Sick of Lies Conversations with Elders
The following phone conversations reveal the lying, misinformation schemes and doubletalk of elders and other brothers that are often triggered by a conversation with a questioning Jehovah's Witness who is trying to get truthful answers from the Watchtower Society.
Note from author: "I get many people asking me why I did this, it started as an idea. I wanted to leave and just disassociating myself seemed pointless because I wanted people to know why I was leaving and not just have a blank statement read to the congregation that I'm no longer one of Jehovah's Witnesses. I decided that I would get myself disfellowshiped and document every step of the process. I had already been 'reproved' for asking to many questions on the subject of evolution, so I decided to continue to ask questions. I phoned up several elders and asked them questions on various topics, including 607, child abuse, UN NGO statue and more. When I first started doing this I started having second thoughts, I decided I would not pursue the matter anymore, I doubted anything would come of the questions and decided to leave it alone. Well it was only two days after asking these questions that the elders told me that they wanted to meet with me in a judicial committee and discuss what I had said. I was very nervous, but I decided to finish what I had started and carry out my project.
During the whole process I listened to questions and comments from other people who have been through emotional distress because of this religion, I tried to incorporate some or their concerns and questions in where I could. All in all I would say that this has been very therapeutic for me, facing my abusers who caused much depression and hardship in not only my life, but many others has made me feel like I took control of the situation and left under my own terms. After the whole ordeal was finished I left feeling no fear and no anxiety, I felt totally free." - Sick of Lies
Initial discussion online - Note you must be a member of JWD to view
4/3/06 The elder who denies the "Two Witness" rule that protects pedophiles in the congregation as well as the Watchtower's connection with the United Nations as an NGO (and they are still an NGO, see here on page 3 (Paul Gillies, The European Association of Jehovah's Christian Witnesses) and page 7 (Gregory Allen, Watchtower Bible & Tract Society of Pennsylvania, phone number 845-306-0711-why not call them?). (19:37)
Elder #1 on mp3 or, better for most, on RealPlayer (get a free version of RealPlayer).
4/4/06 An "anointed" elder is asked about proving the validity of the 607BCE date for the destruction of Jerusalem, gets flustered and says, "If the Watchtower says that's what it is, then that's what it is." He is then asked about how you know you are of the anointed, and what would happen if the caller partook at the Memorial observance. (11:37)
Anointed Elder #2 on mp3 or, better for most, on RealPlayer
4/6/06 Asking an elder about 607 BCE. (2:59)
Elder #3 on
mp3 or, better for most, on
RealPlayer
4/6/06 Called into a Judicial Committee hearing by the elders. (3:05)
Elder #4 on
mp3 or, better for most, on
RealPlayer
4/6/06 Inquiry as to getting to the Judicial Committee hearing, why they have to meet in the Kingdom Hall. (5:32)
Elder #6 on
mp3 or, better for most, on
RealPlayer
4/6/06 Inquiry to brother who will pick him up for the meeting. (2:42)
Elder #7 on
mp3 or, better for most, on
RealPlayer
Start of Judicial Committee hearing (27MB) WAV format : JC meeting (7.4MB) WMA format
Official Disfellowshipping (11:00) WAV format : Conclusion of JC meeting (1.4MB) WMA format
JC ON TAPE - Discussion of first committee at JWD can be viewed by anyone.
04/18/06 Part one of the appeal first appeal hearing for the decision, here questions are asked about how the elders handle someone who is suicidal or mentally ill. The elders simply reply that this is not their concern and they are simply there to assess wither or not the person qualifies for membership anymore. The elders state that baptism is a contract, and that once joined their is "no nice way out". They take no responsibility for any depression or suicides that occur because of the shunning that results from their decision. The elders simply equate getting disfellowshiped to failing a course at school.
Part 1 of Appeal hearing (3.2MB) WMA format : WAV (18MB) format
Part 2 of the appeal talks about the 607 BCE issue with the elders, inconsistencies are from the Insight Book misquoting another author A. K. Grayson on dates that our in his book 1 2 3.
Part 2 of Appeal hearing (5.8MB) WMA format : MP3 (43MB) format
04/22/06 Second appeal hearing Part One. This time Dan is accompanied by Sean who came to provide him support and counsel if needed. Until last meeting where the elders allowed an outsider (Dan's mother) to attend the entire hearing and even speak freely, this time they state confidentiality / elder privilege / organizational policy prevent any outsiders from viewing judicial committee under any circumstances.
2nd Appeal Meeting part 1 (2.4MB) WMA format : MP3 format
Part two of appeal hearing. "We admire you because it seems you have insatiable search for knowledge". The elders spend a great deal of time asking many questions about Dan's education, about his friends, they complement him for being a 'brilliant student'. They then ask 'Do you have a CD?' 'Do have the insight books?' 'Don't you do research at school?'. They are trying to imply that to ask a question without doing research is a sin in itself. At the end the elders ask if the meeting is being recorder and ask him 'do you want to get in a war with us?' 'If this recording is being used for clandestine purposes you are in a heap of trouble'. Also the person is told that a picture he took of the elders was illegally taken ??
2nd Appeal Meeting part 2 (6.4MB) : MP3 format
04/26/06 Final Meeting with elders. Here the person is told the appeal committee has decided to uphold the decision to disfellowship. He is told their will be no more appeals and this decision will not be overturned.
Video AVI MPG WMV: Audio MP3 WMA
Other Online Discussions:
Jehovah's Witness Online 1 2 : TowerWatch 1 : Watchtower Observer Forum 1 2 3
EZ Board Discussion 1 2 : Thoms Chat 1
News Media Reports:
Coming Soon
If you have any other boards or know of any new sources that have pick up this story please e-mail me and I'll update this site.
other audio and video
