Patiently waiting for Truth

https://sputniknews.com/uk/202005221079386943-uk-ministry-of-justice-has-open-mind-on-raising-minimum-age-to-18-to-stop-child-marriages/
I thought this article was interesting, particularly as @Arauna seems to say that the world and all it's governments are totally immoral and that all schools and colleges teach immorality etc .........
Here in the UK a politician is trying to have the legal age of marraige raised from 16 to 18, to stop child marraiges. 
Conservative MP Pauline Latham is seeking to pass a bill which would “revoke parental…consent which permits the marriage…of a child and to criminalise child marriage…under the age of 18.”
I just thought it gives a bit of balance to the usual JW cry of 'the world is wicked' 'all non JWs are wicked' etc....  I do like a bit of balance. 
The article is dated 22nd May and I have no idea of the outcome, but it's nice to read about a politician that is trying to do something positive to held young people. 

If GB members are here, exists only for one reason and that is to "dispense spiritual food" - i would like to know WHO forcing them to be seen as or to be board members of corporation? What government put obligation, forcing this 8 (+names in the past) particular GB names to run corporation, to be in any corporative capacity?
And why this 8 (+names in the past) names agreed to be part of government obligation when that obligation put them into position to have not enough time to serve for interest of Kingdom and their King but involving them, dragging them into work, business of this old world system ? .... like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.  No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. 2 Tim 2 4
It seems how GB forget this Principle and failed to be FDS for decades until big changes (in 2000 i guess). And now they serve as TV Preachers.

Not if they don’t read it.
But even if they do, I suspect that they will not come all unglued.
That is my preliminary impression. Is he really calling for a panel of Independent elders to review GB policy? You know how that will work out. If they do not reach his own conclusions, the reason will be that they were not independent enough. 
It is a very familiar scenario. It plays out in all situations of national and international politics. It plays out in multiple other areas of practical and/or philosophical disputes. It is good to follow some of these other interests because it enables one to so quickly see parallels. 
There is a firm movement under the guise of ‘anti-cultism’ to make religion a decided subset of the state—with all its policies to be reviewable by the state. How strongly Rulf plays into this I cannot say, but I’ll bet it leans that way. You have probably hit the nail on the head.
 

Word "end" is "sword with double edge" it seems. And is absolutely not necessary for chronology or to point history periods. 
As in many other textual issues and ambiguities about the actual meaning of text, we need few things. To look for:
1) Context
2) Grammar and spelling precision, rules in sentences which are expected to send true meaning of author's thoughts
3) Author's own explanation what he want to say 
What we have today for meet these 3 conditions?
- some passages from WT 1968 article:
Are we to assume from this study that the battle of Armageddon will be all over by the autumn of 1975, and the long looked-for thousand-year reign of Christ will begin by then? Possibly, but we wait to see how closely the seventh thousand year period of man’s existence coincides with the sabbath like thousand-year reign of Christ. If these two periods run parallel with each other as to the calendar year, it will not be by mere chance or accident but will be according to Jehovah’s loving and timely purposes. Our chronology, however, which is reasonably accurate (but admittedly not infallible), at the best only points to the autumn of 1975 as the end of 6,000 years of man’s existence on earth. It does not necessarily mean that 1975 marks the end of the first 6,000 years of Jehovah’s seventh creative “day.” Why not? Because after his creation Adam lived some time during the “sixth day,” which unknown amount of time would need to be subtracted from Adam’s 930 years, to determine when the sixth seven-thousand-year period or “day” ended, and how long Adam lived into the “seventh day.” And yet the end of that sixth creative “day” could end within the same Gregorian calendar year of Adam’s creation. It may involve only a difference of weeks or months, not years.................33 This time between Adam’s creation and the beginning of the seventh day, the day of rest, let it be noted, need not have been a long time. It could have been a rather short one.............So the lapse of time between Adam’s creation and the end of the sixth creative day, though unknown, was a comparatively short period of time.............35 One thing is absolutely certain, Bible chronology reinforced with fulfilled Bible prophecy shows that six thousand years of man’s existence will soon be up, yes, within this generation! (Matt. 24:34) This is, therefore, no time to be indifferent and complacent. This is not the time to be toying with the words of Jesus that “concerning that day and hour nobody knows, neither the angels of the heavens nor the Son, but Father...... To the contrary, it is a time when one should be keenly aware that the end of this system of things is rapidly coming to its violent end. Make no mistake, it is sufficient that the Father himself knows both the “day and hour”! ...
Entire WT article deal with chronology and how WT scholars are very good in that. In preamble of magazine is purpose of WT magazine and it said this:
No, "The Watchtower" is no inspired prophet, but it follows and explains a Book of prophecy the predictions in which have proved to be unerring and unfailing till now.  "The Watchtower" is therefore under safe guidance. It may be read with confidence, for its statements may be checked against that prophetic Book.
Article giving enough material for followers to think seriously:
about period of time that will be completed in 1975 within this generation. Generation of 1914 i assume?!
Reign of Christ after end of 6000 period? Possibly, but wait to see?! Authors of WT article said it is possible!!
What about words "nobody knows day and hour"? Article said how  This is not the time to be toying with the Jesus words, but in what sense? Article warned readers/members how end time is NOT in far future, and how JW's  must be careful to not use Jesus words as excuse to not put trust in article which said how Jesus Reign IS POSSIBLE in 1975 or soon after, because end of this system of things is RAPIDLY COMING to its violent end. All this is Based on: WT chronology and interpretations about predictions which have proved to be unerring and unfailing till now, and because magazine is under safe guidance.  
50 years later JW's are still under safe guidance but with changed interpretations.  
 
 

This is all so funny. A man writes a book which you all know will ruffle feathers in the CCJW and give some people outside the joy of reading it. It frightens you. For one reason you know that a lot of what he has written is true. So, what do you all do ? You look for ways to criticise him. 
But Tom has to go further of course, he looks for ways to criticise almost everyone. 
Maybe some of you should do an in depth observation of each member of the GB. You seem happy to find fault with everyone that has different views to you. But you JWs just love to worship your GB. 

This is all so funny. A man writes a book which you all know will ruffle feathers in the CCJW and give some people outside the joy of reading it. It frightens you. For one reason you know that a lot of what he has written is true. So, what do you all do ? You look for ways to criticise him. 
But Tom has to go further of course, he looks for ways to criticise almost everyone. 
Maybe some of you should do an in depth observation of each member of the GB. You seem happy to find fault with everyone that has different views to you. But you JWs just love to worship your GB. 

This is all so funny. A man writes a book which you all know will ruffle feathers in the CCJW and give some people outside the joy of reading it. It frightens you. For one reason you know that a lot of what he has written is true. So, what do you all do ? You look for ways to criticise him. 
But Tom has to go further of course, he looks for ways to criticise almost everyone. 
Maybe some of you should do an in depth observation of each member of the GB. You seem happy to find fault with everyone that has different views to you. But you JWs just love to worship your GB. 

Apostasy (if this is an example of it—I don’t know that is, though it clearly is not an ‘attaboy”) usually occurs at the divine/human interface. You could even say that was true with Judas. He and God were tight! There were no problems there! But that “imposter” claiming to be the messiah was just not at all what Judas was expecting—and those “uneducated” followers that he was attracting—don’t even go there. My offhand impression, not having read the book (I did get my free copy—hee, hee, hee) is that he has acquired himself some ‘education’ and is disturbed that the Message is not better received among his new contemporaries, and he feels that it might be if his old contemporaries weren’t so ‘dumb.’ It is classism at work, imo.
The challenge here with Rulf appears to be the divine/human interface. Bear in mind that those who discuss it here DO NOT share the same concept of what that interface ought be. Some are atheistic, and essentially contend that there will be no such interface because the ‘divine’ does not exist for them. A few here have contended that they themselves are the divine/human interface, or at least part of it, and they are miffed about being ‘cut off’ from the rightful role. And others think that the divine/human interface should be that of Santa Claus giving gifts to children, each gift perfectly wrapped without ambiguity, with no need to do anything other than play with your new toys all Christmas Day.

@Srecko Sostar No, it is counterproductive.

Have you same Understanding for Dr. Furuli? and his doubts, lack of faith, searching for "better", "truer"  truth,  ....etc?

Well, this sort of process existing in animal world. People, and JW people too, need to know how working the world who is create by God they believe in.
Next thing you said, is influence, unknown mostly, that can cause need in some individuals to change the sex.
That would mean, because no one know why and how things is happening, that JW members need to have more insight and knowledge and intuition about issue and not drop all and every individual who have issue with sex identity into "devil influence" and/or individual "evilness".
I wouldn't know what you mean with this. Because, as i am aware, most of school politics and curriculum is not at all or mostly sourced, created in particular school but come from governmental directives, Ministry of Education, institutions that materially contribute or completely financing educational system as in private schools. I think how corruption is not problem that coming from schools (only) but is in society that is changing.
Have in mind, how process of changing ( no matter in what direction, in what sort of matters) is also in your church in your JWsociety. And time in future will give better perspective and conclusions only to future generations.  
That what you noticed about education can be matter of nostalgia too, not only independent and objective analyze.
Bubbles are general, not only individual problem or identifying space-time position. It can be said how you looks on Dr Furulli's or @JW Insider Bubble from your own Bubble too. :))

I'm sick of this religion, why don't I give up?
 
(Revelation 3: 1-4)
1 ‘I know your deeds,
I am fully convinced that the Master knows what is happening within our religion, as he knew what was happening in Sardis.
"that you have the name that you are alive, but you are dead"
I don't think at all that my religion is that bad
2 ... I have not found your works fully performed before my God.
Yes, I agree, there are things, many things, that I do not like about my religion, nor about the GB
4 ‘Nevertheless, you do have a few individuals in Sardis
And here is the main thing:
Why doesn't Jesus tell those few to leave, to leave, to abandon and form or join another religion? Well I'm not leaving either

In this world nothing is perfect because humans tend to overstep boundaries - even Moses did so.
But if we are really prepared to give our life for another (spirit of christ), then reading our bible and sticking close to jehovah would be our main goal - and spreading the core teachings of the bible, such as the kingdom government. This saves lives. No other actions are worth a reward from jehovah more than these. To humbly serve others.
Literal rebellion against any other human (turn the other cheek ), or earthly institution would not come up in our mind......BUT: this would not in any way mean that we tolerate any form of ' yeast'. Our conscience will help us to quickly quelch any form of wickedness or even speak up against evil,  when needed,  in a kind and loving way. This is possible within our small sphere of influence..... 
If this was the prevailing attitude (which is closer to perfection) in the entire organization, from top to bottom, everything would run better. But people are always overstepping boundaries due to imperfection. They go overboard or extend their influence.
Because : if you read the quoted scriptures above (several people referred to scriptures) about humility, not being contentious, then a TRUE Christian with a genuine humble spirit will self-regulate. 
Granted, self-control regarding bad inclinations is the hardest part of being a Christian..... and to my thinking receives too little attention.  We will do NOTHING out of egotism which can hurt our brothers or sisters and not overstep the invisible boundaries but stay in JEhovahs love. (The governing body and Feruli included).
If everyone had this spirit not even elders would be necessary. But jehovah in his wisdom knew that we are dust and set a precedent in first century Jerusalem and also gave us elders and ministerial servants........ because we as humans need some form of  facilitation. 
A world- wide organization needs some form of coordination and fiscal management as well as policy management.  Neglect of management direction brought the tolerance of child molestation accusations.  
If they manage too much they are called dictators.... if they manage to little they are called incompetent and degenerate regarding  morals.... the pharisees and self-appointed judges of our time are everywhere! 
Is it just a form of public rebellion?  Or has he seen specific abuses of people by the GB? (Not mistakes, but abuses of trust which can be proved....)
HERE IS MY OPINION: 
In my secular working life I have seen CEOs of global corporations move from one corporation to another.  Many have good degrees and without a doubt  walk around like gods ......with everyone in fear of them, pandering to them to obtain a favourable eye..... following every instruction to the letter...... or lose their jobs.
When these CEOs have made many arbitrary decisions, which bring the company almost to ruin, they usually leave just in time so someone else can pick up the pieces. They do NOT navigate companies through hard financial times perfectly because their chrystal balls are usually defective.  (I worked for the 4th largest logistics company in the world in 2008).  Yet, these CEO's CVs read like a dream, they were CEOs of several companies, maybe a fortune 500 company, and are celebrated, get millions of dollars  in bonuses, get astounding salaries, chauffeurs, trips with business air seats etc....... despite all the wrong decisions and attitudes.
They are truly a mini-government, fat cats with perks that will make the Sun king blush.
In contrast, simple men take a world-wide responsibility and in the process get a lot of respect (not worship). They have small personal perks which can never ever be measured up against a secular company.
They cannot change jobs when they have messed up or made a mistake. THey are more accountable than CEOs because they have to fix up their own mistakes and face the music........and eager worldly criticism.... AND on top of that are accountable to Jehovah.
Most people expect NO mistakes (always highlight even small mistakes) and they are always accused (by opposers) of setting themselves up as gods. People judge them so easily....... even though they are navigating us through highly  critical financial times and even critical spiritual times.  Did Jesus not predict that many would leave the faith and turn against brothers? I am sure there is  more is to come..... when brazen opposers stand up in the congregation and betray brothers. 
I can only encourage brothers to not be 'swayed' by these winds that bring cross-winds and storms before the end... Steadily stay the course.... eyes humbly focussed on the promised  target  - everlasting life. 

@Ann O'Maly My memory is very short, sometimes, but i recall how i put in focus facts how some life forms on this planet changing sex in their life time. And that is happening as normal part of their characteristic and gens. When people talking about who created life on Earth, according to Bible answer is God. Well, God created some animals in such format to be able to change sex. 
Changing of sex inside human species is complicated issue. And question is, why would some person wish to do that when many other don't wish that.
Space Merchant have issue with science who discovered how some animal species have changing sex ability. Or, he have issue with God who created such ability for some life forms?  
And now we can expect how Mr Space will copy paste and link all my past conversation with Him. God, please save us from "enormous text attack".  :))

Ok, one side of logic triggered next question: Why WT doing the same, writing and publishing books (Bibles and tracts, magazines, brochures) ?
Because they also know how Jesus is aware of everything that is going on Earth, not only in this or that organization.

Says you. Look closely at the drawing in next week’s Watchtower on materialism—the drawing of the prideful brother thumbing his chest with one hand and motioning to his riches with the other—fine large home, boat almost at large, sports car, stacks of bills. Look closely at the face and tell me if you recognize him.
At the coffee shop a fellow customer began ribbing me about the nearby closed Kingdom Hall. “It’s because of our great growth!” I told him.

Thank you for putting it all in colour. It looks pretty.

Well that's what we are doing right now. Just finishing season 2.
I think you may have misunderstood me. My fault probably. I wasn't thinking of the anointed or FDS through the ages, but of the FDS in modern times. I was thinking of the "power" the old and new set of GB/FDS have which could be compared to the king. The current GB/FDS "rule" over more than 8 million people.  In anything they do, they, like the king, have God's backing. If anyone speaks against them, it's like speaking against God. This has been said many times in our publications, of course not in these words.
Yes, of course. And whenever this is discussed, the GB tries to make sure that this is understood. But then on the other hand, when there is talk of "God's visible" organization, the GB are at the forefront of that organization. It's like no one really knows where to draw the line, and I think that's the crux of the problem.
You kind of address it here:
And you further address the dilemma here (bold mine)
So what's the solution? A book?? 😁 (I don't think so. Although I must admit I am looking forward to reading it)

I am wondering what he thinks he is going to achieve with his book. I think some of us have had similar ideas to him, but were we thinking of publishing a book about it? Who does he think his audience is going to be? As soon as any Witness gets an inkling of apostasy, no matter how highly thought of he is, or whether he was a circuit overseer or not,  they will likely not read it. The only people that will probably read it are apostates, those hovering on the edge, or scholars like you and me on here 😂. So a very limited audience. (Look at Tom, he writes good books, they are not controversial (only a little bit) but because of his limited audience he will never make a living with them). I mean does he think he will change anything? For that to happen, every Witness would have to write a letter, as somebody on here already suggested. That is the only way anyone at HQ will listen. Interestingly, a few weeks ago in service I was talking to new couple from our hall (it was before the pandemic). They are from up north, both having HQ connections. Anyway, the conversation turned to the recent restructuring and re-organizing and the selling of KH. Since they were close to all kinds of information I though I would ask them about all this merging and sell offs. I knew that "equalizing" was not the only  reason. They gave the usual reasons like some halls were not being used to full capacity, thereby money was being wasted etc. So I asked them how come halls were not at full capacity? The husband said that people move etc. however, the wife came out with something interesting, and I was surprised she even said it. She said that there are quite a lot who have left. I asked her to clarify and she said; left the truth. I told her that I was sure part of the reason was that people are finding out things they would have never learned before the days of the Internet. They both agreed and we left it there. I don't think any of us wanted to carry on the conversation....

Unfortunately you missed the point, Ann, sadly for you, the term in question has nothing to do with the realm of modesty and or culture (granted you are a few months late of said subject). The term itself derives of the shifting of a male's mentality to the opposite sex, molding them, likewise with girls. Even going as far as to alter and or change the reproduction system, which is on the extreme end (Srecko knows what I am talking about, hence is wild remark in the past).
The term "putting a boy in a dress" in detail means to make it okay for males to dress up as girls and or women, even encouraging that boys can date and or have a mate that is of the same sex. This idea is prompted in most schools and pushed in media, such as books, games, what have you, i.e. Vogue educating children on brazen conduct such as sodomy and other gross practices. This term and it's terminology is not supported by all, hence why parents have and will continue to take action, sometimes in a confronting fashion. Moreover, this new ideology in society is prompted heavily and evidently, you will have, no scratch that, you have dozens upon dozens of "Desmonds" running around.
That being said, now that you understand what is being conveyed, tell me, does this disturb you?
Now, hence the term, it is jarring.

I simply do not understand why write a book.
If a person has knowledge of imperfections in the organization that person certainly must know that Jesus also is aware.
If you know of another group doing God's work better, go join them!

I have never seen anyone so willfully stupid in my life. If JW HQ so much as pays their light bill, he charges they trust in man for power, not God

If you believe this as such is both odd and confusing granted in disagreement with several said core teachings from God's Word (i.e. you had recently judged everyone as guilty without even knowing them, their background, etc. that logic of yours is akin to some Americans think all police officers are guilty, as of recent events, when THAT isn't the case - hence the latter remark is befitting), more so, several verses in some of your other responses to which I made comment to reveals the correctness of what is incorrect by sheer misguidance.
That being said, you've now stumble upon your own realm of contradiction which correlates with your other responses. Also regarding the other, is somewhat Restorationist, hence the latter being correct in this sense.
Also you bring up information from our last disccussion:
You stated elsewhere that they said it, mind quoting it please? Because as of what I said a year or two ago, there is an ExJW, who was deem a media martyr, in this sense, who says otherwise.

No, you had shown the material to the community to take a look at it, this is not about you, if you unless you want it to be. I bring this up because after watching there was a discussion elsewhere. Others believed that the non Bible canons are TRUE, this is the reason I stated the following
So, for any onlooker, they believe this to be true despite the disclaimer. On the other side of the spectrum, you'd have to deal with the Gnostics, for debates with them is but of that of a rabbit hole. But to quote one of the viewers "Lilith will most likely be be an empowering biblical hero" For you and I, as well as Witness, we are aware of who Mary is, clearly compared to the latter, we are not the confused type, and or among Gnostics, but I am not sure if anyone here understands Gnosticism.
I can see that, I am not aware of Judaism, but from the view of Jews, they are not happy about Non-Canons, in fact, so the fact that the angels of Enoch were mentioned, save for one, it as caused some thought, even to the viewers who are aware of the gospel of John.
Indeed, but as long as you understand the actual history, you can be among those to convey truth to the misguided and or confused onlooker. As grime as it is, especially when the description from Hebrews was in more detail, that is of what happen to our Lord and Christ and what happen after that.
Well that is why I mentioned the disclaimer, wherever this series is mentioned, not only in the series, but also by others who has read the Bible, they always point out the disclaimer.
True, but the little things added, we need to be careful of, we must do the research if need be. This was the case I have with other films regarding Jesus when the movies included TAW, whereas TAW isn't Bible canon, to the point it was omitted from majority of Bible Translations.
No one is unhappy, however, elsewhere when some Bible readers had to convey, we had a run in with Gnostics, which was not fun for some people.
 
Some comments, this is primarily from those who read the gospel of John,and or the Greek text.
That said, there is always a positive and a negative. In my case, it is good, but should someone think something not true and true, it us up to us, the readers of God's Word, to explain the Scriptures.
[1] Shame on CBN for condoning a series that adds to scripture and omits important things also. It doesn’t matter if you wanna call it “artistic license” or that this is for “entertainment”. Jesus doesn’t want the message of the word of God (the gospel) used for those purposes. He is the son of God and was crucified! Nothing about that is to entertain or produce art! This series has added and subtracted to Gods word and that is ANTI CHRIST! It’s heretic and blasphemy. Satan is very deceptive and will use even what happened to Jesus to deceive people. GOD WILL JUDGE THESE PEOPLE! Some of these actors are not even believers! God says what does light have to do with darkness? NOTHING!
[2] Second commandment issues aside, can a movie, even a good one, give us a better representation of Jesus, His ministry, His life, death and resurrection than Scripture do? I understand the human want and need to visualize events, but God has charged us to spread the Gospel through the simple means of Grace. We don’t need movies, we only need the Word, water, bread and wine.
[3] Is it Bible based? Yes, very much so. There is fictionalization aspects as I said in my review. They give personalities backstories to Matthew, Peter and Thomas that are not in the Bible. But they do it consistently with what we do know - Peter’s temperament is fiery, for example - to tell the story. Where the Bible does cover the conversation they go generally word for word. The Woman at the Well conversation covers the entire encounter - though they do add in some things but again consistent with character and often to explain theology. So it tells the message of the Gospel clearly and consistent with the text but then colors in the stories.

When using the actions of 'the world' to make excuses for the actions of one's own religion then In My Opinion (and I am allowed an opinion) it makes them part of the world. 
To say that everyone else does this or that, is judging one's own standards by 'worldly standards', not by God's standards.. 
For instance, saying that CSA is everywhere in 'the world', is not a good enough reason to accept it in one's own religion. And to say that everyone else misquotes scientists etc, is not a good reason to think that deliberately misquoting someone is good. 
Jehovah's Witnesses think that their Organisation's standards are higher than the standards of 'the world'. This is being constantly disproved, not only by 'opposers' but by JWs themselves. Therefor the CCJW Organisation, like most other religions, is just part of the world. 
The Spirit of this world includes, telling lies, being deceitful, hiding the truth, being dishonest, lacking love and mercy and mistreating others. Many Jehovah's Witnesses, from the top downwards, are guilty of these things. Hence i say that they are part of this world.