Reading the article and then the following postings is very interesting. Everyone seems to be very strong in his/her opinions on such subjects. Some rules of life that I try to remember to live by are simply; what you see can be manipuated (pictures), what you hear will always be told with the other persons twist, what you read is a direct result of someone else’s opinion including the bible, what does that leave you with? Well, hopefully you have a sound enough mind to deciper what little truth is out there and make good judgement calls on life issues, if not then you will probably join a religious institution of some sort and have them give you your answers. Whatever your status is with life remember that it is your life and your choice, be happy with them. And if you are the person who needs guidance I strongly suggest researching ALL religions and ALL philosophies to help you with making life decisions, it is very important, that way 10 years down the road you are not playing the blame game and you made the choice with eyes wide open, and yes even I know that you can be tricked into a way of thinking, but remember you can make your own decisions and you can change your choices along the way, it isn’t that big of a deal. If you are a member of some sort of a religion and they make the consequences of using your own free will to much to handle for example you will lose your family, friends or money then figure out what is worse and take that step, trust me if you choose to stay and your miserable you are not helping yourself if you choose to get out and your miserable get back in who cares, family & friends die or change, life goes on. Be happy and live well.

no, drink the koolaid!

this article says nothing about the jw’s being associated with catholisim. we know that they are different. all other churches are a part of christendom which put any other church as opposed to what jw’s believe

All I can say to all the JW’s is don’t drink the Koolaid.

Yeah, we’re all scared of your 6th grade education man. The bible is the worst written hodge podge of literature ever published. Besides the bible, you’re next highest literary material are comic books published by watchtower…there’s more truth in spiderman comics

Your JWs are slippery like eels. I hope you’re cult gets the crap sued out of them over the pedophile cases building up. I doubt if you’ll be welcome at people’s homes after that.

the writer of this article is rather shallow minded, the kindom good new has to be preached and so so many work has to be done.

This necessitate the constructionf new buildings. Isn’t this simple enough?.

a deserning person should be able to see this.

What arrogance you demonstrate to pretend you are chosen by “god”. You are being manipulated by the great
god “PROFIT” as distinct from prophet.
To put it reaaly simply ( bit like JW) you are being RIPPED OFF.

The Jehovahs Witnesses are NOT a part of the Catholic Church. They are an independant religion and their beleifs differ greatly from the Catholics.

Hi:
There is always a big deal made about the brothers and sisters at Bethel don’t get paid. They may not get a salary but everything is paid for them by the Watchtower Society. Why would they need a paycheque? When Brother Albert Schroeder came to Toronto in 1993 for a District Convention, the convention was held at the Skydome (now known as the Rogers Centre). There is a hotel in the Skydome called the Skydome Hotel (maybe the name has changed by now of this hotel). Brother Schroeder, his wife, his son and daughter in law all stayed at this beautiful hotel-all at the expense of Kingdom publisher donations. I don’t see the Watchtower Society helping the hundreds of thousands of full-time pioneers (full-time evangelists) with their living expenses. The Society is building big, beautiful buildings to house Bethel members, who live in luxury. Meanwhile, there are many Kingdom publishers worldwide who don’t even have enough to eat when they go to bed at night. I would know, I have been all over the world to see it. There are hundreds of thousands of Witnesses who don’t even have a Kingdom Hall to worship in. Yet the Society continues to build big, beautiful branch offices. Why don’t they take some of this money and build Kingdom Halls in many of these third world countries? I”ll tell you why. The Society is selfish materially and takes care of Bethel members and to hell with all of the other publishers. They are no better than many other religions in this respect. So who are they to call other religions ” Babylon the Great” when the Witnesses are just as bad when it comes to how they spend consecrated funds?

If we are really speaking of being educated, then we would be looking for fact and not speculations. If anyone wanted to know financial information about non profit organizations, you simply have to look in the right place. It’s all available to the public. If you really are bothered with people living with other people’s money then you would want to find out were all this money goes to. If it goes to the pockets of the members or if it is used for the good of others.

Any charity or non profit organization has to declare how much of the money goes to the members in the form of an income. If the JW’s are getting rich from money donated to them, then they must each have an income that is declared to the government.

Many leaders in other religions get a pay cheque, while none of the leaders in JW’s are paid. It is done voluntarily and no money goes to their pocket.

Whoever wrote that they have to imitate Jesus’ example is right. They do, for just like Jesus didn’t make a penny from those who followed him, so do the JW’s who are leading the rest.

You want to be educated and not make assumptions, find the reasons why by asking the right people with the right information. Not someone like yourself who doesn’t have the answers. That’s why we go to University or Colleges. We don’t ask other students, we ask the professors, sometimes they don’t have all the answers, so we keep looking for those educated in the topic.

For example, if you have an illness you go to your doctor, not to a friend. If that doctor doesn’t have a solution for you, you get a second opinion until you find the one experienced enough to give a solution for your illness. It would be uneducated of us to settle for the first answer we get. We all have the right to question things, but we should be educated enough, when we ask them. Also, don’t settle for an answer that you are wanting to hear, if it doesn’t fit with your opinion it doesn’t make the answer wrong.

If you really want to ask this question, do what I did and ask a Jehovah’s Witness.

If you look in other organizations, you would be surprised to find out that some of the Church Leaders make a good six figures a year. Now, that makes me wonder, who is the one that is really leaving in luxury? I’m pretty sure that most middle class people don’t make this kind of money.

Joe said -Why does the governing body live in luxury apartments, and travel around in luxury vehicles. They should live in moderate homes(humility), why luxury. Could someone answer this for me?

Answer:

The Governing body live in the Bethel building’s just like the rest of the Bethelites. Go visit the Branch in NY, and ask and see for yourself.

Joe Smith, they (jw’s) are supposed to follow Jesus example, therefore why not ride an ass (donkey)instead of driving luxury cars!
Besides, isn’t driving cars a worldly thing?

Sadly enough, as long as there are uneducated people who will not put their children through school so that they can send their money to the WT these guys will drive luxury cars and live in beautiful apartments.

Why does the governing body live in luxury apartments, and travel around in luxury vehicles. They should live in moderate homes(humility), why luxury. Could someone answer this for me?

No one will stop and shut down Jehovah’s People, nor stop their preaching. All efforts will fail. Not even a Billion website against them will stop the God’s chosen people.

It was me that quoted those scriptures from Luke 12: 49-53. Not Mike!

Mike, dont you worry, you will come back (under your other name, Anonymous).
A seed of doubt has been planted in you.
YOu must have doubts, otherwise you would not be in here!

Mike, Very good advice to the brothers and sisters that come and check this site. Just keep the blind-folders on the donkeys a little while longer and prevent them from finding the truth themselves. Keep feeding them the unhealthy burger while there is good stake (Filigminon) out there.

Mike, how much longer are you going to fool yourself about the donations and free magazines? If you are a JW you very well know that at every presentation at the door, you give the magazine as free of charge and than ask the householder to make a donation.
Can you not figure it out that most of us here were JW’s for many many years. We know the drill.

“People who work this site will perish in the great day of the lord god almighty bla bla bla bla.” Are you trying to scare us, you idiot?? Would that be the great day? The great day that was supposed to happen in 1914? Or would that be the 1925? No, perhaps you are talking about 1975? Or, would that be the generation that saw the events of 1914. Yes, the end is coming, all the time for those who die. But, as for you don’t hold your breath too long about the great day of God the almighty; you might just turn blue before it happens.

Jehovah’s Witnesses have given so many dates that we don’t know what to believe anymore.
If the first president of the Watchtower came today he would have been disfellowshipped , after all the religion is started is no longer applied today.

Do yourself a favor, read the bible daily (not the crappy magazines printed by the WT) as for magazines such as Watchtower and Awake just send them to Iraq, yes, as weapons of mass destruction!

Ps. You called us judgmental. You should read your post (October 24th, 2005 at 9:52 am) to see who is the judge here.

Gee, I didn’t realize that someone who claims to know anything about the scriptures of Jehovah could be so judgmental. What absolute, total, and pure ignorance you are trying to preach.
And to whoever said we JW’s know nothing about love and forgiveness? Oh my. Oh my. I have never been so exposed to love and forgiveness as I am now.
I will also admit that there are occasions where certain brothers and sisters ask for donation for the worldwide work, the reason being to give learned students an opportunity to spread the Good News of the Kingdom to those not having the opportunity to get it from your so-worthy religious sects like the Catholics.
And who is the richest organisation in the world? The roman catholic church of course! Quite likely they are funding this iste.
Shame on you all for attempting to stop the Good News from being preached.
I’d quote some Scriptures but it’s obvious it falls on the deaf ears of Satan workers such as yourselves.
I will pray for all of you. Look to see me no more.
ANY BROTHERS OR SISTERS CHECKING THIS SITE NEED TO SHUT IT DOWN NOW!!!
And never return, stay with what your doing, you know in your hearts that it’s right and that is what Jehovah sees in all people. Their heart condition.
The people who work this site will perish in the Great Day of the Lord God Almighty unless they change. It’s not too late people…it’s not too late.
Look to see me no more.

With brotherly love and forgiveness,

Mike from Canada

I’m sorry, that was taken from: Luke 12:49-53

Dave said,
“If this is the true religon how come it creates so much pain.”

Jesus answers your question:

49 “I came to start a fire on the earth, and what more is there for me to wish if it has already been lighted? 50 Indeed, I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and how I am being distressed until it is finished! 51 Do YOU imagine I came to give peace on the earth? No, indeed, I tell YOU, but rather division. 52 For from now on there will be five in one house divided, three against two and two against three. 53 They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against [her] mother, mother-in-law against [her] daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against [her] mother-in-law.”

This website is awsome. For so long I’ve had all these same feelings that you people are talking about. I was brought up as a JW. never understood a single thing,theonlyhing I knew was that I had better Get baptized if I want to live. I thought that I’d be dead by now. The things they teach a scaring to children. I still get that sick feeling in the pit of my stomach when I see a watchtower or awake at my moms house, and I got Kicked out 10 years ago. If this is the true religon how come it creates so much pain. i think its been geared this way from the start! how come its not right when one religon changes the bible but its ok when the JWs do it. how come its disgusting when a catholic molestes a child but the poor kids need 2 witnesses to even go to the elders. The last time I checked pedafiles didn’t like audiences!!!!!!!!!! All these molestation cases just coming out now probubly have been going on since russel was the pres. Iknow for a fact it happened to my sister 20 to 25 years ago. Its discusting that they would rather sacrifice our kids thatn risk blemishing , not the name of god but there reputation.And as far as that guy saying something about the books being open to the public, the congragations I used to go to had at least 150 people in it. even if 75 people gave 5 dollars a week for year thats still 19,500 x 60 diffrent halls on long island ( maybe more) well you do the math co cheese

Fri – It makes sense to me. The money is being used to print Literature.

The Literature is free in the sense that, If someone wants it they can have it at no charge.

My point is takes alot of money to provide all of the literature to Millions of people.

What other church group will offer all of their labor free of charge?
Tax free? That apply to alot of non-profit groups.

Bill — are you that naive?? They don’t provide any literature free! Who do you think is paying for all those magazines, books videos……, Jehovah god, Jesus and the angels???

If they give all those magazines free of charge how come they make over a billion dollars every year in profit???

It is time for you to wake up and smell the kingdom hall!

You are so brain washed!

Hay BILL: YOU ARE FORGETTING THEY HAVE ALL FREE LABOR AND TAX FREE ON EVERY MOVE THEY MAKE. Look at all the money that rolls in when they get a new convert by telling them they are “JEHOVAH’S” people. How many times have you dropped a five dollar bill or a ten in the w.w.w. box? How many dollars do you drop in for the world wide work? When you get a gift for the world wide work when you take money from the public, where does it go? Don’t you put it in the w.w.w. box at the hall? Here, again, check how much money comes in, and how much money goes out? Check and see who the richest organization is, in brooklyn?

How much money would you need to provide millions of magazines, Books, Bibles, Videos for the Deaf, Brail & audio CD’s & tapes for the blind? Not only for over 6 million active witnesses, but for the public in general?

Millions? Billions of Dollars?

What other organization spends this much effort to provide spiritual food for mankind FREE of charge?

Sound like God’s people to me.

DEAR MIKE: YOU HAVE A LOT TO LEARN ABOUT THE W.T.B.T.S. IF YOU WANT TO CONTINUE TO BE OF THE RANK AND FILE OF THIS CULT, DON’T TELL THEM YOU WERE ON THE INTERNET, TALKING TO US TERRIBLE APOSTATES. YOU SEE, EVERYONE WHO DISAGREES WITH THEM ARE APOSTATES. THOSE NEW HIGH-RISES ALONG THE HUDSON ARE BEING BUILT BY THEIR FREE LABOR FORCE TO SELL, NOT TO HOUSE FREE PRINTERS. THEY TOLD EVERYONE THAT THEY WERE GOING TO FARM OUT A LOT OF THEIR PRINTING, DON’T YOU REMEMBER, THAT? JUST WHAT HAVE THEY SAID OR DONE, THAT MAKES YOU THINK THEY ARE DOING JEHOVAH’S WILL. THEY BUILT BIG NEW HOUSES BEFORE IN SAN DIEGO, AND LIVED IN THEM, WAITING FOR THE FAITHFUL MEN OF OLD TO COME BACK AND LIVE IN. WE ARE APOSTATES TO THE W.T.B.T.S. BUT NOT TO JEHOVAH. IF YOU ARE CONNECTED WITH THE CULT, YOU ARE AN APOSTATE TO JEHOVAH. THINK AGAIN, AND LISTEN TO SOME OF THE THINGS YOU READ ON THE INTERNET AND YOU WILL BE FAR BETTER OFF.

Zerw1n,
Bitter? Who sounds bitter, exjw or jw? I never proclaimed to know better but only pointing out to what I know or should I say, can see! As for loving our neighbors, we do just that, at least I do! I still talk to all the witnesses I know, now the question is do they talk to us? Jesus lived his life and ministry by 2 things: LOVE and FORGIVNESS. Can they (jw) show either? I committed no crime! There was abuse in my congregation that was brought to the attention of the elders. What did they do? They covered it up for over 3 years (the abuse still going on during those 3 years) When I finally could not tolerate it anymore I got the circuit overseer (Darrel M.) involved and the judicial committee was finally put together. What was the result you might ask? Well, the abuser put on a great show (cried a lot, after all this had worked before with the elder) and was readily forgiven once more. Silent reproof was the punishment! That means the abuser can go on abuse other people and no one will ever know. I certainly could not agree with the other elders. I got up from the judicial committee and vowed never to return again. I certainly could not be part of such a covering up. I wrote letters to my colleges at the kingdom hall as well as the WT, as I could not be part of it anymore. Now, I ask you again, what crime or sin did I committee for them not to speak with me? Going for the truth! Is that a crime? Apparently with the jw it is.
So mate, when it comes to give us counsel to love “thy neighbor as thyself” I think you comments would serve a better purpose if you were able to taught jw that.

Now read again what you wrote: “”I invite members to look at it from a different perspective for 5 minutes. And if you think it has brought out good fruit and has helped more people, then it is of Jehova and move on. But if you find a string of doubt and find that you see that more lives are destroyed than strengthened, then maybe, just maybe, you’re wrong. That’s my 10 cents. God bless.””

Well your 5 minutes are up, as for you 10cents; they are not worth a dime! Not to me anyway.

Let us (ex-JWs) not sound so bitter. Since we proclaim to know better we shouldn’t try and put one over our fellow man. Our ex-bros and sizters in the organization are still our “neighbors”, and we have to “love thy neighbor as thyself”. We can simply tell them how we see things now that we’re out of of the organization. I was inactive for almost 15 years. (My mom and two brothers remain active to this day. ) The elders have sort of forgotten me so to speak. But when I announced that I would be getting married to a non-member and that I would be baptized in another faith, they rushed to contact and speak to me to try and convince me back. After I have made clear that I have made up my mind, they decided to excommunicate me. From the article above, the scandals and issues currently facing JWs, the allegations, etc. I invite members to look at it from a different perspective for 5 minutes. And if you think it has brought out good fruit and has helped more people, then it is of Jehova and move on. But if you find a string of doubt and find that you see that more lives are destroyed than strengthened, then maybe, just maybe, you’re wrong. That’s my 10 cents. God bless.

Mike, you are such a hypocrite! The only financial reports you know about is the one at the kingdom hall that tells you all the expenses and receivables for the kingdom hall and mentions the money donated to the Watchtower. The financial books for the Watchtower are not for you to sink you teeth on. After all, I was in charge of the accounts for the kingdom hall and I know it. So, who are you trying to fool, yourself??
Your are brainwashed just as I once was (when I was part of the Org).

By the way, you do not offer publications free! Most of us were once just like you (part of the Org) and we know how it all works. (Would you kindly consider giving a donation for the worldwide work?)

As for “following the mob”, that is what you people do! 12 (wolves) do the thinking and the other 6 million (sheep) just follow along, and you better. If you complain, you will be told not to cause divisions and wait on Jehovah.
By the way, Jesus based his life and ministry on two things: Love and forgiveness! Unfortunately the Jw’s do not know either.

We choose not to use the web. After all, look at the lies that this very website feeds people. I have been educated in all religions and for the first time in my life, I can say that I have peace of heart. That’s an awful lot considering the sick world we live in.
We are given regular updated financial reports which gives us all monies in and all monies out.
That includes the main headquarters.
Don’t be so ignorant as to think that you’ll find truth on the internet. It’s just another tool of Satan to deceive people such as yourself who have chosen to remain blind to the truth.
Maybe the info you seek is on the web. Go to the REAL Watchtower site and take a look for the appropriate Watchtower.
Better still, speak to a brother or sister in your area regarding your concerns and you might be surprised as to what they will divulge.
Take some of your net time as well to seek out some publications we offer, FREE!
There’s one that tells you all about our organization and how you can get more information.
Or is it just easier to ‘follow the mob’ and remain blind to the ‘real truth’.
You’re right, what a terrible waste of a mind…yours.
May you go in peace and with my love and with the honest hope that you find what you’re looking for.
We hide nothing. Just as the Scriptures tell us, we will be persecuted for our belief in the truth.
So, thank you once again for helping us move closer to the great day of the LORD, Jehovah God.

With Brotherly Love, Mike

There is still a lot of work to be done. The extra buildings house equipment and people solely engaged in spreading the good news of the Kingdom as we read in Matthew 24:14. We are in 235 + lands and witness in over 400 languages. How many other religions work like we Witnesses do to fulfill that prophecy of “The Good News will be preached in all the nations as a witness and then the end will come.” The extra space is being put to use for this purpose and this purpose only. If you wish, why don’t you go and take a tour of the facilities? You are more than welcome as we have nothing to hide. Every brother and sister in the organisation(not “cult”) has the financial books opened to them on a regular basis.
Do you realize that I give very little and yet am fully welcomed into the fold? The scriptures tell you that “Let each one do just as he has resolved in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2Cor. 9:7
Every piece of material they have has been given to me free and I have never, NEVER been asked to exact money from those whom I give our material to.
As far as your letters and comments, the Bible, Jehovah’s Word, also tells us that Jesus Christ told us, “Then people will deliver you up to tribulation and will kill YOU and YOU will be objects of hatred by all the nations on account of my name.”
That is what YOU are doing so on behalf of myself and all the brothers and sisters of Jehovah’s visible organisation, I thank YOU all for helping me to be a part of prophecy being fulfilled. ) God bless YOU all, despite YOUR ignorance and hypocrisy.

Mike, a very happy member of Jehovah’s Witnesses

THIS COMMENT IS FOR MAVIS. IN MY CASE MY WIFE AND I HAD REAL PROBLEMS BECAUSE OF THE CULT AND WE HAD TWO KIDS. I LEFT AND TOOK THE KIDS AND MY FATHER TOLD ME TO STAY WITH HER IT WOULD BE BETTER FOR OUR FAMILY SO I GAVE IT A WHIRL. I TRIED AND MET SOME GOOD PEOPLE. I WAS TAUGHT ABOUT JEHOVAH BEING OUR CREATOR AND THOUGHT THAT I WAS UNDER HIS GUIDANCE. MORE AND MORE I WAS SWAYED TO THE W.T.B.T.S.’S THINKING. THEY MADE ME A BIG SHOT RIGHT AWAY AND I HAD RESPONSIBILITY BEYOND COMPARE. BEFORE I KNEW IT, I WAS CONVINCED THAT JEHOVAH WAS GUIDING THEM. THEN AFTER MANY YEARS I FOUND OUT HOW THEY TREATED PEDOPHILES AND I RESENTED THAT, AND THEN THE PART THEY PLAYED WITH THE U.N. WAS ANOTHER OBJECTION. I STARTED TO LOOK DEEPER INTO WHAT THEY WERE TEACHING AND FOUND A CULT IN FULL SWING. THE MORE I LOOKED THE MORE I FOUND. IF YOU ARE A REAL STABLE PERSON IN THE GREAT CULT, TRY LETTING THEM FIND OUT YOU ARE QUESTIONING THEM AND FIND OUT WHAT THEY DO. THERE ARE A LOT OF OTHER THINGS THAT HAPPENED BUT DO NOT HAVE SPACE HERE TO TELL YOU HOW BAD THE W.T.B.T.S. CAN BE. CHECK THE INTERNET AND YOU WILL FIND DOCUMENTED PROOF. HAVE YOU FOUND OUT WHAT THEY DO TO PEOPLE WHO GO ON THE INTERNET?

the two persons that commented before me, this is for you. how comes u stayed with the organisation so long 42 and 35 years strange u werent bound with chains, no body forced u in the first place. u were inspired to be apart of it that u stayes for so long. both of u learnt about paradise, u enjoyed the facillities when they were beautiful and luxurious. nothing is wrong with building and improving. it may be the last days but nobody would be comfortable to sit for hours in a pig sty of a facillity. people are leaving, being kicked out. but there are honesthearted, wholehearted individuals who has no problem comforming to some rules and regulation. Rules and regulation will be in the new world and people will have to conform. why not practice now. Good thing both of u r out u would be a spoilage for the newly restored earth.

I AM TOTALLY IN HARMONY WITH THE COMMENT BEFORE MINE AND MY 47-YEARS OF FAITHFUL SERVICE TO THE CULT GAVE THEM MANY DOLLARS THAT I COULD HAVE HELPED OTHERS WITH. THEY ARE DOING THINGS NOW THAT REVEAL THEIR TRUE IDENTITY. THEY ARE HANGING THEMSELVES THE SAME WAY THEY ARE DOING IN WANTING TO SUE PETER MOSIER. THANKYOU FOR LETTING ME COMMENT AND YOUR WEB SITE IS GREAT.