JOHN BUTLER

I left the JW Org at the beginning of this year due to the massive amount of Child Abuse / Pedophilia that has been and still is allowed to go on in the JW Org. 
All you say about serving God, be it Yahweh or Jehovah, had no connection to the JW Org. This is something I'm trying to get into people's heads. The JW Org does not 'own' God. God, through Jesus Christ is available to anyone, not just through your GB. 
The GB have in fact put themselves in the place of Jesus Christ. They have said many times in the past, and it has been shown here on this website, that the GB have said, people can only be saved through Armageddon by being part of JW Org and by doing exactly what the GB say. Now that is putting themselves in the place of Jesus and its totally wrong. 

I left the JW Org at the beginning of this year due to the massive amount of Child Abuse / Pedophilia that has been and still is allowed to go on in the JW Org. 
All you say about serving God, be it Yahweh or Jehovah, had no connection to the JW Org. This is something I'm trying to get into people's heads. The JW Org does not 'own' God. God, through Jesus Christ is available to anyone, not just through your GB. 
The GB have in fact put themselves in the place of Jesus Christ. They have said many times in the past, and it has been shown here on this website, that the GB have said, people can only be saved through Armageddon by being part of JW Org and by doing exactly what the GB say. Now that is putting themselves in the place of Jesus and its totally wrong. 

Yes but some pretend to have authority, so they demand attention. Whereas others are just honest in their thoughts and comments. 

The 'average publisher' doesn't even get inside the person's house to give a study. Hence they brought in the idea of 'having a small study' on the doorstep. Many 'studies' are just old folk that want someone to talk to or someone to do their shopping for them. 
It sounds really impressive when someone has 3 or 4 studies, until you find out the details of what the 'study' actually consists of. 

1) study it
many JW study Bible, but how it is possible that also many of them not saw "errors" in doctrines for all this decades. How is possible that many JW accepted so many teaching and instructions that was later been abandoned? Well it seems how something is/was lacking in our personal Bible study for all these years "in the truth".
2) accept the logic as facts  
as we all are witnesses to that too, wrong logic can deceive us.
3) holy spirit opens our minds and hearts wide to understand 
do you talking, in this statement, about "to be inspired" by God? If you are, than this is contrariwise, in opposition to GB claim how them, as anointed ones, are not inspired by holy spirit. If anointed are not inspired, how non-anointed can be inspired? To confuse and make foggy on all this, that same GB teaching how, despite the fact they are "not inspired by spirit", they are "guided by spirit". :)) 
4) unique above all, is how the Bible's teachings are accepted by millions of people in just the same way
It is "unique" too, how people in some periods of time accepted also some teachings and was been deceived. Modern examples are; Nazi ideology and era when millions of German people followed Fuhrer, or Communism ideology in east Europe or more better example is China people or North Korea. Millions of people accepted teachings in same way. Capitalism is also unique ideology for millions worldwide.   

There is a LOT of money, prestiege, accolades, and status  to be had  in making yourself into a fortune teller, Shaman, Witch Doctor, Snake-Oil Salesman, Prophet, Prognosticator, Savant, Priest, Counselor, Governing Body, or Elder.
A LOT of money!
Technically ... it may not be yours ... but you control it ... without any accountability whatsoever, to those footing the bill.
Not your "followers".
Not even the IRS.
... even if you have taken a vow of poverty ... you fly Business Class, and stay in very fine hotels, sleep warm, eat well, and have a staff to do anything you want done.
It is a VERY FINE OCCUPATION, much to be sought after, .... if you can keep up the razzle-dazzle .... and keep down your gag reflex.

thanks for respond 

We come to know the "ring" of truth as we study it prayerfully and diligently. Our minds and hearts accept the logic as facts fall in to place clearly. Jehovah's holy spirit opens our minds and hearts wide to understand what we are reading. Right food at it's proper time. Then, what's unique above all, is how the Bible's teachings are accepted by millions of people in just the same way as we believe, in our time. This is unifying and Jehovah liberates us from a world of division by what Jesus said at John 17:17: "Your word is the truth." The Bible is God's expression, breathed into the mind of men, handpicked by him to accomplish this beautiful guide for life. It's a comfort to hear our Father's voice when we read the Bible.

At what moment "The Truth" has ceased to be "The Truth"?
 
In a nutshell .... "The Truth" has ceased to be "The Truth", when best guesses, and opinions are represented as exclusive direction and revelations from God ...... without qualifying clearly and unambiguously that they are ONLY best guesses, and considered opinions.
There is of course a VERY serious problem with being direct and honest with people with whom you publish your opinions to ... IF ... if  you DO NOT represent your thinking as the directed " Voice of God" ...
.... they will not give you money, and you will miss meals, and sleep cold at night ... or have to get a REAL job... and you will not be revered as a wise person (or persons).
The next thing on the list is that you have to seriously disparage getting more than a basic education to those you are deluding ... for fear that they will become smarter than you, and figure this out.
... and you lose MONEY!
 
 
 

He tends to focus on the religious clubs. This was a post in the secular part of the website.... I have noticed but don't really care as much as he does if people go off on crazy topics completely unrelated to anything. 
I blame this on our infrastructure not allowing threaded replies. 
Maybe someday forums will grow up and learn from social media.  .... oh wait I'm sure there is already a thread about this in here somewhere. Ooops

What in this words told by Jesus need some extra context with some special interpretation, that is not visible while reader reading it? - “You have heard that it was said, ...."
Those who listened Jesus at moment he gave sermon knew well WHO told them;
1) You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.
2) You shall not commit adultery
3) Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.
4) Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made
5) Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.
6) Love your neighbor  and hate your enemy.
It is noticeable how Jesus have extra appendix on every of this listed, quoted things he made. Did he go beyond already said and written? He gave some  additional explanation? He gave not just an explanation, but even a guide that differs from what they were taught.
All this 6 points you can find in Ten commands and Mosaic Law. But one you would not find - "hate your enemy". But Bible have idea of hating. Not only hating bad things in general or bad deeds made by people. Bible talking about hate that is directed towards other people. 
General idea of "hating" is visible in book Ec. 3:8. ...a time to love and a time to hate. 
Very specific way of hating is visible in;
Psalm 139:21,22 ....Do not I hate them, O Lord, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee? I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies.
Hosea 9:15 Every evil of theirs is in Gilgal; there I began to hate them 
Luke 14:26 “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters— yes, even his own life— he cannot be My disciple.
In sermon, Jesus talking about NOT HATING enemy but also about HATING family members. 
You can talk about so called CONTEXT how much you wish and want, but what is said - it is said, and how it was said -it was said. WTJWorg in some of Bible verses  found basis for shunning, avoiding and ignoring those who disagree about WT doctrines.      
In one moment Jesus making corrections about Mosaic Law and oral teaching, oral law. In next moment he has told something that WT scholars using for own Oral laws and commands and instructions.
Do you still want continue to insist on so called Context? What Context, when whole  Bible can be used for particular interest of  governing elite. :))) Each group will find its context and claim how that is A Context. :))

oh yes, I totally understand this point. To assimilate the jw elders to police, while a very accurate analogy, is going  a bit far. Without going into the qualifications of these "police elders", they aren't even versed in the ways they are supposed to be, ie CSA. They are merely told to call someone else. I don't even buy the whole "well they are imperfect people", that is a complete cop out and a perfect excuse for the blunders they've committed. If they are not qualified, then they're not anything more than advisers. Advice is great if it is accepted and put into practice, but in reality that's all they are is advisers. 
again spiritual cops? hardly. In the end we, individuals, are held accountable for what we have done, not a group of uneducated men dictating the "standards" of an organization. While on this topic of standards, Can anyone show me in the Bible where beards are looked down upon? how about higher education? birthdays? and the list goes on. Its not found anywhere, its man made. 
 
isn't this where parents and the Bible come in? It is.
Integrity is learned by following the morals instilled in you from either your dedication to the Bible/God, your parents (family), friends, observation, etc. Even then, some choose to disregard those morals and thus do not have it. 
that is wishful thinking. We already know people are flawed. Sure we all make mistakes, get speeding tickets, lie, cheat, steal, etc. Its our human nature, but to give authority to a group of men who are no more trained than I is absurd. To be held accountable and receive discipline in the magnitude that is dished out, merely based on standards imposed by men, is just plain foolishness. I guess that may also be why the gb doesn't want people to go and receive higher education, to learn to think for themselves. 
I apologize if I may offend anyone with my statements here, but it is "the truth". 
 

Ok, maybe my opinion isn't needed here but I am sure to give it anyway.
 
What happened to individual morals? If two people are adults, and I mean mature enough to understand the dangers of being alone together out of public view after a wonderful evening, etc. , why must other adults....err....grown men stick their noses in other people's business? Sure there can be some accountability held by informing a friend or family member of the evening plans or whatever, but to have an adult principal to oversee your dance party/movie night/dinner date is actually pathetic and demonstrates a lack of self control and a willingness to let others dictate YOUR life.  This whole idea that elders have some sort of authority over how you live your life is expressing that jws as a whole cannot make their own decisions and must sneak and hide like high school kids. If you have no personal boundaries, then you are going to do what you are going to do, its just like integrity, you have it or your don't. 
I just don't get it.

This is all good stuff but it proves to me that God only gives the right information, through Holy spirit, to those whom He chooses. Hence for everyone to read the bible does not always prove good. Even those that study Theology don't get it right all the time.. 
We know of course that The Word / Jesus, was created by God the Father. Jesus made it so clear on many occasions. Such as saying :-
The Father is greater than i am...  And at Mark 13 v 32 
“Concerning that day or the hour nobody knows, neither the angels in heaven nor the Son, but the Father."  

Jesus has said the end is near, so we should be ready, vigilant and enduring, knowing that God's Day will be upon us soon. One interesting thing that has been going on lately is the marriage between the political powers and religion, something of which was in full swing since 2015, but spoken of time and time again since the early 2000s, furthermore, this push for interfaith while the other seeks security, but in doing so destroying and or siphoning countries.
What you need is to apply the actual biblical truth from the Bible and abide by them, this goes for all men, and regarding JWs, their community knows that, as with all Restorationism for they hold to how the church of the 1st century did things in an organized fashion, hence God's Order, professed by Paul. One Christian who I have posted about before, someone I also make a reference to in my own topics, as with others, stated that if one is a JW or not/former JW, they still have to apply the bible teachings as the early church have done it, but some are often hindered by the actions of others resulting in Christian infighting and or something similar as with a spark of disdain and hatred, and this point shows of what went down mid-2015 and what took place in your country regarding the true gospel vs. the false one. One of the reasons as to why when we speak of men of other countries and or faiths, we understand their views and not adhere to falsehood or conspiracies of which some people point to the masses as truth, when it is really untruth.
As for the Scriptures. Are you referring to Matthew 6:6 or 2 Chronicles 3:8-14? What should matter the most in the End Times is not of your belongings, but, your life. For life is more valuable than gold, and we hold to that Scripturally and Spiritually.
Now this is why meditation is vital, in doing so, you can profess a verse and or passage from memory and from the heart. For example, I am a strong believer in commandment and or Law Shema Yisrael, and as to what it means and what it points to in the Bible, as with knowing that Jesus affirms Shema, as with Paul, who also affirmed it. We have to read and meditate the word daily, just as Jesus and others have done, in all our days we do something for God our Father.
As my father had always told me, always do something for God, even if it is for an hour, even a minute, be it singing, giving praise and or reading, etc. Because in doing so, you show you take the Scriptures seriously, but shows you take the time in your day for God, for you have this day because God gave you life.
That being said, always be vigilant and enduring because you do not know when the Master comes, for it will be unexpected like a thief in the night.
No worries. When ideas come into discussion other things are talked about. For we can discuss apples and sudden moments later we speak of oranges.

activism /ˈaktɪvɪz(ə)m/ noun   the policy or action of using vigorous campaigning to bring about political or social change. "growing activism on the abortion issue"   protest noun   /ˈprəʊtɛst/ 1. a statement or action expressing disapproval of or objection to something. "the British team lodged an official protest"     I much prefer protest to activism myself. To express disapproval in a calm manner is much better than vigorous campaigning.    As to the point of "and the interaction of Christians within, as though they have no choice but to accept having to be part of this world"   I would suggest that most JW's seem to accept having to live with Pedophiles within the JW Org. 

@BillyTheKid46 The reality, activism plays little to no role in the decision with governments and is evident.
Um really ? 
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/mar/26/mps-demand-action-over-jehovahs-witness-abuse-allegations
https://nltimes.nl/2018/05/02/nearly-300-reports-sexual-abuse-among-dutch-jehovahs-witnesses
https://www.secularism.org.uk/news/2018/08/protest-highlights-abuse-and-cover-ups-among-jehovahs-witnesses
Although i didn't really agree with the London protest, it still got the info' out there to the public and to the JW's that had been hidden from it all. 
More organisations putting on more pressure will get the message out there more, that is obvious.
And more pressure on governments and authorities will get things done.
Remind me of a scripture about a man knocking on his neighbours door at midnight, asking for bread to feed to a visitor. 
I think it was Jesus said, it wasn't that the other man wanted to get out of bed but the continuous knocking on his door moved him to action.
Yet another scripture about a woman that kept going to a judge and asking for justice. in the end the judge heard her case.
Keep knocking, and believe me the protesters will keep knocking and gaining support Earthwide. 
I think you are a sad person Kid, and I do have concerns about which side you are on regarding Child Abuse. Do you support the Victims or the abusers ?  Very worrying indeed.  

You and i always seem to have different opinions, which to me is quite healthy and well balanced. . 
But on this matter I think the protests Earthwide have had and are still having much influence on governments and authorities and are also helping people to have a voice so that they can release a lot of the pain they are feeling inside.
JW Org would not be being investigated were it not for protests about the Child Abuse within. I there is proof that it is working. 

that protest too much under the same circumstance for children?    Can a person really protest too much about Child Abuse ?
Sorry Kid, but child Abuse is something worth protesting about. Unless a person is on the other side of course. 

Can it be the rebuke of a gentile to defend another none Jew that protest too much under the same circumstance for children? A voice from a distance that portrays itself as a member with a no reflection.
@BillyTheKid46  I note that you changed your original comment from 'none Jew' to 'gentile'.  Are you anti-Semitic ?
And as for the link, bad information i think.  
Never mind Billy keep taking your tablets, you'll be ok. 

I think he suffers with wind . And does JW Org and it's GB have any credibility ?  
Well I think it is losing it quickly. I'm sorry for mocking the Org and it's GB, but it's better than crying over it. 
They are getting what they deserve. They are trying to outride a storm but the storm is getting bigger, Earthwide in fact. 

I think it strange that people seem to view Self-gratification? as only being of a sexual nature. It isn't of course, it's just desire to obtain pleasure for oneself.  
As for all this talk about sex on here it makes me wonder if some people on here have serious problems with it.  The GB seem to talk about it a lot too. I suppose it's like Water. Whilst the water will run from the tap when you need it, all is well. But when you turn on the tap and there is no water, that's when people talk about it.  I wonder if this is the same with sex  .
 

Yeah, I know .... I guess I am a "work in progress"
One night in Downtown Charlotte,  some brothers and I were doing midnight "Hotel to Hotel" Witnessing, talking to bored Night Clerks at the front desk, and when it was the other Brother's turn to do the talking, I would, to cover some expenses,  go outside and roll some drunks.
I am 6'-6" tall, and they are de-ruuunk, so no one gets hurt, and I get a lot of loose change.
.... never had any complaints.
I like to think of it as an impromptu Alcoholics Anonymous encounter.
.... after subtracting for expenses, and a small surcharge, I do contribute half to the Worldwide Work.
 
 

Before I start, you do realize the passage as a whole... right?
How everything is align goes as followed:
The Sermon on the Mount (1) The Beatitudes (2-11) Salt and Light (13-16) Christ Came to Fulfill the Law (16) Anger (21-26) Lust (27-30) Divorce (31-32) Oaths (33-37) Retaliation (38-42) Love your Enemies (43-48) Your focus is on verse 43, but the passage as a whole says the following:
[43] “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ [44] But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, [45] so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. [46] For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? [47] And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? [48] You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
So note, Jesus said You have heard that it was said, and he states the following, moreover, nothing in the Mosaic Law says anything about hating your enemy, the very reason Jesus made the point clear in the next verse.
How do we know? Very simple, let's go for context.
When it is spoken of, when one must love your neighbor, The Mosaic Law directed the Israelites to love their neighbor, we can see the law being professed in this verse below
Leviticus 19:18 - You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord [YHWH]. Neighbor is in regards to one’s fellow man, for some Jews went off the rails on the meaning and focused on solely themselves than others, especially those who kept the specific verbal traditions; all other people were to be considered enemies, which is not the case according to the Law itself - therefore for you to say something is Lawful when it isn't even written by Law or in the Torah makes you incorrect and it shows that you are looking at the verse at face value without context. Now let's move on to hate your enemy. As already stated, the Mosaic Law contained no such command. Some Jewish rabbis believed that the command to love their neighbor implied that they should hate their enemy, but nothing Scriptural in the Hebrew Old Testament makes prove to a specific Law of Man as you make mention of that points to such - therefore,it is unfounded.
Also these other references made help, regarding to continuing to love your enemies, just as Christ Jesus conveys by means of counsel, which is in harmony with the spirit of the Hebrew text and the Law itself (Exodus 23:4, 5, Job 31:29, Proverbs 24:17, 18 and 25:21), furthermore, this also hangs on to the foremost commandments.
So far we have not seen any political leaders - as you claim.
We haven't seen any Law of Man that professes to hate your enemy - as you claim, which is countered by the fact that to hating an enemy is nowhere to be found in the Mosaic Law. The only thing that is found is to regarding loving your neighbor, in turn, loving your enemy.
If you truly understand Jesus' counsel, you would have been able to spot the fact of what he said before and after Matthew 5:43. After all, the cross-references even gives you the answer.
Religious leaders and rabbis, leader of the Jews. Where are the political leaders you speak of, a specific one, like I asked?
True, but then you have the Mosaic Law, and you were not being specific of a political figure who does something entirely different from what is written.
And yet God's Spoken Word professed the Law and the Law was applied to the people, an example would be in Moses Day and the very fact that Moses wrote the first five books of the Bible and in the Hebrew Text it is called the Torah, otherwise known as Instruction. plethora of laws are found within the first five books, an example would be Shema Yisrael.
So pretty much God's Word and the Law are one in the same, the Laws professed in the New Testament are the same, but are Biblical Principles to which Christians are to apply.
Old Laws still hang on to the foremost commandments - for the Bible says so, therefore the fool will be made knowledgeable because he now sees God's Word is true.
You may want to re-read the passage again if you missed that something was not mentioned in the Mosaic Law, what you professed holds no water if you cannot bring proof to claim.
The laws still hang, I am pretty sure Restorationist Christians are aware of that if they themselves cross-references this and refer to it as the Law of Christ.
It isn't unknown to anyone, simply read the Old Testament, for it matches up with what Jesus says in the New Testament and or anyone else?
For example, when Satan tried to tempt Jesus:
Matthew 4:10 - Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’” Luke 4:8 - And Jesus answered him, “It is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.’” And what Law Jesus is referring to exactly? The answer is here by means of cross-references to the Old Testament:
Exodus 20:3 - You shall have no other gods before me. Deuteronomy 6:13 - It is the Lord your God you shall fear. Him you shall serve and by his name you shall swear. Deuteronomy 10:20 - You shall fear the Lord your God. You shall serve him and hold fast to him, and by his name you shall swear. Very simple and at the end of the day, this is known by those who take the time to read, research, apply and study the Scriptures.
Your point? Also you are aware that in those days there were people for God and people who were against God, and those who had no idea who the True God is - right? This should be known for we discussed this before.
That being said, you are driving the focus away from the actually verses you based your topic on, so I will quote you as a reminder:
Note: Pretty much your focus has already been answered several times on this same thread.
 
I suggest you better acquaint yourself with what the Mosaic Law is. If you can somewhat comprehend Galatians 3:28, this, the laws of the Jews, should not be that complex.

Just another day in The Divided States of America. You'd be amazed of how many want another civil war - it is wild.