Srecko Sostar

I was having a discussion on here somewhere with someone, concerning the IICSA investigation into JW Org in the UK. 
I've just received this email from them so thought I'd put it up on here for people to look at. 
It doesn't copy and paste exactly as it looks on my email, but here it is anyway :- 
Our reference: IICSA-0013979

 
Dear Mr Butler
Thank you for contacting the Inquiry on 3 February.
As you may be aware, the Inquiry is investigating institutional failure to protect children from sexual abuse in the Anglican and Roman Catholic Churches. In June 2015 it issued a retention order covering documents of interest to the Inquiry to the leaders of 18 prominent religious organisations, including the Jehovah's Witnesses.  
The Inquiry has received correspondence from a considerable number of individuals raising concerns about child sexual abuse within Jehovah's Witnesses organisations. At present the Inquiry is committed to delivering its existing programme and is not currently launching any new investigations. However, as our work progresses, we will consider calls for a Jehovah's Witnesses specific investigation carefully.
Any updates on our investigations, including scope and hearings can be found on our website at www.iicsa.org.uk/investigations
Investigations The Inquiry has launched 13 investigations into a broad range of institutions identified on the basis of the Panel’s criteria for selection of investigations. The investigations will give a voice to victims and survivors of child sexual abuse, enable the Inquiry to understand how institutions have failed to protect children from sexual abuse and make practical recommendations to ensure better institutional protection for children in the future. www.iicsa.org.uk  
I am sorry for the delay in responding to you and I hope that you have found this information useful. If you have any questions regarding the contents of this email, please do not hesitate to contact the Inquiry again.
Yours sincerely

Jodie Yarborough
Head of Correspondence & Engagement Team
Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse
 

I enlarged the photo, and compared the flag pole to the flag and pole projected shadows, onto the Kingdom Hall's wall.
The photo MAY be a complete fake, but it is NOT probable, in my considered and educated opinion.
The larger and higher flag in the picture (there are two) is definitely behind the fence at the sidewalk or curb, and it projects exactly correct at the right angle, and the shadow on the Kingdom Hall wall  at the address numbers "2925" shown, is the right size and shape, and SPECULAR ALBEDO that it should be.
WHAT IS TRUTH SHOULD BE THE AGENDA ... NOT what is the agenda..
Sometimes, we just have to bet our lives, on the best guess, according to how we see the Universe.

The preponderance of evidence, as I saw it then, and as I see it now, as shown leads me to believe that it happened EXACTLY as Jack Ryan just posted.
It is consistent with the fact that for 50 years in Mexico, Jehovah's Witnesses were a "cultural association", until the law was changed so they could own REAL ESTATE.
Straight from "central casting".
When I was a younger man, I used to bet my life that I understood parachuting as well as I understood that hitting the ground at 220 miles per hour is NOT GOOD ...
A series of ACTUAL life or death "leaps of faith".   I am USED to the idea.
It's all about how you rate the probabilities of this thing ... that thing .. or the other thing .... whatever it is, as being true, false, or somewhere in the middle.
Sometimes, the credibility gap is compensated for by a gullibility fill.
Sometimes the truth really hurts.
WDS - the sword that cuts BOTH ways.
The preponderance of evidence, as I saw it then, and as I see it now, as shown leads me to believe that it happened EXACTLY as Jack Ryan just posted.
 

hehehehe :)))))))))

Not likely, they would have put one of those inuksuk thingys there!

I don't know anything other than what was in the news several years ago ... that on a particular national holiday, Chile requires  Churches to display the National Flag for that day on their building or flag poles ... and the Elders put one inside the building, showing through the windows, and put one on a flag pole (what's a Kingdom Hall doing with a flag pole ...anyway..?), to avoid paying a fine, somewhere around $240.
I have several photos on my hard drive somewhere, from several angles.
That's all I know.

The picture I saw had the Chilean Flag behind the metal bars in the windows, behind the glass, inside the building, facing out, and there was a high steel rod fence with a gate around the property, with the flagpole on the property, on the grounds.
It may have been put there by Eskimos for all I know.
... but that is not probable.
 
 

TTH was in LlOYD's  HOUSE.
The "homeowner" sets the rules about what speech is permitted.
That is also true at the Kingdom Hall, and at my house.
It is also true with The Librarian, and admin, here.

???? when that happened please
Or you confused, opposers breaking into, with law fines if they not put flag on building?

If you only realized JWs do not consider you part of their "church".  

That’s exactly what it means.
I told you, I don’t believe in the trinity, both in silence and out loud.  You’re not making sense, Allen.  What are you, an interrogating lawyer for the "Society"?   The only reason I am answering you is for the benefit of any other JW who may be reading this. 
There is no union of the saints, who are the Body of Christ, in the organization.  The Watchtower makes sure that they remain apart.  It is discouraged that the Body of “living stones” of God’s Temple, do not study the Bible together.   1 Pet 2:5,9   What a hypocritical doctrine.    There is a union of the saints/anointed ones outside of the organization, who have been “killed” by your organization for turning to Christ.   Rev 12:14
And am I silent?  Isa 58:1; Rev 11:1-3
Is the GB aware of the interests of its anointed “brothers" or just their own interests?  Matt 24:48-51
 Up until just recently, who was considered the “faithful and discreet slave”?  Who is it now?  Who is doing the isolating?
How is that so?  What have I continually said about the Temple of God, with Christ as the chief cornerstone, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets?  The members of the anointed Body of Christ are the “church”. 
 
First of all, when you say “Society”, I am guessing you mean the Watchtower.  Are you believing there were no anointed ones after the death of the apostles and up until 100 years ago?  You believe not one Christian anointed one walked the earth for 2,000 years?  That no believer in Christ was present during that time?  
The Society didn’t “inherit” 3,000 anointed ones, they fell into Satan’s end time deception to be “sifted” by his greatest magnum opus since deceiving Eve.  Luke 22:31; 2 Thess 2:9-12 ; Jer 5:26; Ps 140:5
Tell me, how will the anointed ones be conquered in the time of the end.  They are not safe in “Jehovah’s organization” as taught, because they face a severe test at the hands of a “false prophet”.  Ezek 13:10-12; Matt 7:15; 24:24; 1 Thess 5:3
Can you explain this - Rev 13:5-7,11
Who are these 1.6 billion Christians?  Those outside the organization? Now you are including outsiders when before you said, the first Christians were inherited by the Society one hundred years ago? Or, is this number the entire amount of JWs over the years? 
Through Holy Spirit, you have heard of it, haven’t you?  Zech 4:6-14; Rev 11:3,4
A rejection of Christ?  Or, do you mean a rejection of the GB?
Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father.22 You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, forsalvation is of the Jews. 23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”  John 4:21-24
The spiritual dwelling place of God is within the anointed heart.  1 Cor 3:16,17; 2 Cor 6:16  On their heart is written God’s laws.  Heb 8:10  The early ark of the covenant symbolized the presence of God and housed the laws given to Moses. Under the New Covenant, God’s anointed priesthood are like that ark. Rev 11:19 Each one is to carry truth, the truth from Christ. John 17:17 When the early temple was built, the ark was placed in the “inner court” of the temple specifying God’s presence in that temple.  Jesus said, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”  “But he was speaking of the temple of his Body”.  John 2:19-21
Every anointed priest is part of the temple as “living stones”, and they ARE the temple, according to 1 Cor 3:16,17. Eph 2:20-22  During the last days, a conquering force comes upon them using deceitful lies. Rev 13:7; 20:9,10   Those who reject the lies are “killed”.  Rev 13:15; Matt 16:25; 19:29  Instead of buying spiritual food from a false prophet, these "stones" “buy gold” from Jesus Christ.  Rev 3:18  And by breaking free of this spiritual captivity of deception, (Rev 13:10)  they are the “victorious ones”, riding with Christ in the battle of truth against lies.  Rev 15:2; 19:11,19,20
 Uninspired men are unable to provide pure teachings from Christ, because they no longer carry God’s spirit in their heart.  Heb 12:15; Rev 8:10,11; 18:4-8
 
 
 

Rom 6:16

Canada has many symbols. There may be some other symbol appearing in their Betel. Why stop at the inuksuk statue?
But there is something else what we can think about as idols, idolatry, worshiping, hidden message, changed/twisted meaning. In verse quoted above one special terminology was introduced by Jesus. Word Helper or helper is equivalent for Holy Spirit of holy spirit. HE will teach You and you.
The Governing Body entrusts much to its helpers and appreciates the fine service performed by these loyal, hardworking brothers. - https://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/w20151015/helpers-governing-body-committees/
It is interesting how WTJWORG find it adequate to give THIS name/etiquette/title to humans who "helping" GB members. Because GB members strongly claiming how they are NOT inspired by Spirit (in other simple words, Spirit NOT teaching them) but that they are "guided", it is significant and not far from reality how substitution for teaching from REAL, GENUINE holy spirit which source is in God, is TRANSFERRED to Artificial "holy spirits" that resides in, it's situated in Human called "GB Helper/s".
If one of meaning for Inuksuk Statue is to point the way to somewhere, or to correct your way, than this WT invention, from 1992 , is very seriously entering in the domain, radius of idolatry and worshiping of idols. How comes to that? Because Helpers are males appointed (not by HS, but by GB) to serve in various (6) Committees, which decisions, instructions and marking they way how "worshiping God has to look" is not under INFLUENCE, GUIDING, TEACHING of holy spirit as ONLY HELPER PROMISED BY JESUS, but under Human Helpers spirit. 
Who/whom JW member obey? Worshiping? JW member worshiping those or that whom or what he listening and OBEY. If you obey human person, in final moment you worshiping him, willingly (deceived or by own choice) or by force. If you obey your own idea of something or about someone, you worship your own idol created in you/yourself.  
 

If your words were true and that’s all there was to it, no one would be shunned or disfellowshipped for rejecting “Jehovah’s organization”.  Rev 13:1,5-7,11,15-17
"Apostasy
Definition: Apostasy is abandoning or deserting the worship and service of God, actually a rebellion against Jehovah God. Some apostates profess to know and serve God but reject teachings or requirements set out in his Word. Others claim to believe the Bible but reject Jehovah’s organization.  rs p.34-37"
 
"Wild Beast and its Ten Horns" - 4womaninthewilderness blogspot
 
 
 
 

Some JWs love the artistic beauty of the cross so much, they use it wherever they can get away with it. 
 

@TrueTomHarley
"Next thing you know, you will be asking some politician to sign your Bible.
Or telling another one that he represents the political manifestation of God’s kingdom on earth."
I knew exactly who the GB were signing the Bibles for. That's why I posted the picture; it fit your comment perfectly.  The cause or the setting makes one wonder, doesn't it?  Is it too hypocritical for the GB to sign Bibles belonging to "friends", yet easily done for those in the "world"?
If I hated you or any JW, I wouldn't be here begging each and every one of you to read Rev 18:4-8, to take heed of the sins of God's anointed people.  How readily JWs throw out the word "hate" to "apostates", yet have I ever used that word against any JW?
 
(Addition)  “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."  Matt 5:43-48
 

I can tell you are struggling with this.  But, your idea, Anna, opens up a field of possibilities.  Why not put a clay Buddha statue on the living room coffee table simply because he appears so benevolent?  Or, a gilded wooden cross on the wall because it is a superb piece of art.  Or, a statue of Mary, Peter or Joseph in the garden.  Again, they are just formed of earthen clay. 
The Inuksuk bears an image that the Watchtower identifies with.  Its symbol is important enough to put inside the Branch in an area where the native people who revere this statue, are potential “bait”.
The Inuksuk brings good luck, like a rabbit’s foot.  Should we start carrying a small version in our pocket?
Here is its description.  http://ca.paganfederation.org/the-history-and-meaning-of-the-inuksuk/
Here is WT’s information next to the stone image: 
“Often defined as “that which acts in the capacity of a human”, these giant landmarks have been use as markers and for navigation by the peoples in Canada’s far north. Just like the Inuksuk, our literature is able to speak on our behalf in hard to reach places”
When the people saw that Moses was so long in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said, “Come, make us gods who will go before us.  Exod 32:1
The page description linked gives the detailed story.
Perhaps every JW should have one in their entry hall, since it appears to signify the mobility of the preaching work.  There must have been a GB member at the celebration of the Branch remodel, so you might get away with it where you live.  Unless, it's not the approved "dress code" for the area.  
 Better yet, what about a wooden Asherah pole which also was established on the “high places” by the nation of Israel.   The Inuksuk sounds like a male image; the Asherah, the goddess of fertility.  They should get together and have children; proof that the preaching work is producing "fruit".    It sounds crazy doesn’t it?
“He will give their kings into your hand, and you will wipe out their names from under heaven. No one will be able to stand up against you; you will destroy them. 25 The images of their gods you are to burn in the fire. Do not covet the silver and gold on them, and do not take it for yourselves, or you will be ensnared by it, for it is detestable to the Lord your God. 26 Do not bring a detestable thing into your house or you, like it, will be set apart for destruction. Regard it as vile and utterly detest it, for it is set apart for destruction.”   Deut 7:24-26
I am sure the early idols seemed harmless to men, but to God, no image was to stand between Him and His people. 
“Of what value is an idol carved by a craftsman?
    Or an image that teaches lies?
For the one who makes it trusts in his own creation;
    he makes idols that cannot speak.
19 Woe to him who says to wood, ‘Come to life!’
    Or to lifeless stone, ‘Wake up!’
Can it give guidance?
    It is covered with gold and silver;
    there is no breath in it.”  Hab 2:18,19
Absolutely no image at all; even one men call “spirit-directed”.
We cannot take part in any modern version of idolatry—be it worshipful gestures toward an image or symbol or the imputing of salvation to a person or an organization. (1 Corinthians 10:14; 1 John 5:21)    w90 11/1 pp. 23-28  
 
 

I am guessing by "2" you mean "2nd", and not another "two".   
I can just imagine how JWs would react if a GB member offered to sign their personal  Bibles at a convention.   Worth standing in line for?
I personally find this Bible narrator one of my favorites.
https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/suchet/nivuk/2Cor.1
 
 

... and to GIVE THEM OUT ... if you perceive YOURSELF as a "celebrity" !

That cracked me up ...  with snarky criticism of alluding to recent (past few days) national news that Trump signed Bibles for various clergymen (which was heavily criticized in the "fake media" by those with severe TDS )  ... and then seeing the posting of the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses signing Bibles for politicians.
I had seen that before, but I had completely forgotten about it.
Thanks TTH .... always good for  some  "reducto ad absurdum" humor at the oddest times.

Oh yes, I saw the news clip yesterday.  I mentioned this to my husband and relayed the past bible signing event by the GB.
 

Librarian, you have been extremely kind and tolerant of my being here.  I don’t care to start my own club or religion.  The “two witnesses” during the time of the end preach to spiritual “Israel” who are the anointed ones.  If I am asked to leave, I will; but until that time, I will continue to preach to JWs wherever they are found; and that will be here if you continue to have me.     Rev 11:3,4; Zech 4:12-14,8-10; Matt 10:23

It’s hilarious when opposers attempt to sway their argument by introducing an “interlinear” to make a point. First, the Bible Students were criticized for relying on the Emphatic Diaglott Bible with the Westcott and Hort interlinear (Vatican Manuscripts), and now, the Watchtower is being criticized for thinking it hasnÂ’t consulted the TR-MSS. No different with what the J.P. Green SR interlinear offers. What will people think of next?

Textual basis

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_World_Translation_of_the_Holy_Scriptures

The Greek New Testament Textus Receptus (Stephanus 1550)

Modern Midrash: The Retelling of Traditional Jewish Narratives By Twentieth-century Hebrew Writers SUNY Series in Modern Jewish 1987

Midrash-and-Multiplicity-Pirke-De-Rabbi-Eliezer-and-the-Renewal-of-Rabbinic-Interpretive-Culture-Studia-Judaica-48 2009

Targum and Testament Revisited 2010

The Vatican Manuscript of Spinoza's Ethica (Brill's Studies in Intellectual History) (English and Latin Edition) 2011

 

WhatÂ’s, even funnier the J.P. Green SR, GLT bible, agrees with the NWT in certain text, by using the name of God (Jehovah) NOT (Yahweh) such as in, 2 King 24:1-2

Therefore, an interlinear is as good as its interpretation with the proper context attached to the ancient script. Anything else is meaningless rhetoric.

Masoretic Text 1524

2 Kings 24:1

????? ??? ???????? ??? ??? ???? ?? ??????? ??? ??? ???? ???? ?

24:2        ????? ???? ?? ?? ????? ????? ??? ????? ??? ??? ????? ???? ??? ????? ??? ???? ?????? ?????? ??????? ???? ???? ??? ??? ??? ????? ???????

In his days, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon went up and Jehoiakim became a servant for three years, and sat down:

24: 2 And Jehovah sent to him the battalions of Gadim, and the divisions of Aram, and the battalions of Moab, and the battalions of the Ammonites, and sent them in Judah to destroy him, as the word of the LORD was spoken by the servants of the prophets.


 
24:2

 

Young's Literal Translation 1862

 

24:1     In his days hath Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon come up, and Jehoiakim is to him a servant three years; and he turneth and rebelleth against him,

24:2     and Jehovah sendeth against him the troops of the Chaldeans, and the troops of Aram, and the troops of Moab, and the troops of the sons of Ammon, and He sendeth them against Judah to destroy it, according to the word of Jehovah, that He spake by the hand of His servants the prophets;

 

Reina Valera 1909

 

4:1

EN su tiempo subió Nabucodonosor rey de Babilonia, al cual sirvió Joacim tres años; volvióse luego, y se rebeló contra él.

24:2

Jehová empero envió contra él tropas de Caldeos, y tropas de Siros, y tropas de Moabitas, y tropas de Ammonitas; los cuales envió contra Judá para que la destruyesen, conforme á la palabra de Jehová que había hablado por sus siervos los profetas.

 

GOOGLE TRANSLATE: Substitutes JEHOVA for LORD. This shows the bias in translation.

24: 1 In his time Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon went up, and Jehoiakim served for three years; He turned then, and rebelled against him.

24: 2 But the LORD sent against him troops of the Chaldeans, and troops of Syrians, and troops of the Moabites, and troops of the Ammonites; and he sent them against Judah to destroy it, according to the word of the LORD, which he spoke by his servants the prophets.

 

 
ALL these translation derive from the TR-MSS. Only a selective few honor God by using his proper name, (i.e. translated in its CORRECT context) and doesn’t hide his name like many bibles out there. Where does that leave that ideology, when applying an interlinear as bases for an argument? But, this also falls in line, when, POPE John Paul II “ordered” the REMOVAL of the Tetragrammaton and use of God’s personal name from all Catholic Churches services.

http://forum.yadayah.com/default.aspx?g=posts&t=1230#post7756

https://vn.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20130804071545AAj7aHJ

Reprinting ZENIT's articles requires written permission from the editor. http://www.zenit.org/article-23414?l=english (dead-link) Permission, not granted!!

 
Any other disingenuous argument can be scrutinized by the works, like Norman L. Geisler.

Since this forum is hypothetically anything but an academic forum, Copyright rules apply.

 “No portion of this e-book may legally be copied, reproduced or transmitted in any form and by any means, electronic or mechanical.”

A similar clause, the Watchtower has for its printed material.

Copyright

© 2017 Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. All rights reserved.

This website is published and maintained by Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc. (“Watchtower”). Unless otherwise indicated, all text and other information on this website are the intellectual property of Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania (“Watch Tower”).

“But please do not reproduce its contents on another website or application.”

You may not:

·         Post artwork, electronic publications, trademarks, music, photos, videos, or articles from this website on the Internet (any website, file-sharing site, video-sharing site, or social network).

·         Distribute artwork, electronic publications, trademarks, music, photos, text, or videos from this website with or as part of any software application (including uploading such materials to a server for use by a software application).

·         Reproduce, duplicate, copy, distribute, or otherwise exploit any artwork, electronic publications, trademarks, music, photos, text, or videos on this website for a commercial purpose or for money (even if no profit is involved).

 

Therefore, I recommend everyone keep their views of opposition to works that donÂ’t VIOLATE copyright law.

2018 has become a different beast. There are forces out there, which will get, people to start complying with the LAWS of the LAND. No exceptions, LBR, TTH, JTR. This, however, doesn’t apply to “public domain” works. I’m sure you would agree on TTH, you wouldn’t want your published work on an open forum to be butchered by opposers to make irrelevant claims when they don’t have a cognitive understanding of scripture, to begin with. So, why turn a blind eye to the Watchtower publications. I hope people will finally understand the irony why the Watchtower doesn’t attach a name to any of its publications in order to preserve their works from becoming public domain.

In general, works published after 1977 will not fall into the public domain until 70 years after the death of the author, or, for corporate works, anonymous works, or works for hire, 95 years from the date of publication or 120 years from the date of creation, whichever expires first.

An organization is an organized group of people with a particular purpose, such as a business or government department. A corporation is a large company or group of companies authorized to act as a single entity and recognized as such in law. An organization can be a part of a corporation.

https://iclg.com/practice-areas/copyright-laws-and-regulations/usa

https://www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap5.html

https://abovethelaw.com/2017/12/its-a-wrap-what-to-expect-from-the-copyright-wars-in-2018/

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2018/01/copyright-week-2018-join-us-fighting-better-copyright-law-and-policy

 
So, this infamous ideology that JWI keeps suggesting, what is “fair use” will be a thing of the past. So, gear up folks, Web sites are included in this battle. Yes, that also applies to archives of published works without the expressed permission or consent of the owner.

Perhaps, to opposers and unscrupulous people that don’t adhere to Caesar’s law much less God’s law, until they find the words “slander” and “defamation” attached to their senseless rhetoric. Even then, a dying atheist wants to believe in a higher being.

Then I suggest you start educating yourself in the laws that govern copyright, and not assume as JWI has about fair use. There are plenty of websites to aid you. This ideology of violating other people’s rights just to make websites of opposition, viable, is no longer an excuse.

However, Does this mean, I can publish YOUR books content online?