Appendix to My Life Less Ordinary, or How I Stopped Worrying and Left a Cult

Dear Friends of the Congregation,¹

this was an extremely difficult letter to write.

Without question, I have considered these spiritual topics with great care and thought. My statements have been explored with honesty and impartiality.

To start, Christians should be lovers of truth and justice. For years, I believed that God has a grand purpose for mankind. Additionally, God’s patience and unconditional love would effectively cover our sins and imperfect errors in reasoning. Thus, divine forgiveness was more essential to our salvation than having the correct interpretation of scriptural doctrines and teachings.

In fact, our organization’s past teachings prevent us from having a perfect and unwavering doctrinal record. To illustrate, the modern-day Jehovah’s Witnesses originated as part of the Bible Student movement in 1870. Until 1928, they openly celebrated the Christmas season. Clearly, God showed forgiveness to our organization for celebrating a pagan holiday. Hence, we should be ready to forgive people outside our group for their mistakes.

To expand on this concept of forgiveness, we should remember the Apostle Paul’s counsel to the Roman congregation. His statements explain how we achieve Christian unity. Paul watched the Jewish religion persecute and reject Jesus Christ as the Messiah. Afterwards, they lost their standing before God. Nevertheless, Paul continued to attend meetings and offer sacrifices in the Jewish synagogue. He referred to the devout followers of another religious group as “men, brothers and fathers.”² Needless to say, the early Christian congregation did not separate themselves from the Jewish people.

Furthermore, the early Christians had differences of opinion over the observance of holiday celebrations and eating certain foods. But Paul believed unity would be established in the Christian congregations without regulations and compulsory compliance to authority. He encouraged the group to welcome those with weaknesses in their faith. Likewise, he asked them not to pass judgment on differing opinions.³

Truly, Paul emphasized unity without uniformity. Christians should not avoid associating with members of other religious groups. Especially, if they believe that Jesus is “the way, and the truth, and the life.”⁴

Instead, Paul advised to “let the one eating not look down on the one not eating and let the one not eating not judge the one eating, for God has welcomed him. Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for Jehovah can make him stand. One man judges one day as above another; another judges one day the same as all others; let each one be fully convinced in his own mind. The one who observes the day observes it to Jehovah. Also, the one who eats, eats to Jehovah, for he gives thanks to God; and the one who does not eat does not eat to Jehovah, and yet gives thanks to God.”⁵

According to Paul, a united group of Christians is established by respecting different customs and opinions. It is true that Christians must believe Jesus Christ is the Messiah and acknowledge the Ransom Sacrifice. Christians need to agree on essentials but allow differences on non-essentials.

Certainly, there is no evidence Paul removed anyone from the congregation for believing differently about ideological doctrines or personal matters. In other words, there is no scriptural support for unilaterally recognizing our doctrines as essential for unity or salvation. Additionally, the Apostle John warned the congregations about anyone claiming to have absolute truth. He said to “test the inspired statements to see whether they originate with God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.”⁶

Today, the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses offers a similar challenge. “Can you be true to God, yet hide the facts? Would you rather have the truth covered over? Or do you want to know the facts?”⁷

According to the Governing Body, any religious denomination or ideological tradition should withstand a critical and exhaustive investigation. In fact, they urge everyone to study and analyze their own publications:

“Their zeal for knowledge may even prompt them to dig back into things that were published long before they came into the truth, expanding and deepening their understanding, and ever growing in Christian maturity. Do you dig out older publications to expand and deepen your knowledge on subjects about which questions arise? Have you really studied these earlier publications? How is your background of knowledge? Never think, ‘Oh, I know most of that.’ For you will find, indeed, that you do not and that you will be strengthened by your additional study. Once you have completed your study of them you can then look to even older publications. Only by studying earlier publications and digging back through previous issues of The Watchtower kept in the library at your local Kingdom Hall. There is much in the way of spiritual riches and aids toward mature knowledge in these earlier publications, and their study is most certainly worth your time.”⁸

Undoubtedly, the Jehovah’s Witnesses have a complicated history to review. For starters, Charles Taze Russell was a Christian Zionist and Adventist minister from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was the founder of the Bible Student movement and co-founder of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. Russell declared that Jesus appointed him as God’s mouthpiece on the planet. He predicted dates for the Last Days and Armageddon. Also, he proclaimed the Second Coming of Jesus Christ and Paradise Resurrection would happen in the early Twentieth Century.

“We see no reason for changing the figures – nor could we change them if we would. They are, we believe, God’s dates, not ours. But bear in mind that the end of 1914 is not the date for the beginning, but for the end of the time of trouble. We see no reason for changing from our opinion expressed in the view presented in the Watch Tower of January 15, 1892. We advise that it be read again.”⁹

“Forty years, or now, about thirty-eight years before the times of the Gentiles end, is none too much time, for the accomplishments of the many wonderful events that must transpire during their continuance. Then, the Lord shall appear with all his saints, and his feet shall stand upon the mount of Olives.”¹⁰

“We believe the Scriptures to teach that, at His coming and for a time after He has come, He will remain invisible; afterward manifesting or showing Himself in judgments and various forms, so that every eye shall see Him. We think we have good solid reasons … that we are now in the days of the Son; that the day of the Lord has come, and Jesus, a spiritual body, is present, harvesting the Gospel age.”¹¹

“Christ came in the character of a Bridegroom in 1874 at the beginning of the Gospel harvest.”¹²

“In this chapter we present the Bible evidence proving that the full end of the times of the Gentiles, i.e., the full end of their lease of dominion, will be reached in A.D. 1914; and that date will be the farthest limit of the rule of imperfect men. And be it observed, that if this is shown to be a fact firmly established by the Scriptures, it will prove: Firstly, that at that date the Kingdom of God, for which our Lord taught us to pray, saying, “Thy Kingdom come,” will have obtained full, universal control, and that it will then be “set up,” or firmly established, in the earth, on the ruins of present institutions.”¹³

“True, it is expecting great things to claim, as we do, that within the coming twenty-six years all the present governments will be overthrown and dissolved; but we are living in a special and peculiar time, the Day of Jehovah, in which matters culminate quickly; and it is written, A short work will the Lord make upon the earth.”¹⁴

“We present proofs that the setting up of the Kingdom of God is already begun, that it is pointed out in prophesy that as due to begin the exercise of power in A.D. 1878, and that the battle of the great day of God Almighty (Revelation 18:14) … will end in A.D. 1915, with the complete overthrow of earth’s present rulership.”¹⁵

“The Time of the End, a period of one hundred and fifteen (115) years, from A.D. 1799 to A.D. 1914 is particularly marked in the Scriptures.”¹⁶

“Suppose that A.D. 1915 should pass with the world’s affairs all serene and with evidence that the ‘very elect’ had not all been changed and without the restoration of natural Israel to favor under the New Covenant. (Romans 11:12,15) What then? Would not that prove our chronology wrong? Yes, surely! Would not that prove a keen disappointment? Indeed, it would! It would work irreparable wreck to the parallel dispensations and Israel’s double, and to the Jubilee calculations, and to the prophecy of the 2,300 days of Daniel, and to the epoch called Gentile Times, and to the 1260, 1290, and 1335 days none of these would be available longer.”¹⁷

“To give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of [His] the wrath. And every island fled away. Even the republics will disappear in the fall of 1920.”¹⁸

“In the year 1918…Christendom shall go down as a system to oblivion.”¹⁹

“As the fleshy-minded apostates from Christianity, siding with the radicals and revolutionaries, will rejoice at the inheritance of desolation that will be Christendom’s after 1918, so will God do to the successful revolutionary movement; it shall be utterly desolated, ‘even all of it.’ Not one vestige of it shall survive the ravages of world-wide all-embracing anarchy, in the fall of 1920.”²⁰

“We may confidently expect that 1925 will mark the return of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and the faithful prophets of old.”²¹

“The date 1925 is even more distinctly indicated by the Scriptures because it is fixed by the law God gave to Israel. Viewing the present situation in Europe, one wonders how it will be possible to hold back the explosion much longer; and that even before 1925 the great crisis will be reached and probably passed.”²²

“Bible prophecy shows that the Lord was due to appear for the second time in 1874. Fulfilled prophecy shows beyond a doubt that he did appear in 1874.”²³

Eventually, a minority of the Bible Students openly acknowledged the unfulfilled promises. Meanwhile, Russell downplayed the severity of his failed predictions. He wrote, “what is your thought as to the time of our change? Were you not disappointed that it did not come when we hoped that it would?’ you will ask. No, we reply, we were not disappointed.”²⁴

Undeniably, Russell showed a pattern of making falsifiable statements with unsubstantiated evidence. According to the Bible, Jesus warned about false prophets. He said, “look out that you are not misled, for many will come on the basis of my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and ‘the due time is near.’ Do not go after them,”²⁵ and “concerning that day and hour nobody knows, neither the angels of the heavens nor the Son, but only the Father.”²⁶ Thus, Russell can’t make a legitimate claim as God’s official mouthpiece on the planet.

Yet, the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses followed in the footsteps of Russell’s disastrous and deceptive legacy. A case in point, the Governing Body was dishonest about paying taxes to secular and worldly governments.

In 1990, Jimmy Swaggart, a Christian televangelist, was involved in a legal battle involving the taxation of religious merchandise. The dispute occurred when California enforced a sales tax on literature sold by his religious group. In an unusual act of bipartisan unity, the Jehovah’s Witnesses supported a legal brief to appeal the state court’s ruling. They were joined by the Hare Krishnas and National Council of Churches. Even so, the United States Supreme Court denied Swaggart’s petition, and they ruled against him.

Soon, the Governing Body changed to a donation-only arrangement. The new policy was financially beneficial for the organization by eliminating any potential tax situation in the United States. Nevertheless, Jesus said, “by all means, then, pay back Caesar’s things to Caesar, but God’s things to God.”²⁷

Ironically, the Governing Body wants the Jehovah’s Witnesses to follow their instructions with faithful obedience. Even if the decision is a personal matter. The members need to “be in full and complete agreement with every feature of [their] apostolic procedure and requirements.”²⁸

For example, the Governing Body banned certain medical surgeries and procedures, namely organ transplants and blood transfusions. In 1967, the Governing Body stated organ transplants were wrong. They said, “those who submit to such operations are truly living off the flesh of another human. That is cannibalistic.”²⁹ In 1980, twelve years later, the Governing Body decided it was “a matter of individual conscience.”³⁰ Also, the Jehovah’s Witnesses had policies about blood fractions³¹ and vaccinations.³²

Yes, it is true that the Jehovah’s Witnesses are not forced to carry the “No Blood” cards. Also, they are not forced to abstain from blood transfusions.³³ But the Elders are instructed to judicially investigate members who accept blood transfusions. This includes removing people from the congregation.

By way of another illustration, the Governing Body believed political voting is wrong. The Jehovah’s Witnesses believe “they are no part of the world.”³⁴ They referred to worldly and secular people who vote as “unsteady.” Also, they described voters as “seduced,” “misled,” and “slaves of corruption.”³⁵

Thus, voting in political elections was strictly forbidden by the organization. The Jehovah’s Witnesses “do not seek or offer compromises…to serve in the army, to vote [… it] would have meant a recognition of the claims of this world as dominant over the claims of God.”³⁶

In fact, the Elders were instructed to judicially investigate members who participated in political elections³⁷. The Jehovah’s Witnesses do not “vote for political leaders or support nationalistic schemes.” Otherwise, they would “compromise and get disqualified and sidetracked from the race for life.”³⁸ They “do not lend an active hand in carrying on its worldly activities…do not run for political offices or vote for political candidates.”³⁹

As a result, a minority of the Jehovah’s Witnesses in other countries were beaten, starved, arrested, and imprisoned. Sometimes, they were tortured and assigned to slave labor camps as punishment.

In 1999, the Governing Body decided that voting in political elections was a personal matter. This would be “a decision based on their Bible-trained conscience and an understanding of their responsibility to God. They would also consider their responsibility to the State. (Matthew 22:21; 1 Peter 3:16) In making this personal decision, the Witnesses consider a number of factors…a Christian has to make his own decision. ‘Each one will carry his own load.’ – Galatians 6:5.”⁴⁰

Unfortunately, the Governing Body used similar reasoning to change their understanding of scriptural prophesies. For example, they suggested the Millennial Reign would start on the six thousandth year of human history.

“As we near the end of 6,000 years of human history in the mid-1970s there is the thrilling hope of a grand relief.”⁴¹

“The published timetable resulting from this independent study gives the date of man’s creation as 4026 B.C.E. According to this trustworthy Bible chronology, six thousand years from man’s creation will end in 1975…How appropriate it would be for Jehovah God to make of this coming seventh period of a thousand years a Sabbath period of rest and release … It would not be by mere chance or accident but would be according to the loving purpose of Jehovah God for the reign of Jesus Christ, the Lord of the Sabbath, to run parallel with the seventh millennium of man’s existence.”⁴²

“Does God’s rest day parallel the time man has been on earth since his creation? Apparently so. In what year, then, would the first 6,000 years of man’s existence and also the first 6,000 years of Gods rest day come to an end? The year 1975. It means that within a relatively few years we will witness the fulfillment of the remaining prophecies that have to do with the ‘time of the end.’”⁴³

“It did not take the brothers very long to find the chart beginning on page 31, showing that 6,000 years of man’s existence end in 1975. Discussion of 1975 overshadowed about everything else. “The new book compels us to realize that Armageddon is, in fact, very close indeed,” said a conventioner. Surely it was one of the outstanding blessings to be carried home!” … Brother Franz. ‘Does it mean that Armageddon is going to be finished, with Satan bound, by 1975? It could! It could! All things are possible with God. Does it mean that Babylon the Great is going to go down by 1975? It could. Does it mean that the attack of Gog of Magog is going to be made on Jehovah’s witnesses to wipe them out, then Gog himself will be put out of action? It could. But we are not saying. All things are possible with God. But we are not saying. And don’t any of you be specific in saying anything that is going to happen between now and 1975. But the big point of it all is this, dear friends: Time is short. Time is running out, no question about that.”⁴⁴

“The danger of sudden death is staring you in the face. … That is exactly the case with the warning that we speak of here, and there are reasons why it can truly be said to be the most urgent warning ever given. … It is to come within the generation that has already seen two world wars and it is only a few short years ahead of us.”⁴⁵

“Just think, brothers, there are only about ninety months left before 6,000 years of man’s existence on earth is completed. Do you remember what we learned at the assemblies last summer? The majority of people living today will probably be alive when Armageddon breaks out, and there are no resurrection hopes for those that are destroyed then.”⁴⁶

“The immediate future is certain to be filled with climactic events, for this old system is nearing its complete end. Within a few years at most the final parts of Bible prophecy relative to these ‘last days’ will undergo fulfilment.”⁴⁷

“Do we know that the seventh year from now will conclude the 6,000th year since Adam was created? And if we live to that year 1975, what should we expect to happen?” … What about all this talk concerning the year 1975? Lively discussions, some based on speculation, have burst into flame during recent months among serious students of the Bible. Their interest has been kindled by the belief that 1975 will mark the end of 6,000 years of human history since Adam’s creation. The nearness of such an important date indeed fires the imagination and presents unlimited possibilities for discussion. But wait! How do we know their calculations are correct? What basis is there for saying Adam was created nearly 5,993 years ago? Does the one Book that can be implicitly trusted for its truthful historical accuracy, namely, the Inspired Word of Jehovah, the Holy Bible, give support and credence to such a conclusion? … One thing is absolutely certain, Bible chronology reinforced with fulfilled Bible prophecy shows that six thousand years of man’s existence will soon be up, yes, within this generation! (Matthew 24:34) This is, therefore, no time to be indifferent and complacent. This is not the time to be toying with the words of Jesus that ‘concerning that day and hour nobody knows, neither the angels of the heavens nor the Son, but only the Father.’ (Matthew 24:36) To the contrary, it is a time when one should be keenly aware that the end of this system of things is rapidly coming to its violent end. Make no mistake, it is sufficient that the Father himself knows both the ‘day and hour’! Even if one cannot see beyond 1975, is this any reason to be less active? The apostles could not see even this far; they knew nothing about 1975. All they could see was a short time ahead in which to finish the work assigned to them.”⁴⁸

“The fact that fifty-four years of the period called the ‘last days’ have already gone by is highly significant. It means that only a few years, at most, remain before the corrupt system of things dominating the earth is destroyed by God.”⁴⁹

“Many schools now have student counselors who encourage one to pursue higher education after high school, to pursue a career with a future in this system of things. Do not be influenced by them. Do not let them “brainwash” you with the Devil’s propaganda to get ahead, to make something of yourself in this world. This world has very little time left! Any ‘future’ this world offers is no future! Wisely, then, let God’s Word influence you in selecting a course that will result in your protection and blessing. Make pioneer service, the full-time ministry, with the possibility of Bethel or missionary service your goal. This is a life that offers an everlasting future!”⁵⁰

“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.” – Matthew 24:34. Therefore, as a young person, you will never fulfill any career that this system offers. If you are in high school and thinking about a college education, it means at least four, perhaps even six or eight more years to graduate into a specialized career. But where will this system of things be by that time? It will be well on the way toward its finish, if not actually gone!”⁵¹

“More recently earnest researchers of the Holy Bible have made a recheck of its chronology. According to their calculations the six millenniums of mankind’s life on earth would end in the mid-seventies. Thus, the seventh millennium from man’s creation by Jehovah God would begin within less than ten years. In order for the Lord Jesus Christ to be “Lord even of the Sabbath day,” his thousand-year reign would have to be the seventh in a series of thousand-year periods or millenniums.”⁵²

“Bible chronology which indicates that Adam was created in the fall of the year 4026 B.C.E. would bring us down to the year 1975 C.E. as the date marking 6,000 years of human history with yet 1,000 years to come for Christ’s Kingdom rule. So, whatever the date for the end of this system, it is clear that the time left is reduced, with only approximately six years left until the end of 6,000 years of human history.”⁵³

As a direct result, the Governing Body’s statements had a dramatic effect on the personal lives of the Jehovah’s Witnesses. They reported about “brothers selling their homes and property and planning to finish out the rest of their days in this old system in the pioneer service. Certainly, this is a fine way to spend the short time remaining before this wicked world ends.”⁵⁴

“Today there is a great crowd of people who are confident that a destruction of even greater magnitude is now imminent. The evidence is that Jesus’ prophecy will shortly have a major fulfilment, upon this entire system of things. This has been a major factor in influencing many couples to decide not to have children at this time.”⁵⁵

“And now, as the year 1975 opens up, some thousands of the anointed remnant, still alive on this earth, look ahead to realizing that joyful prospect. The increasing “great crowd” of their sheeplike companions look forward with them to entering the New Order without interruption of life. In the New Order Jehovah God will add to the ‘length of days’ of the anointed remnant on earth to the point of satisfying the members thereof. It remains to be seen whether they will be yet retained here on earth to see the start of the resurrection of the earthly dead and to meet faithful witnesses of ancient, pre-Christian times. They would enjoy that, before being taken off the earthly scene to the heavenly reward with Christ.”⁵⁶

Moreover, the Governing Body stated everyone “should not think that this year of 1975 is of no significance to us.” Instead, they should be “filled with anticipation for the near future.”⁵⁷

When the Millennial Reign did not happen in 1975, the Governing Body deliberately changed the narrative. Quickly, they shifted the blame to their followers. The Governing Body reprimanded anyone who planned their lives around a particular year.⁵⁸ Eventually, the Jehovah’s Witnesses believed any expectations and disappointments were dysfunctional and irrational.

“But some of their time calculations and the expectations that they associated with these gave rise to serious disappointments. Following 1925, meeting attendance dropped dramatically…Again, in 1975, there was disappointment when expectations regarding the start of the Millennium failed to materialize. As a result, some withdrew from the organization.”⁵⁹

Ultimately, the Governing Body was forced to acknowledge responsibility “for some of the disappointment a number felt regarding 1975.”⁶⁰ They admitted that “considerable expectation was aroused regarding the year 1975…included all disappointed ones of Jehovah’s Witnesses, hence including persons having to do with the publication of the information that contributed to the buildup of hopes centered on that date.”⁶¹

As a consequence, the Governing Body redefined their doctrine about the Generation of 1914. For decades, they proclaimed that faithful members who were alive in the early Twentieth Century would survive Armageddon.

Indeed, Jesus said, “truly I say to you that this generation will by no means pass away until all these things occur.”⁶² Also, “when God decided to demonstrate more clearly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath. This was in order that through two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie.”⁶³

Yet, the Governing Body changed the publication masthead of the Awake! magazine in October 1995. They removed a significant reference about God’s promise to the “generation that will not pass away.”⁶⁴

The original masthead said: “Most important, this magazine builds confidence in the Creator’s promise of a peaceful and secure new world before the generation that saw the events of 1914 passes away.”

The updated masthead said: “Most important, this magazine builds confidence in the Creator’s promise of a peaceful and secure new world that is about to replace the present wicked, lawless system of things.”

Now, the Governing Body defines the term “this generation” as “overlapping generations” that can extend across two lifetimes. It does not refer to all of the people born and living at about the same time, regarded collectively.⁶⁵

“When would the end come? What did Jesus mean when he said: ‘This generation will not pass away’? Jesus had often called the contemporaneous mass of opposing Jews, including religious leaders, ‘a wicked, adulterous generation.’ So, when, on the Mount of Olives, he again spoke of ‘this generation,’ he evidently did not mean the entire race of Jews throughout history; nor did he mean his followers, even though they were ‘a chosen race.’ Neither was Jesus saying that ‘this generation’ is a period of time.”⁶⁶

“We understand that in mentioning “this generation,” Jesus was referring to two groups of anointed Christians. The first group was on hand in 1914, and they readily discerned the sign of Christ’s presence in that year. Those who made up this group were not merely alive in 1914, but they were spirit-anointed as sons of God in or before that year…The second group included in “this generation” are anointed contemporaries of the first group. They were not simply alive during the lifetime of those in the first group, but they were anointed with holy spirit during the time that those of the first group were still on earth.”⁶⁷

Throughout the years, the Jehovah’s Witnesses have accepted the Governing Body as the “Faithful and Discreet Slave.”⁶⁸ To clarify, Jesus Christ used short stories to teach moral and spiritual lessons through comparison and analogy. But the Witnesses believe the parable of the “Faithful and Discreet Slave” refers to a literal group of anointed leaders. These leaders have absolute control and infallible authority within the organization.

In fact, the Governing Body claimed to publish no one’s opinion.⁶⁹ Nothing is interpreted because the inspiration comes directly from God,⁷⁰ and angels deliver the material for the publications.⁷¹ Thus, the Governing Body is God’s only anointed channel of communication to mankind.⁷²

“The slave is faithful to Bible truths and to its commission to preach the good news, and it is discreet about how it wisely cares for Christ’s interests on earth. (Acts 10:42) Jehovah is blessing its work with increase and abundant spiritual provisions.”⁷³

“It is vital that we appreciate this fact and respond to the directions of the slave as we would to the voice of God, because it is His provision.”⁷⁴

“The slave class has served as God’s sole collective channel for the flow of Biblical truth to men on earth. Just as the early Christian congregation collectively served as the channel of communication from heaven to earth, so in our time.”⁷⁵

“As Jehovah revealed his truths by means of the first-century Christian congregation, so he does today by means of the present-day Christian congregation. Through this agency he is having carried out prophesying on an intensified and unparallel scale. All of this activity is not an accident. Jehovah is the one behind all of it.”⁷⁶

“The serving of food, the right sort of food, at the proper time was the issue. It had to be according to this that a decision must be rendered by the returned master.”⁷⁷

In reality, the Governing Body claims to be the only modern-day Christians who can understand and teach the Bible.⁷⁸ The Jehovah’s Witnesses have faith the Governing Body is spirit-directed.⁷⁹ They believe the Bible “belongs to the Christian congregation as an organization, not to individuals, regardless of how sincerely they may believe that they can interpret the [scriptures]. For this reason, the Bible cannot be properly understood without Jehovah’s visible organization in mind.”⁸⁰

The Bible said there is “one mediator between God and men, a man, Christ Jesus, who gave himself a corresponding ransom for all.”⁸¹ But the Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that “Jesus is the mediator only for anointed Christians.”⁸² Also, “Christ, is not the Mediator between Jehovah God and all mankind. He is the Mediator between his heavenly Father, Jehovah God, and the nation of spiritual Israel, which is limited to only 144,000 members.”⁸³

Also, the Governing Body declares they are “distributing spiritual food by means of the publications [they] use in [their] ministry, as well as through the programs that are presented at [their] meetings and assemblies.”⁸⁴

At the same time, the Governing Body believes there is a divine explanation for the never-ending changes in their doctrines. They said that “the light of understanding shines even brighter, old ideas have been replaced … it can truly be said that the day is firmly established among Jehovah’s people.”⁸⁵ But God sends “regular flashes of light.” The “light has flashed up for the righteous and rejoicing for those upright in heart.”⁸⁶ “The path of the righteous is like the bright morning light that grows brighter and brighter until full daylight.”⁸⁷

Earlier, Russell believed “new light never extinguishes older light but adds to it. So, it is with the light of truth; the true increase is by adding to, not by substituting one for another.”⁸⁸ Additionally, other contemporary scholars agreed “light and life are synonymous. Hence ‘see light’ should not be taken in the sense of mental illumination, but as denoting the experience of a full, free and satisfying life.”⁸⁹ Neither verse supports individuals or organizations replacing failed doctrines and obsolete ideas with revised interpretations.

Still, without verifiable evidence, the Jehovah’s Witnesses said the Bible Students were selected as the “Faithful and Discreet Slave” in 1919.⁹⁰ The Governing Body said, “Jesus returned and found the faithful and discreet slave giving the domestics their food at the proper time. As a result, Jesus Christ appointed that slave over all his belongings.”⁹¹

As a matter of fact, the Bible Students believed Russell was the “Faithful and Discreet Slave.” He did not belong to a class or group of people providing leadership to the Christian congregation.⁹² Rather, he was appointed as “God’s mouthpiece.”⁹³ He believed studying the scriptures was a waste of time when compared to reading his literature.⁹⁴ He stated that his books harmonize with every statement in the Bible.⁹⁵

“Though pastor Russell has passed beyond the veil, he is still managing every feature of the Harvest work,”⁹⁶ because his doctrines are divinely appointed teachings of faith,⁹⁷ and “to repudiate [Russell] and his work is equivalent to a repudiation of the Lord.”⁹⁸

The Governing Body declared Russell’s falsifiable doctrines and teachings of faith needed to be delivered to the entire world.⁹⁹ They said, “from the mid-1870s, Jehovah’s people had been anticipating that catastrophic events would start in 1914 and would mark the end of the Gentile Times.”¹⁰⁰

Yet, the declaration does not acknowledge how the Bible Students continued to publish socially divisive and incorrect teachings. They believed that the nation of Israel would have a literal restoration in Comfort for the Jews (1925). Also, they taught that Armageddon would be a social revolution in The Battle of Armageddon (1927). Within a short period of time, the Witnesses discarded and ignored the majority of Russell’s doctrines.¹⁰¹

Undeniably, the Jehovah’s Witnesses offer propaganda and confirmation bias. Their doctrines continue to be reinterpreted to preserve the Governing Body’s claim as God’s mouthpiece. Their literature minimizes the group’s own imperfections and magnifies the wrongdoing of other religions. So, the Jehovah’s Witnesses advocate and support their own belief system, and they discourage critical thinking and group accountability. According to the Governing Body, “a common way of [manifesting independent thinking] is by questioning the counsel that is provided by God’s visible organization.”¹⁰²

Nevertheless, God warned that “if any prophet presumptuously speaks a word in my name that I did not command him to speak or speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet must die. However, you may say in your heart: “How will we know that Jehovah has not spoken the word?” When the prophet speaks in the name of Jehovah and the word is not fulfilled or does not come true, then Jehovah did not speak that word. The prophet spoke it presumptuously. You should not fear him.’”¹⁰³

Additionally, Jesus warned “for by your words you will be declared righteous, and by your words you will be condemned.”¹⁰⁴ He added that “if the light that is in you is really darkness, how great that darkness is!”¹⁰⁵

Thus, the Governing Body can’t make a legitimate claim as God’s official mouthpiece on the planet.

All things considered, my decision to become one of Jehovah’s Witnesses was based on fraudulent claims and undue influence. During the Baptism Talk offered at the assemblies and conventions, the Elder asks the candidates to stand up and answer two questions in a loud voice:

• “Have you repented of your sins, dedicated yourself to Jehovah, and accepted his way of salvation through Jesus Christ?”
• “Do you understand that your baptism identifies you as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in association with Jehovah’s organization?”

Effective immediately, I am declaring my agreement to the aforementioned questions as invalid. This document serves as my formal disassociation from the Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society.

I do not wish to be contacted about this decision.

Peace be with you.

WORKS CITED

1. This is a revised edition of the original 1999 document. I have added references to publications written in 2012 and 2014. ↩︎
2. Acts of Apostles, chapter 22, verse 1, New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures ↩︎
3. Romans chapter 14, verse 1, New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures ↩︎
4. John chapter 14, verse 6, New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures ↩︎
5. Romans chapter 14, verses 3-6, New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures ↩︎
6. 1 John, chapter 4, verse 1, New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures ↩︎
7. The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom, January 15, 1974 ↩︎
8. The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom, May 15, 1957 ↩︎
9. The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom, July 15, 1894 ↩︎
10. Three Worlds and the Harvest of This World, 1877, page 84 ↩︎
11. The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom, August 15, 1879 ↩︎
12. The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom, October 1, 1879 ↩︎
13. The Time is at Hand, 1889, pages 76-77. ↩︎
14. The Time is at Hand, 1889, pages 98-99. ↩︎
15. The Time is at Hand, 1889, page 101. ↩︎
16. Thy Kingdom Come, 1891, page 23. ↩︎
17. The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom, October 1, 1907 ↩︎
18. The Finished Mystery, 1917, page 258 ↩︎
19. The Finished Mystery, 1917, page 513 ↩︎
20. The Finished Mystery, 1917, page 542 ↩︎
21. Millions Now Living Will Never Die, 1920, pages 89-90. ↩︎
22. The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom, September 1, 1922 ↩︎
23. The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom, November 1, 1922. ↩︎
24. The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom, February 1, 1916 ↩︎
25. Luke chapter 21, verse 8, New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures ↩︎
26. Matthew chapter 24, verse 36, New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures ↩︎
27. Luke, chapter 20, verses 19-26, New World Translations of the Holy Scriptures ↩︎
28. The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom, October 1, 1967 ↩︎
29. The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom, November 15, 1967, ↩︎
30. The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom, March 15, 1980, page 31. ↩︎
31. The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom, June 15, 1978 ↩︎
32. The Golden Age, April 24, 1935 ↩︎
33. Acts of Apostles chapter 15, verse 20, New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures ↩︎
34. John chapter 17, verse 14, New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures ↩︎
35. The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom, December 1, 1989, pages 13-14. ↩︎
36. The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom, September 1, 1986, page 21. ↩︎
37. Pay Attention to Yourselves and All the Flock, pages 57-59. ↩︎
38. The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom, August 15, 1975 ↩︎
39. The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom, December 15, 1973 ↩︎
40. The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom, November 1, 1999, pages 28-29. ↩︎
41. Awake! October 8, 1971 ↩︎
42. Life Everlasting in Freedom of the Sons of God, 1966, pages 28-30. ↩︎
43. Awake! October 8, 1966, pages 19-20. ↩︎
44. The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom, October 15, 1966 ↩︎
45. The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom, April 15, 1967 ↩︎
46. Our Kingdom Ministry, March 1968 ↩︎
47. The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom, May 1, 1968 ↩︎
48. The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom, August 15, 1968 ↩︎
49. Awake! October 8, 1968, page 13. ↩︎
50. The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom, March 15, 1969. ↩︎
51. Awake! May 22, 1969, page 15. ↩︎
52. The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom, October 15, 1969, pages 28-29. ↩︎
53. The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom, May 1, 1970 ↩︎
54. Our Kingdom Ministry, May 1974 ↩︎
55. Awake! November 8, 1974, page 11. ↩︎
56. The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom, December 15, 1974. ↩︎
57. The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom, May 1, 1975. ↩︎
58. The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom, May 1, 1975. ↩︎
59. Jehovah’s Witnesses – Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, 1993, page 633. ↩︎
60. Yearbook, 1980, pages 30-31. ↩︎
61. The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom, March 15, 1980, page 17. ↩︎
62. Matthew, chapter 24, verse 34, New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures ↩︎
63. Hebrews, chapter 6, verses 17-18, New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures ↩︎
64. The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom, May 15, 1984. ↩︎
65. The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom, April 15, 2010, page 10. ↩︎
66. The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom, May 1, 1999, ↩︎
67. The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom, January 15, 2014, page 31. ↩︎
68. Matthew chapter 24, verses 45-47, Mark chapter 13, verses 34-37; Luke chapter 12, verses 35-48, New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures ↩︎
69. The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom, November 1, 1931; The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom, March 15, 1936. ↩︎
70. The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom, July 1, 1943. ↩︎
71. Preparation, 1933, pages 36-64. ↩︎
72. The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom, July 15, 1960; The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom, January 15, 1969. ↩︎
73. Who Are Doing Jehovah’s Will Today? 2012, page 19. ↩︎
74. The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom, June 15, 1957. ↩︎
75. The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom, July 15, 1960. ↩︎
76. The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom, June 15, 1964. ↩︎
77. God’s Kingdom of a Thousand Years Has Approached, 1973, page 350. ↩︎
78. The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom, July 1, 1973. ↩︎
79. The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom, March 1, 1988. ↩︎
80. The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom, October 1, 1967. ↩︎
81. 1 Timothy chapter 2, verses 5-6, New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures ↩︎
82. The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom, April 1, 1979, page 31. ↩︎
83. Worldwide Security Under the “Prince of Peace,” 1986, pages 10-11. ↩︎
84. Who Are Doing Jehovah’s Will Today? 2012, page 19. ↩︎
85. The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom, July 1, 1976. ↩︎
86. Psalm, chapter 97, verse 11, New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures ↩︎
87. Proverbs, chapter 4, verse 18, New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures. ↩︎
88. The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom, February 1, 1881. ↩︎
89. Peake’s Commentary on the Bible, 1919, page 420. ↩︎
90. The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom, January 1, 1977, page 14. ↩︎
91. The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom, May 15, 1995, page 15. ↩︎
92. The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom, December 1, 1916; The Finished Mystery, 1917, page 418. ↩︎
93. The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom, July 15, 1906. ↩︎
94. The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom, September 15, 1910. ↩︎
95. The Divine Plan of the Ages, 1886, page 348. ↩︎
96. The Finished Mystery, 1917, page 144. ↩︎
97. The Finished Mystery, 1917, page 426. ↩︎
98. The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom, May 1, 1922. ↩︎
99. The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom, November 15, 1955. ↩︎
100. Revelation – Its Grand Climax at Hand, 1988, page 105. ↩︎
101. The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom, February 15, 1927; The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom, November 15, 1928, ↩︎
102. The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom, January 15, 1983, page 22. ↩︎
103. Deuteronomy chapter 18, verses 20-22, New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures. ↩︎
104. Matthew chapter 12, verse 37, New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures. ↩︎
105. Matthew chapter 6, verse 23, New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures. ↩︎