James Thomas Rook Jr.

He is going to run again??? Even though there are still "Superdelegates"? Didn't he learn his lesson last time?

Here some points I noted not sure if these r different from the previous edition:
medical marijuana is a personal choice
Any allegations of child sexual abuse r to b given to the legal department to tell the elders how to proceed.
Also specific instructions to not make abused persons face their accuser
The elders should all b made aware of any sexual predators and if they move the new congregation elders should b made aware including parents of children in the congregation. This is only done if the legal department says to.
Victims of abuse or their parents r to b advised that they can go to the police and r not to b discouraged from doing so.
Masturbation is not pornia and is not really covered. Not sure if this is new and the org is backing away from discussing it.
Probing sexual questions r to b avoided during a judicial committee
Sexual offenders r not to receive any major privileges in the congregation, possibly minor ones such as handling mics after an extended time has passed.
The elders r to clearly tell people that they r being invited to a judicial committee and what the meeting is about up front.
Things they r still clinging to:
Still sticking to the two witnesses rule for child abuse
it says that attempted suicide victims may b subject to a judicial committee ( someone that has mental illness should not b subject to more trauma I find this to b so disgusting)
Of course all the other ridiculous invasive restrictions we all have experienced
Highlights from the book above (2019 links added)
The three year rule is re-iterated without specific mention of "three"
An elder or MS will be removed if he allows his adult DA'd child to move into family home
An elder can be removed for filing for bankruptcy
The language around the definition of rape is better - no more references to the woman having to scream
The stayover rule is still there. If you stay in the house of a member of the opposite sex, and two people know about it, it's a judicial matter.
"Abhorrent" forms of porn are now a DF offense. Gay, Lez, child, violent, bestial.
Gluttony is now listed as a DF offense. Not sure if it was there before
They have narrowed the definition of apostasy: " Deliberately Spreading Teachings Contrary to Bible Truth " the end of that sentence used to read "as taught by Jehovah's Witnesses"
I think this the first time they explicitly stated that marking talks can be given based on misconduct from unbaptized minors
There's a whole new section on CSA. It seems like an improvement overall and includes the child no longer having to confront her rapist in most cases, but it still doesn't have the promised female representation from Jackson's promise to the Australian court.
Willingly taking blood remains an automatic disassociation offence.
Reinstatement is "several months, a year or even longer"
Ownership of kingdom halls. They make clear that regardless of what it says on the title, a congregation does not OWN their own kingdom hall.
jw.org email - all correspondance between elders is now via the elders private account on jw.org. I guess they want to make sure they know EVERYTHING
Congregation file: Still they say the best place to keep it is at the KH. Therefore, paper records of all judicial matters should be in those files. ALL CSA RECORDS HAVE "DO NOT DESTROY" WRITTEN ON THEM
Here's the entire section on legal action as a result of judicial action. I think it's worth noting that it demonstrates that they will leave you alone if you write a legal letter:
 
IF THE ACCUSED THREATENS LEGAL ACTION 18. If the accused threatens legal action against the elders, the elders should suspend proceedings and promptly telephone the Legal Department. 19. If a member ofthe media or an attorney representing the accused contacts the elders, they should not give any information about PREPARING FOR JUDICIAL HEARINGS CHAPTER 15 “SHEPHERD THE FLOCK OF GOD” the case or verify that there is a judicial committee. Rather, they should give the following explanation: “The spiritual and physical welfare of Jehovah’s Witnesses is of paramount concern to the elders, who willingly provide spiritual assistance to congregation members. The elders extend this spiritual assistance confidentially. This makes it easier for those who seek the elders’ help to do so without worrying that what they say to the elders will be divulged later. Consequently, we do not comment on whether elders are currently or have formerly met to assist any member of the congregation.” If there is a need to do so, the elders may obtain the inquirer’s name and phone number and inform him that their attorney will contact him. The elders should then promptly telephone the Legal Department. 20. Ifthe authorities request confidential congregation records or ask that elders give testimony regarding confidential congregation matters, the elders should promptly telephone the Legal Department.
 
This seems like a big change below as it codifies what we have all been hearing about ownership of KH's:
 
OWNERSHIP 2. A Kingdom Hall is dedicated to the worship of Jehovah. Whether the property title, or deed, is held in the name of a local corporation or by means of a trustee arrangement or it is held in the name of a legal entity managed by the branch office, no congregation should conclude that it “owns” the Kingdom Hall. However, it is the responsibility of the congregations using the property to care for it and see that it is used in harmony with Kingdom interests. 3. As many as three or four congregations may be assigned by the branch office to use the same Kingdom Hall auditorium in order to make full use of the facility and to keep expenses to a minimum. The branch office will generally correspond with only one of the congregations using the facility regarding legal, property, and related matters. Usually, this contact congregation holds the documents related to the Kingdom Hall and the property on which it is located. This is for practical reasons only and does not provide a basis for the contact congregation to make unilateral

Try it now -  I believe you get it, yes!   Tell us....

I was not that coordinated, as a young boy.
I tried that but somehow ended up eating the piece of grass, and the microbes would scream as wounded,  they fell out the left and right sides of my mouth.
 
            eek!  eek! eek! eek! eek!                                                                                                                                        eek!  eek! eek! eek! eek!
.
 

This is true at the GB level ... except for Ray Franz .... who WAS disfellowshipped, for having lunch with his landlord and employer, back in his home town, and recalled from his" sick bed" to Bethel to be interrogated.
However, at the "bottom", there is a continuous awareness that unless you say exactly the right things, in exactly the right way, with exactly the right words, you are subject to being called into "Room 101", and run through the wringer. (Old WWII washing machine reference.)
...and if you give any expression whatsoever to any legitimate grievance ... it is at best considered sedition ... and at the worst .... treason.
It is ESPECIALLY grievous ....  if you are right.
 

The way that disfellowshipping is handled today has only one purpose ... to maintain the powers structure of the Governing Body.
If a person was disfellowshipped for being right ... he is NOT automatically reinstated ... the fact that he was right makes his crime ESPECIALLY grievous.

It can be that he had nothing with Jose Lopez vs Gonzalo Campos case.

But with this statement i can say how it is not true. What is Watchtower? Watchtower is First Corporation, Mother, and all other Products of WT entities are Sister companies, or more clearly said, All of them are WT Daughters Companies. Every Single Congregation in The World are in submission to WT and Main Church Body aka GB as Ecclesiastical Body who Run the Show of this religion. WT is Mother organization for all JW members. CCJW and similar Entities or Corporations are just one of Daughters of her Mother aka WT. https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/pc/r1/lp-e/1200276704/0/0
If WT decide to close the KH in your town, in your village - it will be. If WT decide to split your congregation into 2,3,4, 24 pieces - it will be. If WT decide to disband whole congregation - it will be. If WT decide to change way of how Publisher will reporting Field Service it will be .......etc.
WT have means and agents and protocols/system how to dfd JW members for this or that reason. And as in case of R.F. if WT decide to dfd G.L. it will be.
So, GB member G.L. talking stupid things as in No. 9 deposition. He has been and it is now Under WT authority as any other JW member.        

Not in court

Thank you, Anna.  I had already read it, and I understand what you are saying.   I thought it was all about not only showing respect and honor to the authorities, but giving a good “witness” for your faith.   
I can’t think of one instance where a news article concerning a child abuse case stated the governing body of the Watchtower was contacted and their answer was…  Always it is, not available for comment, refused to comment, failed to comment, couldn’t be contacted.  As I recall, getting G. Jackson to appear in Australia was not an easy task.  Can the GB claim to lead a spiritual people as Moses did, or compare themselves to the apostles, and also act as weasels?  Moses and the apostles represented the true God in Holy Spirit, which gives the weak courage and motivation to speak truth. 
“But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake. 13 But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony.”  Luke 21:12,13
“But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.”  Mark 13:11 
Losch/Loesch (which is the correct spelling) was asked to “testify” for the organization, not for Christ.  This is the difference, a hypocritical organization couldn’t give him courage to “witness” in truth.  If the organization was guiltless before God and had His approval and blessing, would its leaders hesitate in the least to stand before anyone and defend their “decrees” and beliefs?  They would be “inspired” to do so. 
But the following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.”  Acts 23:11
But Festus answered that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself was going there shortly. 5 “Therefore,” he said, “let those who have authority among you go down with me and accuse this man, to see if there is any fault in him.”
6 And when he had remained among them more than ten days, he went down to Caesarea. And the next day, sitting on the judgment seat, he commanded Paul to be brought. 7 When he had come, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood about and laid many serious complaints against Paul, which they could not prove, 8 while he answered for himself, “Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I offended in anything at all.”  Acts 25:4-8
 But Festus, wanting to do the Jews a favor, answered Paul and said, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and there be judged before me concerning these things?”
10 So Paul said, “I stand at Caesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be judged. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you very well know. 11 For if I am an offender, or have committed anything deserving of death, I do not object to dying; but if there is nothing in these things of which these men accuse me, no one can deliver me to them. I appeal to Caesar.”
12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, “You have appealed to Caesar? To Caesar you shall go!”  Acts 25:9-12
I believe Losch knows his weakness, that he knows in his heart that Christ has become a stumbling block before him, because he has chosen to put faith in another “house”, which he realizes can’t deliver him out of trouble.    1 Pet 2:7,8; Matt 7:24-27; Eph 2:20-22
For Christ's sake; yes, you do.  
 
 
 

Gerrit Losch: 

Geoffrey Jackson:
 MR STEWART:   Q.   Mr Jackson, will you state your full  name and your work address, please?         
 A.   Yes, my name is Geoffrey William Jackson, and I work  at 25 Columbia Heights, but the mailing address is  124 Columbia Heights, Brooklyn, New York.
 A.   If I may be allowed to explain, each Governing Body  member has a home committee where his office is based. 
A.   Yes.  With regard to my role, each member of the  Governing Body ‐ of course, there are seven at the moment ‐  each brings something to the table with regard to  expertise.
A. ..... So the  Governing Body is broken up into various committees.....  A.   There is a ‐ yes, ultimately, the Governing Body               oversees the work of the committees,....
So verse 4 describes the role of the Governing Body as we  see it, to devote ourselves to prayer and the word of God,  and that's why 30 helpers have been assigned that are  involved more with the practical side of policy and implementation.
The Watchtower:
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/pc/r1/lp-e/1200272475/30/4
18. How does the Governing Body operate, and what is one way that we can reflect our cooperation with it?
18 The committees of the Governing Body hold weekly meetings to review important matters, make decisions after prayerful considerations, and plan for future theocratic activity. As noted earlier, Acts chapter 15 shows that a weighty question needing resolution was referred to the first-century governing body for attention. Similarly today, important questions are referred to the entire Governing Body, which meets weekly or more often when necessary. 
19. How do instructions of the Governing Body reach the congregations?
19 How do the instructions and decisions of the Governing Body reach the congregations? After the members of the first-century governing body reached their decision with the help of God’s spirit, they sent a letter to the congregations. (Acts 15:22-29) However, the principal way today is through Christian publications.
Conclusion: Prior to July 1 1994 Gerrit Losch was not working as GB member according to his deposition in document. BUT after that day and until today he working in WT building and has Office in WT building, so WT giving him (and to his wife too) a Job, Accommodation aka Place to sleep, Food to Eat, Water to Drink, Money for spending, Health Care, Insurance and other things that is required by The US Law for WT Corporation and Full Time Religious Ministers, Order,, Inside JW Church, or simply said Clergy. 
Because Gerrit Losch is GB member as Geoffrey Jackson, this two men /plus other in GB Team) are Fully responsible for all WT Corporation deeds. Who giving Whom Orders, and Who giving Whom answers is Their Internal Game. But All people involved in WT Business of all Kind are One Team and all of them Contribute to decisions. GB is Ultimate Body of WT and all other Legal Entities, so they are Fully Responsible before their God and before Secular Authority.   
All other "Stories" they Presenting to Public, and Their Internal games of Power and Influence, Competition, is Normal for Human Organization as it is also for Heavenly Organization which went through same or similar "fighting for Power and Influence over other", according to Bible reports.   

No, they had not been dfd for knowing the truth. They had  been DFD for not obeying WT leaders and their explanation what is the truth. "1914 generation" and "generation"  WT explanations versions  from then until today are questionable, and by that to be called "truth" is not recommended. By that DFD members, who had been in disagree with past, old  explanation/s, and  had "advanced explanation" that was later WT put in legal use, are not in benefit in no way.       

Since the Organization has received "new light" regarding the 1914 generation, and completely changed their view on this, does this mean that all the former Jehovah's witnesses who were disfellowshipped years ago for the same view the organization is now teaching will automatically be accepted into fellowship again? Were these Ex-Jw's in fact disfellowshipped for truth and knew things that the governing body did not?
 

@Outta Here  Don't be so sure. There are actually quite a few @jw.org email addresses registered on this website. We would of course never reveal who they are so as to protect their identities. @admin handles all of that on the backend which I have seen.

I was wondering if someone would bring that out.  Of course, it is all legal.  He was saved from showing face by a Watchtower lawyer who created for him legal jargon to avoid showing in court.  As a member of the GB – “faithful and discreet slave” - he didn’t even have the courage and integrity to represent them.  He could have respectfully shown as directed and explain it in person.  
How faithful is he to scripture?
 Everyone must submit to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist are instituted by God. 2 So then, the one who resists the authority is opposing God’s command, and those who oppose it will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have its approval. 
That is where it starts – “do what is good.” 
4 For government is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, because it does not carry the sword for no reason. For government is God’s servant, an avenger that brings wrath on the one who does wrong. 5 Therefore, you must submit, not only because of wrath, but also because of your conscience. 
Is he afraid?  Is his conscience seared?  1 Tim 4:1,2 
6 And for this reason you pay taxes, since the authorities are God’s public servants, continually attending to these tasks. 7 Pay your obligations to everyone: taxes to those you owe taxes, tolls to those you owe tolls, respect to those you owe respect, and honor to those you owe honor.  Rom 13:1-7
With all the evidence of the GB’s “work” and responsibilities that has been brought out here, how can anyone dismiss Loesch’s obvious lack of courage and integrity to confront a serious claim against “Jehovah’s organization” that he and his fellow “slaves” direct?
Is that all that really matters?  That it is legal?  Where is the spiritual responsibility toward the organization and the people who look to the GB as leaders, as shepherds?  Should JWs defend his act of cowardliness when JW children in school are ridiculed before classmates and teachers for not saluting the flag?
It’s just more evidence that Holy Spirit is not present with its leaders.

The declaration is legal speak and is absolutely correct from a legal point of view.
Gerrit Losch has never been a corporate officer........employee.......etc. of WT,  and as an INDIVIDUAL he has never had or has authority to make or determine any policy for WT or any other department. This can only be done collectively as the GB with all 8 members participating.

Take that as a Yes then?

Main question, More Important Question is: Do You and Does JW members ACCEPT This Declaration ? 
:)))

Does that make them professionals?

A brother, who regularly attended meetings, stopped attending for no apparent reason. After a few weeks an elder visited him. It was a very cold night, and his brother found him at home alone, sitting in front of the fireplace, where a bright, warm fire burned.
Imagining the reason for his visit, the brother invited him in, led him to a seat near the fireplace, and stood there, quiet, silent, and talked with the old man, and the old man did not even talk to him.
There was a great silence, and they watched the dance of the burning flames, which burned around the logs.
After a few minutes, the old man examined the coals that had formed and carefully separated the most incandescent of all, away from the others, and sat down again, remaining silent and still.
While the host paid attention to everything, fascinated but still. After a little while, the flame of the solitary ember disappeared, until there was a faint glow, and it went out.
In a short time, what was once a flame of heat and light, became a piece of charcoal, cold, inert and covered with ashes.
No word had been said, between the two, since the initial greeting.
Before leaving, the old man used his pen to carry the cold and useless piece of charcoal back to the fireplace.
Almost immediately he rekindled an ardent flame fueled by the heat of the other ardent embers around him. The brother who was discouraged watched, without understanding.
However, when the elder withdrew, the host told him: Thank you for your visit and beautiful lesson. Until the next meeting.
Conclusion: God's congregation is like a "fire" in a blazing flame, and the burning coals are us, while we are active in the preaching service, reading the scriptures, and attending the meetings. Since experiences, comments, and presence at meetings, embraces, concern for our well-being, make our love and desire to serve God grow even more. Matthew 24:14 and Hebrews 10: 24, 25.
However, when we stop gathering, that fire-like heat is gradually disappearing, even to the point of avoiding our brothers. And in time, we became cold, lifeless, lifeless, like a piece of coal.
Because we are not letting Jehovah speak to us through Bible reading, we do not prepare and attend meetings, just as we do not speak to Jehovah through prayer. And so, that warmth and joy that we enjoy among our brethren fades, until we become like pieces of charcoal.
In this system, we all experience difficulties, and we often feel discouraged, especially in these last days, that our enemy "Satan" walks around us, like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5: 8.
Therefore, Jehovah appointed the elders to care for "His flock." For in times of difficulty "grazing visits," to encourage us not to fall into temptation, are magisterial to heal us from "discouragement," and not to miss meetings. For Jehovah looks upon his humble servants, as "a people for his pasture," and "the sheep of his hand." Hebrews 13:17, Psalms 95: 7

statesymbolsusa.org Etymology and naming history. The name Montana comes from the Spanish word Montaña, which in turn comes from the Latin word Montanea, meaning "mountain", or more broadly, "mountainous country". Montaña del Norte was the name given by early Spanish explorers to the entire mountainous region of the west.

Here is the actual legal document of his declaration
declaration-of-gerrit-losch-4-february-2014.pdf

Leave it to the professionals to decide. Thaere ain't none of them on here!

Gerrit Losch:  "I do not direct and have never directed..."
 
Wikipedia:  Following a leadership dispute in the Bible Student movement, the Watch Tower Society remained associated with the branch of the movement that became known as Jehovah's Witnesses. In 1955, the corporation was renamed Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. In 1976, all activities of the Watch Tower Society were brought under the supervision of the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses.
In 1976, direction of the Watch Tower Society and of the congregations of Jehovah's Witnesses worldwide came under the control of the Governing Body, reducing the power of the society's president. The society has described the change as "one of the most significant organizational readjustments in the modern-day history of Jehovah's Witnesses."
Following the death of Knorr in 1977, subsequent presidents of the Watch Tower Society have been Frederick W. Franz (June 1977 – December 1992); Milton G. Henschel (December 1992 – October 2000), Don A. Adams (October 2000 – 2014) and Robert Ciranko (incumbent). Adams and Ciranko are considered "helpers" to the Governing Body, which retains authority over the corporations.
 "Keep Holding Men of That Sort Dear".  The Watchtower. 15 October 2015. p. 3. The Governing Body members make the final decisions, but the helpers implement the committee's direction and carry out whatever assignments they are given. The helpers accompany Governing Body members to special and international conventions. They may also be assigned to visit branch offices as headquarters representatives. ... Helpers to Governing Body Committees ... Publishing Committee—Don Adams ... Writing Committee—Robert Ciranko...
 
Sounds like Mr. Losch is just plain lying.  
 
 
 
 

to touch them.... well, text speaking about touching children for blessings, not baptizing children.
dear Outta Here, wrong interpretation and misapplication of bible text, for sure. 

Have they tried looking at the base of the cliff?