Over the past 90 days, this site—Beroean Pickets – JW.org Reviewer—has had over 11,000 users opening 33,000 sessions. There were almost 1,000 page views of the most recent article on the Memorial. Over the same period of time, the Beroean Pickets Archive has been visited by over 5,000 users opening over 10,000 sessions. Of course, numbers are not a measure of God's blessing, but it can be encouraging, as it was to Elijah, to learn that you are not alone. (Romans 11:1-5)
As we look back on where we have been, the next logical question is, where are we going?
Jehovah’s Witnesses—and members of most other religions, whether Christian or otherwise—cannot conceive of any form of worship being acceptable to God unless made within the framework of some religious group. Such thinking stems from the idea that worship of God is achieved through works, formal practices, or ritualistic procedures. This overlooks the fact that for about half of human existence, the only form of organized religious worship involved the worship of demons. Abel, Enoch, Noah, Job, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob did very nicely on their own, thank you very much.
The Greek word most translated as "worship" in English is proskuneó, which means “to kiss the ground when prostrating before a superior”. What this refers to is complete and unconditional obedience. Such a level of obedience should never be granted to sinful men, as they are unworthy of it. Only our Father, Jehovah, merits such worship/obedience. That is why the angel rebuked John when, overcome with awe at what he saw, he performed an inappropriate act of proskuneó:
At that I fell down before his feet to worship him. But he tells me: “Be careful! Do not do that! All I am is a fellow slave of you and of your brothers who have the work of witnessing to Jesus. Worship God; for the bearing witness to Jesus is what inspires prophesying.” (Revelation 19:10)
There is little from J.F. Rutherford's body of work with which I can agree, but the title of this article is one notable exception. In 1938, "The Judge" launched a new preaching campaign with the theme: “Religion is a snare and a racket. Serve God and Christ the King.”
The moment we subscribe to some particular brand of Christianity, we are no longer worshipping God. We must now accept the commands of our religious leaders who claim to speak for God. Who we hate and who we love, who we tolerate and who we eradicate, who we support and who we trample on, is all now determined by men with their own sinful agenda. What we have is the very thing that Satan sold to Eve: Human rule, this time clothed in the robes of piety. In the name of God, man has dominated man to his injury. (Ecclesiastes 8:9)
If you want to get away with doing something that is wrong, one successful tactic has proven to be: to condemn the very thing you practice, while extolling the very thing you fail to do. Rutherford condemns religion as "a snare and a racket" while urging people to "serve God and Christ the King". Yet this campaign was launched after he had carefully worked to craft a religion of his very own. In 1931, he created it under the brand name “Jehovah’s Witnesses” by consolidating the Bible Student Associations still affiliated with the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society into a single entity with himself as their leader.[i] Then in 1934, he created a clergy/laity distinction by dividing the congregation into an anointed clergy class and a laity Other Sheep class.[ii] Thus the two elements he used to condemn all religion were integrated into his own brand. How so?
What is a snare?
A snare is defined as “a trap for catching birds or animals, typically one having a noose of wire or cord.” Essentially, a snare deprives a creature of its freedom. This is the case with religion. One’s conscience, one’s freedom of choice, becomes subservient to the dictates and rules of the religion to which one subscribes.
Jesus said the truth will set us free. But what truth? The context reveals:
“Then Jesus went on to say to the Jews who had believed him: ‘If you remain in my word, you are really my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’” (John 8:31, 32)
We must remain in his word! So, accepting teachings of men rather than teachings of Christ will lead to enslavement to men. Only if we follow the Christ, and only the Christ, can we be truly free. Religion, which puts a man (or men) in a position of authority over us, severs that direct connection with the Christ as leader. Thus, religion is a snare, because it deprives us of that essential freedom.
What is a racket?
The definitions that apply to Rutherford’s anti-religion campaign are:
- A fraudulent scheme, enterprise, or activity
- A usually illegitimate enterprise made workable by bribery or intimidation
- An easy and lucrative means of livelihood.
We’ve all heard the term ‘racketeering’ used to describe the protection rackets which criminal gangs are known for. Essentially, you have to pay them money or bad things will happen to you. Would it not be accurate to say that religion has its own version of racketeering? Being told you will burn in hell if you do not submit to papal and cleric authority is but one example. Fear of eternal death at Armageddon if one leaves the Organization is the JW equivalent of that. Additionally, one is induced to support the organization or church financially as a way of paving the road to salvation. The purpose of any gift of funds, however, should be made willingly and with the purpose of helping the needy, not enriching the clergy. Jesus, who did not even have a place to lay his head, warned us about such men and told us that we would be able to identity them by their works. (Matthew 8:20; 7:15-20)
For example, the Organization of Jehovah's Witnesses now owns billions of dollars worth of real estate worldwide. Every one of the tens of thousands of properties built with the funds and by the hands of local brothers and sisters, whether we are talking about Kingdom and assembly halls, or branch office and translation facilities, is wholly owned by the corporation, by headquarters.
One might argue that we need things like Kingdom halls so that we can meet together. Fair enough—though the point is arguable—but why are they no longer owned by the people who built them and paid for them? Why the need to seize control as was done back in 2013 when ownership of all such properties worldwide was passed from local congregations to JW.org? Kingdom halls are now being sold at an unprecedented rate, but were a congregation to attempt to block such a sale, as was the case in the Menlo Park Congregation a few years back, they would come to understand racketeering at a very personal level.
Organized Religion?
But surely all this only applies to organized religion?
Is there any other kind?
Some might suggest I’m putting too fine a point on this by including all religion in the mix. They would suggest that organized religion may well apply to Rutherford’s critique, but that it is possible to practice religion without it being organized under human rulership.
Please don’t misunderstand me. I recognize that some level of organization is necessary in any endeavor. First-century Christians made arrangements to gather in private homes “to incite one another to love and fine works”. (Hebrews 10:24, 25)
The problem is religion itself. The organization of a religion just follows naturally as night follows day.
“But isn’t religion at its most fundamental, just worship of God?” you may ask.
One might conclude that when viewing the dictionary definition:
re·li·gion (rəˈlijən)
noun
- the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods.
- a particular system of faith and worship.
- a pursuit or interest to which someone ascribes supreme importance.
The thing to remember is that this definition is created based on the use to which the word is put in popular culture. This is not the Bible definition. For instance, James 1:26, 27 is often rendered using the word “religion”, but what is it really saying?
“If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. 27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” (James 1:26, 27 ESV)
The Greek word used here is thréskeia which means: “ritual worship, religion, worship as expressed in ritual acts”. It seems as if James is gently mocking those who take great pride in their piety, their religious observance, by defining the word in ways that have nothing to do with formalism nor ritual. He’s saying in effect: “You think you know what religion is? You think your formal acts win God’s approval? Let me tell you something. They’re all worthless. What counts is how you treat those in need and the morality you practice free from Satanic influence.”
Is not the goal of all this to get back to the Garden, as it were? To return to the idyllic relationship that Adam and Eve had before they rebelled? Did Adam engage in formalistic or ritualistic worship of Jehovah? No. He walked with God and talked with God on a daily basis. His relationship was that of a son with a Father. His worship was only the reverence and obedience that a loyal son owes to a loving Father. It’s all about family, not places of worship, nor complex belief systems, nor convoluted rituals. These really have no value in pleasing our heavenly Father.
The moment we start down that path, we have to get “organized”. Somebody has to call the shots. Somebody has to be in charge. The next thing you know, men are in charge and Jesus is pushed to one side.
Our Goal
When I started up the first site, www.meletivivlon.com, my intention was only to find other like-minded Jehovah’s Witnesses who were unafraid of doing real Bible research. At that point in time, I still believed that we were the one true organization on earth. As that changed and as I slowly awakened to the reality of the situation, I came to encounter many others who were sharing my journey. The site slowly transformed from a Bible research site into something more, a place for fellow Christians to share encouragement and find solace in the knowledge that they were no longer alone in this traumatic journey of awakening.
I made the original site into an archive because it was named after my alias, Meleti Vivlon. I was concerned that could lead some to conclude it was all about me. I could have simply changed the name of the URL but then all the valuable search engine links to the various articles would have failed and it would become difficult to find the site. So I chose to create a new site without the alias being part of the name.
I recently revealed my given name, Eric Michael Wilson, when I started releasing the videos. I did that because I felt that it was a way to help my personal JW friends to take a stand. A number of them have awakened, in part, because I did. If you've known, trusted, and respected someone for a long time, and then learn they've rejected as false, teachings they formerly promoted, you are not so likely to dismiss them out of hand. You will want to know more.
This is not to say that I no longer answer to Meleti Vivlon, which is a Greek transliteration for “Bible Study”. I've grown fond of the name, since it identifies whom I have become. Saul became Paul, and Abram became Abraham, and though I don't measure myself beside them, I don’t mind still being called Meleti. It means something special to me. Eric is also okay. It does mean “Kingly” which is the hope we all share, is it not? And as for Michael, well…who can complain about having that name? I only hope I can live up to all the names I’ve been given or have taken on. Perhaps our Lord will give us all new names when that wondrous day arrives.
Just let me state once again that the purpose of these sites is not to start a new religion. Jesus told us how to worship our Father and that information is 2,000 years old. There is no reason to go beyond that. That was the other part of Rutherford's campaign slogan I can agree with: "Serve God and Christ the King!" As you find other like-minded Christians in your area, you can join with them, meeting in private homes as the first-century Christians did. However, you must always resist the temptation to appoint a king over you. The Israelites failed that test and look what that led to. (1 Samuel 8:10-19)
Admittedly, some have to take charge in any group to maintain order. However, that is a far cry from becoming a leader. (Matthew 23:10) One way to avoid human leadership is to have round-table Bible readings and discussions where all have the right to speak up and question. It’s okay to have questions we cannot answer, but it is not acceptable to have answers that we cannot question. If someone gives a talk to share his or her research, the talk should be followed by a Q&A in which he or she is prepared to back up whatever findings are promoted.
Does what follows sound like a congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses?
But he said to them: “The kings of the nations lord it over them, and those having authority over them are called Benefactors. 26 You, though, are not to be that way. But let the one who is the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the one taking the lead as the one ministering. 27 For which one is greater, the one dining or the one serving? Is it not the one dining? But I am among you as the one serving. (Luke 22:25-27)
Anyone "taking the lead among you" is subject to the will of the congregation. (Hebrews 13:7) This is not democracy but as close as we can get to theocracy in this system of things, for the true congregation is led by the spirit of God. Consider that when the 12th apostle was sought, the 11 asked the entire congregation to make a selection. (Acts 1:14-26) Can you imagine the Governing Body of today doing such a thing? And again when the role of Ministerial Servant was created, the apostles asked the congregation to find the men that would be appointed. (Acts 6:3)
The Accounts
What does any of this have to do with donations?
The purpose of religion is to enrich and empower those in the lead. Money is a big part of this. Just look at the trappings of the Vatican, or to a lessor extent, Warwick. This is not what Christ established. Nevertheless, little can be done without monetary support. So how to draw the line between the proper and judicious use of funds to support the preaching of the Good News and the inappropriate use of same to enrich men?
The only way I can think of is to be transparent. Of course, we must protect the names of donors since we do not seek praise of men when donating. (Matthew 6:3, 4)
I’m not going to give you a detailed chart of accounts, mostly because there is not one. All I have is the listing of donations and expenses from the PayPal account.
For the year of 2017, we received via PayPal a total of US$6,180.73 and spent US$5,950.60, leaving $230.09. The money was used to pay for the monthly dedicated server rental and backup service which is US$159 per month, or $1,908 per year. There were expenses paid to technical personnel to configure and modify settings on the server, and handle the occasional problems that came up in closing security loopholes. (That is expertise beyond my level of knowledge.) Additionally, we spent money to buy video equipment. My living room looks like a studio with umbrella lights, mic stands and tripods everywhere. It’s a pain to set up and take down every time someone visits, but I only have 750 sq. ft. so “whatcha gonna do?”
We used other funds for online meeting software, VPN security, and software development tools. No money was taken by anyone for personal use, but only to cover expenses directly related to managing and maintaining the site. Fortunately, the three founding members all have jobs which are sufficient for us to live.
If funds come in that surpass our monthly expenditures, we will use them to extend the quantity and reach of our printed and on-line presence, to get the word out there faster and better. Before we do anything major, we will submit the idea to the community of those who have helped fund the work so all feel their monies are being put to good use.
If someone would be willing to donate their time and expertise to manage our accounts, it would not only be appreciated, but would make next year's report more precise and informative.
All this is said under the proviso of “If The Lord Wills”, of course.
I would like to extend sincere and heartfelt thanks from all of us who founded the sites to all of you who have so generously helped us keep afloat. I feel that the pace of awakening will quicken, and that we will soon be facing a groundswell of new ones looking for spiritual stability (and maybe a bit of therapy) as they adjust to life free of the decades-long indoctrination to which we've all been subject.
May the Lord continue to bless us and give us the energy, time and means to carry out his work.
_____________________________________________
[i] By some reports, only a quarter of the Bible Student groups were still affiliated with Rutherford by 1931. This is attributed in large part to such things as his promotion of the purchase of War Bonds in 1918, the failure of the “Millions Now Living Will Never Die” 1925 prediction, and evidence of his autocratic manner.
[ii] “Be it noted that the obligation is laid upon the priestly class to do the leading or reading of the law of instruction to the people. Therefore, where there is a company of Jehovah’s witnesses…the leader of a study should be selected from amongst the anointed, and likewise those of the service committee should be taken from the anointed….Jonadab was there as one to learn, and not one who was to teach….The official organization of Jehovah on earth consists of his anointed remnant, and the Jonadabs [other sheep] who walk with the anointed are to be taught, but not to be leaders. This appearing to be God’s arrangement, all should gladly abide thereby.” (w34 8/15 p. 250 par. 32)
Archived Comments
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Comment by lost in space on 2018-03-23 21:38:07
Thank you for the frank and humble discussion about the current situation with the various outreach methods to speak to those searching and finding. What a blessing for so many.??
Comment by rudytokarz on 2018-03-24 00:49:56
Thank you Meleti (and all the other associates) for all your efforts.
I have tuned in to the site for awhile now and have commented a few times but this 'article' certainly got my attention.
My family (both parent's sides) became JWs in the '40s and I was raised as such, became a servant then elder for 11 years and have seen, what I call, the "policy" of the organization. By far the majority of those in my current congregation and almost all that I have known through the last 30+ years across four different congregations have been well intentioned and sincere Christians. The issue is that they have all seemed to be more focused on the "society" (old term) and the "organization" (newer term) than what the scriptures actually say. This religion has BECOME a snare and a racket; maybe not in the same fullness of other groups but one nonetheless.
I have only just begun an awakening as to what the scriptures really mean yet feel that I am closer to "the truth" than I have ever been. And the journey continues....
I have many questions and thoughts regarding most of the topics that have been covered on this site and, instead of only commenting on these, I look forward to any email conversations with those who would care to respond.
rudytokarz1980@gmail.com
Thanks to allReply by eve04 on 2018-03-28 17:32:27
Continue on your new spiritual journey. You will love it!
Reply by eve04 on 2018-03-28 17:48:52
Hi Rudytokartz
I am glad you are awakening. If you haven't, please go to the Archive sight. It was a blessing for me to read the articles on so many subjects!Reply by rudytokarz on 2018-03-28 20:30:30
Thanks for the encouragement and yes I have read the majority of the archive articles. I have found that most of my personal thoughts regarding the topics and, most importantly the scriptural basis for them, was what seemed to be in line with common sense in just allowing the scriptures speak by putting away our preconceived notions.
I will continue to attend meetings, service and most other activities as I feel that I want to have some (if not misguided but sincere) spiritual activities.
I do look forward to having a true two-way conversation regarding this 'awakening' that most all of us are going through regardless of where we are at currently.
rudytokaz@gmail.comReply by eve04 on 2018-03-29 23:32:06
Hi Rudytokarz
Your email address is invalidReply by rudytokarz on 2018-03-30 08:42:09
rudytokarz1980@gmail.com
Comment by Alithia on 2018-03-24 04:35:22
Hello Eric, thank you for the open and frank discussion on the use of donated funds for this site. I would like you to know how much I appreciate all of your hard work
and the work of all those involved in arranging and presenting the material.
I find it an oasis in the spiritual desert at the moment and it comforts me greatly to know that there are other like minded people out there after leaving the organisation that still love Jehovah and want to listen to and honor Jesus. Your accounts report reminds me of the apostle Paul who gave an account of himself at Act 20:33. And in 2 Thessalonians 3:8.
Thanks again for your disclosure and let me remind you we are in great anticipation of the third line of reasoning regarding the last days VDO???? Cant wait!!!Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2018-03-24 10:16:01
Thanks Alithia. That video should be out this week. I'm a week behind because I came down with a cold. The only good thing about a cold is that I'm not so sick that I can't binge-watch netflix.
Comment by John of ARC on 2018-03-24 06:13:42
Transparency and freedom of speech (as seen in Acts 6 and 15) are two of the most important checks and balances for “those taking the lead” in a theocracy. Thank you for allowing for both on this site :-)
As for religion as a racket: Machiavelli wrote in “The Prince” that the most powerful ruler was the one creating a religion. The second most was the one writing its laws. It’s interestion to see how Rutherford with his teachings took the Bible students from a loosely connected group to a religion in its own right. It can also be argued that Knorr and subsequent leaders (GB members) created and consolidated the “JW nation” with law-making, thus, with its laws and judicial committees and sanctions, have made a state within the gentile states, obtaining a power over its subjects far beyond what the Bible allows for. The R&F have become subjects exposed to the rent extracting/racketring of the leadership.
On a totally different note: you refer to proskuneó to be rendered to Jehovah only. I have yet to understand fully to which extent this should apply to Jesus. I know you have touched upon this subject before, Eric, and I acknowledge that it is also a question of how you define worship in the English language. From my understanding, I think we should be willing to “fall on our knees” before Jesus in a way that Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refused to do before the gold statue. I appreciate yours and others view on this subject.Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2018-03-24 10:30:50
Hi John of ARC,
I'm glad you brought that up. I decided not to get into it in the article, because I didn't want to take it off track. But I was hoping someone would ask about it. A while back (I think it was on the archive site) I wrote about the four Words in Greek that are translated worship. In that article I discussed the idea of worship of Jesus. There is ample evidence in the Bible that we should worship Jesus. The problem is that the word means something different today than it did back then. Of the four Greek words, the one used most commonly and in connection with Jesus is proskuneó.
Jehovah does not share proskuneó with anyone. However, he is not sharing it with Jesus because sharing implies the division. If I share my meal with you, you eat part of it and I eat the other part. Neither of us gets it all. However, 1 Co 3:22,23 says: "all things belong to YOU; in turn YOU belong to Christ; Christ, in turn, belongs to God."
If all things belong to us, and we belong to the Christ, then all things belong to the Christ. And if all things belong to the Christ which includes us in the world, and the Christ belongs to God, then the world, and the children of God, and the Christ, all belong to God.
To worship the Christ is to give him unconditional obedience, but since he does nothing of his own initiative (John 5:19) but only what he beholds the father doing, then unconditional obedience to the Christ is unconditional obedience to the father. There is no sharing of worship here. Rather, what we have is a channel of worship. Our worship – our obedience – is channeled through the Christ to the father.
Since the father has deemed it appropriate to invest in his son all power and all authority in heaven and earth (Mt 28:18), then it is completely wrong to do an end run around Jesus Christ and say we only worship the father and not the son. This is what Jehovah's Witnesses do. They think they are honouring God when in fact they are dishonouring the arrangement he has set up himself for us to reach him, because no one gets to the father except through the son.
Truly, when it comes to worship, Jesus and the father are one. (John 10:30)Reply by John of ARC on 2018-03-24 10:43:30
Thanks for a good answer, Eric.
Not long ago, I watched the convention film about Jesus (From the “follow Jesus conventions” in 2015), available on JW.org. Among other things, it depicts the blind man being healed, and he falls on his knees before Christ. In the Gospel, Jesus does not deny the man this act (compared with e.g. Peter not allowing himself to be shown this honour by the roman officer, as also with angels who do not allow this act to be shown them). It was striking to see in the film how Jesus seems awkward when the formerly blind man falls on his knees before Jesus, and Jesus quickly take hold of him to rise him up. The way it was shown by the society seems to be a subtle way (if not subliminal) to stop people to show Jesus the proper ”proskuneo” or “kissing of the Son”, if you like.Reply by Warp Speed on 2018-03-24 11:57:12
Good catch on that one JoA. I made the same observation too.
Reply by Smoldering Wick on 2018-03-24 22:56:11
From ancienthebrew.org
Whenever the Hebrew word שחה (Sh.Hh.H, Strong's #7812) is used as an action toward God, the translators translate this word as "worship". However, when this same Hebrew word is used as an action toward another man, the translators translate this word as "obeisance," "bowed" or "bow down". As you can see, the translators are preventing the reader from viewing the text in its proper Hebraic context.
The concept of "worship," as defined by Webster’s dictionary is not Hebraic in any way and is not found in the Bible. While there is nothing wrong with "worship," in the sense that we normally understand this word, we should recognize that it is not a Biblical concept. If the Hebraic meaning of "worship" is to bow down before another, whether God or man, as we have seen from the texts, then the answer to our question above is, "Yes, it is acceptable to worship other men." While this sentence may sound blasphemous due to our doctrinal view of "worship," we can do one of two things. We can remove the word worship from our vocabulary and replace it with "bow down" or we can use the word worship, but recognize that it does not mean what we have always assumed it to mean.
sw
Reply by Robert-6512 on 2018-03-24 14:05:41
If prayer is part of worship, and people pray "through" Christ, does that not constitute a type of worship of Jesus? Seems as though it must be, but WT treats this in an almost trivial manner. Some time back, somebody posted a comment I always remembered, to the effect that prayers were like a 'letter to God' and saying "in Jesus' name" was merely the 'postage stamp' to get the letter delivered. This was an illustration to show the constant demeaning and belittling of Christ by WT.
Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2018-03-25 08:03:27
There's nothing wrong with talking to Jesus, but since it was he who opened the way for us to call God, Father, I value the privilege of prayer.
Reply by Robert-6512 on 2018-03-25 21:54:51
Another really important point about the Lord's prayer is the context in which is was said, during the sermon on the mount. Here was Jesus speaking to a large crowd, many of whom were NOT his followers but WERE people of the nations, Jews, Gentiles and everyone in between. What's more, NO ONE had yet received the gifts of the spirit - nobody's anointed yet, right? So what does he tell ALL these people? You MUST pray this way, OUR FATHER.
He is commanding people of ALL SORTS to call God their FATHER. NOT their FRIEND. Before Pentecost, before outpouring of the spirit, before being "called". Before ANY of that.
If all that is so, how can WT go around telling people they are only "friends" of God? Are they not directly contradicting the command of Christ that is implicit in that model prayer? Sure seems like it to me.
Comment by Robert-6512 on 2018-03-24 10:33:49
Regarding religion (organized or not), the way I see it:
1. Worship originates with God, but religion originates with men.
2. All men are imperfect and sinners.
3. Therefore, all religions are false.
At times, people have asked me, "If you don't think JWs have the "true religion", then who does?" my only answer is, "no one".
WT has this constant drumbeat of "organization", over and over, and in particular, "Jehovah's organization", under the assumption that He HAS one. But I don't think that's true. The strongest biblical case for anything like an organization is the nation of Israel. But the truth is, that was a human organization, needed to organize a large group of people. God does not need organizations, but people do.
WT would have saved themselves, and everyone else, so much grief, if they had said from the beginning that they were merely "bible students" and STUCK with that idea, and not made any claims about God's organization or support or backing. If they had merely said they were studying and researching the Bible and that their publications were just THEIR IDEAS and could be wrong, "new light from God" would have been properly called "new understanding from men that may or may not be correct", so many problems could have been avoided.
That is the biggest failing and flaw of religion: Its organizers just HATE admitting they are wrong, because it sends the message that 'God is not with us' and that would undermine their control over others. So, they never admit they are wrong, and so much sorrow and suffering are brought upon their followers as a result.Reply by eve04 on 2018-03-28 17:23:55
Robert I like your comment!! Simple and to the truth of the matter!
Reply by Warp Speed on 2018-03-24 11:49:38
Amen Robert!?
Reply by Robert-6512 on 2018-03-25 20:29:23
I am very surprised to see 15 "likes" of my post as of now. I wasn't expecting that. Thank you.
Reply by Psalmbee on 2018-03-27 14:32:08
Way to go Robert, It just goes to show that more and more people are realizing there is no one true religion. There is however one true hope and that is the Lord Jesus Christ (Ac 4:12). When was the last time you heard the Org. quote that scripture?
Reply by Robert-6512 on 2018-03-27 16:24:50
Since religion originates with men, there cannot be one true "religion", but there is one truth, and that is the Bible. Once you deviate from the Bible's actual words and insert the words of men, it only brings trouble. This has been proven repeatedly throughout history.
Comment by Maxwell on 2018-03-24 13:25:41
Your topic reminded me of the WT study article that was recently considered which was basically another begging for donations article. These articles are appearing in one form or another on a regular basis. Years ago there would only be one article a year in November focused on ways to donate to WT. After hearing several comments about how trustworthy and transparent the "slave" (that term screams "cult" every time I hear it) is with donated funds I felt like asking "How many here know how many millions of dollars were paid out last year to settle child abuse cases?". Of course as a developing PIMO I held my tongue.
Comment by Joseph Anton on 2018-03-25 10:08:07
Woke up before my family this morning to do some pre-Sunday-meeting reading by the light of my bed lamp. Today's material? George Orwell's 1984 and this outstanding piece by Eric Wilson.
Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2018-03-25 16:55:27
:)
Comment by AndereStimme on 2018-03-25 19:32:59
Let's not forget this part of the definition of "snare":
Something that lures or entangles the unwary: the snares of merchandisers; the snare of debt.
It's not just the deprivation of freedom, it's the deceptive allure that's used to do it.
Comment by wild olive on 2018-03-26 06:33:44
In regard to organisation, one of the facts that's confirmed across the board by social analysts, is that ANY organisation has built in redundancy, they ALL tend to become totalitarian with time, it's just the nature of the beast, so , anyone who wants to form an organisation has to recognise this fact,without such recognition the organisation is doomed the moment its conceived, it's just a matter of time. But to counter this ,the leadership has to surrender power and control back to grass roots, which is what Jesus had in mind (Matt 23:10-12), his leadership was an upside down one that works against all the "norms" of human institutions, which is again probly why he didn't encourage giant world girdling institutions (Matt18:20) that he knew would go bad in time.
Comment by billy on 2018-04-01 20:16:57
I appreciate all your hard work Eric and co - this has been a refreshing watering hole :)))
Comment by Truth_seeker on 2018-04-09 09:32:02
Dear Eric, your website is, indeed, therapy for me. The biggest error I believe ex-JWs commit is to 'throw the baby out with the bathwater', which means to throw all spirituality overboard. I continue to draw comfort from the intelligent articles produced.
BTW: the word 'racket' comes from the Italian word 'ricatto', which means "blackmail". It fits doesn't it?Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2018-04-09 09:47:37
I had no idea! That's an interesting fact. I love etymology. Now I wonder how we come by "tennis racket"? :)
I must look that up.