Srecko Sostar

https://gothamist.com/news/inside-the-lost-jehovahs-witnesses-tunnels-under-brooklyn-heights
I thought this article was quite interesting and slightly funny too :-
"It was a little creepy" in the tunnels, Gregory Hall, 
"I've heard of some real strange things that happened down there" in the tunnels, Hall said, without going into detail. He did recall seeing "chain-link cages that they had their offices in. It felt weird. It was not real comfortable."
Since the tunnels were largely secluded, some elders reportedly saw them as an opportunity to corner members away from the rest of the community. Once, Hall said, an older JW man took him into the tunnels, then started talking to him about masturbation. (In a recently released video entitled "Pillowgate," two JW leaders are shown inveighing against masturbation; Hall said the Witnesses are infuriated about the video and are searching for a mole they believe leaked it.)
[I thought] 'I don't even know you, I feel creepy down here, and you're bringing that up to me?'" Hall recalled. "When those doors closed down in those areas, I didn't feel comfortable. Some of those guys, they lose touch with reality."
Read the whole article if you have time  
 

For a book, to advertise discretely on reddit, I suppose.  That's okay.  I quickly scanned it over, with mixed reviews. 

UM Does anyone see the difference between, being conned into doing restoration showy work on an old building, because you've been told it is for the 'glory of God' 
As opposed to, doing voluntary work, such as EMERGENCY WORK FOR A FIRE DEPT' OR HOSPITAL which actually serves a good purpose.  
It seems that Mr Harley doesn't know the difference. 
Mr Harley, the difference is, the one's that do the Emergency work actually volunteer to HELP OTHER PEOPLE.
The congregants, that should have been preaching the Good News of God's Kingdom', because it is so urgent as the 'End' is so close (in JWs opinion), were actually misled into believing that the restoration work on that theatre was for God. In God's eyes and Christ's I would have thought the preaching work was much more important. 
One thought, Jesus knew that Jerusalem was about to be destroyed, 
0  “However, when you see Jerusalem surrounded by encamped armies,v then know that the desolating of her has drawn near.w 21  Then let those in Ju·deʹa begin fleeing to the mountains,x let those in the midst of her leave, and let those in the countryside not enter into her, .... "
I don't see any instruction to go and build a big fancy assembly hall some place.  

That is positive side of that, for that young people. To learn some skills and get experience and knowledge. No one has nothing against that. 
Second part of my response you know .... :)))

I had to revisit this, since I don't think you realize your own contradictions.
1)  The GB is compared to the apostles
(2 The GB are leaders of the organization
3) Paul, an apostle had to "humble" himself to the leadership of the "Way" or "organization.
4) This implies that the GB are higher in "rank" than the apostles!
BLASPHEMY!  Can you see this?
4)  The apostles are the foundation of the Temple of God in Jesus Christ.
5) The GB are the "foundation" of the organization called the WB&TS
Are there two foundations/"organizations" that God approves of?  One is spiritual and written in the Bible, The other is earthly, and is not.
Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.  Eph 2:20-22
 
Only one "mountain"/"organization" will be chosen by God.  The one that is built on Christ as its "chief cornerstone".    Zech 4:7; Rev 8:8
 
 
 
https://4womaninthewilderness.blogspot.com/2013/02/jehovahs-genuine-mountain.html
 
 
 
 

I have to agree with this. In positive and negative using of Criticism.
One of "trigger" for put critics about these or other WT works in past and now, lies in fact that WTJWorg "exalt" themself above all on Earth. They are: "only true religion, only God's organization, only people that have highest moral standards, only who be saved, .....and similar "the best"".
In light of such position and picture that WTJWorg forming for and from many decades, it is not strange when observers find some discrepancy and make the point of that.

New International Version Acts 17 v 23
For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship--and this is what I am going to proclaim to you.
Call me John if it makes you happy. 
 

I have to agree with this. In positive and negative using of Criticism.
One of "trigger" for put critics about these or other WT works in past and now, lies in fact that WTJWorg "exalt" themself above all on Earth. They are: "only true religion, only God's organization, only people that have highest moral standards, only who be saved, .....and similar "the best"".
In light of such position and picture that WTJWorg forming for and from many decades, it is not strange when observers find some discrepancy and make the point of that.

Tom, what is with you? How you can compare JW volunteer restoration work in private building, in building that is in possession of Company .... with volunteer work in helping people when houses burning or helping sick people in hospital??
 

Excellent point as always. The answer is the same as that given Srecko. Make volunteer work illegal. Those volunteer fire departments? Tell them to let the houses burn. Those volunteers at the hospitals? Tell those lazy patients to get themselves out of traction and take care of their own needs. Those volunteers during every election? Free them! Tell Trump and Sanders to knock on doors and present their own case.
The purpose of life is to accumulate money. How can people do that if they are giving away their work? Free them from being manipulated. Let no  one do anything without a paycheck.
I made a normal one, too. What we need is a Department of Volunteer Monitoring so that any volunteering can be run by you for your approval or not. I suggest they will all be quickly approved except that concerning JWs

Tom, what is with you? How you can compare JW volunteer restoration work in private building, in building that is in possession of Company .... with volunteer work in helping people when houses burning or helping sick people in hospital??
 

Phil 3:19 -  They are ruled by their bellies, their glory comes by shame, and their minds are fixed on the things of this world. They are doomed. 

Volunteerism is volunteerism. What’s it to you where they choose to volunteer?
Besides is a life-saving work that preachers of the good news have been entrusted with. That being the case, I fitted my own vehicle with flashing lights and siren. Don’t worry—I got them cheap at the junkyard and restored them myself. 

Please Tom. I made normal comment. And ask anyone what would cost be for restoration. Volunteering is no illegal. Spending donation money for Religious Vanity is morally and ethically bad example. Perhaps we all like to see beautiful buildings. But, is it buy, restore and sell something, what have to be interest and occupation for Religious, Charity Organization of JW? 
2000+ members and unknown amount of $ versus 2000+  and same amount of money for preaching or helping people in need. What of this two IS CHARITY WORK???

He told illustrations about selling all you have to buy beautiful "pearl" and not Theater. :))) 
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it” Matthew 13

According to God's Word, they have adulterated the teachings of Christ and the apostles.  To apply "sacred" to a  building is idolatry, let alone to a corporation by calling it "spirit-directed".   No doubt JWs would admit that Catholics are idolaters:
"Whether you've been in a church many times or are new to its sights, sounds, smells and bells, knowing the rich meaning and history behind our sacred spaces and symbols can help us appreciate and deepen our faith. Churches reflect the communities who built them and the times and circumstances in which they are used. No two churches are alike, but each sacred space is used to celebrate the same Mass with our fellow Catholics.   https://www.catholicextension.org/camp-catholic/sacred-spaces-symbols
Somehow the point is missed when it comes to the organization.   Since Christ, can you tell me of any incident in the scriptures that describes a building OR earthly organization as "sacred" and approved by God?  Acts 7:24,25,29-31
 God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. 25 Nor is He worshiped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things.
Therefore, since we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man’s devising. 30 Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, 31 because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.”
Does the GB need to repent for creating idols?  Do the Catholics?
 
 

Please Tom. I made normal comment. And ask anyone what would cost be for restoration. Volunteering is no illegal. Spending donation money for Religious Vanity is morally and ethically bad example. Perhaps we all like to see beautiful buildings. But, is it buy, restore and sell something, what have to be interest and occupation for Religious, Charity Organization of JW? 
2000+ members and unknown amount of $ versus 2000+  and same amount of money for preaching or helping people in need. What of this two IS CHARITY WORK???

He told illustrations about selling all you have to buy beautiful "pearl" and not Theater. :))) 
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it” Matthew 13

I don't apply the term, "sacred" to anything I own, including my house.  Do you?  

But in 1983, the neglected theater was purchased for $1.8 million by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society from Delaware Corporation...........In 1988, the theater, which is on the NJ Registry of Historic Places, underwent an initial renovation phase, but the latest, completed in a nine-month period from 2012-2013, has restored even more value and splendor to the space.....“We are largely self-financed,” said Robert Warren, media consultant for the World Headquarters of Jehovah’s Witnesses, noting that the project was funded by individual donations from Witnesses across the world. “Whoever wants to build a tower must first count the cost,” he cited biblically, attributing the successful funding to strategic planning. “Rather than start and escalate, we evaluate first.”.....Over two thousand Witness volunteers from across the United States worked together on the large scale project, with work completed through volunteers only with the exception of contractors for only high-risk safety needs.......“We know it is a privilege and we consider it an honor to be here,” Simonsson added.....“We automatically assign a sacredness to the building because of our worship,” said Warren, of Witness Assembly Halls. “Having this space adds to the grandeur of why we are here.”.....
1,8 mill $ for buying. Perhaps value of volunteer working hours and materials is also enormous.  Any suggestion?

This is such a successful, and pervasive lie.  If there was a leadership that needed attention other than those who’s words are in the Bible, you would think books would have been added concerning their “leadership” and “organization”, as a solid template for your own leadership.  WT has taken one account and blown it out of proportion…to suit their earthly, insatiable desires.
You may want to see the conversation Arauna and I had on the subject:  https://www.theworldnewsmedia.org/forums/topic/84867-c-t-russell-was-labeled-as-an-apostate-by-the-adventists-in-1877/page/2/?tab=comments#comment-134575
"Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead)"  Gal 1:1
 
"I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.
10 For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.  Gal 1:6-10
 
The Way then and now, is NOT by means of an earthly organization. 
This is the Way to life:
"Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6
“A highway will be there, a road, and it will be called “The Holy Way”. The unclean shall not pass over it, but it will be for those who walk in the Way. Wicked fools shall not go there.”  Isa 35:8
You are turning your head away from WT’s obvious sins, which is so foolish.  Where do we find the source of WT’s sins?  It is with your leaders who are not appointed by God.  If they are uninspired, they assume a role of “faithful and discreet”.  
“Dear children, don’t let anyone deceive you. Whoever does what God approves of, has God’s approval as Christ has God’s approval. 8 The person who lives a sinful life belongs to the devil, because the devil has been committing sin since the beginning. The reason that the Son of God appeared was to destroy what the devil does. 9 Those who have been born from God don’t live sinful lives. What God has said lives in them, and they can’t live sinful lives. They have been born from God. 
10 This is the way God’s children are distinguished from the devil’s children. Everyone who doesn’t do what is right or love other believers, isn’t God’s child. 1 John 3:7-10 
Bloodshed happens every day in your organization. The innocent are “condemned” for rejecting this lying organization.   If one finds “the Way” in Christ, your leaders “kill” them.  John 16:2; Rev 13:15 
11 The message that you have heard from the beginning is to love each other. 12 Don’t be like Cain. He was a child of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did Cain murder his brother? Because the things Cain did were evil and the things his brother did had God’s approval. 13 Brothers and sisters, don’t be surprised if the world hates you.
The world that hates those who find the right Way, is your world.  Sir, you are on a path designed by “wicked fools” to lead you away from truth in Christ.

I believe how secular system for imprisonment of wrongdoers, and trial process working very similar. Court if found guilty take in consideration many details, also is wrongdoer repentant or not, but in many cases separates wrongdoers from society by putting them to jail or a prison. With limited visits of course - but no shunning policy :))) It seems how they were "inspired" by Bible when made such program.  

A time of rebellion indeed and it's easy to see that the GB are rebelling against God and Christ. 
Idolatry in the extreme. The GB worship money, power and position, and even buildings. 
One building the GB and others at the top of the JW Org worship is this one.
Scroll down on that link and see the idol worship and money wasted. 
I wonder how much of congregants donations were wasted on the restoration of this monstrosity.
https://jerseydigs.com/look-inside-the-historic-stanley-theater-journal-square-jersey-city/
 

But they won't give money willingly to Victims of Child Sexual Abuse, that were abused in JW Org. Much of the abuse was carried out by Elders. And the GB continue to keep the secret data base of over 20 years, whilst wasting money on the worship of buildings. 
Please show me how this is serving God properly ?  

@the Sower of Seed  " They have God's view of war, of murder, of abortion, of headship, of voting, of trusting in men, of the use of blood, of immorality,etc.... "
The GB have no idea. 
1. The GB say that God and Christ trust them, so then the GB tell people to trust them.  Trusting the GB is 'trusting in men', when the bible says 'Put not your trust in earthling man'
2. How many more of you JWs will pretend that the GB and its Org have God's view of immorality ?
Look around this Earth. See the hurt and pain the JW Org has caused people through Child Sexual Abuse. Then look at all the court cases where your GB are using dishonest lawyers to tell lies in courts, just to save your GB money. JW Org has big businesses in the world earning millions of pounds / $, but they do not want  to pay compensation to Victims of CSA. The GB have even made rules of shunning to deliberately push people away from their families and friends. The misuse of scripture is horrid. 
The only 'seed' you are sowing is one of lies.  
I'll repeat this scripture :- Matthew 5 
38 “You heard that it was said: ‘Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.’a 39  However, I say to you: Do not resist the one who is wicked, but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other also to him.b 40  And if a person wants to take you to court and get possession of your inner garment, let him also have your outer garment;c 41  and if someone in authority compels you into service for a mile, go with him two miles. 42  Give to the one asking you, and do not turn away from one who wants to borrow from you."
Direct instruction from Jesus to the Anointed. To give and not hold back.  Why are your GB doing exactly  the opposite to the instructions of Jesus Christ ?