Patiently waiting for Truth

Whatever others have done makes no difference to me. The context makes it clear that NOT ONE of those counted righteous had a clue anyone was in some special "Christ's Brothers" category. One flock, one shepherd. Be decent to each other and don't cop a superior attitude.

I was wondering when we'd get to the implicit nazi collaboration comparisons.

Is it important? You don't see ANY of those who were accounted among the righteous as recognizing ANY as Christ's brothers in the account. They just behaved decently in accord w/their conscience. That's all. Moreover they had the attitude. "When did we EVER do anything right?". 
I've always been interested in comma placement theory, and though the context suggests (and what I've researched in lexicons) like the "truly I tell you today ,(COMMA) you will be w/me in paradise" it makes me think a person could interpret this as "To the extent you did it to these least ones,(COMMA) my brothers,(COMMA) you did it to me" as a welcoming into the family. "Welcome BROTHERS!"

BTW - You know you've gotten into one of those stupid internet discussions as soon as you see people parsing people's words like they're playing checkers w/someone in the park. Hopping ...over...phrases.

If you see a crime, you have a responsibility to address the crime. I remember when someone asked me when I was on the street "what about Michael Jackson?". I said "He's not in my congregation. I can't speak to any of that." Likewise I can say in the decades I've been in no hint anywhere I've been that anyone is in support of or colluding with anyone to suppress abuse. Do I wish this sort of thing never happens anywhere? Yes. Do I think we'd be free from whatever infects the rest of human society? No. Do I have details on how the corporation WTBS has handled issues? No. 
Do I divorce myself from every human organization whose members have ever deflected from God's moral standards?
No.
I render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's and to God the things which are God's.
Any judgement and any further actions which others take are up to those who view these things.
I see all organizations today as human because they are. I'm not a Catholic and I don't believe the pope is the vicar of Christ. I don't believe any organization is the vicar of Christ either. That said, I have to associate with those who I believe are doing the work "irregardless" (Tom)  of their real or imagined deficiencies.
Nothing is more like fingernails on a chalkboard are the voices of those who instead of singing God' s praises, praise the images of men or organizations created by men. Just stop the idolatry already.

Another laughing emoji? I have the same fear with you, 4jah, namely that the curtain may be pulled away one day to reveal I am interacting with another nine-year-old

4Jah - Right now we have people who profess to be anointed. None of us know whether anyone who makes such a profession is one or not. I rather suspect Paul would say to them:
“Do not go beyond the things that are written,” so that you may not be puffed up with pride,+ favoring one against the other. 7  For who makes you different from another? Indeed, what do you have that you did not receive?+ If, in fact, you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not receive it?8  Are you already satisfied? Are you already rich? Have you begun ruling as kings+ without us? I really wish that you had begun ruling as kings, so that we also might rule with you as kings.+  1 Cor. 4:6-8
Now since the heavens are Gods throne and the earth his footstool and all things on earth belong necessarily to Jesus Christ, I'd say through the whole world is lying in the power of the wicked ones, the whole of those who profess to Christianity are making professions of being the earthly part of his kingdom. This distinction has yet to be made perfectly clear as the wheat and the weeds are still growing together. "At THAT time will the righteous shine". Now this may be even more far removed from what everyone's thinking, but what it means to "shine" could mean 'reflecting like mirrors the glory of Jehovah" or it could mean this is what these appear to be in their resurrected and glorified state. I'm not dogmatic about this, but I do see that hard line dogmatism is usually about power over another's conscience.
All those who are really wearing invisible crowns (and are in recognition of their own degraded state) will not be spending their time pulling rank or worrying about others who may or may not have pulled rank as it were.
To go further, I see this in a similar jaundiced view as did Paul when he considered the chronic harping on circumcision in his time : 
 4  But that matter came up because of the false brothers brought in quietly,+ who slipped in to spy on the freedom+ we enjoy in union with Christ Jesus, so that they might completely enslave us;+ 5  we did not yield in submission to them,+ no, not for a moment,* so that the truth of the good news might continue with you.6  But regarding those who seemed to be important+—whatever they were makes no difference to me, for God does not go by a man’s outward appearance—those highly regarded men imparted nothing new to me....
12  I wish the men who are trying to unsettle you would emasculate themselves.* - Ga. 5:12
To wit - He will cull all things which cause stumbling. It doesn't matter if what's causing stumbling is a person wearing an invisible crown or not. All who profess to be under this kingdom "whether in pretense or in truth" will be culled. A Christian should focus on THEMSELVES and THEIR responsibility and let God sort the rest. 
 

On the contrary, I have pretty much turned into one. That’s why I said I may have been here too long.
My only rationalization, which probably does not suffice, is that the few I go after have large “Kick Me” signs on their backsides. If they would take them down, it wouldn’t happen.
Take yourself, for example. Alan has launched the more blistering attacks on God—not God as JWs see him, but God as any believer sees him. That makes you just another “ignorant moron” in his eyes. Yet you are thick as thieves with him, approving any anti-spiritual diatribe of his, and disapproving any put-down of him.
Attacking Jehovah’s Witnesses appears to be your sole concern. It does not matter to you if you sell out God in the process.

Plan as if Alan will be out of your hair tomorrow. Live as if you know he won’t be.

The question is never "where should we go?" but "whom shall we follow?". We follow (as we are able) Jesus. Now the tough nut, is just how much diversity of conscience and diversity of opinion as to what is an absolute requirement to be considered faithful by Jesus, not by some external entity are we willing to tolerate? If we aren't careful, we'll be creating a cult of one, just ourselves. We absolutely need association with fellow believers, but again, how much diversity are we willing to allow? If we look with a critical eye at the accounts we read of life as a Christian in the first century, we see a lot of diversity and a lot of contention. No one was living their faith in lock-step with each other. People differed as to their opinions on following the law (or not). People were engaging in gossip. People were bad-mouthing their brothers, and Paul and others as well. Everything bad that could happen, did happen then. But they had a core hope. They all agreed that Jesus was the messiah. They had predictions about when the end would come (and they were wrong too). I understand it's harder for some than for others to remain when others don't share their views or when others appear to insist you share theirs. Guess what? The same thing happened in the first century.
So I asked before and I'll ask again. Was your experience all negative, or were there just aspects of it you found you simply couldn't reconcile? What of your beliefs do you have with which you can share with the wider group of people in the world who refer to themselves (and believe it) as "Christians".
Once I was asked by a person I'd called on for years whether I thought it was absolutely necessary to be a card-carrying JW to survive Armageddon. I said "I hope not. Because 27k hours later of talking w/people at the door has let me know how I'm no better (and probably worse) than a lot of people." He then asked "So why are you here then? Why do you do this?" I said "Inertia...that and for the same reason I lift weights and run. The weights don't change and the roads I run on don't change, but I do for the effort. Doing this work changed me and continues to change me, and I'd like to think for the better."

This saying about Armageddon seems acceptable, but it is not. Some JW people chose poorly paid jobs because everything will fall apart anyway so retirement doesn’t matter because Armageddon will come soon. Some did not invest in the maintenance of the house, because it will soon end, why invest in what will be destroyed in Armageddon. The WTJWorg administration, on the other hand, made big plans and investments in real estate construction and then sold them for big money. Most were raised by voluntary contributions from members who gave to the Organization. 
Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” Mahatma Gandhi. 
 

I have noticed that the desire to see God's promises fulfilled (nothing wrong with that of course), drives the human spirit to "predict" or "hope for" the end always in their life time. The pattern is clear: Russell hoped for the end in 1874 then 1914, Rutherford 1925, Franz 1975, the 80's GB by the end of the 20th century, today's GB between now and aprox. 2035.
Each generation would say their children aren't going to make it to school....now those  children have children of their own...and grandchildren
There are recent discussions on JW talk with brothers and sisters giving this old world no more than 5 years, and there are a few optimistic ones who say within a year. If you were to ask members of your congregation when do they think the end will come, you will hear similar sentiments. Many believe the pandemic will lead straight into the GT.
Of course logically, the end will come in someone's life time, and one day we will be right.
I admire Isaac Newton because his "prediction" defied the rules of wishing for it in one's lifetime. For that reason he seems more believable. But of course I hope he is wrong...because of course I would like it to happen in our lifetime! Oh, the irony of it! 😂
It is not wrong to hope for good things to come, what is wrong is our serving God only for that reason, and building our hope up to the point of expectation delayed making us sick.
You have probably heard this sentiment before, it's great, and I like to remind myself of it periodically: "Plan ahead as if Armageddon won't come in your lifetime, but live your life as if it will come tomorrow"

May as well include this list:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_dates_predicted_for_apocalyptic_events
https://www.openculture.com/2015/10/in-1704-isaac-newton-predicts-the-world-will-end-in-2060.html
I used to joke that if it doesn't come by 2034 (120 years from 1914) that I might reconsider. (Somehow people didn't think that as funny as I did.)

"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables."  2 Tim 4:3,4
 

As a JW?  As an elder?  As a member of an organization that required your "dedication"?  No.
Jesus is the only "gate".  It is a direct path.  Any other "path" is a thief that can rob us of eternal life. (John 10:7-10) The organization is not our mediator to reach the Father.  (Acts 4:11,12)
Maybe you know this; and if you do, surely you realize that no one can serve two masters.  (Matt 6:24)  However, as an elder, you are serving the needs of an organization, and the men who guide it.  You are serving a fake Zion, while obeying the GB's orders to oppress the true "Zion"/"holy city" - the anointed priesthood.  (1 Pet 2:5,9; 1 Cor 3:16,17; 2 Thess 2:3,4; Rev 11:1,2)  You have fallen into the lie that the "royal priesthood" can be "represented" by the elder body.  (2 Chron 13:9; Ezek 44:6-9)
These members are part of the Body of Jesus Christ. (1 Cor 12)  So, whatever is committed against them, is equally committed against Jesus.  Something to think about, as a "follower" of Jesus.  (Dan 8:25; Acts 9:1-5; Rev 9:4,5; 13:5-7)
You had said it would be difficult to worship outside of an organization.  The difficulty comes when leaving it - leaving the life you have developed, and the people who would subsequently shun you...behind.  It is like the true Christians that fled to the mountains of Judea before Jerusalem was destroyed.  They made similar sacrifices, but they were blessed abundantly. (Matt 10:39; 19:29; Luke 14:26; 12:53)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Yes. As Jesus Christ is my leader. (Of course I remember some elders questioning my methods once and when I showed the example Jesus set and how I was "following it closely" one said... yeah, but now you're tail-gaiting Jesus)
 

Your whole comment was nicely said.  Thank you!
It’s not my asking for perfection, it is the desire to know the God of Truth and His Son who is Truth.  It would be dishonoring to both of them, to accept the untruths - lies -  of men. The “new light” mentality, has nothing to do with the Word of God, but everything to do with the words of uninspired men who fail to receive understanding from Christ.   He promised it to those who remain with him. (John 15:5) How many years does it take for someone to realize their spiritual leaders are not receiving the correct understanding from Christ?

The unfolding of your words gives light;
    it gives understanding to the simple.”  Ps 119:130
How often has the organization backtracked in the "understanding” of their own doctrine? 
Jesus answered, “My teaching is not my own. It comes from the one who sent me. 17 Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own. 18 Whoever speaks on their own does so to gain personal glory, but he who seeks the glory of the one who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him.”  John 7:16-18 
 Nothing false to be found in a man of truth. Can you say that about your leadership?  
 

I wouldn't agree with a setting like this, Anna. There are things, in both religion and science, that could be called dogmas. In earlier science, such as that of the Middle Ages, there were “scientific assumptions” completely contrary to today’s understanding and evidence. In one significant part, correct me if I am wrong, the former science was in the hands of religious systems that claimed to have knowledge of “divine” origin, and therefore that knowledge was “infallible”.
Today, we have a different science. It is beyond the reach of religion. Even contrary to religious teachings. It is based on a different approach, methods and insights. Therefore, we will not say that scientific discoveries are "false or true" as in religion, but that they are "correct or inaccurate", because new evidence can confirm or change previous conclusions.
It is different with religion. We always have the same basic premise, and that is, “All knowledge comes from God,” and he determines what is right and wrong, what is true and false.
In religious matters, teachings, and conclusions, people supposedly rely entirely on the Word of God, and therefore such conclusions and dogmas are "true," for God is a God of truth, not falsehood. A lie is a deliberate untruth. There is no room for error here because we accidentally made a mistake. Religious leaders do not introduce any teaching or instruction with words that warn the flock in advance of the possibility of future changes in doctrine or give room for possible errors in doctrines. No, no religion does that. Also, even GB in WTJWorg never distances itself in advance from the fact that everything they say may be wrong. The “truth” is always published in WTJWorg, according to their own claims in the literature.
Subsequent changes in the interpretation of previous interpretations are called “new light” which illuminates “old light”. No one in WTJWorg called “old light” a real name within religious i.e. biblical terminology: lie. If WTJWorg were a scientific organization, then they could talk about their teachings as “mistakes”. But WTJWorg is an expression of the Kingdom of God on Earth and declares itself to be the successor of the First Congregation of Jesus Christ. So, it is of a religious character. And in religion there are only two: truth or lie.
 
 

This answer really isn’t for you, since you are so stuck in your organization, and all the delight you experience because of it, that I doubt you will see any spiritual logic.(I so wish you could)  But, perhaps those who visit here, who are waking up, can relate.   Oh, I can always hope...that perhaps Anna, who sometimes walks precariously around Wt's doctrines, will some day take a side for the authentic "truth" in Christ.  (John 14:6)
As always, JWs compare themselves, their ”spirit-directed organization”, and its failures, to other organizations, religions, and now… “science, technology medicine, relationships etc.”!
When was the last time you  really read the Bible?  What did Jesus promise those chosen to be part of his Body, and who “remained” in him?
Matt 7:7; 18:19,20; John 14:12-14,26; 15:5; 16:23,24; 1 John 2:20-21  
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt+7%3A7%3B+18%3A19%2C20%3B+John+14%3A12-14%2C26%3B+15%3A5%3B+16%3A23%2C24%3B+1+John+2%3A20-21&version=NIV
 
539 A.D.
1780
1798
1799
1829
1840
1844
1846
1872
1874
1878
1880
1881
1891
1906
1910
1914
1915
1917
1918
1920
1921
1925
1926
1928
1932
1935
1940s
1951
1975
2000
Dates, now worthless and dropped like rocks in a pond.  They were all “visions” of your leaders’ minds.  And you think God has turned a blind eye to your leaders misleading thousands with their theories?  You believe He is that flexible about unrighteous acts, which is another word for “ungodliness”?
“Therefore, this is what the Lord of Armies says concerning the prophets:
I am about to feed them wormwood
and give them poisoned water to drink,
for from the prophets of Jerusalem
ungodliness has spread throughout the land.
16 This is what the Lord of Armies says: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They are deluding you. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the Lord’s mouth. 17 They keep on saying to those who despise me, ‘The Lord has spoken: You will have peace.’ They have said to everyone who follows the stubbornness of his heart, ‘No harm will come to you.’” Jer 23:15-17
Is this why you love the organization in spite of its false teachings?  Do you believe that it is the haven of peace and security that it touts to be?  (1 Thess 5:3)
 
Like a brush ready to be dipped in the pot, “new light” is frequently held in the hand of your leaders. (Isa 44:20)  They apply this convenient coating over the “old light”, to sustain their position and their “tower” built with walls layered with “new light” reinforcement. (Gen 11:4; Isa 2:12-17)   It is only a coverup of what lies in their hearts. God reads each heart. (Luke 6:45)  You can see what God thinks in this one Bible account of the ancient practice of applying “new light”.  In this account, it is referred to as “whitewash”.   
 “‘Therefore, this is what the Lord God says: You have spoken falsely and had lying visions; that’s why you discover that I am against you. This is the declaration of the Lord God. 9 My hand will be against the prophets who see false visions and speak lying divinations. They will not be present in the council of my people or be recorded in the register of the house of Israel, and they will not enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the Lord God.
10 “‘Since they have led my people astray by saying, “Peace,” when there is no peace, and since when a flimsy wall is being built, they plaster it with whitewash, 11 therefore, tell those plastering it with whitewash that it will fall. Torrential rain will come, and I will send hailstones plunging[a] down, and a whirlwind will be released. 12 When the wall has fallen, will you not be asked, “Where’s the whitewash (“new light”) you plastered on it?”  Ezek 13:8-12
If JWs truly were not subservient to men, they would not be in the organization.  The elders, have immediate power to condemn anyone who may say, "I will only serve God and Christ", since these men expect immediate obedience.  And YOU are taught this. JWs will always be subservient to men only.  
Subservient: -“ prepared to obey others unquestioningly.”
“For example, Jehovah wants family members to obey the head of the family. (Col. 3:20) And he wants those in the congregation to obey the elders.” w21 February p. 17-18
Do I obey the elders in my congregation and also those who care for the worldwide congregation?’ w14/9/15 p 9-14
“How can we display our gratitude and esteem for the older men—elders, or overseers—in the congregation? ... Yes, we are to obey them and be submissive, to yield, to them.” w02 3/15 pp. 13-18
 
“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.”  Gal 1:10
There doesn't appear to be any room to obey/please/win the approval of... men, according to this scripture.  (Rom 6:16)
 
Should We Obey Men?
 
 

The untruth doesn't but understanding does. And then the untruth is corrected and becomes truth. It happens all the time. As understanding progresses so does knowledge. It happens in science, technology medicine, relationships etc. People are imperfect, they make mistakes.
At the beginning of the pandemic we were told that wearing masks is not necessary because it does not really offer any protection. Now we are all told to wear masks because it was found that they do indeed offer protection. Was saying that masks were not necessary, a lie? Essentially it was, but it was said in good faith. Now, as knowledge has progressed, we know better.
You do not allow anyone to make mistakes. Thankfully, Jehovah does as is shown in countless Bible accounts, and that is what matters.
I am sorry that you were ever subservient to men first, and God and Christ second. 

Lockdowns are a great problem. We are doing field service and encouraging sisters online due to this circumstance. Yes, the very elderly have problems but Jehovah is just and kind and he will remember their faithfulness in the past.  It is not the GBs fault that we have a pandemic, neither is it Jehovah's fault..... it is Satan's world we are living in. GB will obey the law until they force us by law  to disobey god...... then we will kindly and passively disobey man and obey Jehovah.
The world tide is turning, becoming totalitarian and secular - several countries now ruling by decree under emergency measures.  10 years imprisonment in Britain for visiting Portugal..... a decree not passed by the lower house. They are already turning against religion in USA - especially white Christians.  Saw a report this morning given to Biden against Christians labelling some as extremist and a new law tabled law under number 350.
If your mum's faith is lagging it is because she is locked in - we are supposed to be encouraging each other and giving physical hugs and warmth...... There were illegal experiments done on people (MKULTRA) in USA. Depriving people of sensorial input destabilized them and drove them mad. 
Yes we are living in extreme times and set to become worse. If you trust me enough you can send me your mum's telephone number and I will communicate with her now and then and support her. 

Not sure if you all are aware of my life...my mother has been a Jehovah's Witness for probably 45-60 years or so, her mind is foggy at 78 years old, but she still can be the unlit fire cracker. She lives with me and is very vocal with her phone conversations and such...I don't read the current material...but I am privy to her conversations with other jw's/elders, etc. We all know meeting together in worship is better than using zoom meeting from afar. And the Wtbts and the FDS have chosen to keep their services on line only. So my aging mom is experiencing a great disconnect with her congregation because she is not tech savvy and my sister and I help her as much as possible, along with a few other sisters who are, but she and those others are loosing faith in God, loosing faith in the governing bodies ability to maintain jw's connection with God. They continue to put their faith in the governing body, and when they don't follow through, they view that as Jehovah God not following through. So many things have happened with this pandemic, I hope jw's who do not have people who care for them are doing ok, physically as well as spiritually.

That's one of the movies I love to watch occasionally, in my list of favorites. Thankfully for watching it I did research and learned the pro's and con's of drinking gatorade. 
Thanks for the video's btw, nice to see some fresh material on this site.
Just a side joke, I had a friend post last year that he was seeing snowflakes hitting his windshield, (here in the SW NM US we don't get a whole lot of snow). So he posted he was seeing snowflakes hit his windshield and I replied on his thread....'I hope your not driving your car through protesters again'.

I am lazy. I suppose I also don't want people to get the idea that I have any original ideas. I want to positively affirm that.

Gasp!! For once, I share the same viewpoint as 4Jah. What is the world coming to?
I’ve nothing against videos. Knowing the source, I may well squeeze these in. It is just that I can read the same material in 10% the time, so that is usually what I hold out for. Because it is @xeroI’ll watch at least one.
It is amazing how many opposers with a lay a lengthy video on your lap—sometimes an hour or more—with the directive, “Here—watch this!”
Oh, yeah—I’ll get right on it! There is such a thing as “Introduction that arouses interest.” Do these people have nothing to do with their time?
”I am well along in life. I have reached the point where I take only those cases that interest me. And my interest in your case is dwindling.” - Hercule Poirot