People 
| "Remember, no one can REALLY Love You Unless They Know and Love Jehovah First" |
| Written by Jeffrey Byrge |
| Thursday, 06 August 2009 09:25 |
First off, lets get a couple of misconceptions out of the way.... Jehovah's Witnesses are small time. Having been deep into this religion myself, I realized it then, and I especially realize it now. Few people care about them. They are only known worldwide because they are one of the loudest, most visible fringe groups out there. They insist that all of their members preach to people, whether they want to hear it or not. Tell them they can't preach in a town, they will take you to the Supreme Court. (which is fine, if JW's didn't challenge free speech laws, another group would have) I say this because those who have left, or who were kicked out and are now former Jehovah's Witnesses, often spend time on the internet. (although truth be known, I would wager most former JW's rarely if ever post on the internet) They try to direct attention to this group, they call them a cult. They want to sue them, and bring them down. There is very real anger directed towards the leadership and/or the people as a whole. And if you are an outsider, you must be saying, "Why? Don't they realize how small time they are? Who cares" (to you non JW's, I say, stick around, you might learn something) And if you are a JW lurking on the internet and reading this, (in disobedience to the 9 men in charge at Brooklyn), you must say sometimes (as I used to) "Jehovah's Witnesses aren't all that bad. Yeah, I don't agree with everything (not that I am ever going to let that be known), but they aren't evil. I have friends. I am not bad.... So why do former Jehovah's Witnesses make such a big deal? Why can't they leave and just leave us alone?" Back to Exhibit A for the answer: "Remember, nobody can REALLY love you unless they know and love Jehovah first." I know Jehovah's Witnesses are really big on Repetition for Emphasis, so for them, one more time.... "Remember, nobody can REALLY love you unless they know and love Jehovah first." In the context of the drama, a father is talking to his child, who his confused about wanting to hang out with his worldly (read: non JW) friends or to continue to deepen their involvement in the preaching activities of Jehovah's Witnesses. The whole idea is to basically say "There are no friends, no people that you can love or trust, unless they serve and follow OUR god." And so millions of JW's this year will watch a play designed to indoctrinate this idea into their followers once again.... This isn't the first time this indoctrination tactic has been introduced, but it is the most recent attempt, and it bears further examination. I will break it down word by word (or relevant phrase by relevant phrase) "Remember" As if it were already a decided, foregone conclusion, which it absolutely isn't. There are so many excellent non JW people out there who do great things. Sorry though, if you aren't a JW, then you don't count. And by the way, according to JW's, you will be destroyed by Jehovah, because you didn't listen to the words found in the Watchtower, presented by that cute 6 year old trying to remember a memorized presentation. Should've listened...... "nobody" Yes, nobody, as in, not you, not anyone, unless you are a JW. And a card carrying active JW at that. "can REALLY love you" I don't really give a damn whether you are a JW, were a JW, or are just curious about JW's: This is one of the most offensive, destructive teachings of this cult. Love, the most powerful, tender emotion. Regulated, controlled, and often denied, by an idea that shuts out all but about 7 million people around the world. Dear reader, I ask you to consider the power behind this idea that is being presented. It isn't that JW's aren't allowed to love YOU, it is that YOUR LOVE AS A NON JW FOR THEM doesn't count. The idea here from the JW point of view is, "If they loved you, they would serve Jehovah with us. But it is clear that they don't love you, because they aren't Jehovah's Witnesses." (Signed: The Governing Body) Can you understand a little better how outright horribly offensive this is? Can you understand the damage that this causes? This idea divides families, children, mothers and daughters, and it serves only one purpose: The propagation and protection of power by the men known as the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses. (and if you think I am exaggerating, I shunned my suicidally depressed younger brother when he needed me most because of this very idea. I wish my story was an isolated case: I promise you, it isn't) "unless they know and love Jehovah first." Here is the fake standard, the coup de grace. Notice the order: Even if you felt like you did love Jehovah, you still have to know him. What does that mean? How does one get to know Jehovah? *** w07 4/1 p. 24 par. 12 Loyal to Christ and His Faithful Slave *** Therefore, when we loyally submit to the direction of the faithful slave and its Governing Body, we are submitting to Christ, the slave’s Master. Our showing due respect for the instrument Christ is using to manage his earthly belongings is one way in which we “openly acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.”—Philippians 2:11. *** w07 4/1 p. 25 par. 16 Loyal to Christ and His Faithful Slave *** 16 The other sheep recognize that they have greatly benefited from the diligent efforts of the faithful slave in supplying them with timely spiritual food. They humbly acknowledge that were it not for the faithful and discreet slave, they would know little or nothing of precious Bible truths, such as Jehovah’s sovereignty, the sanctification of his name, the Kingdom, the new heavens and new earth, the soul, the condition of the dead, and the true identity of Jehovah, his Son, and the holy spirit. Out of sheer gratitude and loyalty, the other sheep lovingly support Christ’s anointed “brothers” on the earth during this time of the end.—Matthew 25:40. Simply put, you are not allowed to know Jehovah on your own. As these two statements bear out, the Governing Body is the group that assumes control of how one gets to know Jehovah. No individual is ever allowed to do this on their own. Does that sound right? Here is what I mean.... Suppose one wanted to get to know Jehovah on their own, using only the bible. And it wasn't the JW version "New World Translation". And suppose that, without any JW produced literature full of the Governing Body's thoughts, they instantly see that Jehovah is no where to be found in any bible other then the NWT. Well, thats a pretty glaring fact right there. But lets get past that... Maybe they want to call their god "Jehovah" anyway, even if it is found only in the OT. They love "Jehovah". They get the monotheistic slant of JW's, and want to come in and worship "Jehovah" with Jehovah's Witnesses, yet they haven't studied in the JW approved way. Would their love for "Jehovah" be recognized? No. You see, such a person's individual claim that they love "Jehovah", even that that loved Jehovah's Witnesses, wouldn't matter. Because they didn't get to "know Jehovah" in the Governing Body approved way. You see, to "know Jehovah" in the JW way means that you accept the Governing Body's teachings, and accept their authority. That, in a nutshell, is what "know Jehovah" means. It's not unlike the Wizard of Oz. Like Oz, Jehovah is run my some pretty simple minded old men, who meet behind a private curtain once a week around a corporate board room, and discuss the religious business they run. They discuss how to make sure that though they are in charge, everyone doesn't see them, they see the great and powerful Jehovah... Oh. Don't forget to love him too. And don't forget to love those that love Jehovah. They are the ones to be trusted. Anyone else who says they love you, or worse, SHOWS that they love you? Sorry, they don't count. Because they don't know Jehovah, and they don't love Jehovah, so their love isn't real. Dear reader, if this somehow doesn't put off alarm bells in your head, then maybe you were meant to be in a cult all along. Maybe your personal epiphany will come later. No one can say. But if you are reading this and know something isn't right, do you really think that god would give both a heart and a brain, and expect us to turn off one at the expense of the other? It is possible to know god, I suppose, but if you were to look at it from gods point of view, he would much rather you know yourself first, just like any good parent would. And just like any good parent, love, while not naive, should be given freely, and not regulated by men with a clear agenda of power and control. Hits: 1204 Trackback(0)
Comments (17)
  written by Blueeyes54 , August 06, 2009 Okay Jeff, You're out now just let it go. It's all fulfilled now anyway. He said he would make all things new. What you are complaining about is one of the maney things He's about to change to something new. This will all be history before we know it. Maybe one of those new things will be his voice again. Then could we say He was never there? When he formed the sun it was to burn forever. He doesn't have to continually make readjustments. With mankind he does and that's His business. Stop hitting the rock in the wilderness. Move on and rejoice. Even though you don't think so Jehovah does love you. Faith, hope, love. The greatest is love. You just need more of it. report abuse
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 written by EverSoGrateful , August 06, 2009 SPOT ON Jeff !!!!! If a person comes to know God without the help (hahahha) of JW's... then how in the world are the " powerful & great governing body member" (hahaha) going to get them to sell magazines for their multi-million dollar publishing company / religion???? Come on now... God wants them to be rich with $$$$$$ too !!!!! hahaha! They are laughing all the way to the BANK !!!! I remain, EverSoGrateful that I am out!!!!! phew, that was close! report abuse
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 written by Kitty Scott , August 06, 2009 What a joke that drama was. It's a trap for young ones to admit their sins so they can be grilled by the elders and then kicked out. In the end of the drama the young man says"the elders were merciful" it seems he did not get disfellowshipped. That's such a lie! Unless his Dad is Congregation Coordinator, he would be shamed and then disfellowshipped. His mother's tears would have been tears of pain and confusion. It was a drama aimed to bring an emotional responce from the audience. It made me so mad to look around and see good people crying about such a lie! report abuse
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 written by JoJoJones , August 06, 2009 Great post, Jeff! I really enjoyed it. My Witness sister told me that Jehovah was taken out of Bibles and inserted in the JW NWT. She doesn't really know the story behind the 'translation' of the JW Bible, and if I told her it wouldn't make any difference to her, anyway. Frustrating. None of the five 'translators' knew any Greek but one, whose knowledge of it was limited, because he'd only taken two years of it, then after two years of college at The University of Cincinnati he dropped out of school. That was Fred Franz. None of the others knew any Greek, and none of the five knew any Hebrew. When asked in a Scottish courtroom if he could translate a certain verse in Genesis into Hebrew Fred Franz couldn't do it. These five people had no business translating the Bible. How could they possibly know what they were doing? And the WTBTS telling the "rank and file', "Remember, no one can REALLY Love You Unless They Know and Love Jehovah First" is so pompous and manipulative it's jaw dropping. That is a very manipulative statement, and, of course, Witnesses are falling for it all over the place. I hate the way JWs are so misled! report abuse
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 written by Darrek , August 07, 2009 Awesome article! When I seen the script of the drama it really pissed me off as well. I have a sister who is still in and shunning me and my family and I know that she probably just ate that shit up like the freezer was broke and someone needed to eat the ice cream. It is disgusting the amount of control they have over people, one day mark my words the Watchtower will loose its control and they will be no more! report abuse
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 written by John-Paul , August 08, 2009 I know how this article seems oh so very logical. The problem is that stepping back a bit and placing this sort of reasoning on the theocratic arrangement setup under the Mosaic Law, would result in the same logical points showing that arrangement to be cultist. This sort of logic can only result in not believing in any of the arrangements setup by God. By the way, do you intentionally place a lowercase "g" for God in your article? report abuse
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 written by AllTimeJeff , August 08, 2009 Hi John Paul I know how this article seems oh so very logical. The problem is that stepping back a bit and placing this sort of reasoning on the theocratic arrangement setup under the Mosaic Law, would result in the same logical points showing that arrangement to be cultist. So my article, which is about how the Governing Body makes indoctrination attempts to direct its followers on who to love and what criteria must first be met, and your response is to attack logic and how it discredits the Mosaic Law? I am sure that the hundreds of thousands of people who are hurt by the Governing Body's teachings regarding their own version of love must be thrilled that you got the point. Why, every day, people who are shunned or treated as outcasts by Jehovah's Witnesses thanks to their ridiculous teachings wake up and say "To bad this makes the Mosaic Law look cultish..." I expect a better retort then that. This sort of logic can only result in not believing in any of the arrangements setup by God. Right....So it is god (oops, lower case "g") who demands that we cannot trust anyone unless they worship Jehovah. And by pointing this out about Jehovah Witness teachings, this somehow discredits the thousands of other attempts by billions of people around the world to describe, explain, and worship God? These are not the arrangments of god. They are the arrangments of the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses. Big difference. They wrote that drama, they made that ridiculous statement in the drama, not me. By the way, do you intentionally place a lowercase "g" for God in your article? You've got me figured out. Clearly, one must have it be "God". Those who write "god" cannot possibly be telling the truth. No wonder you are a Jehovah's Witness! They write "God"! report abuse
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 written by John White , August 10, 2009 Dear Jeff, "thank you" for a great post. The response from Blueeyes54 is such a joke on so many levels and very condescending. Most JW's would just love ex-JW's to simply go away. 'Why is that?', any reasoning person would ask. The answer is simple: ex-JW's who learn about all the things that JW's aren't told internally (pedophilia cover-up, UN involvement, false prophecies, etc.) are a great threat to current JW's when the expose it. And good for them for doing so. I wish I was informed of these things beforehand. Thanks to all ex-JW's for revealing the "secrets" of this organization. There are so many sincere JW's out there - I was one. I am stumbled over the JW leaders for all that I have learned on the Internet. They are not who they say they are. What is interesting is that I have never met a JW apologist on the Internet who can successfully argue the points raised by ex-JW's. If they had the truth, wouldn't they be able to do that? report abuse
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 written by Kristina Berger , August 13, 2009 Great article Jeff! There is a reason why Blueeyes54 hides behind an ID and not post their name... lol.... I remember people like that.. glad I left....  smile report abuse
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 written by John-Paul , August 13, 2009 AllTimeJeff: First, I am not a Jehovah's Witness, but was raised one and have been searching recently. In my study of the Bible, I thought it first important to dedicate time to do personal study on the Hebrew Scriptures (or Old Testament). As you, and others, who often attack JW's on the theocratic structure like to do, is to place human (Westernized) thought and reasoning in the forefront of an argument. Since we are human, and most of us have westernized viewpoints indoctrinated into our perception, these attacks seem logical and appropriate. An extreme example of this would be in God telling Israel to kill every man, woman, child, animal, etc on their conquest of Palestine. To most of us today, that would seem to go very much against our sense of logic. There are countless other examples under the Mosaic Law which would seem to counter our sense of logic. My point is that for someone who believes in God, and thereby theocratic order, any argument based upon our sense of logic should be secondary to the aforementioned. Theocratic order transcends logic and western ideals. Your article lacks drawing attention to scriptures to make a compelling argument that one could expect to be truly loved by someone who does not love God. There are many biblical points which would seem to support what the WT is saying here, one being Job's friends and "comforters". Again, from a purely contemporary human standpoint, your article is very logical. But is it theocratic? report abuse
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written by AllTimeJeff , August 13, 2009 John-Paul Wow! I almost feel like just letting your post boil in its own nutritious juices. But I will say a couple of brief things, as I have no desire to dissuade you from what you wish to believe. "Since we are human, and most of us have westernized viewpoints indoctrinated into our perception, these attacks seem logical and appropriate. An extreme example of this would be in God telling Israel to kill every man, woman, child, animal, etc on their conquest of Palestine. To most of us today, that would seem to go very much against our sense of logic. There are countless other examples under the Mosaic Law which would seem to counter our sense of logic." Uh, yeah! If you think thats correct thinking, I have nothing to say to you on this score. And this GEM: "My point is that for someone who believes in God, and thereby theocratic order, any argument based upon our sense of logic should be secondary to the aforementioned. Theocratic order transcends logic and western ideals. Your article lacks drawing attention to scriptures to make a compelling argument that one could expect to be truly loved by someone who does not love God. There are many biblical points which would seem to support what the WT is saying here, one being Job's friends and "comforters". " Then my friend, you should probably ask for a study and get baptized as a JW. If you don't want to accept logic, and totally without question believe what JW's are selling, there isn't really any point in talking to you. It seems you disagree with me. report abuse
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written by John-Paul , August 18, 2009 AllTimeJeff: I think you are perhaps confusing the word logic with "fact". To "hear one's logic" on a particular topic does not mean they are stating something factual. Before humans began to think the earth was round (or a sphere), logic (such as "we don't seem to be walking on a curved surface") drove the current day belief that the earth was flat. Without a different perspective at that time, it was logical to conclude that the earth was, indeed, flat. When I say that your point seems very logical from the standpoint we as western contempararies would view it, I am not saying that you are correct - nor are my statements in conflict with themselves. It may seem oh so very petty to be breaking down our converstation this way, but the greater fact I am trying to get across is that you cannot apply our contemporary viewpoints to CREATE logical arguments that controvert a theocratic message. There are many theocratic edicts contained in the bible that should more greatly shock your logical senses than this statement by the Watchtower. My point may or may not be getting through, and like you, I don't care to "dissuade you from what you want to believe". report abuse
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written by AllTimeJeff , August 21, 2009 John-Paul As I stated before, you are certainly free to disagree, although I find your reasons to do so lacking. All your responses seem to be an effort to discredit "logic" without any reason whatsoever. You seem to sum up your own argument this way: "It may seem oh so very petty to be breaking down our converstation this way, but the greater fact I am trying to get across is that you cannot apply our contemporary viewpoints to CREATE logical arguments that controvert a theocratic message. There are many theocratic edicts contained in the bible that should more greatly shock your logical senses than this statement by the Watchtower. " I directly disagree with you. Just because we are some 2,000 years or more removed from biblical passages that the Governing Body uses to prop up their dogma does not mean that we cannot critically examine them, esp in the context of a modern day religion that uses ancient passages for modern dogma. It seems a bit disingenuous to say that we cannot use modern day thought and simple common sense to contradict what you call "theocratic", when on the other hand, the Governing Body uses their own modern day thought to create their dogma. Both lines of thought are based on an examination of the bible. The difference is only what one wants to believe. Both detractors and JW theists base their thoughts in this regard to a modern day examination of an ancient book. There is nothing theocratic (aka: god ruled) about it. Unless one was ready to concede that "god" in this case really is the Governing Body. Their is nothing theocratic about Jehovah's Witnesses, even though that word is part of the unique JW vocabulary. report abuse
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 written by Barbara K , September 02, 2009 Excellent article. The quoted words from the drama didn't strike me as being cultish initially, but in the way you broke it down you showed very well how controlling, isolating and cultish they in fact are. Thank you. I hope many JWs will read this and start to use their critical thinking skills. report abuse
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 written by Jesus Morales , September 24, 2009 I was actually one of the ones who cried when I watched that Drama. I was at that point thinking seriously and sincerely to go back after 14 years to the Organization. Those words made me think how really good the organization was. I think I cried the whole drama.... And then as I was going back home I started to think...wait a minute.. So if you dont love Jehovah you cant really love someone? That doesnt sound right, that sounds arrogant. The very next day I started my deep research on the Organization, and now 4 weeks later here I am Thanking Jeff for this article. No wonder why you got to be in Gilead. Maestro! I look forward on reading more from you. report abuse
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 written by Tam , October 29, 2009 Well done. What I personally find really disturbing about the title statement is that anyone sitting in the audience with an 'unbelieving' spouse was basically told that their mate does not really love them. How sad. I'm disfellowshipped but I still care deeply for many of my former friends, some of whom have 'worldly' husbands. The hardest part for me is that while this statement is so obviously wrong, my friends were probably sitting there oblivious to the darker meaning behind it as no doubt I would have been a few years ago myself. I make it a personal policy to not live with regrets, but I have to say that if I could pick one it would be that I didn't take the time to question this religion properly when I was younger. Knowing what I know now is very liberating and my life has changed in so many positive ways, but thinking that I could have had this feeling when I was in my youth makes me sad at times. I would strongly urge anyone who is on this website and questioning Witness doctrine to take some time and 'prove for yourselves' what the truth really is. Trust me, it's worth it. report abuse
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 written by cinnamon , March 14, 2010 Jeffrey, That statement----> "There are no friends, no people that you can love or trust, unless they serve and follow OUR god." is the reason why it took me 13 years to figure out why I couldn't have meaningful relationships when I left (ok, pushed out)the JW as a teenager. It took a mental breakdown for me to piece together what was going on. I'm not mad at all because I'm grateful I figured out WHY. Now the healing can begin. Yes, there are bad people out there but there are good people too. I'm just glad that my SO is a very, very patient man. Also, thankyou for articulating what I try to explain to him. Keep these posts coming. report abuse
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This quote, taken from the drama of the 2009 District Convention this year, is startling to me in what it reveals about Jehovah's Witnesses. In reality this quote isn't some kind of unearthed spiritual revelation, it is a demand. It is a standard, and it reveals all anyone wants to know about how judgmental the Governing Body indoctrinates its members to be.
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