A Study of Jehovah’s Witness Ethics

An in-depth study of the ethics of Jehovah’s Witness leaders when handling thoughtcrime, as passed down to them by the Governing Body, has been prepared and can be downloaded here.

We encourage you to read it and post your responses.

What is the Significance of 1975? Full Transcript of Franz’s Discource

Jehovah makes clear in his Word that his will for us today includes accomplishing a great work of Kingdom-preaching before the end of this system comes. (Matt. 24:14)… Yes, the end of this system is so very near! Is that not reason to increase our activity? In this regard we can learn something from a runner who puts on a final burst of speed near the finish of a race…

Reports are heard of brothers selling their homes and property and planning to finish out the rest of their days in this old system in the pioneer service. Certainly this is a fine way to spend the short time remaining before the wicked world’s end.—1 John 2:17. – How are you using your life? Kingdom Ministry, May, 1974, page 3

Is the Governing Body a false prophet?

Download the full transcript of President Franz’s talk “What is the Significance of 1975?” here;

What is the Significance of 1975

The Appeal Hearing – Part 2

“I understand that! My statement to the contrary would be that, since I wasn’t having any contact with the brothers and sisters, namely by association at the meetings or otherwise, the brothers have come to this information or this idea they’ve formed about me from their requested contact with me.

So, therefore,  for me to represent a danger to the congregation it would have to be a number of people within the congregation that it was demonstrated I was trying to mislead or upset or subvert and both of those brothers both made statements to the contrary to me.

And I even made a statement to my own friend that I don’t want to do that to him because he was taking a Bible study again.” Matthew Barrie

Download the audio.

Download the transcript of the audio.

The Appeal Hearing – Part 1

“As one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, you have continually said to us you refuse to comment.” - Martin Benzie

“‘…how much worse could this get for you?’ Because, let us just say the decision eventually comes to the fact that you’re disfellowshipped. Surely that means that from the standpoint of Jehovah, if Armageddon comes imminently, you’ve had it! So, how much worse can it be for you?” - Philip Jones

Having been disfellowshipped on the specific grounds of apostasy, namely believing that Jesus should be worshipped, I appealed the Judicial Committee’s judgement.

An appeal committee comprising of 3 current or erstwhile Circuit Overseers was convened.

Listen to the audio of the Appeal Committee hearing

Download: doro_11.mp

. This is part 1.
Download the full transcript.

Jehovah’s Witness on Trial – Part 2 – The Judicial Hearing Continued

“…it was you brothers who instigated this action against me and it was you who went looking for evidence and you gathered that evidence from shepherding visits. …I feel it’s grossly inappropriate to obtain information from people on a…on a personal basis.”

Download the audio here.

Download a copy of the transcript below;
Jehovah’s Witness on Trial – Judicial Hearing Part 2

Jehovah’s Witness on Trial – Part 2 – The Judicial Hearing

“I wasn’t bothering anyone. I wasn’t attending the meetings and elders came after me to get evidence against me to disfellowship me. That’s exactly what’s happened here. Now, I hope you all can be quite happy with it, what’s happened here…”

Download the audio.

Download a copy of the transcript below;

Jehovah’s Witness on Trial – The Judicial Hearing Part 1

Jehovah’s Witness on Trial – Part 1

This podcast was recorded on Christmas Day, 2008. After our last visit from two local elders, my wife felt that she could not longer be known as a Jehovah’s Witness and chose to disassociate herself in November, 2008. We had been on a family holiday and had returned to find that one of the local elders who had visited us had warned off my mother-in-law from having anything to do with my wife – her daughter. He also made false statements about one of my children. So I decided to confront this elder (Matthew 18:15) at the kingdom hall.

Listen to the audio recording:

Download the audio.
Download a copy of the transcript below.
The Martyring of Matthew Barrie Part One: Podcast 8: Showdown at the Kingdom Hall