Jack Ryan

Nathan H. Knorr in 1975 newspaper article

Dear Brothers:

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) will come into force in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland in May of this year with the objective of harmonizing data protection laws in countries subject to European Union Law. The GDPR, among other things, will introduce new rights for individuals and significantly increase penalties for non-compliance.

Consequently, all congregations will need to adjust the way they handle personal data. In preparation for the implementation of the GDPR, please take the following steps:

1. All elders should immediately become familiar with the contents of the Notice and Consent for Use of Personal Data (S-290) and Instructions for Use of Personal Data (S-291) forms (attached) and the Use of Personal Data page in the “Privacy Policy” section of jw.org. The S-290 and S-291 forms will be available in the “Forms” section of the “Documents” tab on jw.org.

2. Please follow the direction in the April 2018 Announcements and Reminders (S-147) form about informing the congregation of the GDPR and action to be taken by group overseers and the secretary.

In relation to paragraphs 4-6 of the Instructions for Use of Personal Data (S-291) form, please note the following:

• For data protection purposes, in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland a minor is a person below 13 years of age.

• Where a person is a minor, the holder of parental responsibility should sign the Notice and Consent for Use of Personal Data (S-290) form. Usually this will be one or both of the minor’s parents but could include others if, for example, this is specified in a court order. In the United Kingdom only one holder of parental responsibility need give consent. However, in the Republic of Ireland two holders of parental responsibility must sign the Notice and Consent for Use of Personal Data (S-290).

Thank you very much for your diligence and good cooperation in implementing this new procedure. Changes in the secular law at times require that we make adjustments to organizational procedures. Such adjustments, however, often result in protecting and bolstering our privacy rights and those of our brothers and sisters. (Dan. 6:4; Rom. 13:1) We take this opportunity to send our warm Christian love and best wishes.

Yours brothers,

Legal Department

INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE OF PERSONAL DATA: S-291-E (March 2018)

Table of Contents

Introduction: para 1-3

Requesting Consent: para 4-7

Transfers to Another Congregation: para 8

Congregation File: para 9

Refusal to Consent: para 10-12

INTRODUCTION

1 “Personal data” is data that can identify a person, such as his name, address, phone number, or age, including pictures and videos. “Sensitive personal data” is any personal data that reveals someone’s racial/ethnic origin, religious beliefs, physical/mental health, or sexual life.

2 Data protection regulations require that consent must be provided by a publisher in order for the congregation and branch office to collect and transfer his personal data in a lawful manner. Failure to comply with such regulations could bring reproach on the organization and lead to large fines and/or criminal prosecution of the organization, as well as of individuals.—Rom. 13:1.

3 The Notice and Consent for Use of Personal Data (S-290) form should be used so that: (1) the organization can properly inform the publisher of the use of his personal data; (2) the publisher is aware of the information provided on the Use of Personal Data page in the Privacy Policy section on jw.org; and (3) the publisher can consent to the use and transfer of his personal data for certain religious activities.

REQUESTING CONSENT

4 A publisher, or the parent or legal guardian of a publisher who is a minor, should be invited by an elder to complete a Notice and Consent for Use of Personal Data (S-290) form on the following occasions:

(1) When an individual is newly approved to become an unbaptized publisher

(2) When a publisher (baptized or unbaptized) moves into the congregation and a signed consent form is not received with the letter of introduction

(3) When an individual is reactivated or reinstated as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses regardless of whether the publisher previously signed a consent form or not

5 When inviting an individual to complete the consent form, the elder should explain the purpose of the form and, if needed, provide a printed copy of the Use of Personal Data page that is found in the Privacy Policy section on jw.org. The Notice and Consent for Use of Personal Data form is available in a variety of languages. It should be provided to the individual in the language he understands best. The elder should take the time to answer any questions the individual may have. The individual should be given the opportunity to read the complete Use of Personal Data page and to return the signed form within a reasonable period of time.

6 When inviting the parent or legal guardian of a publisher who is a minor to submit the form on behalf of the minor, the minor’s name should be printed on the top portion of the form. However, the minor should not sign or date the form. If local regulations require that both parents provide consent on behalf of a minor, then the second parent’s signature, name, and date should be written below that of the first parent. When the publisher reaches the age at which he is no longer considered a minor, he should be asked to sign and date the consent form already on file for him.

7 Individuals who desire to present student assignments during the Life and Ministry Meeting but who are not yet publishers do not need to sign a Notice and Consent for Use of Personal Data form.

TRANSFERS TO ANOTHER CONGREGATION

8 When a publisher transfers to another congregation, the signed Notice and Consent for Use of Personal Data (S-290) form should be sent to the new congregation with the letter of introduction and Congregation’s Publisher Record (S-21) cards. If the publisher refused to sign a consent form, call the Service Department before sending a letter of introduction.

CONGREGATION FILE

9 The congregation secretary is responsible for maintaining the signed Notice and Consent for Use of Personal Data (S-290) forms in the congregation file. The secretary should keep the body of elders informed if anyone refuses to complete the form or later revokes his consent. The signed consent form for a publisher should be kept in the congregation file for as long as any records for that individual are retained.

REFUSAL TO CONSENT

10 An adult publisher might initially refuse to sign the Notice and Consent for Use of Personal Data (S-290) form. If this occurs, an elder should take the time to answer any questions the publisher may have. Often, a clear explanation can help the publisher to feel comfortable with providing consent. However, the publisher should not feel pressured to sign the form. If consent for the use of personal data is not provided, the affected individual may remain a publisher (baptized or unbaptized) and the congregation may keep his personal data related to his activity as a publisher, including the information recorded on the Congregation’s Publisher Record (S-21) card. However, the individual should be informed that the congregation or branch office may not be able to evaluate his suitability to fill certain roles within the congregation or participate in many congregation activities, such as serving as a regular pioneer, a ministerial servant, or an elder. His name or other personal data should not be posted on the information board, be entered on the jw.org website, or appear in any correspondence sent via jw.org e-mail. However, his limited personal data from the Congregation’s Publisher Record (S-21) card could be used on internal congregation documents. Additionally, if the congregation’s meetings are recorded for the purpose of being uploaded to JW Stream, the publisher could not be recorded in such congregation meetings.

11 A parent or legal guardian might refuse to sign the Notice and Consent for Use of Personal Data form for a publisher who is a minor. If the minor is an unbaptized publisher, no personal data should be collected for him. Nor should a Congregation’s Publisher Record card be kept for him. The report of field service activity may be collected from the minor as long as his name is not written on the report. The count of the individual and his activity may then be added to the Congregation’s Field Service Report (S-1) that is submitted to the branch office. If the minor is a baptized publisher, two elders should contact the Service Department for direction.

12 If at any time a publisher informs the elders that he wishes to revoke his consent for the congregation to use his personal data, two elders should call the Service Department immediately. The secretary should write the date of revocation on top of the Notice and Consent for Use of Personal Data form.

NOTICE AND CONSENT FOR USE OF PERSONAL DATA: S-290-E (March 2018)

Upon becoming a publisher, I acknowledge that the worldwide religious organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses, including my congregation, local branch office, and similar cooperating organizations of Jehovah’s Witnesses, lawfully uses my personal data in accordance with its legitimate religious interests. Additionally, I consent to the use of my personal data so that I may participate in some religious activities in connection with my worship and so that I may receive spiritual support. I also agree that my personal data may be sent to any of the cooperating organizations of Jehovah’s Witnesses, which may be located in countries whose laws provide different levels of data protection, that are not always equivalent to the level of data protection in the country in which I currently reside. I have been informed about and had the opportunity to read the Use of Personal Data page available in the Privacy Policy section of jw.org and available to me as a hard copy upon request. I consent to the use of my personal data as stated on that page and as it may be amended from time to time.

Signature: _____________ Print name: _____________

Date: __________

I, as the parent or legal guardian of the minor named above, consent to the above Notice and Con-sent for Use of Personal Data on behalf of the minor.

Signature: _____________ Print name: _____________

Date: __________

edited to update the original links

March 31, 2018 - Re: General Data Protection Regulation

• https://faithleaks.org/wiki/documents/9/98/2018-03-31-Re-_General_Data_Protection_Regulation.pdf

S-290-E (March 2018) - Notice and Consent For Use Of Personal Data

• https://faithleaks.org/wiki/documents/b/b4/2018-03-NOTICE_AND_CONSENT_FOR_USE_OF_PERSONAL_DATA-S-290-E.pdf

S-291-E (March 2018) - Instructions For Use Of Personal Data

• https://faithleaks.org/wiki/documents/2/2c/2018-03-INSTRUCTIONS_FOR_USE_OF_PERSONAL_DATA-S-291-E.pdf

After the actual voting we can now confirm that the Dutch Parliament agrees unanimously on a investigation.

source: https://www.tweedekamer.nl/kamerstukken/stemmingsuitslagen/detail?id=2018P10970

dd

Congregation Record of Processing Activities - Europe GDPR (click image to enlarge)

July 2018 - Announcements and Reminders

• https://we.tl/K1TH19GMUB

SEE ALSO:

• Congregation Record of Processing Activities - Europe GDPR (click image to enlarge)

• Britain Branch Relocation – Visitor Centre News – Summer 2018 - Chelmsford UK

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND REMINDERS - July 2018

Coordinator of the body of elders: The announcements and reminders for the congregation should be read at the next midweek meeting and thereafter posted on the information board for one month.

FOR THE ELDERS ONLY

1. Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Scripturally Based Position on Child Protection (cpt-E 4/18): All elders should review and become familiar with this document which is available on jw.org (NEWSROOM > LEGAL DEVELOPMENTS > LEGAL RESOURCES) and replaces the Child Safeguarding Policy for the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. Also, the letter to all bodies of elders of January 1, 2017, on Handling Matters Related to Alleged Child Abuse has been removed. Please note that the letter “Protecting Minors from Abuse” dated September 1, 2017, still applies.

2. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR): Each congregation should add their congregation name to the Congregation Record of Processing Activities form (available on jw.org in the “Forms” section) as the “data controller” and keep it in the congregation file. You should be prepared to provide it to any data protection authority upon request.

3. Delivery of Literature and Magazines: As of August 6, 2018, we will return to a monthly delivery of literature and magazines for all congregations in Britain and Ireland. The cut-off dates for requesting literature on jw.org will be adjusted accordingly. (Please see jw.org/ congregation/ Bethel Truck Delivery Schedule.) Congregations still having their literature and magazines delivered by Bethel trucks will gradually be moved over to commercial delivery. You will be notified before this change is made.

4. Branch Relocation – Visitor Centre News – Summer 2018: Please print out the second edition of the visitor centre newsletter in full colour and place on the noticeboard, removing the previous newsletters that are pictured below.

FOR THE CONGREGATION

1. Branch Relocation – Visitor Centre News – Summer 2018: The second edition of Visitor Centre News will be posted on the noticeboard after the meeting. Included in this update is information on construction scheduled in the upcoming months and instructions on how to book a tour.

The Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses has been talking recently about the possibility of some of them being jailed.

Elders in the congregations as well are starting to feel the dread of prison time soon.

She didn't learn the lesson from John the Baptist's Birthday party.

This is WHY JW's don't celebrate Birthdays. Too much violence.

God hates birthdays.

A slightly more 'robust' newspaper article than the usual, covering PR for a forthcoming Convention....

An article from the major French-language newspaper Le Journal de Québec in Canada on Thursday, June 28, 2018.

Le Journal de Québec has the highest circulation for a newspaper in Quebec City, with around 80,000-copies distributed daily.

The online version of the same article has the heading: "Death of Eloise Dupuis: Jehovah's Witnesses defend their refusal of a blood transfusion"

Blood transfusion

Jehovah's Witnesses defend their principles

Le Journal de Québec (Canada), Thursday, June 28, 2018 - page 15 (via Google Translate)

In the turmoil since the death of a young woman who gave birth to her child, Jehovah's Witnesses decided to defend their principles in the media and to explain what "courage" it takes to refuse a blood transfusion.

They have had bad press for two years because of the death of Dupuis Eloise who refused a blood transfusion because of her religious beliefs.

Jehovah's Ministers Jason Beaudet and Francis Guay are doing a media tour to promote their annual convention at the Videotron Center in July. The exercise has all the appearances of a public relations campaign.

The Journal nevertheless agreed to meet with them to discuss current topics. The two men are 40 years old and 46 years old, have no children and were born into families who were already Jehovah's Witnesses. Considered "elders", it is they who advise families to apply "biblical" principles in their lives. They admit it, all they know is the doctrine of Jehovah's Witnesses.

"We help the members of the congregation to put the Bible into practice. It's always the Bible that gives the guideline," says Jason Beaudet, who did a DEP in accounting.

Apolitical, witnesses must respect the rules established in the society where they live. However, if these rules contravene the doctrine of the Jehovah Bible, the witnesses will not abide by the rule. In fact, this year's conference theme is "Be Couragous".

Should we be brave to refuse a blood transfusion? "Indeed, all that takes a lot of courage (...) In the Bible we talk about abstaining from blood. We will not go further than what the Bible says," says Beaude, admitting to go to the bedside to support them, even when they are not invited. But, he ensures never put pressure. "It's up to each individual to make his final decision," he says.

ISOLATION

In addition, Jehovah's Witnesses are frequently accused of not valuing higher education and encouraging apprenticeship.

"We are not here to impose. We encourage our members to have a job and to be members who contribute to society. So, is it necessary and to what extent is it necessary to learn to have this job? It's up to each family to decide," argues Jason Beaudet again.

Young Witnesses can not celebrate Halloween with their classmates or any other party. The two men do not see any problem, although the situation can isolate children.

Read original language online version:
http://www.journaldequebec.com/2018/06/27/des-temoins-de-jehovah-defendent-leurs-principes

PLEASE NOTE: I understand that Le Journal de Québec is BLOCKING visitors to their website from Europe due to the General Data Protection Regulation (Europe GDPR)

An article in the newspaper Rheinische Post, a major regional newspaper that cover the North Rhine / Westphalia area of Germany.

Please note that I understand that the Rheinische Post prints 'localized' version of the newspaper - and this article may not of appeared in other editions of the same issue.

Controversy over letter of condolence

Rheinische Post: Wesel Edition (Germany), Saturday, June 30, 2018 - front page A1 (via Google translate)

A Jehovah's Witness from Wesel wrote a letter of condolence to a family whose father had died. The family had made the death public in an ad.

Controversy over letter of condolence from a Jehovah's Witness

Rheinische Post: Wesel Edition (Germany), Saturday, June 30, 2018 - page C1 (via Google translate)

A Hünxe's Bay family received a letter from a Jehovah's Witness after the death of their father. It is unmistakably recruited for the sect-like grouping. The address had the sender from a death notice.

Looking at the envelope, the Bay family did not suspect anything. A strange woman had written. On the address was the phrase "mourning house". When reading the letter, Claudia Bay reacted irritated at first, later upset. A woman from Wesel, who described herself as a member of the Jehovah's Witness, expressed her condolences in the letter in an attempt to promote the sect-like grouping in the end: "If you want to know more, feel free to contact me otherwise you will not hear from me anymore," the letter says. "I was appalled to take advantage of our grief," says Claudia Bay, who lives with her husband in Hünxe-Gartrop.

Christoph Grotepass, employee at the counseling center of the association "Sekten-Info Nordrhein-Westfalen" knows this missionary strategy of the Jehovah's Witnesses. "We always receive feedback of this kind," says the expert. He recommends that you do not worry too much about it and do not get back. "It is a Christian special community with its own interpretation of the Bible. Jehovah's Witnesses have a pronounced dualistic worldview that divides the world into good and evil. There is a clear end time attitude, high pressure on dropouts and willing to leave." That would prove many conversations that he leads with former and willing to leave people. The pressure in the grouping in recent years, even bigger.

Thomas Brödenfeld, superintendent of the Protestant church in Wesel, also reacts with annoyance to the scam with the funeral letter. Anyone who receives this letter in such a difficult phase of grief should quickly dispose of it, recommends Brödenfeld. He had been addressed several times to such letters from his community. "They are ideologically blinded," says Brödenfeld. He believes this scam has system with the Jehovah's Witnesses. Cults expert Grotepass observes that especially older Jehovah's Witnesses are the authors of such letters. They are often no longer able to stand on the street and show the "watchtower" or go from door to door. They then felt obliged to contact other people in writing instead.

The Jehovah's Witnesses in Wesel could not be reached for comment. The German section of the religious community is based in Selters im Taunus. The spokesman said that people are neither given recommendations for such writing, nor actively advised against it. That is a matter for everyone. Claudia Bay does not suspect any true sympathy behind it. She wants to sensitize others for this approach.

Read original language:
https://rp-online.de/nrw/staedte/wesel/weseler-familie-empoert-ueber-kondolenzschreiben-von-zeugen-jehovas_aid-23693575

Comfort the Mourning Ones

Kingdom Ministry, April 2008, page 8

On Other Occasions: If a funeral or memorial service is being held at the Kingdom Hall, will unbelievers be present? Literature that provides comfort could be made available for them. Some funeral homes have appreciated having some appropriate literature on hand for grieving families. At times, funeral notices appearing in the newspaper have opened the way for writing a brief comforting letter to bereaved family members. In one case, after receiving a letter that included some tracts, a widower and his daughter went to the publisher’s home and asked: “Are you the people that sent me this letter? Well, I want to know more about the Bible!” The man and his daughter agreed to a Bible study and began attending congregation meetings.

Ecclesiastes 7:2 says: “Better is it to go to the house of mourning than to go to the banquet house.” The mourner is usually in a better frame of mind for listening to God’s Word than the merrymaker. All of us should be alert to recognize appropriate opportunities to comfort those who are grieving the loss of a loved one.

https://wol.jw.Borg/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/202008130

remove the 'B' in 'Borg'

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/commentary/20180702/michael-abrahams-why-bible-dangerous-book

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/commentary/20180625/michael-abrahams-cruelty-kingdom-hall

I suspect @James Thomas Rook Jr. made this one... LOL

Debate article today in Metro (Swedish edition) - JW and LBGT

My friend got his debate article published today in the Swedish edition of Metro!:

LINK TO ARTICLE

This is my translation of the article, might be a bit hurried so ask questions in comments for clarification:

Debate: My parents applaud when I am compared to pedofiles and murderers

Erik Engelv | Metro | Publicised: 02 July 2018 - 09:12

(text under picture with “JESUS”)

Are we supposed to offer a platform for this message across the corner from the stairs where I in the summer rain was making out with that young man with such soft lips and such beautiful hair?, writes Erik Engelv.

(text under the picture of Erik)

Photo: Edward Cisneros/Unsplash, Yurika Palmqvist

-

I can today when I am outside the Jehovah's Witnesses see the propaganda machine that insinuates that the LGBT-movement is God's enemy. Can I just stand here and watch while my parents approvingly applaud this in the same place where I just a few months ago worked as a married gay man?, writes Erik Engelv.

(text in box)

This a debate article. The opinions expressed is of the person who wrote the text, not Metro. Metro is a politically neutral paper.

-

Ever since childhood I was fed with what Jehovah’s witnesses deems to be original christendom in the Bible. You might recognize that they do not accept blood, celebrate birthdays or have sex before marriage. But when you look closer at the ideology you will find, nicely packaged, further ideas that all other religions are false, that those who leave the congregation must be shunned completely and that homosexuals are equal to rapists, pedofiles and murderers.

(text by vertical bar)

“Is it really acceptable that the city of Stockholm on one hand makes profit from an association with antisocial messages while on the other hand is supposed to be one of the worlds most LGBT-friendly cities?”

-

I was completely convinced that this was the truth. I remember the feeling of happiness and community when we gathered by the thousands for the yearly convention and was given thorough education in the teachings of the Bible and how I was supposed to live as a true christian.

Now that I as an adult stand separate from the sect I see something completely different. I see a propaganda machine that wants to portray the whole LGBT-movements as God’s enemy. I see how they produce and broadcast videos with messages that incites zero-tolerance for same-sex marriages. I am also reminded of Jesus, when he has had enough of the mess on Earth, will arrive on his white horse and cleanse from it all of us who believe that you are allowed to love whomever you want. This is happening publicly. On my own doorstep.

We must never forget that everyone has the right to their own beliefs and thank God for freedom of speech! But we must also sharply question and make public what really was said this weekend in Stockholmsmässan (translator's note: the place where the convention was held) where our capital city is a partner/co-owner.

Honestly I have a hard time believing that each and all individuals who calls themselves Jehovah’s witnesses will dare to support this. But that is how sects works in practice. They who are the leaders today know that LGBT-issues are sensitive and a fertile ground where they can create a “us versus them”-feeling. The more they see us on the outside reaction and acting, the more they see a reason to become a closed community.

Are we to be silent? Can I just stand here and watch while my parents approvingly applaud this in the same place where I just a few months ago worked as a married gay man? Is it really acceptable that the city of Stockholm on one hand makes profit from an association with antisocial messages while on the other hand is supposed to be one of the worlds most LGBT-friendly cities? Are we supposed to offer a platform for this message across the corner from the stairs where I in the summer rain was making out with that young man with such soft lips and such beautiful hair?

Ironically enough I am reminded of a verse in the old testament that is commonly used in their religious rhetoric. "Don't be afraid, for there are more on our side than on theirs". You know what? I think there are many more of us that approves of the idea that all people have the same worth and has equal rights. I am convinced that we are going to be much more numerous when we celebrate all the Pride parades all over the country than the religious group was when they gathered at Stockholmsmässan.

Love conquers all. That is written. Even i their Bible.

Erik Engelv

(text in box)

About the author

Age: 34.

Location: Stockholm.

Occupation: Head of sales.

(text in box)

Do you need a listening ear?

Hjälpkällan is a religiously and politically neutral organisation that offers support and information to persons who has been, is, or want to leave or join a closed religious community.

Read more at: hjalpkallan.se

A major front page headline and two page article in Sweden's Metro newspaper.

The Metro newspaper is a free newspaper that distributes 550,000-copies daily with a daily readership of some 1,153,000 people

• http://www.tmnww.com/metro-network/metro-europe/metro-sweden

HBTQ = Homosexual, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer.

Defector: Jehovah's film dangerous to the children

Metro (Sweden), Monday, July 2, 2018 - front page (via Google Translate)

Anti-HBTQ. Jehovah's Witnesses had a great gathering in the capital this weekend with many children in the audience. Then religious society showed a film of hbtq-critical message - which the state did not have to review.

Jehovah's Witnesses Show Movies That Disregard Children's HBTQ - Missing permission

Metro (Sweden), Monday, July 2, 2018 - page 4 (via Google Translate)

Religion. At Jehovah's Witnesses annual gathering, films with anti-HBTQ messages are displayed. Although the community lacks the permissions required, the movies are displayed to thousands of Jehovah's Witnesses with hundreds of children in the audience.

"You do not realize how dangerous this is for children," says Sabina Sjöberg

PICTURE: Several large-scale displays show the message of Jehovah's Witness during the annual gathering - but no permission for the film that conveys society's view of HBTQ.

The yearly gathering of Jehovah's Witnesses begins with the conference calling on the audience not to record anything from the day for other than private use.

About 8,000 people have gathered at the Stockholm Fair in Älvsjö, just outside central Stockholm. The event is open to the public.

It is the fourth year that Jehovah's Witnesses annual gathering is held at the Stockholm Fair, which is part of the City of Stockholm. This year, the key message is to show courage.

With well-produced films from the community's governing circle in the United States, we can see, among other things, how a woman distances a manifestation of hbtq people. Another film shows how a little boy is dealt with the fear of 'harmageddon', which Jehovah's Witnesses see as the final battle between God and those who refused to submit to God's rule.

The movies and the tales are displayed on four large screen monitors for an audience with hundreds of children and young people.

"Parents do not say that it's just a movie without something that's actually going to happen," said Sabina Sjöberg, who left Jehovah's Witnesses just over 20 years ago.

Today she is engaged in the organization Children's voice in a closed sect which collects testimony from people who left Jehovah's Witnesses. They have consulted both the State Media Council and the police to alert the video material that is being played during the gathering. But according to Sabina Sjöberg, the police have not responded.

-They do not realize how dangerous this is for children. Two years ago, films were shown with families and children hiding in a basement. In the final scene, soldiers storm up with automatic weapons, she says.

-Looking at an action film at home as a child, the parents can comfort. If you're taking movies from Disney, parents can comfort the kids and say it's not true, but here's no comfort and the kids get awful nightmares.

According to the National Media Council, which has the task of setting the age limits for films to be shown to children under the age of 15, the event fulfills the criteria for a general gathering and the films must, by law, have an age limit set by the authority.

They have pointed out to the police that the organizers of the gathering failed to seek permission to display the films. Penalty scale for violation of the law includes prison.

When Metro talks with the press department at the Stockholm Stock Exchange, they say they do not know anything about the permission and refer questions about the films to the community's legal department.

"We hope that nothing will be experienced in a negative way for anyone. Of course, this is not the goal of something we show, but it is our legal department that answers such questions, "said Niklas Sondell from the press department.

Yesterday, the Stockholm Police could not answer if they had been to the event to check whether a breach was committed.

"We hope that nothing will be experienced in a negative way for anyone." Niklas Sondell at the Jehovah's Witnesses Press Department

BOX: 22,000 witnesses in Sweden

More than eight million members worldwide, distributed in 240 countries.

In Sweden there are approximately 22,000 active members in 310 parliaments.

Is the only religious community that has been denied state subsidies. In 2017, the government said no with the motivation that society urges its members not to receive blood transfusions for minors.

Read original language online article:
https://www.metro.se/artikel/jehovas-vittnen-visar-filmer-som-tar-avst%C3%A5nd-fr%C3%A5n-hbtq-utan-n%C3%B6dv%C3%A4ndigt-tillst%C3%A5nd

I'm compared to pedophiles and killers - to the joy of the sect

Metro (Sweden), Monday, July 2, 2018 - page 24 (via Google Translate)

PICTURE: When Jehovah's Witnesses gathered for an open gathering in the Friends Arena in 2015, 50,000 people participated. "I remember the feeling of happiness and togetherness," writes Erik Engelv, who has experience in similar fairs since before hoping for Jehovah's Witnesses.

Sect. Now that I stand outside Jehovah's Witnesses, I see a propaganda machine claiming that the Hbt movement is God's opponent. Can I really just watch when my parents applaud this to the same place where I worked a few months ago as a married gayman? writes Erik Engelv.

"Those who are leading society today know that HBTQ questions are sensitive and a great subject to show we are against them" Defector Erik Engelv

Ever since childbirth, I was fed with what Jehovah's Witnesses believe is original Christianity in the Bible. You will certainly recognize that you do not receive blood, celebrate birthdays or have sex before marriage. A little inquisitive when you look at theology deeper, you find further ideas that all other religion is fake, that those who leave the congregation are to be completely thrown out and that gay men are equated with rapists, pedophiles and killer.

I was absolutely convinced that this was the truth. I remember the feeling of happiness and togetherness when you gathered in thousands for the annual summer gathering and received thorough education in the Bible's teachings and how I'm expected to live like a true Christian.

When I now, as an adult, is out of the sect, I see something completely different. I see a propaganda machine who wants to claim that the entire HBTQ movement is God's opponent. I see how to produce and show movies with messages calling for zero tolerance to married marriages. And I am reminded that, when he has received enough of the misery on earth, Jesus comes down on his white horse to clean up all of us who believe that one must love just who one wants. And it happens completely open. On my own home.

We must never forget that everyone is entitled to his own faith and thank God for freedom of speech! But we must also sharply question and visualize what was actually said this weekend at the Stockholm Fair, where the city of Stockholm is a partner.

Quite honestly, I have difficulty believing that all individuals who call themselves Jehovah's Witnesses will dare to base themselves on this. But this is how sect mechanisms work in practice. The leaders of society today know that hbtq questions are sensitive and an excellent topic for creating a "we against them" spirit. And the more we who look from the outside react and act, the more they see the reason to quit.

Should we be quiet? Can I really just watch when my parents are sitting and applauding this message in the same place where I worked a few months ago like a married gayman? Is it okay that, on the one hand, the city of Stockholm is receiving income from a society with socially destructive messages, on the other hand, being one of the world's most hbtq-friendly cities? Should we offer a platform for this message around the corner from the staircase where I hung up in the summer rain with that young man who had so soft lips and so beautiful curly hair?

Ironically, I will think of a verse in the Old Testament often used in religious rhetoric. "Do not be afraid, because there are more with us than with them." Do you know what I think? I think we are far many more who stand for all people's equal value and equal rights. I am absolutely sure that we will be many, many more who celebrate all the Pride Parades around the country than the religious group gathered at the Stockholm Fair.

For love overcomes everything. It says so. Also in their Bible!

BOX: Erik Engelv

Age: 34.

Location: Stockholm.

Employment: Head of sales.

BOX: Do you need someone listening?

The help source is a religious and politically unrelated activity that offers support and information to people who are, are, no longer want to be, or are considering becoming members of a closed religious community.

Read more here: hjalpkallan.se

Read original language online article:
https://www.metro.se/artikel/debatt-mina-f%C3%B6r%C3%A4ldrar-appl%C3%A5derar-n%C3%A4r-jag-j%C3%A4mf%C3%B6rs-med-pedofiler-och-m%C3%B6rdare

20-year-old woman suffers optic neuropathy after heavy period

Optometry Today / Association of Optometrists (UK), Monday, July 2, 2018

BMJ Case Report authors have described the permanent vision loss of a patient after she refused a blood transplant because of her religious beliefs

A woman who presented at hospital on the third day of a heavy period in hypovolaemic shock suffered persistent visual field loss after developing optic atrophy in her right eye.

Writing in BMJ Case Reports, Malaysian clinicians described how the 20-year-old patient refused a blood transplant because of her religious beliefs.

The patient opted for conservative management of the condition due to her Jehovah’s witness faith.

She later developed optic atrophy in her right eye despite improved haemoglobin levels.

Vision following treatment in her right eye remained at 6/60 in the superior field and 6/6 in the inferior field.

READ FULL ARTICLE:
https://www.aop.org.uk/ot/science-and-vision/research/2018/07/02/20-year-old-woman-suffers-optic-neuropathy-after-heavy-period

Non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy secondary to menorrhagia in a young healthy woman

The British Medical Journal, Wednesday, June 27, 2018

Summary Non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAION) may develop due to severe anaemia and hypotension which is seen in acute blood loss. The devastating visual loss is often irreversible. We report a case of NAION in a 20-year-old healthy woman, who presented on the third day of a heavy menstrual cycle with hypovolaemic shock. On day 2 of admission, she had sudden right eye blurring of vision at the superior field on awakening from sleep. Funduscopy revealed a pale and swollen right optic disc. There was a dense right superior altitudinal visual field defect. Her haemoglobin level was low (3.6g/dL), but she refused blood transfusion due to her religious belief (Jehovah’s Witness) and opted for conservative management. She later developed right optic atrophy with persistent visual field defect despite an improved haemoglobin level of 10.5g/dL.

http://casereports.bmj.com/content/2018/bcr-2018-225113.abstract

@John Houston  The first time on global JW Broadcasting as a global teacher.

Funny how they can't do it from the platform in a hall or convention site.....but they can to a GLOBAL audience via TV Evangelism.

So the scripture should now read... be silent... unless you are looking straight into the camera for TV Evangelism?

Or maybe it should say ... just do stand up like a man during TV Evangelism? For that would be wrong.

In 30 years JW Broadcasting will be using blonds in tight dresses to read a teleprompter like FOX news and say... "They aren't teaching... they are just reading".....our words.  And since they are prettier to look at than Geoffrey Jackson... it helps keep our illiterate viewership tuned in.

 

Item about child sexual abuse within community of Jehovah's Witnesses, RTL News (Netherlands), June 28th, 2018

Can i just ask you to remind the co-ordinator of the following!

1 Cor 14:33-35

For God is not a God of disorder, but of peace. As in all the congregations of the saints, 34 women are to be silent inthechurches. They are not permitted to speak, but must be in submission, as the Law says. 35 If they wish to inquire about something, they are to ask their own husbands at home; for it is dishonorable for a woman to speak in the church.…

They shouldn't even be answering up let alone teaching digitally!!!!