What are some of the results of following the Watchtower organization in all things and “keeping up with Jehovah’s celestial chariot”?

The Watchtower society feels it has the right to establish rules on conscience and decide on matters which the bible is silent. One of these matters is blood transfusions. When the Society decided to make blood transfusions a disfellowshipping offense in 1961, all blood, blood components, and blood fractions were prohibited. Notice this cite from the publication Blood, Medicine, and The Law of God (1961):

Is it wrong to sustain life by administering a transfusion of blood or 14 plasma or red cells or others of the component parts of the blood? Yes! The law God gave to Noah made it unlawful for anyone to eat blood, that is, to use it for nourishment or to sustain life. Since this is wrong in the case of animal blood, it is even more reprehensible in the case of human blood. The prohibition includes “any blood at all.” (Leviticus 3:17)

Whatever our personal decision would be regarding a blood transfusion, I firmly believe this should be a personal decision that each person must make without reprisal from the organization. The organization no longer prohibits all blood fractions, but how many JWs died as a result of not taking any blood fractions because the society didn’t allow it?

 

What about organ transplants?

*** w67 11/15 p. 702 Questions From Readers ***

. When men of science conclude that this normal process will no longer work and they suggest removing the organ and replacing it directly with an organ from another human, this is simply a shortcut. Those who submit to such operations are thus living off the flesh of another human. That is cannibalistic. However, in allowing man to eat animal flesh Jehovah God did not grant permission for humans to try to perpetuate their lives by cannibalistically taking into their bodies human flesh, whether chewed or in the form of whole organs or body parts taken from others.

This policy of not permitting organ transplants was not rescinded until 1980. How many JWs died as a result of this man-made policy?

 

What about vaccinations?

Golden Age 1931 February 4 p.293

“Vaccination is a direct violation of the everlasting covenant that God made with Noah after the flood.”

How many JWs suffered or died because of this viewpoint of the organization?

 

As covered in recent articles on this site, following the Watchtower’s policy on total shunning of even family members who are DFed has resulted in thousands of shattered families. It has contributed to depression, alcoholism, even suicide. All because of a man-made policy. Those who refuse to follow this unbiblical and unloving policy are either DFed themselves or made to feel they are rebelling against God.

 

Notice another harmful policy:

***w38 11/1 p.323-324 Fill The Earth***

If in obedience to the divine command the Jonadabs or great multitude will marry and rear children after Armageddon, would it not be Scripturally proper for them to begin doing so immediately before Armageddon? and should the Jonadabs now be encouraged to marry and rear children? No, is the answer, supported by the Scriptures.

Face The Facts p.46 (1938)

Would it be Scripturally proper for them to now marry and to begin to rear children? No, is the answer, which is supported by the Scriptures.

Because the Society since it’s very inception has always pointed to the very near future as being the time for Armageddon, the standard of excellence for a JW has been remain single or else if married have no children. Many married JWs who normally would have had children have remained childless believing Armageddon was at most a few years away. Now they bitterly realize how much they have missed. They have no children or grandchildren all because of the Society’s recommendations. Children and grandchildren have traditionally given care to their older parents and grandparents. These childless JWs  realize they may face a difficult time in their “golden years”.

 

Another harmful policy is the organization’s stance against higher education. I personally have been affected by this.

***Awake! 1969 May 22 p.15***

“If you are a young person, you also need to face the fact that you will never grow old in this present system of things. Why not? Because all the evidence in fulfillment of Bible prophecy indicates that this corrupt system is due to end in a few years. Of the generation that observed the beginning of the “last days” in 1914, Jesus foretold: “This generation will by no means pass away until all these things occur.”

Not seeking higher education either because (1) bad association or (2) Armageddon was right around the corner, has resulted in many economic hardships for many JWs. Many JWs are having to work in manual jobs as their bodies are physically breaking down because they never got a higher education because of the Society’s recommendations.

The setting of dates such as 1975 has also wreaked financial destruction on trusting JWs. Many obtained loans they thought they wouldn’t have to pay back, or pioneered when they couldn’t afford to thinking that 1975 would see the end of this system of things. Many suffered financial ruin. Many other JWs have not saved for retirement thinking the end would come before they would retire. They are now facing bleak prospects.

 

Another harmful “fruit” of the Watchtower society’s policies is the unhealthful mental state of many JWs. The unrelenting pressure to do more, to toil more in field service exacts a tremendous toll in JW’s mental health. There exists a pressure to put on the appearance of always being a spiritually mature, strong JW. The society also subtly or not so subtly makes JWs experience guilt trips of thinking they should always do more. If you are a publisher, you should be a pioneer. If you are a baptized brother you should be a MS. If you are a MS, you should be an elder. If an elder and pioneer, you better be working to go to a special school or become a Gilead graduate. You need to attend all meetings, comment several times at each, have your publication underlined, keep your children silent, be on time for all meetings and field service, not miss one day at an assembly, volunteer at the assemblies, sign up to feed the speaker on Sunday etc. The expectations that COs, elders, and the organization place on the friends just goes on and on and on. The elders even have a much longer list they must follow. This never-ending pressure logically leads to high levels of depression, panic attacks, and other mental breakdowns. My opinion is that use of anti-depressants and other medication is abnormally high among JWs.

 

We could mention other harmful fruits of the Society’s policies such as imprisonment of many JWs because the society told them they couldn’t accept alternative service instead of military service. The employment that JWs have had to turn down because the Watchtower society said it violated Christian neutrality. Marriages were broken apart for a few years because the Watchtower society said that oral sex in a marriage constituted porneia and could result in a biblical divorce. Those JWs that obtained a divorce on these grounds and later remarried were unknowingly committing adultery in God’s eyes all because of the organization’s policies. I won’t even mention the travesty of justice and decency that took place in the country of Malawi that resulted in the murder, rape, and beatings of countless innocent JWs because of the Watchtower societies ruling.

When the Watchtower society concentrates on teaching what the bible actually teaches the results are good. The organization encourages honesty, being faithful to one’s marriage mate, not losing one’s temper, maintaining strong family bonds etc. But with alarming frequency it “goes beyond the things that are written” (1 Cor. 4:6) If we are still attending meetings we will have to decide when we hear counsel what is biblical and what is only man’s opinion, and act accordingly.

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18 Comments on The Fruitage of Watchtower Policies

  1. Alden says:

    This is it, Andrew! You nailed the ‘theses’ on the ‘papal door’. These are also my basis qualms that could have a loving, honorable and scriptural solution, if only the WTS wanted it!
    In rating which WTS doctrine is the worst, I would say the WTS doctrine of shunning. It’s even worse than the blood issue in my eyes because blood transfusions are even criticized in the medical field and who wants the fecal material of someone else in their own veins, anyway? Of course, if it’s either that or die the choice should be obvious. Fortunately, I’ve had to face this occasion in my 40 years of experience only once, thank God. So I think there is a small element of human hysteria in this somewhat overheated issue (unless, of course, you or a close one are one of the victims!). The point is this; life is precious, even THIS one, but the WTS has other priorities.
    With the shunning issue, the WTS is torturing the daily lives of many, just as you have stated, Andrew. Do you remember there was once a big issue under the Bush administration about waterboarding? There were many right-wingers who adamantly refused to admit that waterboarding was torture. I think the WTS is right-winged!
    For the rest, Andrew, you’ve hit the nail on the head. Life could be so beautiful, if only the WTS wanted it! They can no longer be considered an ‘older brother’ to give comfort and council to us, but rather a Big Brother, stuck-up on their own authority. Some good they do, indeed, but all this bad as well. God Jehovah save us!
    Peace and love to ALL!

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  2. DanielB says:

    It is not possible for human doctrines to stand for long and this is the problem with the blood doctrine of Jehovah’s Witnesses. It is only human because the first century decision to keep from blood was presented because of the Jewish Christian conscience which is not an issue any more.

    You make good sense here Andrew once again. And with this thought, “If we are still attending meetings we will have to decide when we hear counsel what is biblical and what is only man’s opinion, and act accordingly”, there is allowance before God at times, though not allowance before the WTS. As you say, this one is a personal choice decision. Sanctity of life may move a Christian to decide in favor of a transfusion.

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  3. LonelySheep says:

    I have lost total respect for the organisation. The countless examples of their flip-flopping,man made policies sickens me.

    I feel this way not because they have made mistakes, but the way they twist the scriptures to make out that they were not wrong, but they have ‘new light’. And the poor brothers, all they want is to worship God, but unwittingly have had this wholesome desire subverted by men.

    Regarding blood, if the claims in this website (http://www.ajwrb.org/basics/abandon.shtml)are true then they have really sunk into the gutter.

    In my view, unless proved otherwise, the WTS is part of BTG and we do well to stay well clear of her, or at least carefully examine ANYTHING they say. They cannot be trusted.

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    • Alden says:

      Hi LonelySheep,

      You do well to separate the human from the divine. Mistakes – who doesn’t commit them? Not ALL of what the WTS has said or done is bad, we just have to take it with a grain of salt and do our own thinking. It’s our mistake, too, if we hand our conscience over to an institution.
      I noticed a bit of bitterness in your remarks. I’m sure what you have done for the Lord and the people where you attend services has been of great value. You assume no responsibility for the bad decisions of the WTS. Yes, they are a part of Christendom, though they won’t admit it. Try, for your own well-being and spirituality, to respect the WTS decision makers as individuals, but very well differ with them on doctrines your conscience rejects. Keep exhibiting your unconditional love even to those who have attached strings to their love – most probably it has been out of ignorance.
      Don’t be lonely, you still have your brothers who love you, if even at the time it has to stay ‘virtual’.

      Peace and love to all.

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  4. JWB says:

    Andrew, thanks for such an informative post.

    Although I would not want someone else’s blood inside me, it is not based on scriptures that are clearly refering to the TAKING OF LIFE or RISK TO LIFE. If a person’s conscience moves him to refuse blood, then that should be respected. However, a person should not be forced to follow man-made rules and policies as though they were commands from God himself.

    Which is more important: a symbol of something or the actual thing it represents? Which is more important: the symbol of life or life itself? I believe the following scriptures give an apt illustration of how one can be blinded into not seeing what has greatest value.

    “Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it is nothing; but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is under obligation.’ Fools and blind ones! Which, in fact, is greater, the gold or the temple that has sanctified the gold?” (Matthew 23:16-17)

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  5. serein says:

    iv read up on the bulgarian thing and althoe its now the thing thatthye cant stop jws from having blood in writing they still ignore em if they do so they still shun em just dont disfelowship em so jws who do decide prob keep it to themselfs as theyl be ignmored by all anyways. i had blood and i think gods ok with it,its the christian thing to do to save sme ones life and someone saved mine,and what does it say love is greatest more than faith?whats faith with out love, jws have faith but they dont have the love, they arnt gods people,cos if they were theyd love there felow man and theyd give blood to save em even there life to save em god wants us to love and thats more important than faith as love is all thing all the comandments that god gave mean nothing if we dont have love if we have love then we are everything god wants us to be as wed not kill steal or what ever else as love for our felow man prefents us from any form of hate or anger or anything, he wants us to love each other not shun or give rules on some ones life,jws are being led by the angel of this world who has permission to misslead,im glad iv seen the light of my farther in the heavens and not the god of this horrid world right now.

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  6. JWB says:

    Andrew, I’ve started a new blog where I hope to post interesting extracts mainly from magazines from way back. I hope this will help enlighten some who don’t know much about what was taught in much earlier times. The most recent post (see below) reproduces a number of paragraphs from the “Fill The Earth” article of the Watchtower 1938 November 1 (pages 323 & 324). I was made aware of this article thanks to your post here.

    http://jwbaptism-jwf.blogspot......y-now.html

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  7. andrew says:

    There are so many interesting quotes from older publications. Almost all JWs are quite surprised when they investigate these older publications.
    Many will still reason that the “light has grown brighter” and that just shows how God is guiding his people to greater understanding. However some will see that in reality God could never have used as his mouthpiece a self-proclaimed prophet that has never gotten even one prediction correct. As this article also points out many times their advice has resulted in the harm of their followers.

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  8. andrew says:

    Another fruitage of Watchtower policies is that once a JW sees through the misdirection and circular reasoning he often loses all faith in the bible and God.

    It seems a large percentage if not most ex-JWs become agnostics or atheists.

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  9. JWB says:

    Andrew, I can assure you that I’ve not become agnostic or atheist, but I share your concern that many seem to go in a completely opposite direction as far as their spiritual lives are concerned. Maybe for some it simply reveals their true character, that their faith was built upon ‘sand’. However, I do believe the organization is guilty of stumbling others spiritually and for that it needs to be held accountable.

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    • Amos says:

      I agree JWB, I never lost hope or faith with our Heavenly Father, BUT did lose complete faith & trust in the man made organization that claims to be His only channel on earth today.

      I also agree that for those who build on a sandy foundation, their true character is revealed when put to the test.

      Amos

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  10. JWB says:

    Amos, what I had in mind was what Jesus said concerning entering ‘into the kingdom of the heavens’ during his sermon on the mount:

    “Therefore everyone that hears these sayings of mine and does them will be likened to a discreet man, who built his house upon the rock-mass. And the rain poured down and the floods came and the winds blew and lashed against that house, but it did not cave in, for it had been founded upon the rock-mass. Furthermore, everyone hearing these sayings of mine and not doing them will be likened to a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand. And the rain poured down and the floods came and the winds blew and struck against that house and it caved in, and its collapse was great.” (Matthew 7:24-27)

    Thankfully, I took the injunction to ‘make the truth your own’ quite seriously when I was growing up. That meant REALLY studying the Bible and questioning my faith as well as being prepared to listen to what others had to say. For me this question is most apt: Am I a RELIGIOUS person or a SPIRITUAL person? I believe that those who pursue a very religious way of life, based on rituals and oppressive rules, are far more likely to become athiestic/agnostic when their religion is revealed to be driven by the spirit of Man rather than the spirit of God. I’m not saying that my faith has not been severely shaken (‘rain’, ‘wind’ and ‘floods’) by my research and experiences, but I believe the foundation I laid down in earlier times has kept my core beliefs intact.

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  11. DanielB says:

    The foundation built upon Christ is what will justify us. Build only upon Christ Jesus our Lord.

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    • Dennis says:

      DanielB:
      The foundation built upon Christ is what will justify us. Build only upon Christ Jesus our Lord.

      Hi Daniel. I agree that Christ is the ONLY foundation to build upon. When I started fading I quickly learned that I had not fully built on that most important foundation. I had to deconstruct everything before I could rebuild on the proper foundation.

      Dennis

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  12. DanielB says:

    Yes even though intentions are usually honorable, there is a misguided direction within the ecclesia. This should come to us with no surprise as we experience Christendom’s woes. In retrospect I see now that fading away from the sincerely wrong reasonings apart from Christ would have been my better choice. Rather, I just “up and left”, and was df’d soon afterward, though not associated with any congregation. The words resonate to me, “… of mice and men.” But he who matters is the Man from Nazareth.

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  13. JWB says:

    Here, I think, is a very interesting quote concerning the start of C T Russell’s search for truth, after he was starting to question long held beliefs. I think it will strike a chord with many here.

    “Let me begin the narrative at the year 1868, when the Editor [the author, Charles Taze Russell] having been a consecrated child of God for some years, and a member of the Congregational church and of the Y. M. C. A., began to be shaken in faith regarding many long-accepted doctrines. Brought up a Presbyterian, and indoctrinated from the Catechism, and being naturally of an inquiring mind, I fell a ready prey to the logic of infideltiy as soon as I began to think for myself. But that which at first threatened to be the utter shipwreck of faith in God and the Bible, was under God’s providence, overruled for good, and merely wrecked my confidence in human creeds and systems of misinterpretation of the Bible.” – Light Out of Darkness (from main article, “Harvest Gatherings and Siftings”), Watch. 1906 July 15, page 229.

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  14. Orwell says:

    “The unrelenting pressure to do more, to toil more in field service exacts a tremendous toll in JW’s mental health.”

    This is me in a nutshell for the last 6 years.

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