Meleti Vivlon
Fake News
One has to be very careful what one accepts as true in these days of social media news. While the term “fake news” is often misapplied due to the tweets of one particular man, there is a lot of real “fake news” out there. Sometimes, a...The Two-Witness Rule under the Microscope
[A special thanks goes out to contributing writer, Tadua, whose research and reasoning are the basis for this article.] In all likelihood, only a minority of Jehovah’s Witnesses have viewed the proceedings that took place over the past couple of years in Australia....Checking the Source
This week Witnesses start to study the July issue of the Watchtower Study Edition. A while ago, we published a review of a secondary article in this issue which you can view below. However, something just came to light which has taught me to be more careful in...I’m Not Worthy
“Keep doing this in remembrance of me.” – Luke 22:19 It was at the memorial of 2013 that I first obeyed those words of my Lord Jesus Christ. My late-wife declined to partake that first year, because she did not feel worthy. I have come to see that this is a common...Should We Obey the Governing Body
One of our readers drew my attention to a blog article which I think reflects the reasoning of most Jehovah’s Witnesses. The article begins by drawing a parallel between the self-declared ‘non-inspired, fallible’ Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses and other groups...Stop the Presses!
Stop the presses! The Organization has just admitted that the Other Sheep doctrine is unscriptural. Okay, to be fair, they don’t know they’ve admitted this yet, but they have. To understand what they’ve done, we have to understand the basis for the...Trouw Article: Among the Jehovah’s, the Group Comes before the Individual
This third article from the Trouw Dutch daily newspaper is written in the form of an interview. You can read the original here. Among the Jehovah’s, the Group Comes before the Individual The way Jehovah’s Witnesses handle abuse is traumatic for the victims, according...Trouw Article: A Paradise for Pedophiles
This is a translation of the July 22, 2017 article in Trouw, a Dutch newspaper, which is one in a series of articles reporting on the way Jehovah’s Witnesses handle child sexual abuse. Click here to see the original article. A Paradise for Pedophiles The way...Trouw Article: “Elders Are Investigators, Judges, and Psychologists”
This is a translation of the July 21, 2017 article in Trouw, a major Dutch newspaper, concerning what is expected of Jehovah’s Witnesses elders when handling cases of child sexual abuse. This is the first of a series of articles exposing the poor way that the...Using God’s Name: What Does It Prove?
A friend who is going through a difficult time right now, because of loving and sticking to the truth in the Bible instead of blindly accepting the teachings of men, was asked by one of his elders to explain his decision to stop attending meetings. In the course of...New Article on BP Bible Study Forum
I’ve just published a thought-provoking new article on the BP – Bible Study Forum (a separate site) by a new contributing author, Eleasar. It was a toss-up as to whether to publish on this site or the Bible Study forum. This site is very JW-centric and...
JW Jingoism
In the July, 2017 broadcast on tv.jw.org, the organization appears to be defending itself against attacks made by internet sites. For example, they now feel the need to try to prove there is a scriptural basis for calling themselves “The Organization”. They also...Granted to Understand the Sacred Secrets of the Kingdom
Under the category, “Reasoning with Jehovah’s Witnesses”, we are slowly trying to build up a knowledge base that Christians can utilize to—one hopes—reach the heart of our JW friends and family. Sadly, in my own experience, I’ve found a...New Look and Spanish Site Launch
As you can see, we’ve changed the look of the Beroean Pickets – JW.org Reviewer site. The sister site, Beroean Pickets – Bible Study Forum, has experienced a similar facelift. The idea was to make both sites easier to navigate across all devices,...
Watchtower Music Videos
You may recall this image taken from the July, 2016 Watchtower Study Edition, p. 7. You can find our review of that particular study article here. The theme of the article was “Why Must We ‘Keep on the Watch?’” At the time, this reviewer felt that the new rule...New “Our Salvation” Article Posted!
Part 5 of the Our Salvation Series has been posted on Beroean Bible Study forum. If you would like to read the article, click here. If you would like to be notified of future articles, visit the Beroean Bible Study site and enter your e-mail address under the Get...A Fairy Godmother Religion
I’ve been thinking about the theme of this year’s Regional Convention: Don’t Give Up! It’s an oddly prosaic theme, don’t you think? What is its purpose? That brought to mind a recent discussion with a close friend who asked what congregation I was now attending....A Letter to a Fleshly Brother
Roger is one of the regular readers/commentors. He shared a letter with me that he wrote to his fleshly brother to try to help him reason. I felt the arguments were so well made that we could all benefit from reading it, and he kindly agreed to let me share it with...Does the NWT Live Up to Its Own Standards?
[This article is contributed by Apollos and Alex Rover] The Watchtower acknowledges that it’s very important to not insert human opinions nor hide the thought of original writings. Literalness. Unlike paraphrased translations, the New World Translation renders words...Video: “Russian Supreme Court Renders Unjust Decision!”
The day after the Russia Supreme Court announced a ban on Jehovah’s Witnesses, JW Broadcasting came out with this video, obviously prepared well in advance. When explaining what the ban means, Stephen Lett of the Governing Body did not speak of the tribulation this...Winning the Battle for Your Mind
On page 27 of the July, 2017 Study Edition of The Watchtower, there is an article intended ostensibly to help Jehovah’s Witnesses resist the influence of satanic propaganda. From the title, “Winning the Battle for Your Mind”, one would naturally assume that the...Commenting Guidelines
I would like to take this opportunity to share helpful reminder to all, including myself. We have a brief FAQ on commenting guidelines. Perhaps some clarification might be helpful. We have come from an organization in which men love to Lord it over other men, and...The Spirit Bears Witness – How?
To me, one of the greatest sins of the leadership of the Organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses is the doctrine of the Other Sheep. The reason I believe this is that they are instructing millions of Christ’s followers to disobey their Lord. Jesus said:...ARC Duplicity
On the 10th of this month, the Australia Royal Commission held Case 54 which was a review of the responses of Jehovah’s Witnesses to the Commission’s findings. The representatives from the Australia branch swore on the Bible “to tell the truth, the...Identifying the True Religion — Neutrality: Addendum
There have been a number of thought provoking comments on the previous article in this series. I’d like to address some of the points raised there. In addition, I entertained some childhood friends the other night and chose to address the elephant in the room....Identifying the True Religion – Neutrality
When reasoning in a potentially adversarial environment, the best tactic is to ask questions. We see Jesus using this method over and over with great success. In short, to get your point across: ASK, DON’T TELL. Witnesses are trained to accept instruction from...Identifying the True Religion
Jehovah’s Witnesses are trained to be calm, reasonable and respectful in their public preaching work. Even when they meet with name calling, anger, dismissive responses, or just the plain old door-slammed-in-the-face, they strive to maintain a dignified demeanor....New Article on the BP Study Forum
If you are only subscribed to this site, Beroean Pickets – JW.org Reviewer, you may be missing out on the Bible research articles that we publish on the sister forum, Beroean Pickets – Bible Study Forum. For instance, we’ve just released the fourth...What is a Lie?
In the November broadcast, the Governing Body provides us with a useful set of criteria for identifying lies and liars. How do they measure up to their own standard?
Do You Think You Know more than the Governing Body?
How would you answer the question: Do you think you know more than the Governing Body?
Replacing Christ – August 2016 Broadcast
Why does the Organization continue to minimize Jesus role, even to the point of omitting him from a drawing showing the channel of communication between God and men?
Beware of Deceit!
There’s a time-honored technique which evildoers use to shift the focus off their own wicked deeds when they come under attack for wrongdoing. Come see how it is being used!
Salvation by Organization
What did Paul really mean by “the flesh” when he said at Romans 8:6 that “setting the mind on the flesh means death”?
Should You Report Field Service?
As one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, are you disobeying God by turning in your monthly field service report? Let us see what the Bible has to say. Laying Out the Problem When a person wants to become one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, he must first—even before baptism—start...
The Rise and Fall of JW.org
Is there reason to believe that the events of 1878, 1925, and 1975 are about to be repeated? Is there cause for concern?
Benefiting from the 2016 Regional Convention
The Organization seems to be preparing the congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses for some drastic changes in the direction of our preaching. Will this become a reality? If so, what effect will it have on the “kings of the earth”.
They’re Doing It Again
The Organization is resurrecting a technique to engender loyalty and a false sense of urgency in the flock. Older readers are sure to experience a sense of déjà vu.
A Barren Tree
A change in policy is introduced in the May, 2016 Watchtower. The implications are far reaching if one knows where to look.
Registering Your Username
A few users are reporting an inability to log on to the Bible Study Forum. The reason is that they are under the impression that it’s a part of this Beroean Pickets site. It is in a thematic sense, but technically, they are two different sites, totally...Evidence of Bias in the NWT
Anthony Morris III unwittingly provides clear proof of bias in the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures.
Review of the 2016 Special Talk
This phrase from the 2016 Special Talk outline is more appropriate than might first appear to be the case: “Our situation is similar to that of the nation of Israel when about to enter the Promised Land.”
My 2016 Memorial
I had the joy to participate in an online commemoration of the memorial of Christ’s death on Tuesday, March 22rd with 22 others living in four different countries.[i] I know that many of you chose to partake on the 23rd at your local Kingdom hall. Still others have...A Century-Old Warning!
Could a warning given to Protestants over 130 years ago be applicable to Jehovah’s Witnesses today? One would hardly think so, yet the reality is likely to shock you.
Limping on Two Opinions
This week’s CLAM Book Study makes some ironic application to Elijah’s words. We will see what happens when the application is turned inward.
Mocking God
Is the Organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses guilty of institution civil disobedience?
Two New Posts
For those who have not yet subscribed to beroeans.net and have therefore not received notifications, there are two new articles on the site. Use the Power of Your Tongue for Good BBC: UK JWs Accused of Destroying Documents...BBC: UK JWs Accused of Destroying Documents
Is the UK branch office of Jehovah’s Witnesses guilty of a crime by destroying documents which the court has ordered be preserved?
Beroean Pickets — JW.org Reviewer Launched!
Effective immediately, the category “Watchtower Commentor” will be discontinued on this site. A new site has been launched with the sole purpose of publishing all future review articles of publications and broadcasts emanating from JW.org. Take me to the...February 2016 JW.org Broadcast
Sinning Against the Spirit In this month’s TV Broadcast on tv.jw.org, the speaker, Ken Flodine, discusses how we can grieve God’s spirit. Before explaining what it means to grieve the holy spirit, he explains what it does not mean. This takes him into a discussion of...Jehovah, the God of Communication
[From ws15/12 for Feb. 1-7] “Please listen, and I will speak.”—Job 42:4 This week’s study discusses the role language and translation have played in bringing the Bible to us. It sets the stage for next week’s study which discusses the many virtues the...Bethel Layoffs Damage Control
February 1, 2016 is upon us. This is the deadline for the worldwide downsizing of Bethel families. Reports are that the family is being reduced by 25%, which means thousands of Bethelites are frantically looking for work. Many of these are in their 50s and 60s. ...WT Study: One Hundred Years under Kingdom Rulership
[From ws15/11 for Jan. 25-31] “May the God of peace . . . equip you with every good thing to do his will.”— He 13:20, 21 This entire article is based on the premise that Jesus has been ruling over the Organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses since 1914. For a Scriptural...Re 20:5 – When Do the Rest of the Dead Come to Life?
I have just posted a new topic on the BP Research Forum of Discuss the Truth. You can view it at this link: When do the rest of the dead come to life? The purpose of the BP Research Forum is to get input from our community on topics that may be controversial, with a...New Discussion Forum
From time to time, debates begin in our commenting section on important Bible teachings. Often, those commenting have a personal view that is valid and scripturally based. Other times, the viewpoint turns out to originate from the thinking of men. Sometimes, the...WT Study: Do You “Love Your Neighbor as Yourself”?
[From ws15/11 for Jan. 18-24] “You must love your neighbor as yourself.” – Mt 22:39. Paragraph 7 of this week’s study opens with this sentence: “Although a husband is the head of his wife, the Bible instructs him to ‘assign her honor.’” Would it not be more...“This Generation” – Tying Up Loose Ends
Who is Jesus referring to at Matthew 24:33? Does the great tribulation of Matthew 24:21 have a secondary fulfillment In our previous article, This Generation – A Modern-Day Fulfillment, we found that the only conclusion that was consistent with the evidence was that...WT Study: Jehovah Is the God of Love
[From ws15/11 for Jan. 11-17] “God is love.” – 1 John 4:8, 16 What a wonderful theme. We should have half a dozen Watchtowers every year on this theme alone. But we must take what we can get. In paragraph 2, we are reminded Jehovah has appointed Jesus to judge the...Confessing Christ
From time to time there have been those who have used the commenting feature of Beroean Pickets to promote the idea that we must take a public stand and renounce our association with the Organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses. They will cite scriptures like...The Other Sheep Are God’s Children Too
After the resurrection of Lazarus, the machinations of the Jewish leaders moved into high gear. “What are we to do, because this man performs many signs? 48 If we let him alone this way, they will all put faith in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our...Walking by Faith – In Men
This week in the Service Meeting (I can still call it that, at least for the next couple of weeks.) we are being asked to comment on the hour-long video Walking by Faith, Not by Sight. The production values are quite respectable and the acting is not bad either. It...The Watchtower Makes Its Submission to the Royal Commission
[All unattributed references in this document is following the format (P. n par. n.n) refer to the WT Submissions document under discussion.] The Senior Counsel Assisting the Australia Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse recently...An Open Letter
We have been greatly encouraged by the heartfelt outpouring of support that came as a result of the recent article, “Our Commenting Policy.” I had only wanted to reassure everyone that we were not about to change that which we had worked so hard to achieve. If...Our Commenting Policy
We have been getting emails from regular readers concerned that our forum might be degenerating into just another JW bashing site, or that an unfriendly environment might be surfacing. These are valid concerns. When I began this site back in 2011, I was unsure about...WT Study: How Can We Show that We Love Jehovah?
[From ws15/09 for Nov 23-29] “We love, because he first Loved us.” – John 4:19 I almost passed on reviewing this week’s Watchtower Study article since there is nothing new there. It’s just the same old, same old. Then something changed my mind. I opened the JW Library...WT Study: In What Ways Does Jehovah Love Us?
[From ws15/09 for Nov 16-22] “See what sort of love the Father has given us!” – 1 John 3:1 Before we begin our review, let’s do a little experiment. If you have the Watchtower Library on CD-ROM, open it and double-click on “All Publications” in the left panel. Below...WT Study: “Stand Firm in the Faith”
[From ws15/09 for Nov 9-15] “Stand Firm in the faith,…grow mighty.” – 1Co 16:13 For a change of pace, I thought it might be fun and educational to treat this WT review like a Watchtower study. Feel free to use the comment section to answer the questions. Additionally,...When Speculation Becomes Fact
We have just begun to study the Imitate Their Faith book in the congregation Bible Study which is part of our midweek meeting. I admit I haven’t read it, but my wife has and says it makes for a nice, easy read. It takes the form of Bible stories rather than a Bible...WT Study: Is Your Conscience a Reliable Guide?
[From ws15/09 for Nov 1-7] “The objective of this instruction is love out of a clean heart and out of a good conscience.” – 1 Tim. 1:5 This study asks us whether our own conscience is a reliable guide. One would presume that by studying this article, we will be able...WT Study: Are You Reaching the Stature That Belongs to Christ?
[From ws15/09 for Oct. 26 – Nov 1] “Attain…the measure of stature that belongs to the fullness of the Christ” (Eph 4:13) In this week’s Watchtower review, we will focus a little on style and composition, but mostly on content, particularly the read-between-the-lines...WT Study: Prepare Now for Life in the New World
[From ws15/08 p. 24 for Oct. 19 -25] “Bad associations spoil useful habits.” – 1Co 15:33 The Last Days “The Bible calls the era that began in 1914 ‘the last days.’” – par. 1 Since the article starts out with a categorical statement, it seems only fair that we...This Generation – A Modern Day Fulfillment?
In a previous article, we were able to establish that in all likelihood Jesus was referring to the wicked generation of Jews of his day when he gave his disciples the assurance found at Matthew 24:34. (See This Generation’ – A Fresh Look) While a careful review of the...WT Study: Prepare Now for Life in the New World
[From ws15/08 p. 19 for Oct. 12 -18] “Tell them to work at good, to be rich in fine works, to be generous, ready to share, 19 safely treasuring up for themselves a fine foundation for the future, so that they may get a firm hold on the real life.” (1Ti 6:18, 19) This...WT Study: Keep in Expectation
[From ws15/08 p. 14 for Oct. 5 -11] “Even if it should delay, keep in expectation of it!” – Hab. 2:3 Jesus repeatedly told us to keep on the watch and be in expectation of his return. (Mt. 24:42; Lu 21:34-36) However, he also warned us about false prophets promoting...WT Study: Meditate on Jehovah’s Enduring Love
[From ws15/08 p. 9 for Sep. 28 – Oct. 4] A number of years ago while out in the door-to-door ministry I came upon a woman, a staunch Catholic, who was utterly convinced that God had miraculously saved her from dying of breast cancer. There was no way I could...Jehovah Blesses Obedience
I was doing my daily Bible reading a few days ago and came to Luke chapter 12. I’ve read this passage many times before, but this time it was like someone had smacked me in the forehead. “In the meantime, when a crowd of so many thousands had gathered together that...The Governing Body Is Not Dogmatic!
In a recent morning worship program titled “Jehovah Blesses Obedience”, Brother Anthony Morris III addresses accusations made against the Governing Body that it is dogmatic. Quoting from Acts 16:4, he refers us to the word translated “decrees”. He states at the 3:25...“This Generation” – A Fresh Look
“Truly I say to you that this generation will by no means pass away until all these things happen.” (Mt 24:34) If you scan the “This Generation” category on this site, you’ll see various attempts by myself and Apollos to come to terms with the...WT Study: Maintain Your Loyalty to God’s Kingdom
[From ws15/07 p. 22 for Sep. 14-20] The very first thing that should strike us with this week’s study is the title. Using the Watchtower Library[i] with “loyal* kingdom” as the search parameters (sans quotes, of course), one finds not a single match in the entire...The September Broadcast – This Generation
“Truly I say to you that this generation will by no means pass away until all these things happen.” (Mt 24:34) There are essentially two methods we can use to understand the meaning of Jesus’ words regarding “this generation”. One is called eisegesis, and the other,...WT Study: “Your Deliverance Is Getting Near”!
[From ws15/07 p. 14 for Sep. 7-13] A man comes to your town. He stands in the village square, and proclaims that soon death and destruction will rain down upon you and your fellow citizens. Next, he tells you how to escape. Sacrifices must be made, but if you all...WT Study: Work to Enhance the Spiritual Paradise
[From ws15/07 p. 7 for Aug. 30- Sep. 6] Every once in a while something is published that is so over-the-top it makes you want to laugh. One of the brothers from Canada sent me a copy of a letter sent out to congregations local to the Canada branch office....The Mandatory Reporting Red Herring
One of our commenters put forward a defense for the position of Jehovah’s Witnesses regarding the mandatory reporting of child abuse cases. Coincidently, a good friend of mine gave me the identical defense. I believe it reflects the standard belief among...Christianity, Inc.
I recently shared a link to Brother Geoffrey Jackson’s testimony before the Australian Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse with a couple of JW friends. I went out of my way not to be negative or challenging. I was simply sharing a news...WT Study: Live in Harmony with the Model Prayer—Part II
[From ws15/06 p. 25 for August 24-30] “Your Father knows what you need.” – Mt 6:8 I grew up in an era when my religion shunned the idea of “creature worship”.[i] However, this is an outdated notion in today’s Organization, as evidenced by not one, but...Geoffrey Jackson Speaks before the Royal Commission on Child Abuse
On August 14 at 11:00 AM AEST Brother Geoffrey Jackson of the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses provided testimony under examination before the Australia Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. At the time of this writing, the...WT Study: We Can Remain Chaste
[From ws15/06 p. 24 for August 10-16] “Draw close to God, and he will draw close to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you indecisive ones.” (Jas 4:8) Since the decade following the failed expectations surrounding the year 1975, the...Where Else Can We Go?
I was raised as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. I engaged in the full-time service in three countries, worked closely with two Bethels, and was able to help dozens to the point of baptism. I took great pride in saying that I was “in the truth.” I truly believed I was in...The Role of Women
“…your longing will be for your husband, and he will dominate you.” – Gen. 3:16 We have only a partial idea of what the role of women in human society was intended to be because sin has skewed the relationship between the sexes. Recognizing how male and female...We Are All Brothers – Part 2
In the first part of the series, we saw that to protect ourselves from the folly of organized religion, we must maintain a climate of Christian freedom by guarding ourselves against the leaven of the Pharisees, which is the corrupting influence of human leadership....WT Study: Imitate the One Who Promises Everlasting Life
[From ws15/05 p. 24 for July 20-26] “Become imitators of God, as beloved children.” – Eph. 5:1 A Little Side Trip First While not strictly on topic, I think it will be beneficial to take a little side trip to continue our topic of last week’s study. Last week we...WT Study: They “Saw” the Things Promised
[From ws15/05 p. 19 for July 13-19] “They did not receive the fulfillment of the promises; but they saw them from a distance.” – Heb. 11:13 There are two words that come up often in Bible study: Eisegesis and Exegesis. While they look very much alike, their meanings...We Are All Brothers – Part 1
There have been a number of encouraging comments in the wake of our announcement that we’ll soon be moving to a new self-hosted site for Beroean Pickets. Once launched, and with your support, we hope to have a Spanish version as well, followed by a Portuguese one. We...WT Study: You Can Fight Satan and Win!
[From ws15/05 p. 14 for July 6-12] “Take your stand against [Satan], firm in the faith.”— 1 Peter 5:9 In this continuation of last week’s theme, we learn how to fight Satan and win. We start off in paragraph 1 by emphasizing the unique JW doctrine that there are two...Pending Launch of Our New Site
A Look Back Before We Look Forward When I first started Beroean Pickets, it was intended as a means to contact other Jehovah’s Witnesses who wanted to engage in deeper Bible research. I had no other goal than that. The congregation meetings do no provide a forum for...TV.JW.ORG, A Missed Opportunity
“Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded YOU.. . .” (Mt 28:19, 20) Short of the command to love one...WT Study: Be Watchful – Satan Wants to Devour You
[From ws15/05 p. 9 for June 29-July 5] “Be watchful! Your adversary, the Devil, walks about like a roaring lion, seeking to devour someone.” – 1 Peter 5:8 This week’s study is the first of a two-part series. In it, we are taught that the Devil is powerful, vicious...WT Study: Always Trust in Jehovah
[From ws15/04 p. 22 for June 22-28] “Trust in him at all times, O people.” – Psalm 62:8 We trust in our friends; but friends, even very good friends, may abandon us in our time of greatest need. This happened to Paul as paragraph 2 of this week’s Watchtower...WT Study: How Real Is Your Relationship with Jehovah
[From ws15/04 p. 15 for June 15-21] “Draw close to God, and he will draw close to you.” – James 4:8 This week’s Watchtower study opens with the words: “Are you a dedicated, baptized Witness of Jehovah? If so, you have a precious possession—a personal relationship...Morning Worship Part: The “Slave” Is not 1900 Years Old
The Governing Body is, by its own admission, the “highest ecclesiastical authority for the faith of Jehovah’s Witnesses” worldwide. (See point 7 of the Declaration of Gerrit Losch.[i]) Nevertheless, there is no foundation in Scripture for a governing authority made up...Read this in your Language:
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