Re: I am a young Jehovah Witness who by chance came across your site #6

Melissa

Continued from part #5 (see also parts #1, #2, #3, #4) with this the last part #6 of my reply to your comment on my post "`What Does the Bible Really Teach?' pp.7-14." Your words are bold to distinguish them from mine.

[Left (click to enlarge): 1 Peter 3:15, with footnote, in "New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures: With References," Watchtower Bible & Tract Society of New York: Brooklyn NY, 1984, p.1459.

As Mr. Lynn Lundquist of www.tetragrammaton.org pointed out, "According to the New World Translation policy, this verse should have been translated: `But sanctify the Christ as Jehovah in YOUR hearts ...'":

"Because of the English translation, it is not readily apparent that 1 Peter 3:15 is a quotation of Isaiah 8:13. However, the word translated `treat as holy' comes from the Hebrew word ... qadash ... which means `to make, pronounce or observe as clean: to consecrate, dedicate, hallow or sanctify.' [Strong's Concordance, H6942] With that definition in mind, it is plain to see that Peter is quoting this Hebrew Scripture when he writes:

But sanctify the Christ as Lord in YOUR hearts, always ready to make a defense before everyone that demands of YOU a reason for the hope in YOU.

As already noted, the Jehovah reference J²⁰ also identifies this as a direct quotation in which the divine name is used (Isaiah 8:1). The J²⁰ reference, by the New World Bible Translation Committees' own translation policy, indicates that 1 Peter 3:15 must be translated using the divine name Jehovah. However, the strongest evidence that 1 Peter 3:15 quotes Isaiah 8:13 comes from the footnote for this verse (1 Peter 3:15) found on page 1459 in the New World Translation Reference Edition. The footnote reads:

15* `The Christ as Lord,' ... J<sup>7,8,1114,16,17,24</sup>, `Jehovah God.'

This footnote gives us the following information: ... The wording, `Jehovah God,' is supported by nine Hebrew versions listed as J^{7,8,11-14,16,17,24}. Thus, based on the precedent of 237 Jehovah references, the translators by their own agreement are bound to render Kyrios as Jehovah in this verse at 1 Peter 3:15 where Peter quotes a Hebrew Scripture passage which used the divine name. ... According to the New World Translation policy, this verse should have been translated:

But sanctify the Christ as Jehovah in YOUR hearts, always ready to make a defense before everyone that demands of YOU a reason for the hope in YOU."

(Lundquist, L., "The Divine Name in the New World Translation," 2001, pp.26-28. Emphasis original). See below.]

>We do not do things for our own glory but for that of Jehovah God.

Jesus is Jehovah God, come in the flesh! See my posts "Jesus is Jehovah!" Also read my series, "Jesus is Jehovah in the New Testament."

If the Watchtower was consistent in its stated policy of substituting "Jehovah" for Gk. kyrios in its New World Translation "where the inspired Christian writers have quoted from the Hebrew Scriptures":

"How is a modern translator to know or determine when to render the Greek words κυριοσ [kyrios] and Θεοσ [theos] into the divine name in his version? By determining where the inspired Christian writers have quoted from the Hebrew Scriptures. Then he must refer back to the original to locate whether the divine name appears there. This way he can determine the identity to give to Ky'ri-os and the-os' and he can then clothe them with personality. Realizing that this is the time and place for it, we have followed this course in rendering our version of the Christian Greek Scriptures." (WB&TS, 1969, "The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures," Watchtower Bible & Tract Society: Brooklyn NY, p.18).

then it would have translated Php 2:11 NWT as:

"and every tongue should openly acknowledge that Jesus Christ is JEHOVAH to the glory of God the Father."

because it is a quote from Isa 45:23 where Paul has substituted "Jesus Christ" for the "to me" in Isa 45:23, who in the context is "Jehovah" (v. 18,21) and "God" (v. 22) (common words and phrases highlighted in red):

OT	NT
Isa 45:18,23 "For this is what Jehovah has said, ... By my own self I have sworn-out of my own mouth in righteousness the word has gone forth, so that it will not return-that to me every knee will bend down, every tongue will swear,'"	Php 2:10-11 NWT "so that in the name of Jesus every knee should bend of those in heaven and those on earth and those under the ground, and every tongue should openly acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father"

And then also the Watchtower would have translated Heb 1:8,10-11 NWT as (my emphasis):

"But with reference to the SON: ... And: "You at [the] beginning, O JEHOVAH, laid the foundations of the earth itself, and the heavens are [the] works of your hands"

because it is a quote of Ps 102:24-27 NWT in which the Psalmist is addressing "Jehovah":

OT

NT

Ps 102:1,22-27 NWT: " O Jehovah ... Long ago you laid the foundations of the earth itself, And the heavens are the work of your hands. They themselves will perish, but you yourself will keep standing; And just like a garment they will all of them wear out. Just like clothing you will replace them, and they will finish their turn. But you are the same, and your own years will not be completed."

Heb 1:8,10 NWT: "But with reference to the Son: ... `You at [the] beginning, O Lord, laid the foundations of the earth itself, and the heavens are [the] works of your hands. They themselves will perish, but you yourself are to remain continually; and just like an outer garment they will all grow old, and you will wrap them up just as a cloak, as an outer garment; and they will be changed, but you are the same, and your years will never run out.'"

Less obviously, because it is obscured in the NWT,but still truly when it is realised that Peter in 1 Peter 3:15 is quoting the Septuagint (LXX) of Isaiah 8:13, the ancient Greek translation of the Old Testament:

NT	OT
1Pet 3:15 NWT: "But sanctify the Christ as Lord in YOUR hearts ...	Isa 8:13 LXX: "Sanctify ye the Lord [Heb. YHWH] himself; and he shall be thy fear. '"

according to its own stated policy of substituting "Jehovah" for kyrios in the New World Translation, "where the inspired Christian writers have quoted from the Hebrew Scriptures ... [and] the divine name appears," 1 Peter 3:15 NWT should read:

But sanctify the Christ as JEHOVAH in your hearts,

Again as summarised by Lundquist:

"The Translation Committee did not follow their stated translation policy at 1 Peter 3:15. 1 Peter 3:15 is a quotation of Isaiah 8:13. ... According to the New World Translation policy, this verse should be translated:

But sanctify the Christ as Jehovah in YOUR hearts, always ready to make a defense before everyone that demands of YOU a reason for the hope in YOU"

(Lundquist, L., "Downloadable Research Library," Word Resources: Portland OR, 2003, p.23).

But the Watchtower dishonours Jesus (who is Jehovah come in the flesh) by claiming that He is merely an angel:

"Who Is Michael the Archangel? THE spirit creature called Michael ... is another name for Jesus Christ, before and after his life on earth." (WB&TS, 2005, "What Does the Bible Really Teach?," Watchtower Bible & Tract Society of New York: Brooklyn NY, p.218. Emphasis original).

So in denying the Bible's teaching that Jesus is Jehovah, come in the flesh, the Watchtower Society has set up a false `Jehovah' of its own imagination, a `Jehovah' who says whatever the Watchtower wants it to. Nowhere was this more evident than when the Watchtower even quoted Jehovah issuing Society policy:

"The Lord breaks down our organization instructions further and makes them more practicable by further instructing us through his `faithful and wise servant'. He says, `Let us assign the field, the world, to special pioneers, regular pioneers and companies of Jehovah's witnesses in an orderly way, sufficient for everyone to thoroughly witness therein, and let us place upon each one the responsibility of caring for the New World interests in these respective assignments.' He says the requirements for special pioneers shall be 175 hours and 50 back-calls per month, which should develop into a reasonable number of studies; and for regular pioneers 150 hours and as many back-calls and studies as can be properly developed during that time. And for company publishers he says, `Let us make a quota of 60 hours and 12 back-calls and at least one study a week for each publisher.' These directions come to us from the Lord through his established agency directing what is required of us; and, for those who really love the Lord and are guided by his counsel, that is a reasonable service requirement. This expression of the Lord's will should be the end of all controversy." ("Righteous Requirements," The Watchtower, July 1, 1943, pp.204-205, p.205).

That this was merely the Watchtower using its man-made idol `Jehovah' as a mouthpiece for Society policy is evident in that JWs would still be following these direct commands by Jehovah for "special pioneers" to fulfill their quota of "175 hours ... per month ... for regular pioneers 150 hours" per month and for "publishers ... 60 hours" per month. But in fact the Watchtower has over time reduced these quotas that were supposedly set by Jehovah Himself.

In 1963, the Society had reduced the quotas for "special pioneers" down from 175 to "150 hours or more in the field work each month"; for "pioneers" (i.e. "regular pioneers") from 150 hours per month down to "about 100 hours each month"; and for "congregation publishers" down from 60 to only "those ... who strive to spend a minimum of ten hours each month in the preaching activity" (my emphasis):

"Those who spend 150 hours or more in the field work each month are called special pioneers. .... Then there were ... pioneers who spent about 100 hours each month declaring the message of salvation. ... Then there are those Christians who ... strive to spend a minimum of ten hours each month in the preaching activity .... They are called congregation publishers." ("Fight a Fine Fight for the Faith," The Watchtower, January 1, 1963, pp.21-30, pp.23,27).

By 1981, the monthly quota of "special pioneers" had been further reduced by the Society down from 150 to "140 hours a month" and "regular pioneers" had also been reduced from 100 hours to "90 hours each month" and the category "auxiliary pioneer ... which requires that a person devote 60 hours a month" had been created:

"Some, whose circumstances permit, serve as special pioneers, devoting 140 hours a month to the ministry. Others are able to devote 90 hours and so serve as regular pioneers. And for those not able to devote to such sacred service, but who are still able to do more than the average Kingdom publishers, provision was made for the auxiliary pioneer service, which requires that a person devote 60 hours a month to the ministry. This has been a refinement of the vacation or temporary pioneer service ...." ("Joys of Auxiliary Pioneer Service," The Watchtower, February 15, 1981, p.11).

By 1995, there appeared to be no "special pioneers" hours being reported. New reduced quotas for "auxiliary pioneers" and "regular pioneers" were 60 and 30 hours per month, with publishers at "ten hours or so" per month:

"In many lands congregation publishers average ten hours or so in the field service each month, but auxiliary pioneers report six times that much [i.e. 60], and regular pioneers do half as much again as the auxiliaries [i.e. 90]. No wonder the increase is often more rapid in areas where there are many pioneers." ("1995 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses," Watchtower Bible & Tract Society: Brooklyn NY, 1995, p.5).

By 1997, all "congregation publishers" needed to do was "give of your best":

"Remember that what Jehovah expects from us is whole-souled service. What this amounts to may vary considerably from soul to soul. Some are able to adjust their affairs in order to serve as regular pioneers. Many others enroll as auxiliary pioneers either occasionally or on a continuous basis, spending 60 hours each month in the ministry. The great majority of Jehovah's people, however, devote themselves to the preaching and teaching work whole-souled as congregation publishers. So if you truly are limited by poor health, advancing age, family responsibilities, or other circumstances, do not be discouraged. As long as you give of your best, your service is valuable in God's eyes, as is that of those who are in the full-time ministry!" ("The Blessings of the Pioneer Ministry," The Watchtower, October 15, 1997, pp.18-23, pp.21-22).

In 1998, it was clarified that "publishers" need "preach only a few hours a month," down from the previously stated 10 hours per month:

"No dedicated Christian is exempt from this preaching work. Spiritual elders take the lead in preaching with the congregation. Trained pioneers are fully occupied in the work. Zealous publishers of the Kingdom message, whether able to preach only a few hours a month or many, are spreading the message into every corner of the earth.." ("Jehovah's Organization Supports Your Ministry," The Watchtower, June 15, 1998, p.20).

By 2000, "the requirement of hours" for "auxiliary pioneers" had "since been reduced" from 60 down to "50 hours for the month":

"... we have tremendous potential to exceed our previous peak of auxiliary pioneers. Additionally, the requirement of hours has since been reduced, making this feature of service accessible to many more in the congregation. ... 50 hours for auxiliary pioneers ... You would need to average just one hour and 40 minutes each day to reach 50 hours for the month." ("Can We Make April 2000 Our Best Month Ever?," Our Kingdom Ministry, March 2000, p.3).

By 2005 the quota for "regular pioneers" had been reduced from 90 to "70 hours every month":

"For regular pioneers, this requires spending an average of 70 hours every month in the preaching work." ("Now Is the Time to Preach!," Our Kingdom Ministry, August 2005, p.3).

There may have been further reductions in these hours but I am not aware of them. But on the above figures, all drawn from Watchtower publications as quoted, the Society has reduced the explicit quoted instructions of its `Jehovah' down from 175 to 140 hours per month (20%) for "special pioneers," from 150 to 70 hours per month (53%) for "regular pioneers" and from 60 hours a month to 3 (95%!) for "publishers."

So by its own words and deeds the Watchtower Society shows that its `Jehovah' is just a man-made idol that it has created to be the mouthpiece for the Society's anti-Christian (and therefore anti-Jehovah) policies!

>In closing, I would just like to say thank you for asking people to explore the Bible and find a deep love for it.

JWs don't "explore the Bible." They explore only what the Watchtower tells them to explore in the Bible, and then what it supposedly really means. This is evident in the very title of their 2005 study book, "What Does the Bible Really Teach?" That is, its title is not "What Does the Bible Teach?" but in reality it is "What Does the Watchtower Society Make the Bible Teach?"

As pointed out in part #4, the Watchtower has warned JWs not to "read the Bible exclusively" because then they will come to believe what Christianity (not what the Watchtower) teaches:

"From time to time, there have arisen from among the ranks of Jehovah's people those who ... say that it is sufficient to read the Bible exclusively, either alone or in small groups at home. But, strangely, through such 'Bible reading,' they have reverted right back to the apostate doctrines that commentaries by Christendom's clergy were teaching 100 years ago ..." ("Serving Jehovah `Shoulder to Shoulder'," Watchtower, Aug 15, 1981, pp.28-29, p.29).

And also the Society has told JWs that, "we will not progress along the road to life, no matter how much Bible reading we do" without God's "visible organization," the Watchtower Society, telling them how "to understand and apply properly the Bible" (my emphasis):

"But Jehovah God has also provided his visible organization, his `faithful and discreet slave,' made up of spirit-anointed ones, to help Christians in all nations to understand and apply properly the Bible in their lives. Unless we are in touch with this channel of communication that God is using, we will not progress along the road to life, no matter how much Bible reading we do." ("The Path of the Righteous Does Keep Getting Brighter," The Watchtower, December 1, 1981, pp.26-31, p.27).

>I hope that all who read this has an open mind and heart.

If you are a Watchtower-loyal JW then you are not allowed to have "an open mind and heart." The Watchtower has ordered all JWs to "Avoid Independent Thinking" and by "independent thinking," the Watchtower means, "questioning ... God's visible organization" (i.e. the Watchtower):

"Avoid Independent Thinking ... How is such independent thinking manifested? A common way is by questioning the counsel that is provided by God's visible organization. ... Yet certain ones have professed to know better. They have rebelled against such counsel and have done what is right in their own eyes." ("Exposing the Devil's Subtle Designs," The Watchtower, January 15, 1983, pp.18-22, p.22).

The Watchtower has also ordered JWs to "Fight Against Independent Thinking" and it explicitly defines "independent thinking" as "to make up our own mind on what to believe":

"Fight Against Independent Thinking As we study the Bible we learn that Jehovah has always guided his servants in an organized way. And just as in the first century there was only one true Christian organization, so today Jehovah is using only one organization. ... Yet there are some who point out that the organization has had to make adjustments before, and so they argue: `This shows that we have to make up our own mind on what to believe.' This is independent thinking. Why is it so dangerous? Such thinking is an evidence of pride. ... If we get to thinking that we know better than the organization, we should ask ourselves: `Where did we learn Bible truth in the first place? Would we know the way of the truth if it had not been for guidance from the organization? Really, can we get along without the direction of God's organization?' No, we cannot!" ("Armed for the Fight Against Wicked Spirits," The Watchtower, January 15, 1983, pp.23-27, p.27).

The Watchtower has also directed JWs not to read (indeed to "destroy") "apostate material" or "teachings of opposers", i.e. anything critical of itself, likening it to "pornography" and "gangrene," and threatening "amputation of" any "member (disfellowshipping)" who is guilty of "spreading [such] apostate teachings":

"Picture on page 12 ... Do you wisely destroy apostate material? ... If, out of curiosity, we were to read the literature of a known apostate, would that not be the same as inviting this enemy of true worship right into our home to sit down with us and relate his apostate ideas? Let us illustrate matters in this way: Suppose your teenage son received some pornographic material in the mail. What would you do? If he was inclined to read it out of curiosity, would you say: `Yes, son, go ahead and read it. It won't hurt you. ... Would you reason that way? Absolutely not! Rather, you would surely point out the dangers of reading pornographic literature and would require that it be destroyed. Why? Because no matter how strong a person may be in the truth, if he feeds his mind on the perverted ideas found in such literature, his mind and heart will be affected. ... Well, if we would act so decisively to protect our children from exposure to pornography, should we not expect that our loving heavenly Father would similarly warn us and protect us from spiritual fornication, including apostasy? He says, Keep away from it! But suppose we are preaching the good news and ... someone sincerely asks about certain claims of apostates, what can be done? First, we can ask what, exactly, has caused the concern. It may be only one or two points. Then we can stick to these and answer from the Scriptures, from the Society's publications, and from what we truthfully know about the subject. We need not conclude that we have to read a book or a pamphlet that is filled with slander and half-truths in order to refute the false claims and teachings of opposers. ... If we keep listening to subtle arguments and specious reasoning, `twisted things' can sound as though they were straight.... Of course, the fact that a few are drawn away by that kind of propaganda does not mean that we have to follow them. Nevertheless, we need to be continually alert. ... Like gangrene, apostate reasoning is nothing but quick-spreading spiritual death. And since the members of the congregation are like one body, there is a danger that others may be infected. If the one spreading apostate teachings cannot be restored to spiritual health by loving but firm application of the balm of God's Word, amputation of this member (disfellowshipping) may be the only alternative for the protection of other members of the body. ... Do not be infected by deadly gangrene of a spiritual kind! Keep in good spiritual health by avoiding the contamination of apostate thinking." ("Do Not Be Quickly Shaken From Your Reason," The Watchtower, March 15, 1986, pp.10-15, pp.12-15. Emphasis original).

If you have read this far Melissa, or indeed any JW, why not test whether any of your Kingdom Hall's elders "has an open mind and heart" by mentioning some of my evidence and arguments against the Watchtower in this series of posts, and then let us all know their response in the comments? If they are obedient to the Watchtower, the elders will tell you to stop reading my posts, and may even disfellowship you.

>Jesus said "By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love among yourselves." John 13:35.

I have downloaded and listened to many times over, testimonies by ex-JWs. And one common theme that many of them report is that JWs have only a conditional love, i.e. JWs are "accepted and loved" by "the Watchtower Society" "only if we do what is expected" by it:

"A major source of stress in life is the fear of rejection, abandonment or fear of criticism. These fears manifests themselves in an over-concern for the approval of other people. These fears are often learned in early childhood as the result of a parent giving the child what psychologists call `conditional love.' ... This is what the Watchtower Society does to Jehovah's Witnesses. We are accepted and loved only if we do what is expected - perform. Wearing the wrong clothes, watching the wrong movie, saying the wrong thing especially to non-Witnesses results in disapproval." (Marsh, L., "Overcoming our Fear of Rejection and Abandonment by Jehovah's Witnessess," Freeminds.org, 9 August 2010).

The Watchtower's "`conditional' kind of love" is only given to JWs who do, "whatever we had to do to please the powers that be":

"I guess you could say I was one of the chief Jehovah's Witness among Jehovah's Witnesses and our family the `exemplary Jehovah's Witness family,' but despite all my hard work, I was desperately lonely, empty and longing for something, but I didn't know what. ... As a Jehovah's Witness, I received a `conditional' kind of love and acceptance. It is no surprise that this is the kind of love I brought to my marriage, and it is no surprise that my marriage fell apart after 20 years. ... We all did whatever we had to do to please the powers that be-not having a real relationship with God results in a lot of `man-pleasing' busy work. I could say a lot about the detrimental effects of the `busy work' which consumed our lives. We always sought relief, not even realizing we were running away, but all Jehovah's Witnesses run away in their own way." ("The Testimony Of Tammie: Ex-Jehovah's Witness Ministry Team," Witnesses For Jesus: Colorado Springs CO, 21 December 2010).

It is a "love" that "will surround you as you faithfully promote their cause" but "when ... a member voices doubts, create waves, or leaves the group, all love ceases":

"Love-bombing is characteristic of most cults. Prospects, recruits and members are drowned in a sea of love and caring. Is this what Christ meant when he said, `By this will all men know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another,' (John 13:35)? I've heard cult members say, `Of course we practice love-bombing: Who'd want to be in a group or church that practiced hate-bombing?' This attitude highlights a common misconception. Hate-bombing is not the opposite of love-bombing. The opposite of love-bombing is unconditional love. Love-bombing is highly conditional. The cults will love you to death while you represent a prospective convert to their group. As a member a tight family love will surround you as you faithfully promote their cause. However, when it is clear that a prospect will not join the group or a member voices doubts, create waves, or leaves the group, all love ceases." (Courtney, "Are Jehovahs Witnesses love bombing lone dissenter?," Yahoo!7 Answers, 21 December 2010).

>May you have a wonderful day,
>
>Melissa

Thank you. Every day of my 43 years a Christian has been, to varying degrees, wonderful, especially comparing what it was like before, when I was "separate from Christ ... without hope and without God in the world" (Eph 2:12). But I would have a particularly wonderful day if you, or any other of my JW readers would, like Thomas, begin to worship Jesus as "My Lord and my God!'":

Jn 20:28-29 NWT. In answer Thomas said to him: `My Lord and my God!' Jesus said to him: `Because you have seen me have you believed? Happy are those who do not see and yet believe.'

Stephen E. Jones.
My other blogs: CreationEvolutionDesign & The Shroud of Turin

Re: I am a young Jehovah Witness who by chance came across your site #5

Melissa

Continued from part #4 (see also parts #1, #2 & #3) with this my part #5 of my reply to your comment on my post "`What Does the Bible Really Teach?' pp.7-14." Your words are bold to distinguish them from mine.

[Above: Cover of Time Magazine, December 4, 1978.... to illustrate the news coverage of Jonestown after the tragedy. Source: Danny Haszard, "Jehovah's Witnesses cult of death," February 08, 2006.

Compare the cult-directed deaths of about 900 People's Temple cult members in Jonestown, Guyana in one year (1978), and the about about 90 Branch Davidian cult members at Waco in one year (1993), with the below conservative estimate that "between five thousand and twelve thousand" JWs have died "every year ... for ... fifty years." Which works out to be an estimated total of between 250,000 and 600,000 unnecessary cult-directed deaths which the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society is blood-guilty of. That is a death toll which is between 50 and 120 times the combined total of Jonestown and Waco deaths in one year, repeated every year for fifty years and continuing! All because of the Watchtower's refusal to allow JWs to have blood transfusions.]

>A cult is defined as a religion or sect considered to be false, unorthodox, or extremist, with members often living outside of conventional society under the direction of a charismatic leader. It can also be defined as a particular system of religious worship, esp. with reference to its rites and ceremonies.

You are presumably quoting from the Dictionary.com definition:

"cult ... 1. a particular system of religious worship, esp. with reference to its rites and ceremonies. ... 6. a religion or sect considered to be false, unorthodox, or extremist, with members often living outside of conventional society under the direction of a charismatic leader." ("cult," in "Dictionary.com Unabridged," Random House Dictionary: Random House, Inc. 2010, 4 December 2010).

Other online dictionary definitions of "cult" (ignoring "system of religious worship ...its rites and ceremonies" type definitions which is not what is usually meant by Jehovah's Witnesses being a "cult") are:

"cult ... 1. a. A religion or religious sect generally considered to be extremist or false, with its followers often living in an unconventional manner under the guidance of an authoritarian, charismatic leader." ("cult," in "TheFreeDictionary," The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition, 2000: Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009, 1 December 2010)

"cult (noun) ... 3: a religion regarded as unorthodox or spurious; also : its body of adherents ...." ("cult," in "The Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary: Merriam-Webster, 2010, 4 December 2010).

"cult ... a relatively small group of people having religious beliefs or practices regarded by others as strange or as imposing excessive control over members ... " ("cult," in "Oxford Dictionaries Online," Oxford University Press. 4 December 2010).

Common to the above are the following criteria of a "cult": "1. a religion or sect"; 2. "generally considered to be extremist"; 3. "having religious beliefs or practices regarded by others as strange," "false," "spurious," or "unorthodox"; 4 "its followers often living in an unconventional manner" or "outside of conventional society"; 5. "under the guidance of an authoritarian ... leader"; and 6. "imposing excessive control over members."

As we shall see below, the Watchtower Society fits all six of these criteria (and more) of being a "cult"!

In what is usually meant by "cult" in respect of Jehovah's Witnesses (and what I mean) is a "destructive cult":

"A destructive cult is a religion or other group which has caused or has a high probability of causing harm to its own members or to others. Some researchers define `harm' in this case with a narrow focus, specifically groups which have deliberately physically injured or killed other individuals, while others define the term more broadly and include emotional abuse among the types of harm inflicted." ("Destructive cult," Wikipedia, 29 August 2010).

As we will also see below, the Watchtower Society is a "destructive cult," in that it "has caused ... harm to its own members" and "to others" and this includes having "deliberately physically injured or killed ... individuals" (in the sense of allowing them to die for lack of medical treatment and/or driving them to suicide); "emotional abuse among the types of harm inflicted"and sexual abuse (including covering it up).

The Watchtower Society itself has defined "cult" (again ignoring irrelevant definitions) as:

"What Is a Cult? ... Today, the term is applied to groups that follow a living leader who promotes new and unorthodox doctrines and practices.' Endorsing the popular usage of the term, Newsweek magazine explains that cults `are normally small, fringe groups whose members derive their identity and purpose from a single, charismatic individual.' ... `a cult is a group or movement exhibiting excessive devotion to a person or idea and employing unethically manipulative techniques of persuasion and control to advance the goals of its leaders.' Clearly, cults are generally understood to be religious groups with radical views and practices that clash with what is accepted today as normal social behavior. Usually they conduct their religious activities in secrecy. ... Their devotion to a self-proclaimed human leader is likely to be unconditional and exclusive. Often these leaders boast of having been divinely chosen or even of being themselves divine in nature." ("Cults-What Are They?," The Watchtower, February 15, 1994, pp.3-4, p.4. Emphasis original).

Having set up that definition, the Society then admitted that "the media have referred to Jehovah's Witnesses as a cult," tries to exclude itself from being a cult by its own definition, and ends with the question, "are Jehovah's Witnesses a cult?":

"Occasionally, anticult organizations and the media have referred to Jehovah's Witnesses as a cult. A number of recent newspaper articles lump the Witnesses with religious groups known for their questionable practices. But would it be accurate to refer to Jehovah's Witnesses as a small fringe religious group? Cult members often isolate themselves from friends, family, and even society in general. Is that the case with Jehovah's Witnesses? Are the Witnesses using deceptive and unethical techniques to recruit members? Cult leaders are known to use manipulative methods to control the minds of their followers. Is there any evidence that Jehovah's Witnesses do this? Is their worship cloaked in secrecy? Are they following and venerating a human leader? Pointedly, are Jehovah's Witnesses a cult?"(Ibid.)

The Society then continued in the same issue answering its own question and ending, predictably, with:

"It is clear that Jehovah's Witnesses are as far from being a cult as Jesus was from being a glutton and a drunkard. " ("Are Jehovah's Witnesses a cult?," The Watchtower, February 15, 1994, pp.5-7, p. 7).

As can be seen above, the Watchtower tries to exclude itself from being a cult by denying some criteria of what comprises a cult. But ironically, most of these criteria: "fringe religious group," "members often isolate themselves from friends, family, and even society in general," "using deceptive and unethical techniques to recruit members," "use manipulative methods to control the minds of their followers," do apply to the Watchtower (see also below)!

Other criteria, "worship cloaked in secrecy" and "following and venerating a human leader" also apply to the Society but not necessarily as "worship" (other than "worship" many of the Watchtower's activities are "cloaked in secrecy" and while JW's nowadays don't "follow... and venerat a human leader" they do "follow... and venerat a human leadership" namely the Governing Body and a human organization, the Watchtower Society itself (see below).

>We, JW, live in society and do not have an earthly leader.

JW's only "live in society" in the sense that they mostly live in ordinary houses, send their children to school and have jobs. But in many other important ways the Watchtower, like all cults, tries to isolates JWs from their family, friends and society in general.

Also, while JWs no longer have one absolute "earthly leader" in the sense of one dominant individual, as it did have in the reigns of its first three Presidents, Charles Taze Russell (1852-1916); Joseph Franklin Rutherford (1869-1942) and Nathan Homer Knorr (1905-1977); it does have an absolute "earthly leader" in the sense of the Governing Body, who is effectively "The Faithful and Discreet Slave," and to whom JWs are its "belongings" over which the Governing Body rules (my emphasis below):

"... Jehovah supports and develops his organization today through his active force upon the anointed society, his `faithful and discreet slave,' and upon its governing body. `Who really is the faithful and discreet slave whom his master appointed over his domestics to give them their food at the proper time? Truly I say to you, He will appoint him over all his belongings..' ... -Matt. 24:45, 47" ("Supporting Jehovah's Organization," The Watchtower, March 1, 1955, pp.145-157, pp.145-146).

"Those belonging to Jehovah's organization know that the `faithful and discreet slave' is a class made up of the faithful remnant of God's anointed ones, gathered now in one company and working together under the direction and authority of the governing body of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society." ("Faithful Stewardship," "The Watchtower, November 15, 1956, pp.689-695, p.692).

"As in the days of the apostles, the Christian flock of Jehovah God has over it a visible governing body. It acts for and in expression of the `faithful and discreet slave' whom Jesus Christ has appointed since coming into his kingdom in the heavens in 1914. ... Since 1919 this `faithful and discreet slave,' who is a composite person made up of all anointed Christian joint heirs of Jesus Christ, has been taking care of `all his belongings' on earth." ("Overseers in Apocalyptic Times," The Watchtower, January 15, 1958, pp.41-50, pp.45-46).

"This governing body is the administrative part of a `faithful and discreet slave' or `steward' class concerning which Jesus promised: `His master ... will appoint him over all his belongings.' (Matt. 24:45-47; Luke 12:42-44) So, recognition of that governing body and its place in God's theocratic arrangement of things is necessary for submission to the headship of God's Son." ("Do You Submit to Christ's Headship Today?," The Watchtower, December 15, 1972, pp.755-757, p.755).

"In this time of the end, Christ has appointed the collective `faithful and discreet slave' over `all his belongings,' or Kingdom interests on earth. (Matthew 24:45-47) As in the first century, this slave is represented by a governing body of anointed Christian men to whom Christ has given the authority to make decisions ..." ("The Christian View of Authority," The Watchtower, July 1, 1994, pp.18-23, p.22).

"Similarly, today a limited number of anointed men have the responsibility of representing the slave class. They make up the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses. ... What effect should the above facts have on the ever-increasing great crowd who hope to live forever on earth? As part of the King's belongings, they are happy to cooperate fully with the arrangements made by the Governing Body, which represents `the faithful and discreet slave.'" ("The Faithful Steward and Its Governing Body," The Watchtower, June 15, 2009, pp.20-24, p.24).

"Today, the other sheep are part of `all things' placed by Jehovah under the headship of his Son. They are also among the `belongings' that Christ has entrusted to his `faithful and discreet slave.' (Matt. 24:45-47) Those with an earthly hope should, therefore, recognize Christ as their Head and be submissive to the faithful and discreet slave and its Governing Body and to the men appointed as overseers in the congregation. (Heb. 13:7, 17)" ("Be Aglow With the Spirit," The Watchtower, October 15, 2009, pp.3-7, p.5).

>We also do not have any rites or ceremonies.

JW's do have "rites and ceremonies," e.g. the "religious ceremony" which the Watchtower Society calls, "The Lord's Evening meal":

"WHEN on earth, Jesus Christ instituted an observance that honors God. This was the only religious ceremony he directly commanded his followers to observe. It was the Lord's Evening Meal, known also as the Last Supper." ("An Observance That Affects You," The Watchtower, March 15, 2004, p.3).

"In the annual observance of this occasion by Jehovah's witnesses on the evening of April 17 this year, a speaker will explain the meaning of the Lord's Evening Meal and its significance in our lives today. The Bible account at Luke 22:19, 20 is followed closely in use of the bread and wine-a simple but meaningful ceremony." ("Encouraging All to Attend the Lord's Evening Meal," Our Kingdom Ministry," March 1973, p.4).

but that is irrelevant (see above).

The following quotes show that the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society (i.e. Jehovah's Witnesses) are a cult (and indeed a destructive cult) according to the Society's own definitions of what is a cult (my numbered headings are bold below):

1. "promotes new and unorthodox doctrines and practices"
As for "new," the Watchtower Society started in 1879:

"C. T. Russell took it as the Lord's leading that he give up traveling and begin publishing a journal. Thus in July 1879 the first issue of Zion's Watch Tower and Herald of Christ's Presence made its appearance. Now known world wide as The Watchtower ... The journal's beginning was a `day of small things,' as its first issue consisted of only some 6,000 copies. (Zech. 4:10) C. T. Russell, chairman of the Pittsburgh Bible class, was the editor and publisher. ... In 1879 and 1880 C. T. Russell and his associates founded some thirty congregations ... C. T. Russell and his associates believed they were in the time of harvest, and they were few in number-only about one hundred strong in 1881." (WB&TS, "1975 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses," Watchtower Bible & Tract Society: Brooklyn NY, 1975, pp.38-39).

"How old is the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses?... The modern-day history of Jehovah's Witnesses began with the forming of a group for Bible study in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, U.S.A., in the early 1870's. At first they were known only as Bible Students, but in 1931 they adopted the Scriptural name Jehovah's Witnesses. (Isa. 43:10-12)." (WB&TS, 1989, "Reasoning from the Scriptures," [1985], Watchtower Bible & Tract Society of New York: Brooklyn NY, Second edition, pp.202-203. Emphasis original).

so it is very "new" compared to Christianity, which started in 33, i.e. 1846 years before.

And the Watchtower admits that its "doctrines and practices" are "unorthodox", i.e. "different from other religions":

"What beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses set them apart as different from other religions? ... God: They worship Jehovah as the only true God ... Jesus Christ: They believe, not that Jesus Christ is part of a Trinity, but ... the first of God's creations ... that Christ is actively ruling ...over all the earth since 1914. ... Heavenly life: They believe that 144,000 spirit-anointed Christians will share with Christ in his heavenly Kingdom ... The earth: They believe that ... the earth will be completely populated by worshipers of Jehovah ... Death: They believe that the dead are conscious of absolutely nothing ... that they do not exist except in God's memory... Last days: They believe that ... some who saw the events of 1914 will also see the complete destruction of the present wicked world [a false prophecy: see my "1914: The Generation That Will Not Pass Away?"] .... Separate from the world: They earnestly endeavor to be no part of the world ... they do not share in the politics ... of any nation. ... Apply Bible counsel: ... if anyone thereafter makes a practice of adultery, fornication, homosexuality, drug abuse, drunkenness, lying, or stealing, he will be disfellowshipped from the organization [and then shunned by all JW's including his JW family and friends]. (The above list briefly states some outstanding beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses but by no means all the points on which their beliefs are different from those of other groups.)" (WB&TS, 1989, pp.199-201. Emphasis original. My comments in square brackets).

Other "unorthodox doctrines and practices" which are unique to JWs include that "Jesus ...was a human incarnation of Michael the Archangel," "rejection of Christmas and Easter as `pagan holidays' ... and their refusal to salute the flag or to serve in the military ... are forbidden to run for public office or even to vote" and "that members who question the leaders can be put on trial":

"Witnesses reject the doctrine of the Trinity and instead see only the Father ('Jehovah') as God. Jesus, to them, was a human incarnation of Michael the Archangel-the first angel God created. The `holy spirit' (JWs avoid capitalizing either word) is neither God nor a person at all, but is a mere force God uses to accomplish things. They reject traditional concepts of heaven and hell, believing instead that death equals total annihilation, with bodily resurrection to eternal life on an earth restored to paradise the hope God offers to obedient humans. ... Witnesses' rejection of Christmas and Easter as `pagan holidays' raises eyebrows, and their refusal to salute the flag or to serve in the military raises some people's blood pressure. Few outsiders, however, know that JWs are forbidden to run for public office or even to vote; or that members who question the leaders can be put on trial and punished-factors that should raise red flags in thinking people's minds." (Reed, D.A., 1996, "Blood on the Altar: Confessions of a Jehovah's Witness Minister," Prometheus: Amherst NY, pp.16-17).

"The second level of doctrinal reinforcement is what I call the secondary doctrinal matters. ... especially the Jehovah's Witness `don'ts': blood transfusions, war, participation in political affairs, various celebrations (Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, birthdays), the use of the cross as a religious symbol, and the like. ... Because the Jehovah's Witnesses are typically alone in their views on these matters, their distinctive position is regarded by Witnesses as further evidence that they have `the truth.'" (Bowman, R.M., Jr., 1991, "Understanding Jehovah's Witnesses: Why They Read the Bible the Way They Do," Baker: Grand Rapids MI, pp.93-94. Emphasis original).

2. "are normally small, fringe groups"
Again, according to its own definition, the Watchtower Society was a cult "in the early days of the movement" and besides, "small cult groups can grow to become large" and still remain a cult (e.g. "the Mormons"):

"The article continues by describing a cult `as a small fringe religious group.' When Charles Russell began the International Bible Student Association it was just `a small fringe religious group.' So the Watchtower Society itself had this mark of a cult at least in the early days of the movement. However, all groups are small when they first begin. But even small cult groups can grow to become large groups-even larger than the Watchtower Society. ... The Watchtower Society also classifies the Mormons as a cult, but the Mormons have a much larger following than the Watchtower Society and are growing at a faster rate." (Lingle, W., 2009, "What the Watchtower Society Doesn't Want you to Know," CLC Publications: Fort Washington PA, pp.79-80).

3. "whose members derive their identity and purpose from a single, charismatic individual"
According to its own definition (and the Dictionary.com definition quoted by you, "under the direction of a charismatic leader") the Watchtower Society was a cult for 37 years (1879-1916) when it was under the absolute rule of its founder, Charles Taze Russell, who "was the sole author of all the Watchtower articles, and he had complete rule over the movement":

"Jehovah's Witnesses a Cult? In America alone there are over one thousand cults. None of them, however, admits to being a cult. But just because a group denies it is a cult, does not mean it is not a cult. Apparently the Watchtower Society is aware that there are many people who consider them a cult. For this reason the feature article in the February 15, 1994, Watchtower was `Jehovah's Witnesses a Cult or Ministers of God?' The article offers the Watchtower Society's definition of a cult and explains that it is not a cult, but rather true `ministers of God.' But if it is not a cult now, it used to be one, as defined by this article. .... The February 15, 1994, Watchtower article identifies a cult as one `whose members derive their identity and purpose from a single, charismatic individual.' This describes the early situation in the movement exactly. Charles Russell certainly was `a charismatic individual.' He was the sole author of all the Watchtower articles, and he had complete rule over the movement.) Actually, the early Jehovah's Witnesses were known as `Russellites' ..." (Lingle, 2009, p.76. Emphasis original).

Indeed, under its own definition, the Watchtower Society was a cult for a further 26 years (1916-1942) during the continued absolute reign of its second charismatic President `Judge' J.F. Rutherford, who gave the Society a new "identity and purpose" in its members' "New Name ... Jehovah's Witnesses":

"In exalting Jehovah's name, however, the convention of God's people at Columbus, Ohio, July 24-30, 1931, was a milestone. ... The meaning of `JW' was revealed on Sunday, July 26, 1931, when thrilled conventioners heartily adopted a resolution presented by J. F. Rutherford and entitled `A New Name....`THAT ... to make known to the people that Jehovah is the true and Almighty God; therefore we joyfully embrace and take the name which the mouth of the Lord God has named, and we desire to be known as and called by the name, to wit, Jehovah's witnesses.'" (WB&TS, 1975, pp.149-150. Emphasis original).

That is a total of 63 years the Society was a cult by its own definition!

And note that the above definition does not preclude a cult remaining a cult when its founding "charismatic individual" has died and the cult continues to be controlled by his successors.

4. "a group or movement exhibiting excessive devotion to a person or idea"
Leaving aside the Watchtower's above claim above that its Governing Body is "a composite person" to whom JWs must be devoted to in order to be saved, one example among many of the Watchtower's "excessive devotion to [an] ... idea" is that "eating blood" is the same thing as "transfusing blood":

"Jehovah God knew the effect of taking another creature's blood into one's body, whether by eating or drinking it or by transfusing it. He doubtless forbade it for more reasons than that the life is in the blood and that taking blood means taking life to at least some degree." ("By Man's Way or by God's Way-Which?," The Watchtower, December 12, 1967, pp.719-727, p.721)

including the completely nutty and false idea that, "The blood in any person is in reality the person himself. It contains all the peculiarities of the individual from whence it comes. This includes hereditary taints ..." (my emphasis):

"Are idolatry and fornication damaging to the Christian personality? Disastrously so! So too is the taking in of blood, whether through blood foods or blood transfusions, for the Christian governing body has included this in the same category as the other evils. Moreover, recent medical research has indicated in a realistic way how blood transfusions may damage the individual's personality. According to one authority: "The blood in any person is in reality the person himself. It contains all the peculiarities of the individual from whence it comes. This includes hereditary taints, disease susceptibilities, poisons due to personal living, eating and drinking habits." Transfusing blood, then, may amount to transfusing tainted personality traits. How great the danger may become if the blood is taken from blood banks to which criminals and other derelicts of society have contributed!" ("The Faithful Creator," The Watchtower, May 15, 1962, pp.297-303 p.302).

5. "employing unethically manipulative techniques of persuasion and control ... leaders ... use manipulative methods to control the minds of their followers"
The society practices "mind control," .e.g. JWs are "not allowed to read any religious books other than Watchtower publications" and by not allowing JWs "to read any religious books other than Watchtower publications" and JWs are "not allowed to talk to" non-JWs "who have studied the Watchtower Society thoroughly":

"The article [Watchtower, February 15, 1994] further defines a cult as a group whose `leaders are known to use manipulative methods to control the minds of their followers.' If the society doesn't practice `mind control,' why are Jehovah's Witnesses not allowed to read any religious books other than Watchtower publications? ... Why are Witnesses not allowed to talk to people who have studied the Watchtower Society thoroughly from an objective point of view? If the society taught its people discernment and did not manipulate them, it would allow its followers freedom to read what they wanted to read and talk to whomever they wanted to talk. If the society didn't consider itself vulnerable to honest criticism, it would not have to forbid its followers from reading other literature!" (Lingle, 2009, p.82).

6. "religious groups with radical views and practices that clash with what is accepted today as normal social behavior"
One of the Watchtower Society's "radical views and practices that clash with what is accepted today as normal social behavior" is forcing JWs to die for lack of blood transfusions. As ex-JW elder David Reed points out, "JW leaders at Watchtower headquarters ... have led many more people to an early death than the eighty-seven Branch Davidians who died at Waco." Reed conservatively estimates these JWs deaths for lack of blood transfusions to be the order of "between five thousand and twelve thousand ... every year ... for ... fifty years" = 250,000 - 600000, and this "represent just the tiny visible tip of ... a gigantic hidden iceberg ... a mammoth tragedy of vast proportions":

"People who know a bit about JW beliefs label them as unorthodox, perhaps even cultic; but hardly anyone puts them in the same class with the sect that brought infamy to Waco, Texas. ... `The Waco cult was deadly' is the typical response made by people asked to compare the two, `while Jehovah's Witnesses are merely unorthodox and annoying.' Why is it not generally known that JW leaders at Watchtower headquarters in Brooklyn, New York, have led many more people to an early death than the eighty-seven Branch Davidians who died at Waco? The problem is largely a matter of perception and of media coverage. When many die together at one time, people notice and headlines are made. But when one or two die here and there at different times, it can easily escape public notice-even when the individual deaths add up to a much greater catastrophe ...

In a manner much less spectacular, Jehovah's Witnesses have been dying one at a time, refusing vaccinations for themselves and their children between 1931 and 1952, refusing organ transplants between 1967 and 1980, and refusing blood transfusions and certain blood fractions since the mid-1940s, all in obedience to new interpretations of Old Testament dietary laws. ... No one seems to have kept statistics on the number of JW deaths. But with the steady accumulation of a man dying here, a child there, a woman in another place, an infant somewhere else-for roughly fifty years-the JW death toll is substantial. ...

How many, altogether, have followed Watchtower commands to their deaths? American Red Cross figures published in 1980 indicated that one hundred people per thousand, or 10 percent, need blood in some form every year. With today's Watchtower organization drawing more than twelve million people worldwide to its meetings, nearly five million of these being active Witnesses and the rest children and new converts in the process of joining, 10 percent would mean that between 500,000 and 1,200,000 among them `need' blood in some form every year, yet refuse treatment. How many of those needing blood would actually die without it? Again, few statistics are available. A chart published in the February 1993 issue of The American Journal of Medicine shows that studies based on 1,404 operations-mostly cardiovascular surgery and hip replacement-performed on Jehovah's Witnesses without blood transfusions reveal that 1.4 percent of the patients died due to lack of blood as a primary or contributing cause of death. Extrapolating that figure to the entire membership, if 1.4 percent die in cases where a JW `needs' blood, and 10 percent of the five million active Witnesses and twelve million attending JW Kingdom Halls `need' blood each year, that 1.4 percent death rate would mean that between seven thousand and 16,800 die by refusing blood each year. However, that 1.4 percent death rate in scheduled routine surgery suggests a much higher figure in cases of uncontrolled hemorrhaging due to childbirth complications, automobile and industrial accidents, and other common causes of extreme blood loss. But even if blood products were critical in only 1 percent of the cases where `a JW `needs' blood, and 10 percent of the five million active Witnesses and twelve million attending JW Kingdom Halls `needed' blood each year, a 1 percent death rate would mean that between five thousand and twelve thousand die by refusing blood every year. ...

The Watchtower Society has banned blood transfusions for its members for some fifty years now; so, although lower memberships in earlier years would yield lower death tolls for those years, the total number of deaths attributable to this policy must be staggering. Yet, as mentioned earlier, the ban on blood is not the Watchtower's only deadly doctrine. At various times Witnesses have been taught to avoid vaccination and organ transplants such as kidney replacement. These policies, no doubt, added to the total number of persons dying in obedience to the sect's teachings. Amazingly, little of this is public knowledge, and even the normally alert investigative news media have virtually tripped over the story without noticing it. ...

The actual cases documented here primarily involve Americans and are taken mainly from reports found in major American newspapers and wire services. Since U.S. Witnesses account for only about 20 percent, or one-fifth, of the JW population worldwide, it would be reasonable to project that each such death reported in this country could be accompanied by four additional heartrending stories from other parts of the world. Mexico and Brazil, each with more than a million attending Jehovah's Witness Kingdom Halls, certainly have their share of deaths. And so do Argentina, France, Germany, Italy, Nigeria, Zaire, Zambia, the Philippines, and Japan, since Watchtower followers number roughly in the quarter-million to half-million range in each of those countries. The lack of cases reported here from any of these nations certainly cannot be taken to mean that the more than nine million people attending Kingdom Halls outside the United States are not refusing blood and dying at the same rate as their American counterparts. Most certainly they are, and the headlines and human interest columns of newspapers printed in the Japanese, Spanish, Portuguese, and various African languages just as certainly carry their share of hospital dramas and JW obituaries ...

It should be stressed again that most adult Witnesses who refuse blood products in life-or-death situations die quietly in hospitals without attracting outside attention. Well in advance of a scheduled operation or procedure, they seek out a cooperative physician who will not fight them on the issue. Only cases involving police accident reports, court intervention on behalf of a child, or other legal controversies are likely to come to the attention of the press and to be reported in major newspapers. When JWs sign legal waivers and doctors agree to exclude blood from the operating room or the treatment schedule, the role this plays in the resulting death usually escapes public notice. Multiplying the overall tragedy, in addition to the Jehovah's Witnesses who die in this manner, there are untold numbers who just barely make it through an operation or who survive an accident, but with permanent damage due to loss of blood. Some suffer irreversible brain damage. Others lose limbs or lose the full use of them. Less dramatic than actual deaths, these cases go largely unreported. ... So, as the various cases are encountered throughout the book, it should be kept in mind that these are only a small sampling of the overall picture. They represent just the tiny visible tip of -a gigantic hidden iceberg-a mammoth tragedy of vast proportions." (Reed, 1996, "Blood on the Altar," pp, pp.16-19,25-26,28-31).

7. "Usually they conduct their religious activities in secrecy ... worship cloaked in secrecy"
Even "though the five meetings a week held by the Jehovah's Witnesses are open to anyone, the actual workings of the Watchtower Society are kept secret, even to most Jehovah's Witnesses":

"The article [ Watchtower, February 15, 1994] describes a cult as often meeting in secret, and claims that Kingdom Hall meetings are open to the public. .... First of all, I question whether `secret' versus `public' meetings is a valid mark of a cult. ... though the five meetings a week held by the Jehovah's Witnesses are open to anyone, the actual workings of the Watchtower Society are kept secret, even to most Jehovah's Witnesses. An interesting statement is made in the preface to the 1945 book The Jehovah's Witnesses by Herbert Hewitt Stroup, published by Columbia University Press. When Mr. Stroup tried to objectively study the Watchtower Society in the process of writing a book, he ran into resistance from the organization's leaders. He wrote: `Since the movement is in many ways a "secret" one, the members were loathe to give me openly any information. Moreover, the leaders issued orders to all local groups that I should not be aided in any direct way in securing my information.' Even as late as November 1943, the present leader of the Witnesses, Mr. N.H. Knorr, informed me by letter that the `Society does not have the time, nor will it take time, to assist you in your publication concerning Jehovah's witnesses... .' Aside from the scant material to be found in the brief Yearbook, `there is no other information that we have available to the public. This makes it rather clear that the Watchtower Society is run in `secrecy.' It is still done so today. Just try writing a letter or making a phone call to get any inside information and see what happens! .'" (Lingle, 2009, pp.82-84).

"Another example of secrecy can be seen when charges are brought against an individual Jehovah's Witness and he or she is called before a" secret "`judicial committee'" where "only the verdict is announced to the congregation" and "The Watchtower Society's finances are also kept in complete secrecy":

"Another example of secrecy can be seen when charges are brought against an individual Jehovah's Witness and he or she is called before a`judicial committee.' The accused person must appear alone; women as well as men must appear before three men (so much for a `jury of your peers'); and the hearing may not be recorded. (As far back as Old Testament times, a trial has been considered fair only if it is held openly, a public record is made of the hearing, and the accused is allowed to have defense counsel.) When this `judicial committee' finds a person guilty, only the verdict is announced to the congregation; no opportunity is given to the accused to explain his or her side. Why all the secrecy? The Watchtower Society's finances are also kept in complete secrecy. No financial statement is provided. The average Jehovah's Witness is never told how much is made through literature or other donations to the society. Nor does the society reveal where it invests its money. Why are the finances such a secretive matter when the money comes from the rank and file among the Witnesses? 'Kingdom Hall Funds' are raised for the purpose of construction, yet it is estimated that in about forty percent of the cases, no new Kingdom Hall or addition is ever built. These funds are not returned to the donors but are put into a special fund to be used only by the governing body, and no accounting of these funds is ever given." (Lingle, 2009, pp.84-85).

8. "Their devotion to a self-proclaimed human leader is likely to be unconditional and exclusive."
See above on the Watchtower's "self-proclaimed human" leadership the Governing Body to whom JW's devotion must be "unconditional and exclusive."

9. "Often these leaders boast of having been divinely chosen or even of being themselves divine in nature."
See part #4 on the Watchtower "leaders" claiming that they are God's sole channel of communication to mankind and that this is effectively a claim to be God.

Then there is the core Watchtower's claim that in 1918-19 it alone was "divinely chosen" by Jesus to be His "Faithful and Discreet Slave" and "appointed ... over all his belongings":

"On inspecting the remnant of his anointed disciples in the year 1919 C.E., the reigning King Jesus Christ did find the appointed `slave' faithful and discreet in the feeding of his `domestics.' Accordingly, he appointed this `slave' class over all his belongings." (WBTS, 1973, "God's Kingdom of a Thousand Years Has Approached," Watchtower Bible and Tract Society: Brooklyn NY, pp.354-356).

"On arriving to inspect his slaves in 1918, therefore, whom did the Master, Jesus Christ, find giving to his body of attendants their measure of food supplies at the proper time? ... The facts show that it was the group of anointed Christians associated with the publishers of the magazine Zion's Watch Tower and Herald of Christ's Presence, now called The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah's Kingdom." ("`The Faithful Slave' and Its Governing Body," The Watchtower, March 15, 1990, pp.10-14, pp.13-14).

"In 1918, when Jesus Christ inspected those claiming to be his slaves, he found an international group of Christians publishing Bible truths for use both inside the congregation and outside in the preaching work. In 1919 it truly turned out to be as Christ had foretold: `Happy is that slave if his master on arriving finds him doing so. Truly I say to you, He will appoint him over all his belongings.' (Matthew 24:46, 47) These true Christians entered into the joy of their Master. Having shown themselves `faithful over a few things,' they were appointed by the Master to be `over many things.' (Matthew 25:21) The faithful slave and its Governing Body were in place, ready for a widened assignment. How glad we should be that this was so, for loyal Christians are richly benefiting from the devoted work of the faithful slave and its Governing Body!" ("`The Faithful Slave' and Its Governing Body," The Watchtower, March 15, 1990, pp.10-14, p.14).

"In the modern-day fulfillment of these prophecies [Isa 66:6; Eze 43:4, 6-9; Mal 3:1-5], there was an important spiritual development in 1918 in connection with Jehovah's worship. Jehovah and Jesus evidently made an inspection of all of those claiming to represent pure worship. That inspection led to the final casting off of corrupt Christendom. For Christ's anointed followers, the inspection meant a brief period of refinement followed by a swift spiritual restoration in 1919." (WB&TS, 2001, "Isaiah's Prophecy: Light for All Mankind: Volume II," Watchtower Bible & Tract Society of New York: Brooklyn NY, p.397).

"`The appointed time' for the `judgment of the house of God' to begin evidently arrived in 1918 ... Those claiming to represent God and his true worship on earth were duly examined. The churches of Christendom, who for centuries had taught God-dishonoring doctrines ... were rejected. A faithful remnant of spirit-anointed Christians were tested, refined as with fire, and approved ... Jesus stated: `Who really is the faithful and discreet slave whom his master appointed over his domestics, to give them their food at the proper time? Happy is that slave if his master on arriving finds him doing so. Truly I say to you, He will appoint him over all his belongings.' (Matthew 24:3, 45-47) `On arriving' to inspect the `slave' in 1918, Christ found a spirit-anointed remnant of faithful disciples who since 1879 had been using this journal and other Bible-based publications to provide spiritual `food at the proper time.' He acknowledged them as his collective instrument, or `slave,' and in 1919 entrusted them with the management of all his earthly belongings." ("Loyal to Christ and His Faithful Slave," The Watchtower, April 1, 2007, pp.21-25 , p.22).

10. "members often isolate themselves from friends, family, and even society in general.
Not only in the past, but here in the present, according to the Society's own definition, it is a cult because "Cult members often isolate themselves from friends, family, and even society in general":

While the Watchtower does not isolate its members geographically, it does isolate them socially, e.g. it "urges all its members to separate from their friends" and so "very few Jehovah's Witnesses have close personal contact with anyone outside of the organization":

"Another definition in the [February 15, 1994] Watchtower article is that `Cult members often isolate themselves from friends, family, and even society in general.' Then it asks, `Is that the case with Jehovah's Witnesses?' Let us examine some of the Watchtower Society's practices and see what kind of an answer we come up with. The Watchtower Society urges all its members to separate from their friends because they are all considered `worldly' (no matter what kind of moral character they have). Even when a person is just studying with a Jehovah's Witness, he is urged to make this break. For this reason very few Jehovah's Witnesses have close personal contact with anyone outside of the organization." (Lingle, 2009, p.80).

The Society "isolates its members from their family members is by not permitting them to participate in the activities of holiday times" e.g. celebrating birthdays and Christmas "when family members get together," :

"One very subtle way the society isolates its members from their family members is by not permitting them to participate in the activities of holiday times when family members get together. Very few Jehovah's Witnesses have a warm, loving, close relationship with family members who are not Witnesses." (Lingle, 2009, p.80).

An extreme cultic form of isolation is the Watchtower's policy and practice of disfellowshipping and shunning of lapsed and ex-JWs, i.e. "If a Jehovah's Witness decides to leave the organization," all JWs including family and friends "are instructed to ... have nothing to do with him" including "Husbands are separated from wives, wives from husbands, children from parents, grandparents from children and grandchildren" which is one of "the most severe punishment that can be inflicted upon a person" and is a sentence of socially death and "a figurative "hell" on earth":

"If a Jehovah's Witness decides to leave the organization, his or her so-called `Witness friends' and `Witness family members' are instructed to stay away from him and have nothing to do with him. Husbands are separated from wives, wives from husbands, children from parents, grandparents from children and grandchildren. While the Jehovah's Witnesses claim to be against going to war and killing people with a gun, they have no qualms against putting people to death spiritually and socially, so to speak. They say that a disfellowshipped or even a disassociated Jehovah's Witness no longer has any contact with God, because one can only have contact with Him through the Watchtower Society. So the disfellowshipped Jehovah's Witness is completely ostracized from all his former acquaintances. This is about the most severe punishment that can be inflicted upon a person. One can lose all material possessions and still survive with the support of family and friends; but to be considered socially dead and have no friends is very, very difficult. While teaching that God is a `God of love' and that the society is God's representative here upon this earth, it inflicts this cruel punishment on those who dare to question its authority. The Watchtower Society does not believe in a place of punishment-hell-in the next life, but it does believe in and practices putting former members through a figurative `hell' on earth." (Lingle, 2009, pp.80-81. Emphasis original).

The Watchtower does "isolate" JWs from "society in general," e.g. "It does not allow members to vote in ... elections or participate in community activities":

"Jehovah's Witnesses have absolutely nothing to do with `society in general.' Watchtower publications constantly point out all the wickedness in the world, yet forbid members from doing anything to keep it from getting worse. The society does not allow the exercise of freedom of speech and choice. It does not allow members to vote in federal, state or local elections or participate in community activities. Instead, they stand on the sidelines and condemn everything in the world without offering a helping hand. Thus again, by its own definition, it would be considered a cult." (Lingle, 2009, pp.81-82

11. "using deceptive and unethical techniques to recruit members"
Deceptive and unethical techniques used by the Watchtower to recruit members include:

a) not disclosing to a prospective new converts the downsides of being a JWs, including the effective loss of all their non-JW family and friends (e.g. not permitted to share birthday and Christmas celebrations with them), effective withdrawal from non-JW society, including not being allowed to vote, shunning by their JW family and friends if they fall foul of any of the Wathtower's 1,177 rules are disciplined, or disfellowshipped, if they or their children need a life-saving blood transfusion they will have to let them die, and a life of unending slavery to the Watchtower with no assurance of salvation;

b) the use of a false Bible, The New World Translation, in which Biblical doctrines are systematically twisted to conform with Watchtower doctrine;

c) presenting a false portrayal and false history of Christianity as "Christendom" which supposedly became apostate at the end of the first century; etc.

One example (among many) of the Watchtower "using deceptive and unethical techniques to recruit members" is in their former recruiting manual, "Reasoning From the Scriptures" (1985), which provides "clever responses and lines of argument to use in discussions with outsiders" many of which "are tricky" and "deceptive," e.g. telling JWs to falsely tell a Christian that they are "glad" they are "saved" when "In actuality the JW views `saved' Christians as enslaved by the devil" and also evading the Christian's question, "Have you been born again?" by instructing JWs to deceptively assure the Christian that, "I have accepted Jesus as my Savior and have received holy spirit":

"Reasoning From the Scriptures, 1985 This ... book goes beyond the scope of its predecessor by providing not merely Scripture verses but also clever responses and lines of argument to use in discussions with outsiders. These are presented under the heading `If Someone Says-' at the end of many of the chapters. ... Many proposed responses are tricky, or perhaps even deceptive, and are designed to overcome a householder's objections and permit the Witness to continue with a prepared presentation. Thus, on page 360 the book suggests:

If Someone Says-I'm saved' You might reply: `I am glad to know that, because it tells me that you believe in Jesus Christ. The work in which I am sharing is one that Jesus assigned his followers to do.'

In actuality the JW views `saved' Christians as enslaved by the devil, and he is not at all glad about this claim of salvation; but he is glad to know what his listener thinks, and uses this as a jumping-off point for the remainder of his rehearsed speech. Similarly, although the millions of Jehovah's Witnesses have been taught that they cannot be born again, but that this privilege is reserved for an elite group of some eight thousand people on earth today, they are encouraged to give this reply to an outsider who asks, `Have you been born again?'

You want to know whether I have accepted Jesus as my Savior and have received holy spirit, is that right? May I assure you that the answer is Yes; otherwise I would not be talking to you about Jesus. (p. 79).

With their weekly training in the use of such evasive maneuvers and carefully thought-out arguments, it is no wonder that Jehovah's Witnesses are so difficult to deal with when they call at the home." (Reed, D.A., 1993, "Jehovah's Witness Literature: A Critical Guide to Watchtower Publications," Baker: Grand Rapids MI, pp.170-171. Emphasis original).

13. "following and venerating a human leader"

See above that JWs do "follow... and venerat a human leadership" namely the Watchtowers' Governing Body and a human organization, the Watchtower Society itself. In its songbook, "Sing Praises to Jehovah" (1984), "the shift away from Jesus Christ has been accompanied by a growing emphasis on the organization, which itself takes on the role of a corporate false Christ obeyed as master and looked to for salvation":

"Sing Praises to Jehovah, 1984 Musically the book of 225 songs released in 1984 differs from earlier versions in that it provides notations for guitar. But more significant is the different doctrinal emphasis commented on in the Watchtower Society's book Revelation-Its Grand Climax At Hand!, `In the songbook produced by Jehovah's people in 1905, there were twice as many songs praising Jesus as there were songs praising Jehovah God. In their 1928 songbook, the number of songs extolling Jesus was about the same as the number extolling Jehovah. But in the latest songbook of 1984, Jehovah is honored by four times as many songs as is Jesus. ... Watchtower leaders are well aware that the organization's doctrinal shifts over the years have made it far less Christ centered, and that this changed emphasis is reflected in its songs of worship. But what the quotation fails to reveal is that the shift away from Jesus Christ has been accompanied by a growing emphasis on the organization, which itself takes on the role of a corporate false Christ obeyed as master and looked to for salvation. Hints of this can be found in a number of the newer songs. For example, song number 8 in the 1984 book is titled `Loyally Submitting to Theocratic Order,' and its third and final stanza begins `Then we have God's `steward' and His active force. These will ever guide us in our Christian course.' ... Note, too, these words from song number 38 titled `Displaying Loyalty': `To God's loyal congregation We too will show loyalty, Give it our steadfast allegiance Even in adversity,' Also, these from number 42, `This is the Way': `He has a fine channel that's surely unique, And thru it he chooses to warn and to speak.' Such verses, sung with deep conviction, continually impress upon Jehovah's Witnesses that the organization speaks for God and that loyalty to God is manifested by loyal allegiance to the organization." (Reed, 1993, pp.167-168. Emphasis original).

Also, in its baptism questions, the Watchtower has replaced "the Holy Spirit" with "God's spirit-directed organization", i.e. itself, which "removes JW baptism even farther from the biblical pattern, transforming it into an organizational membership commitment rather than a relationship with God" and making the "organization ... essential to salvation and demanding obedience" to it, which reveals the Watchtower as "a false savior and lord, a corporate false Christ, and thus one of the `false Christs, and false prophets' that Jesus warned against":.

"Baptism ... For many years the Watchtower organization baptized candidates after they publicly answered yes to these two questions: (1) `Have you repented of your sins and turned around, recognizing yourself before Jehovah God as a condemned sinner who needs salvation, and have you acknowledged to him that this salvation proceeds from him, the Father, through his Son Jesus Christ?' and, (2) `On the basis of this faith in God and in his provision for salvation, have you dedicated yourself unreservedly to God to do his will henceforth as he reveals it to you through Jesus Christ and through the Bible under the enlightening power of the holy spirit?' (The Watchtower, May 1, 1973, page 280) .... But in its issue of June 1, 1985, The Watchtower magazine presented new questions to replace those used previously. These new questions are as follows: `On the basis of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, have you repented of your sins and dedicated yourself to Jehovah to do his will? Do you understand that your dedication and baptism identify you as one of Jehovah's Witnesses in association with God's spirit-directed organization?' (page 30) ... The old formula bore at least some resemblance to the biblical injunction to baptize disciples `in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.' (Matthew 28:19 NIV, NKJB, RSV) The revised wording, however, removes JW baptism even farther from the biblical pattern, transforming it into an organizational membership commitment rather than a relationship with God. This may be acceptable to persons indoctrinated to believe that `identifying themselves with Jehovah's organization is essential to their salvation.' (Our Kingdom Ministry, November 1990, page 1) But such a baptism is offensive to those who see Christ as the true Savior and as the only one to be obeyed as Lord. Any organization inserting itself into the picture as essential to salvation and demanding obedience must be viewed as a false savior and lord, a corporate false Christ, and thus one of the `false Christs, and false prophets' that Jesus warned against. (Matthew 24:24)" (Reed, D.A., 1996, "Answering Jehovah's Witnesses: Subject by Subject," pp.39-40. Emphasis original).

Concluded in part #6.

Stephen E. Jones.
My other blogs: CreationEvolutionDesign & The Shroud of Turin

Re: I am a young Jehovah Witness who by chance came across your site #4

Melissa

Continued from part #3 (see also parts #1 & #2) with this part #4 of my multi-part reply to your comment on my post "`What Does the Bible Really Teach?' pp.7-14." Your words are bold to distinguish them from mine.

[Above: "Modern-Day Theocratic Organization of Jehovah's Christian Witnesses," The Watchtower, December 15 1971, p.749. Source: Glen T. Winstein, "GTJ Brooklyn 1: An examination of the Jehovah's Witnesses' Governing Body's claims."]

As depicted above, the "`Faithful and Discreet Slave' Class," is effectively the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society's "Governing Body":

"As foretold at Matthew 24:3, 45-47, the Master, Jesus Christ, has appointed `the faithful and discreet slave,' made up of anointed Christians, to care for all his belongings on earth during this day of his presence. That faithful and discreet slave is represented today by the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses, which has as its publicity agent the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society. Most appropriately, that faithful and discreet slave has also been called God's channel of communication." ("Jehovah and Christ-Foremost Communicators," The Watchtower, September 1, 1991, pp.15-19, pp.18-19. My emphasis).

which is is claimed to be be "God's channel of communication" (i.e. the sole channel of communication-see below) from "Jehovah God" via "Jesus Christ" to mankind. This makes the Watchtower Society effectively God to JWs.

>My god is not the WT but Jehovah God.

The Watchtower Society claims to be God's "ONLY" and "SOLE" "channel of communication" (my emphasis below):

"It is only through his channel of communication that Jehovah now is using that an individual obtains accurate knowledge of the truth ...." ("Baptism," The Watchtower, August 1, 1958, pp.472-478, pp.473-474).

"The facts show that during this time and up to the present hour the `slave' class has served as God's sole collective channel for the flow of Biblical truth to men on earth." ("Staying Awake with the `Faithful and Discreet Slave'," The Watchtower, July 15, 1960, p.438-444, p.439).

"... in interpreting Bible prophecy God has seen fit to use an earthly channel of communication. ... we must conclude that God uses only one channel at any one time ... That Jehovah is using such a channel today and that it is associated with the New World society of Jehovah's witnesses the facts unmistakably show." ("Understanding the Beasts of Revelation," The Watchtower, December 1, 1962, pp.725-727, p.726).

"Never has God had more than one channel of communication at one time. Failure to recognize and associate with his anointed witnesses would certainly indicate that one is not in Jehovah God's organization and under his spirit." ("The Value of Right Association Through Congregational Meetings," The Watchtower, January 15, 1966, pp.41-47, p.44).

"Bear in mind that our heavenly Father has an appointed channel of communication, `the faithful and discreet slave.' That `slave' has the responsibility to determine what information is made available to the household of faith, as well as `the proper time' for it to be dispensed. This spiritual food is available only through the theocratic organization. We should always look to God's appointed channel for reliable information ...." ("Avoid the Pursuit of `Valueless Things'," Our Kingdom Ministry, September 9, 2002, p.8).

Also the Watchtower Society claims that it alone determines what the Bible says (my emphasis below):

"Just as we look to God's channel of communication for instruction in his Word, so we should seek the organized discussion of those instructions for their fullest comprehension." ("Training Your Perceptive Powers," The Watchtower, May 1, 1961, pp.270-276, pp.272-273).

"But Jehovah God has also provided his visible organization, his `faithful and discreet slave,' made up of spirit-anointed ones, to help Christians in all nations to understand and apply properly the Bible in their lives. Unless we are in touch with this channel of communication that God is using, we will not progress along the road to life, no matter how much Bible reading we do." ("The Path of the Righteous Does Keep Getting Brighter," The Watchtower, December 1, 1981, pp.26-31, p.27).

"God had a channel for communicating Revelation in John's day, and John was the earthly part of that channel. Likewise, God has a channel for giving spiritual nourishment to his `slaves' today. ... Jesus identified the earthly part of this channel as `the faithful and discreet slave ... He uses this John class in unlocking the meaning of the prophecy." ("Revelation: Its Grand Climax At Hand!," Watchtower Bible & Tract Society: Brooklyn NY, 1988, p.16).

"All who want to understand the Bible should appreciate that the `greatly diversified wisdom of God' can become known only through Jehovah's channel of communication, the faithful and discreet slave." ("The Bible-A Book Meant to Be Understood," The Watchtower, October 1, 1994, pp.4-8, p.8).

"Jehovah gives us sound counsel through his Word and through his organization, using the publications provided by `the faithful and discreet slave.' ... How foolish to reject good advice and insist on our own way! We `must be swift about hearing' when Jehovah, `the One teaching men knowledge,' counsels us through his channel of communication.." ("The Lips of Truth Will Endure Forever," The Watchtower, March 15, 2003, pp.26-30, p.27).

And the Watchtower Society demands that a JW must obey without question whatever it says (my emphasis below):

"`The spirit that now operates in the sons of disobedience' ... can cause us to think that we do not need guidance from Jehovah's organization. ... We need to guard against developing a spirit of independence. By word or action, may we never challenge the channel of communication that Jehovah is using today. .... And should we not strive to be obedient and submissive to those taking the lead in our local congregation?" ("Treasure Your Place in the Congregation," The Watchtower, November 15, 2009 11, pp.13-17, p.14).

"Make haste to identify the visible theocratic organization of God .... We cannot claim to love God, yet deny his Word and channel of communication. ... Therefore, in submitting to Jehovah's visible theocratic organization, we must be in full and complete agreement with every feature of its apostolic procedure and requirements." ("Following Faithful Shepherds with Life in View," The Watchtower, October 1, 1967, pp.591-597, pp.591-592).

This means that the Watchtower Society is effectively God to a JW.

That is, the Watchtower organization is effectively "Lord and Savior" to a JW, "By ... presenting itself as the essential means [of] salvation and the final authority to be obeyed," as ex-JW elder David Reed points out:

"The Organization As Lord And Savior Christianity has been defined as a relationship with a Person, namely Jesus Christ. ... We choose to follow Jesus as our Lord; He becomes our Master, Teacher, Leader-the One we obey. For Jehovah's Witnesses, however, the rightful position of Jesus Christ has been usurped by the Watchtower organization. It, in effect, is the one they taught to look to as lord and savior." (Reed, D.A., 1989, "Behind the Watchtower Curtain: The Secret Society of Jehovah's Witnesses," Crowne Publications: Southbridge MA, p.117. Emphasis original).

"One can become a Christian by turning to Jesus Christ in prayer before ever entering or joining an organized church. It is a spiritual relationship .... Individuals have been known to become Christians after reading the Bible all alone in a jail cell, in the wilderness, or on an isolated island. But becoming a Jehovah's Witness is not that simple. One must first receive and study Watchtower literature in order to `properly' understand the Bible. There must be a formal study program conducted by a Jehovah's Witness in good standing with the organization. Then the newcomer must begin attending organizational meetings and participate in `field service'-knocking on doors with Watchtower literature. Finally, after undergoing a doctrinal quiz from the book Organized to Accomplish Our Ministry (Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, 1983), he is acceptable for baptism and recognition as a Jehovah's Witness." (Reed, 1989, pp.117-118).

"Unlike Christian baptism, which is performed in the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit, candidates for baptism by Jehovah's Witnesses must answer `yes' to the following two questions: On the basis of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, have you repented of your sins and dedicated yourself to Jehovah to do his will? Do you understand that your dedication and baptism identify you as one of Jehovah's Witnesses in association with God's spirit-directed organization? - The Watchtower, June 1, 1985, page 30 Somehow, the organization has inserted itself into the baptism formula." (Reed, 1989, p.118. My emphasis).

"And the organization continues to insert itself into the life of the Jehovah's Witness, taking the place of Jesus Christ. For example, people are invited to `come to Jehovah's organization for salvation'. (The Watchtower, 11/15/81, p.21) The organization is portrayed as their savior. Moreover, followers are told: `Jehovah is using only one organization today to accomplish his will. To receive life in the earthly Paradise we must identify that organization and serve God as part of it.' (The Watchtower, 2/15/83, p. 12) There is no salvation or life apart from the Watchtower organization, according to these teachings. Likewise, the organization requires unquestioning obedience from its followers-obedience such as is due only the Lord Himself. Witnesses are told to `Avoid independent thinking ... questioning the counsel that is provided by God's visible organization." (The Watchtower, 1/15/83, p. 22) Any who fail to obey are put on trial, expelled, and cut off from their family and friends." (Reed, 1989, pp.118-119. My emphasis).

"By thus inserting itself into God's plan of salvation, presenting itself as the essential means [of] salvation and the final authority to be obeyed, the Watchtower Society usurps the position of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. This actually borders on idolatry, since the organization is portrayed in terms that rightly apply only to Deity. Strangely enough, the Society itself has acknowledged in the past the possibility of people becoming `idolatrous worshippers of a man-made organization'-writing in regard to some other organization, of course, not their own. (The Watchtower, December 1, 1971, p. 723) How does this happen? How does one become an organization-worshiper? Note the Society's own answer: `If one renders obedient service to someone or some organization, whether willingly or under compulsion, looking up to such as possessing a position of superior rulership and great authority then that one can Scripturally be said to be a worshiper.' The Watchtower, September 1, 1961, p. 525 What more perfect description could there be of the relationship of Jehovah's Witnesses to their own organization? Their definition of `idolatrous worshipers of a man-made organization' fits no one better than themselves. Yes, by looking to it for salvation and by obeying it as their lord and master, J.W.'s in effect deify their organization. While pointing the finger of accusation at others, they themselves have fallen into the snare of idolatry." (Reed, 1989, p.119. My emphasis).

>The Bible tells you not to put man before God and I don't.

See above. If you are Watchtower-obedient JW then you do "put man [the men who comprise the Governing Body of the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society] before God." Indeed they effectively are God to you, because: 1) whatever the Watchtower says is what God says to a JW; 2) God cannot say anything that the Watchtower does not say to a JW; and 3) what God in the Bible says that disagrees with Watchtower doctrine, the Watchtower overrides.

That the Watchtower overrides God's speaking through His Word, the Bible, is evident in the Society's claim that it is God's sole ... channel for the flow of Biblical truth to men on earth" and that it alone can "understand and apply properly the Bible" (my emphasis below):

"... up to the present hour the `slave' class has served as God's sole collective channel for the flow of Biblical truth to men on earth." (WT, 7/15/60, p.439).

"God has also provided his visible organization ... to help Christians in all nations to understand and apply properly the Bible" and "Unless we are in touch with this channel of communication ... we will not progress along the road to life, no matter how much Bible reading we do." (WT, 12/1/81, p.27).

"All who want to understand the Bible should appreciate that the `greatly diversified wisdom of God' can become known only through Jehovah's channel of communication." (WT, 10/1/94, p.8).

"Jehovah gives us sound counsel through his Word and through his organization, using the publications provided by `the faithful and discreet slave.'" (WT, 3/15/03, p.27).

As David Reed pointed out, the Watchtower thus "elevates the organization above the Bible [and therefore above God] and makes gaining everlasting life contingent on following the Watchtower Society":

"Matthew 24:45-47 Who really is the faithful and discreet slave whom his master appointed over his domestics, to give them their food at the proper time? Happy is that slave if his master on arriving finds him doing so. Truly I say to you, He will appoint him over all his belongings.' (NWT)

This is a key text for Jehovah's Witnesses. They attach a unique interpretation to the parable. Instead of seeing it as an exhortation to each Christian to be a faithful and diligent `slave' for Christ, they believe that their organization represents the faithful and discreet slave, divinely appointed to dispense `spiritual food' to the household of faith. This interpretation gives Watchtower headquarters tremendous power and authority in the eyes of the average Witness. For example, note how The Watchtower of December 1, 1981, elevates the organization above the Bible and makes gaining everlasting life contingent on following the Watchtower Society:

Jehovah God has also provided his visible organization, his "faithful and discreet slave," made up of spirit-anointed ones, to help Christians in all nations to understand and apply properly the Bible in their lives. Unless we are in touch with this channel of communication that God is using, we will not progress along the road to life, no matter how much Bible reading we do [p. 27]. Favored indeed are all those who serve loyally with the "faithful and discreet slave" organization, Jehovah's visible agent of communication! Theirs is the wise choice, for their pathway leads on to the precious goal of everlasting life ... [p. 31].

Perhaps I should mention here, as a personal aside, that the above statements, especially the one on page 27, which elevates the organization above the Bible, became `the last straw'-the straw that broke the camel's back-in my relationship with the Watchtower Society." (Reed, D.A., 1986, "Jehovah's Witnesses Answered Verse by Verse," Baker: Grand Rapids MI, Thirty-first printing, 2006, pp.58-59).

That the Watchtower Society overrides the Bible (and therefore effectively is God to a JW), is evident in its warning to JWs that if they "read the Bible exclusively" then they will come to believe what Christianity (not what the Watchtower) teaches:

"From time to time, there have arisen from among the ranks of Jehovah's people those who ... say that it is sufficient to read the Bible exclusively, either alone or in small groups at home. But, strangely, through such 'Bible reading,' they have reverted right back to the apostate doctrines that commentaries by Christendom's clergy were teaching 100 years ago ..." ("Serving Jehovah `Shoulder to Shoulder'," Watchtower, Aug 15, 1981, pp.28-29, p.29).

As Ex-JW Gordon Duggar reflected, for "the devout Witness ... The organization is Jehovah":

"By now the devout Witness finds the words `Jehovah,' `faithful and discreet slave,' `organization,' and now `world government' to all be one and the same. The frantic message that strikes fear in their hearts is clear and plain. There is no place for safety outside the organization. The organization must be the base. The organization is Jehovah." (Duggar, G.E., 1985, "Jehovah's Witnesses: Watch Out for the Watchtower!," Baker: Grand Rapids MI, p.14).

Continued in part #5.

Stephen E. Jones.
My other blogs: CreationEvolutionDesign & The Shroud of Turin

Re: I am a young Jehovah Witness who by chance came across your site #3

Melissa

Continued from part #2 with my multi-part reply to your comment on my post "`What Does the Bible Really Teach?' pp.7-14." Your words are bold to distinguish them from mine.

[Above (click to enlarge): John 14:14 in "The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures," Watchtower Bible & Tract Society: Brooklyn NY, Second edition, 1985, p.483). As can be seen, the Watchtower's own Kingdom Interlinear Translation's interlinear English literal rendering of the Greek text shows Jesus teaching His disciples:

"if ever anything you should ask ME in the name of ME this I shall do" (my emphasis).

But the accompanying New World Translation on the right:

Jn 14:14 NWT. "If YOU ask anything in my name, I will do it."

omits the "me" between "ask" and "anything" even though the Watchtower's knows it is there in the Greek. So this is yet another of many deliberate mistranslations by the Watchtower in the NWT.]

>So to answer your question-Yes I do everything in the name of Jesus Christ, "thanking God the Father through him."

Your claim that you "do everything in the name of Jesus Christ" is simply false (see part #1 on "theocratic warfare," i.e. "for the purpose of protecting the interests of God's cause [i.e. the Watchtower], it is proper to hide the truth from God's enemies [i.e. non-JWs]").

For starters, you call yourselves Jehovah's Witnesses, not Jesus' Witnesses (as Jesus commanded - even in the NWT):

Acts 1:8 NWT. but YOU will receive power when the holy spirit arrives upon YOU, and YOU will be witnesses of me [Jesus] both in Jerusalem and in all Ju-de-a and Sa-mar-i-a and to the most distant part of the earth."

But then why would JWs do everything (or even anything) in the name of Michael the Archangel?:

"Who Is Michael the Archangel? THE spirit creature called Michael ... is another name for Jesus Christ, before and after his life on earth." (WB&TS, 2005, "What Does the Bible Really Teach?," Watchtower Bible & Tract Society of New York: Brooklyn NY, p.218. Emphasis original).

The key word of yours above is "through." JWs are told by the Watchtower that they must only pray through (not to) Jesus:

"Jehovah requires us to recognize the position of his Son in His purpose and to offer all our prayers in his name. ... For our prayers to be acceptable to God, then, we must pray to Jehovah God through his Son ..." (WB&TS, 1968, "The Truth that Leads to Eternal Life," Watchtower Bible & Tract Society: Brooklyn NY, pp.152-153).

"To whom should we pray? ... the Scriptures direct us to offer our prayers through Jesus. ... For our prayers to be heard, we must pray only to Jehovah through his Son." (WB&TS, 2005, "What Does the Bible Really Teach?," Watchtower Bible & Tract Society of New York: Brooklyn NY, pp.167-168. Emphasis original).

Thus JWs are by their own (including your) admission, "thanking God the Father through" an angel, namely Michael the Archangel"!

JWs do not pray TO Jesus, as He commanded (see above) and as Christians in the New Testament did:

• "[T]here are [at least] five New Testament examples where prayer is offered to Jesus in heaven as Lord (or the Son of God)":

  "In response, there are five New Testament examples where prayer is offered to Jesus in heaven as Lord (or the Son of God). 1. In Acts 7:59, 60 Stephen called on Jesus as Lord. As he was being stoned, he prayed, `Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.' That indicated his belief that Jesus was more than a man, powerful enough to receive his spirit. `Falling on his knees he cried out with a loud voice, `Lord, do not hold this sin against them!' A pious Hellenistic Jew would not pray to anyone less than God. 2. In 1 Corinthians 1:2 Paul wrote to the `saints ... who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours.' 3. In 2 Corinthians 12:8-9 as Paul spoke of his `thorn in the flesh,' he said, `Concerning this I entreated the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He has said to me, `My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.' Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me.' 4. In 1 John 5:13-15 we read: `These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, in order that you may know that you have eternal life. And this is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the request which we have asked from Him.' The pronouns He and Him refer to the Son of God (v.13). 5. In Acts 8:24 Simon said, `Pray to the Lord... ` (in Verse 16 Jesus is the `Lord.')" (McDowell, J. & Larson, B., 1975, "Jesus: A Biblical Defense of his Deity," Here's Life Publishers: San Bernardino CA, pp.35-36. Emphasis original).

• "Jesus also receives the honors due to Jehovah God alone. ... He receives prayer":

  "Jesus also receives the honors due to Jehovah God alone. He is to receive the same honor given to the Father (John 5:23). He is to be feared (Eph. 5:21), to receive absolute love (Matt. 10:37), and to be the object of the same faith we have in God (John 3:16; 14:1). He receives prayer (John 14:14; Acts 7:59-60 compared with Luke 23:34, 46; Rom. 10:12-13; 1 Cor. 1:2; etc.), worship (Matt. 28:17; Heb. 1:6), and sacred service (Rev. 22:3)." (Bowman, R.M., 1989, "Why You Should Believe in the Trinity: An Answer to Jehovah's Witnesses," Baker: Grand Rapids MI, Third printing, 1990, p.109).

• "Yet the earliest disciples, Jews to a man, directed worship to Jesus ... Prayers are addressed to Christ":

  "To offer worship to any other being than the LORD God (Yahweh) was for the Jew unthinkably offensive, the most fundamental of all sins (Ex. 20:3-6; Dt. 6:4f.,13-15). Yet the earliest disciples, Jews to a man, directed worship to Jesus. .... Doxologies are ascribed to Christ (Rom. 9:5; 2 Tim. 4:18; 2 Pet. 3:18; Rev. 1:5f.); two are addressed to both Father and Son (Rev. 5:13; 7:10). Prayers are addressed to Christ (Acts 7:59f.; 9:13f.; 1 Cor. 16:22; Rev. 22:20)." (Milne, B., 1982, "Know the Truth: A Handbook of Christian Belief," Inter-Varsity Press: Leicester UK, 1988, Fifth printing, p.130).

• "Jesus himself encouraged his earliest followers to pray to him: `Whatever you ask me in my name, I will do' (John 14:14 ...)":

  "According to the Gospel of John, Jesus himself encouraged his earliest followers to pray to him: `Whatever you ask me in my name, I will do' (John 14:14 , authors' translation). ... some Greek manuscripts ... omit the word `me' ... in John 14:14. There is not much question that the original wording of the passage included the word me, because the manuscripts supporting that wording are generally older, are from a broader range of manuscripts, and are from more diverse geographical origins than those manuscripts that omit the word. Even if the word `me' were not in the text, John 14:14 would still be speaking about praying to Jesus. Suppose Jesus said, `Whatever you ask in my name I will do:' The natural inference is that the person who does what we ask is the person whom we ask. ... with or without `me,' Jesus in John 14:14 is inviting us to pray to him." (Bowman, R.M., Jr. & Komoszewski, J.E. , 2007, "Putting Jesus In His Place: The Case for the Deity of Christ," Kregel: Grand Rapids MI, pp.51-52. Emphasis original).

• "Two of the books of the New Testament close with a prayer to Jesus as Lord, asking him to come back soon":

  "Maranatha! We will mention just one more New Testament example of prayer addressed to Jesus. Two of the books of the New Testament close with a prayer to Jesus as Lord, asking him to come back soon. This is easily seen in the book of Revelation, which closes as follows: The one who testifies to these things says, `Surely I am coming soon:' Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all the saints. Amen. (22:20-21) ... That John addresses the petition to the Lord Jesus shows just how `Christ-centered' the Christian hope really is. The same prayer was a regular part of Christian public devotion to Jesus in the early Jewish church. Paul's first epistle to the Corinthians closes as follows: If anyone does not love the Lord, let him be anathema. Maranatha! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. My love to all of you in Christ Jesus. (16:22-24, authors' translation) In these closing comments, Paul uses two Aramaic expressions. The first, anathema means `accursed.' The second, maranatha which is really two words, means, `Our Lord, come!' (or possibly `O Lord, come!')" (Bowman & Komoszewski, 2007, pp.52-53. Emphasis original).

• The Book of "Acts makes it clear that the early church prayed to Jesus and addressed him as the `Lord' spoken of in the Old Testament":

  "The book of Acts opens with Jesus' final appearance to his disciples and his ascension into heaven (Acts 1:1-11). As the disciples waited for the Holy Spirit to come, they prayed the first recorded prayer to Jesus, addressing him as `Lord' and acknowledging that he knows the hearts of all people (Acts 1:24). ... From the first prayer to Jesus and the first sermon about Jesus, we move to the first martyr for Jesus. As Stephen was being stoned to death, he twice `called upon' Jesus as `Lord,' asking him to receive his spirit and to forgive his killers (Acts 7:59-60). As we saw when we discussed praying to Jesus, the idea of `calling upon' Jesus as Lord clearly recalls Joel 2:32, which Peter quoted in his sermon in Acts 2. Thus, simply reading these statements in the context of the whole narrative in Acts makes it clear that the early church prayed to Jesus and addressed him as the `Lord' spoken of in the Old Testament." (Bowman & Komoszewski, 2007, pp.160-161).

• "Jesus not only asked people to believe in him ... but he asked them to pray in his name ... the disciples not only prayed in Jesus' name ... but prayed to Christ":

  "Jesus Claimed to Be God by Requesting Prayer in His Name. Jesus not only asked people to believe in him and obey his commandments, but he asked them to pray in his name. `And I will do whatever you ask in my name.... You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it' (John 14:13-14) ... In response to this, the disciples not only prayed in Jesus' name (1 Cor. 5:4), but prayed to Christ (Acts 7:59). Jesus certainly intended that his name be invoked both before God and as God in prayer." (Geisler, N.L., 1999, "Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics," Baker Books: Grand Rapids MI, p.130. Emphasis original).

• "[T]he disciples are told that they must not only pray in the name of Christ but to Christ ... Christ here represents himself as: ... The Object of prayer":

  "[Jn 14:13-14]. And whatever you ask in my name, that I will do, in order that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you will ask me anything in my name, I will do it. ... Because of the far-reaching character of the promise contained in verse 13 it is repeated in the next verse. However, there is a difference, for now the disciples are told that they must not only pray in the name of Christ but to Christ, `If you will ask me anything in my name,' etc. Hence, by taking the two verses together we see that Christ here represents himself as: a. The One in whose name prayer must be offered. b. The Object of prayer. c. The Hearer of prayer." (Hendriksen, W., 1964, "A Commentary on the Gospel of John," Banner of Truth: London, Third edition, Vol. 2, pp.273-274. Emphasis original).

So the Watchtower's prohibition of JWs directing their prayers TO Jesus, shows that JWs are NOT Christians in the New Testament sense, and that the Watchtower is just a Johnny-come-lately wolf in sheep's clothing, whom Jesus warned us would come:

Mt 7:15 NWT. "Be on the watch for the false prophets that come to YOU in sheep’s covering, but inside they are ravenous wolves.

Continued in part #4.

Stephen E. Jones.
My other blogs: CreationEvolutionDesign & The Shroud of Turin