sincere person who knows me — even those who remain staunch Witnesses — ask them if this is remotely true of Clement Mabunda.
Avoid sweeping generalisations; they roll so easily off of the tongue, that’s what makes them so “seductive”. Don’t be seduced. Defer to objectivity.
One thing you do correctly submit; namely, that I am proud of my skill with words. I must unashamedly confess that I am. Words are beautiful. I am as proud of them as I would a work of art (which, by the way, I would know because I’m an artist). However, you speak of my pride in the aforementioned as though it were demonstrably diabolical and putrid. Pride is not inherently bad. One must familiarise themselves with the variations and not whimsically default to an inimical version.
Having said that, I compose this reply with an appreciation that you were writing from your perceptive. Thus, I won’t fault you too much, because, truth be told, I was once like you.
Furthermore — and I say this with the utmost caution — if there is a God (and, believe me, I hope there is; I’ve been compiling a list of questions for him) I’d be happy to hear what he has to say; I should hope he’s reasonable, perhaps he can explain some of my burning questions, perhaps he’ll shower me with clarity such that I’ll be moved to bend the knee. See, I yearn for people who are driven by hard facts rather than emotions. Was it Paul who said: “I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to accurate knowledge”.
While you and the likes of Rick are evidently happy to overlook certain things, that is, in favour of that which you prefer to see — and, indeed, that is your prerogative — it simply does not satisfy me and my brand of persons. Doctrines aside, the methods you use to overlook the shortcomings of your organisation and forge ahead, are essentially the same methods that, inter alia, sincere Catholics use to circumvent their shortcomings and proceed ahead with their service and worship. Ergo, at the very core, there isn’t much of a difference. So… at the end of the day, I can only be informed by facts, not emotions. Concrete facts. Irrefutable evidence. Until such time, I will suspend my election.
The Bible is not a book without use; there are so many worthwhile passages in there. Having said that, the world has been subjected to so many (compelling) narratives, quite simply because the Bible has so many interesting “corners” that the unscrupulous can hide in. Many of “God’s children” have been led astray.
In conclusion, if there is a Jehovah, and if, in spite his knowledge of my substance, nevertheless sees fit to destroy me… perhaps that’s all I ever needed to know.
My brother! Ask those questions, but not to the Arrogant Jehovah, a Luciferian construct that pbscures and twists reality. One that says God is so jealous and envious- even insecure in his position he would smite you for speaking to his son!
I left 15 years ago, decades of being in and out of “Jehovahs organisation”.I was beaten down, depressed, angry. I did everything I was told, but ended up with elders telking me I should take my psych meds!
I said one last prayer, not to Jehovah in fact it was to a being of benevolence and love as Christ taught. In fact I prefaced the prayer that ” If you are the God I grew up with kill me or leave me alone- I don’t care which, but if a Father like beibg exsists I beg you show me and I am your hunble servant- if you be this “jehovah” leave me alone because you are evil, foolish or a devil!”
And with that I threw my NWT bible away and emberked on a life of agnosticism.
That night I fell asleep a had a vision, I say vision, because when it left, I could not see as if I had come into a darkroom from outside on a sunny day. The experience in itsrlf- 15 years later I am realising the lessons and intence love our Creator has for us and the layers of knowing He communicates with us on, so that we KNOW it is from our Source, our Center of reality so many men taint with their ideas on the bible and worship.
The Watchtower is based on pride, control and fear. These are the desperate ways the enemy tries to control us. God is love
He is Real and we must look to His Logos- His expression of love, that reveals Him in Holy Spirit!
Romans 8 “We are no longer slaves, but His Spirit bears witness with ours that we are His children, so that now we call Him:”Abba! Father!”
“I was beaten down, depressed, angry. I did everything I was told, but ended up with elders telling me I should take my psych meds!”
That seems to be a re-occurring theme. Elders are just… even if they mean well, the simple truth is, for the amount of influence they have on people’s lives, they’re ill-prepared, ill-trained, for the task at hand. But… because they’re surrounded by people who think like them, they don’t see what an instrument of unwarranted frustration they are.