Years ago (after a decade in bethel), as an elder in a congo, I was approached by a young brother under 20 yrs old. His conscience bothered him because he was alone with a girl from work & they started kissing. I asked him if that was all. Crestfallen, he replied: “Yes” I assured him that he’s spoken with me, an elder, so that it doesn’t need to go any further. Then I asked: “Can I speak to you man to man?” “Sure” I swear that my next words are verbatim: “Look dude! You’re a good looking guy, young, with your whole life ahead of you. _Don’t f*ck up your life by getting some girl pregnant!”_ We hugged. He left. And nothing more was said.
You supposed run get another elder to be a witness and form a judicial committee right away. You suppose to ask for detail like tongue-use, cat-touching and other things that normally would not be your concern and maybe put him on private reproof. Then give a public talk ripping him and identifying him, without naming him so he cannot sue Watchtower.
@b1crusade384 Exactly! That’s why I’m glad that he approached me first. I knew a couple of others on the body who’d have dragged the poor guy through the mud. 🤷♂️
@@LePédantSémantique What made you not follow protocol? Even PIMO Elders obey what Watchtower procedures. The indoctrination is strong. Your behavior of being nice to the guy is not the norm.
@b1crusade384 I’ve seen way too much behind the curtain after many years at WT HQ. Didn’t fear local elders. Nothing to gain by being an A-hole. Had no more f*cks to give! 🤷♂️
@survivingparadisepodcast I remember when I was 14/15, we were having bookstudy Thursday night at the KH, and this is a tiny congregation. I think we had maybe 40 publishers at the time and the elder who was conducting was the only "qualified brother" to run the sound, but I knew how because my dad was an elder and I helped him install it, so they had me run the sound, a friend of mine run 1 mic and an older sister ran the other mic. 🤣 It was the only meeting I can remember that aside from a couple of very young baptized boys, it was all sisters. The sound system had only been in for maybe 4 years, so it would have been in like 1994. We were so behind in the tiny town of Weiser, ID. Before the sound system was in, a sister would play all of the music for the songs on a piano and there was a wood burning stove to keep it warm inside, that we had to get wood for every year until they did a remodel in like '95 or '96.
The elders wanted me to stop talking to my disfellowshiped mom, i never stopped. So stayed doing mics for 18 years, and never became an MS. Im glad im away from status chasers.
I finally never returnedcafter covid. A ex jw friend of mine left 20yrs prior to me. Never disfellowshipped. After her dad died (her parents were good friends of mine) she was cleaning out his belongings n found a letter. It was from his elders advising the parents to have no contact with their daughter. They had ignored the letter but never told their daughter. It would have also meant no contact with grankids. The mother now 94ish lives happily n very coherent n with her daughter. Mum is still a witness. They just respect ea has a different belief system. N that is how it should be instead of disowning your family.
@delphinawhiles6235 the bible mentions disfellowshiping once, the apostle paul kicked someone out for having relations with their mother in law. The apostle paul didn't get permission from God or Jesus. That being said, the bible doesn't give instruction stop talking to family. God created family, why destroy it?
Although a 21 year old elder could be good for those his own age... But how could a 21 year old elder possibly help a 45 year old sister? Or a 50 year old brother with marriage issues? Or even a 30 year old couple with issues with toddlers or school age children? They must be desperate for elders....
I am so so glad i got out of this cult two years ago. No way could I, would I view a 21 year old as an elder. I'm almost 54 years old. What on earth???
Image a 21-year old listening to some 50 year-old woman talking about what happened in bedrooms, in a judicial committee. Those kids are gonna get messed up.
I can tell you me and my fellow sisters spent a good portion of our 20s crying in a Kingdom Hall bathroom. And 99% of the time it was because of the bad behavior of a brother in his 20s.
yep. I had a TON of teenage girls in my congregation that I watched grow up. I was their 'go to elder'..... so much devastation through the teenage years. Imagine a 21 year old guy doing that.....
I think what is happening is that the average over-all age of many congregations is getting younger as the old die-hard members are passing away. I also think they are losing young members who are not getting baptized and are walking away.
Being a 21 year old elder and getting double honor severely f's your brain up and with no return from this... the damage, arrogance and narcissism will be countless more dangerous as it already is right now... so sad... yes, the GB is absolutely desperate...
I agree. It's further proof they have set up a dynamic where young men are reaching for imaginary 'power'.... it does incredible emotional damage to everyone involved
Me neither . . . By the way , I cannot imagine him assisting at an Alchoholics Anonymous meeting and keeping that spiritual smile on his young man's face for very long . . .
You outdid yourself this time Stacy! 40 years in and I’ve been out for five years. Despite the damage, the cult did to me I haven’t lost my belief in a creator. But I can say you are the only atheist XJW, I listen to. I truly appreciate the time that you put into research and how funny your podcasts are. One of the best things of being a Christian as a former witness is the ability to spit out the bones. I respect that you have lost your faith, but your information is still so timely and I can ignore any of your info that goes contrary to my current belief system But gobble up so much of your info. Keep it up, sir! There is no doubt you are having an effect!
Obviously, WT is fully embracing FAFO. The brain’s frontal lobe, especially the prefrontal cortex, isn’t fully mature until around *age 25.* The development of the pre-frontal cortex of the frontal lobe allows us to process the pros and cons of a decision before it is made.
The Bible isn't the final authority when it comes to scriptural matters. The publications are what elders are primarily looking for. The publications are more quoted than the Bible.
@adamantiumbullet9215 Witnesses neither believe in nor use the Bible, it will not support their beliefs. The NWT was written to promote the god created by Watchtower. Bible =Word of God. NWT =ever changing word of Watchtower. 😂
@@mattmurdock2868 To be fair, JWs do believe in the Bible, and they do use it. However, just like the other 44,000+ Christian denominations and sects, they believe in it according to _their view,_ and they make it conform to _their_ view no matter how tortured the process. Every religion does this to one degree or another. WT went one step further by creating their own Bible version, AFTER they formed their doctrines. Since no accepted Bible translation supports those pre-determined doctrines, WT was forced to produce its own Bible which does support those doctrines.
Women in submission to men was the deal breaker for me, and the elders and ministerial servants were twice my age. But this? This? No way. I don't know how those sisters can live with this arrangement.
18 year old ministerial servants lol. You could have a ministerial servant giving you life advice while he has yet to pass his high school exams 😂. Elders, most 21 year olds today, are still living in their parent's basements. It's funny from the outside, but getting life advice from a child would be infuriating.
If I had to sit in front of a 21 year Old, well, it wouldn’t happen. He know NOTHING! No world or life experience. And can you imagine if he still lived with mommy and daddy!🤣🤣
In most cases, yes-specifically those who choose to remain home. But, I can both empathize and sympathize with those twenty-one-year-olds who find themselves in situations where, due to the declining health of their parents, have to remain at home and support their families. They’re the ones who want to leave, but can’t.
Desperate but not Serious..Adam Ant 😅 Actually it is serious to put people with little life experience in charge of everything you hold dear. Another mail in the coffin for WatchTower.
This um seems abusive...21???? Wrong on so many levels... Deuteronomy tells us if a prophet gets ONE thing wrong, its Not from God. MT15:14 "Disrequard them. If the blind lead the blind, Both will fall into the pit"...Praise God for helping me out of this destructive, lying, dishonest Cult. Get out of her my people I pray they wake up and let the promised helper, the Spirit lead you. May the REAL Truth set you free. 21 is Not "Older Men"!!! Our Lord Jesus wasn't even baptized till 30! Thank you
The 2025 revised Flock book will contain the following terminology changes to accommodate 21 year-old Elders: 1. _"brazen conduct" and immorality_ is now called "the Ick" 2. Suspicion of sinning will simply be known as "Sus". 3. All Elders are "dudes". Also see "bruh". 4. When a JW is not disfellowshipped, it's a "Big W". 5. When a JW is disfellowshipped, it's a "Big L". 6. "G" on the Ministry School counsel form will be replaced with "Slay". 7. CSA allegations are "Cringe". 8. The _COBE_ is now "The GOAT". Also see "boojee". 9. _Theocratic Warfare_ is now "Cap". If the GB's lips are moving, it's "cappin' " 10. Any JW that questions new light is "Delulu". 11. _Brother_ will be shortened to "bruh". 12. _Sisters_ will be shortened to "Sis". 13. A good-looking single sister is a "snack". 14. Inactive publishers are "ghosting". 15. A disrespectful _sis_ is a Karen. 16. Fornication is now "hooking up". 17. A 21 year-old Elder sitting on a judicial committee is "Adulting". 18. The wife of an Elder is "boo". 19. WT eschatology is "Girl math". 20. Any JW that thinks appointing 21 year-old Elders is a really bad idea is "Keeping it 100".
Blood fractions!! Did you know that you can accept donated blood fractions from strangers, but you can't donate your own blood fractions in advance for an operation. Unbelievable & nonsensical!
I remember being Shocked when I First learned that a 25 year old could Serve in the United States Congress To make the Laws and Regulations For a Nation of over 300 million people. And then when two Mormon missionaries came to my door , who were only 18 , and said they were Elders. Watchtower must be following The Mainstream of Modernity . 😂😂
Hi everyone. Hope ya’ll have a wonderful week ahead. Tonight’s cyber menu is sandwiches. Grab your plates & get some grilled cheese, tuna melts, BLT’s, turkey avocados, french dips, pastrami’s, roast beef’s & some steak sandwiches. Then make your way over to the all you can eat ice cream sunday bar. Don’t forget your napkins. 🥪🍦💪🏼
When i was 21, they had a elders meeting because they found my "myspace", i missed that elders meeting because i had a flu.. ermm... massive hang over 😂
Previously they had a Watchtower study that highlighted appointed much younger Elders and MS's, No doubt, some bodies of elders were appointing "boys" at far less than 18, Hence the announcement. Crazy
Exactly. The portion of the brain that makes rational decisions doesn't mature until at least age 25. If WT thinks they have legal problems now, wait until the 21 year-olds are in the mix. Oy.
Wow they are desperate!! Before I left in 2019, my congregation appointed several young men !! Later they had to disfellowship them why? Driving drunk got stopped by police, having wild parties and not being considered to the older generation!! A mess!!
I am just a few years older than you. When I was 20, 21 the elders in all their wisdom made this 15, 16 year old an MS. It went straight to his head. He would strut around, the elders loved it because they were dumping everything on him. It made it horrible for us sisters out in service. I worked Monday through Friday and I would go out in service every Saturday for sure if not Sunday. I hated and despised field service, yet I diligently went out both days because I was such a true believer. I had a very beat up Toyota Corona. 4 doors as I was a good JW. The elders weren't going out I don't know why but they would dump their kids. A couple of the teenage daughters liked this MS.. it was totally crazy and not safe. I would put 5 to 6 of these kids in my small car. The MS would try to dictate to me what to do and how to do it. I finally got sick of it and went to one of the elders whose daughter I was taking and he was mad I could tell. It made me really nervous but I stood up for myself as best I could and it stopped. The kids stopped getting dumped on me. Ironically the MS when he turned 18 became an apostate. If he saw in the territory he would chase us down the street with a big cross on his neck. He was so annoying there was a sister in her 70s who he would really try to control. She was a good JW and would try to obey because that's what you do to MS, I found her one time near tears because of what he was doing to her, what really bothers me is the elders knew what he was doing. Oh how I wish that had woke me up. I went on to pioneer, go to Bethel, etc. It was finally knowing about the CSA problem that got me out. If only that with the MS could have woken me up. I would have had such a better life 😢
Sorry Stacey they're not koala bears they're a marsupial...Peter from Australia. Always enjoy your podcasts thanks for all you do.By the way Skippy the kangaroo says gidday...lol
With this announcement, I can’t help but be reminded of Douglas Walsh, a Scottish witness, who was appointed by the Society as company servant (or, to use the current term, coordinator of the body of elders) before even turning eighteen. He found himself at the center of a case during the early ‘50’s because he tried to use his appointment as an excuse to dodge conscription into the British military. (This is the same case in which Vice President Freddy “We’re Not Saying” Franz testified, admitting before the court that he did not understand the Koíne Greek of the books of the New Testament yet would later go on to prepare the “Kingdom Interlinear” (using the manuscript of Westcott and Hort), which has served as a veritable nuclear bomb against the Society’s teachings.) Of course, young Brother Walsh lost his case in the court and lost his appeal in the House of Lords. I also can’t help but be reminded of how the Society regards appointed servants in the congregations and units of Jehovah’s witnesses to be the foretold “seven shepherds, yes, eight dukes of mankind”. (Micah 5:5,NW 1984 edition) The thought of a twenty-one-year-old being regarded as a duke is laughable, to say the least. At the same time, however, given the way some actual dukes deport themselves (Andrew of York comes to mind) and certain illegal activities within the organization-the mere discussion of which the Society has long tried to silence, I suppose it shouldn’t be all that surprising. Finally, the 1989 article amounts to a tacit admission by the Society that it regards appointed servants-these Theocratic “dukes”-as mere empty vessels who say what the Society tells them to say. A couple of observations: 1. That would seem to debunk the requirement of “experience” in life on the part of servants. 2. If the Society is not willing to give the servants the scriptural “double honor”, inasmuch as it does regard them as empty vessels, how can the rank-and-file on the local level be expected to do so?
As I’ve posted before, my guy, u & I have eerily similar backgrounds, including being the youngest Elders in our late 20’s in our respective circuits. Boy oh boy; I remember how I felt I was not qualified to be an elder b/c it was a WT from the 70’s that reminded us that Timothy, a young Elder, was “probably” in his early to mid 30’s. So who was I, at 28 to be appointed? What an eye opening experience, even though I went on to become the youngest COBE by a country mile, I remember as Secretary, I had to keep telling myself “Jehovah’s Organization is Perfect, filled w/ Imperfect Ppl.” Holy ish that file cabinet was filled w/ unmentionables. How is a 21 yr old going to handle this? And they have to be mature enough to keep it “confidential???” I find it funny or ironic how for yrs this religion scoffed at the LDS church for having young guys as Elders, & now, voila, here we are. The religion is getting desperate to hold on to young brothers in particular. Wouldn’t be surprised if we start seeing a push on young marriages to raise up the next group of JWs similar to the LDS. *Side note; from watching a documentary, the similarities are quite eery. There’s some stark differences, as well, but a lot of core policies including using the terms “The Truth & Apostate”
YES!!!! I was the Secretary for a time as well. I quickly learned it was THE job no one else wanted. The stuff in the files.......back then.....if people only knew!!
What a “Glorious” episode! Unfortunately that garage you were appointed in pales in comparison to the garage the judge is currently buried under (allegedly) LOL Much love from Canada 🇨🇦 hope your 2025 has been well
So as well as younger entry to Bethel service; this..... I am not against younger people having opportunities - but with the implications of the level of power in JW (which I would not want to put on older folk either)
@@survivingparadisepodcast I second this, please do share! Knowing you, I'm sure it involved quite a lot of critical thinking and asking questions. Those unique perspectives and reasoning might help to free some of those who are on the fence about exiting but have never had things presented in just the right way that they can relate to. Great work as always, thanks for the laughs!
This is absolute craziness... I don't understand how more ppl aren't waking up. Then again, maybe they are and that's why they are reactively appointing 21 year olds to elders, because there aren't enough brothers staying in the org.
Stacey, You have me rolling on this one 😂. Heavens 11 have really lost their minds on this one. I already know many young men serving as ministerial servants are leading double lives, and to think they may be considered for the position of elder is just ludicrous. Fact is, many middle-aged brothers just don't want to serve anymore, and so they are looking at ruining the lives of young men by appointing them as elders. Next up are sister's serving. I would bet on it. JW's minds must be spinning on this one. Glad I'm on the outside looking in.
Even if this doesn't wake people up, there is no way this won't cause problems. 21-year-olds giving advice? With their HUGE knowledge base of life and its realities? 😬 Likely still suffering from the delusion of being young and knowing *everything* as we all did around that age, because we hadn't experienced much nothing yet to challenge that viewpoint AND compound that with having been chosen by God to get double honor. Yeah. That's gonna work out perfectly. 😑 On a personal note, ~25 years back, in my mid teens, I was at the KH when there was an announcement of a new elder having been appointed. It's quite curious that I remember it to this day, and the reason for that is that this brother, I thought, was TOO YOUNG. Yeah, he was a good guy, the son of one of the elders, had been an MS probably as long as I could remember -- I hadn't really paid attention that, he'd just always been one of the men working the literature table, the mics, the sound table etc. But he was probably in his early to mid 30's -- at the very most. He was definitely younger than my parents, and I had looked at him more like one of MY generation rather than an OLDER generation (I wasn't yet aware of generations overlapping at the time.😅) Like one of the YOUNG men in the congregation. And now he was... an ELDER of the congregation. 🤔 It felt very off and didn't sit well with me. I was not one to see faults in the congregation, or to even pay much attention to stuff. I just wanted the meetings over with, and to get home. But this I remember to this day, that I should SUDDENLY see this young man as someone on par with the other elders in my cong, who were my parents' age and older. I wasn't raised to go to the elders with personal problems (thank goodness), but if I had, I would not have gone to this "elder."
Welp, I guess with them appointing 50 year olds as Governing Body members, they had to roll the age back to avoid the next guy who gets appointed at 40 from only being an elder for 5-10 years...
Is that 21 year old elder (just out of nappies) qualified to read and understand Watchtower holy texts, whereas a Norwegian judge of many years would struggle.
Don’t the Mormons call their boys on bikes Elders? If I remember correctly when they came to my door they introduced themselves as Elder so and so? Hmmmmm
they do - but it doesn't come with the power of JW 'elders'. In mormon communities that role is called a Bishop (and yep the same dodgy chats about people's sex lives etc
I'm listener #144 lol. Ask the g.b. what that neans. Maybe I'm annointed 😅 No correction, 145th liker. I missed tge annointing maybe 😂. Seems I'm always missing the mark somehow .
18 years x 21 years = 378 + 153( John 21:11 ) = 531 + 1492 (NEW WORLD ) = 2023 , Promise Land ''incident'' of October 7 . On October 21 , 2018 , Sunday , I saw for the first time the number 78 in the number 666 ( 6x6x6 + 18 divided by 3 ; Revelation 13:18 , 13 x 18 divided by 3 ) . When at that time I added 78 to 1945 , I felt fear and tore up the paper I was doing the numbers on . My father died at age 78 years and 8 days on August 19 , 2007 , Sunday . 78 + 8 = 86 , Genesis 16:16 . 378 + 39( 18+...) = 417 + 2887 (Seven Times , 360 x 7 + 367 ) = 3304 divided by 2 = 1652 + 366 (One Time ) = 2018 . Day 15 of January , 2025 ; 1+2+3 ... + 15 = 120 minus 2025 = 1905 , birth of Nathan Knorr on April 23 . From January 15 to April 23 there are 98 days . 98 days( Ezekiel 4;6 ) minus 1977 (death of Nathan Knorr ) = 1879 , the first watchtower magazine was published . January 15 , 1 15 minus 2025 = 1910 . 1905 + 1910 + 33 A.D.(catalyst) = 3848 divided by 2 = 1924 , birth of the 39th president(18+21) . From December 29 ( death of the 39th president at the age of 100 years and 89 days) to January 15 , there are 17 days ( 1+2+3 ..... + 17 = 153 ) . 31 days in December minus 29 = 2 ; 2 x 15 = 30 + 17 = 47th president . 100 years + 89 days = 189(Ezekiel 4:6) . 2024 minus 189 = 1835 . 1835 + 2024 + 33 A.D.( catalyst ) = 3892 divided by 2 = 1946 , birth of the 45th president .
Years ago (after a decade in bethel), as an elder in a congo, I was approached by a young brother under 20 yrs old. His conscience bothered him because he was alone with a girl from work & they started kissing.
I asked him if that was all.
Crestfallen, he replied:
“Yes”
I assured him that he’s spoken with me, an elder, so that it doesn’t need to go any further. Then I asked:
“Can I speak to you man to man?”
“Sure”
I swear that my next words are verbatim:
“Look dude! You’re a good looking guy, young, with your whole life ahead of you.
_Don’t f*ck up your life by getting some girl pregnant!”_
We hugged. He left. And nothing more was said.
That's true. And girls don't f*ck up your life by letting a young buck f*ck you.
You supposed run get another elder to be a witness and form a judicial committee right away. You suppose to ask for detail like tongue-use, cat-touching and other things that normally would not be your concern and maybe put him on private reproof. Then give a public talk ripping him and identifying him, without naming him so he cannot sue Watchtower.
@b1crusade384 Exactly! That’s why I’m glad that he approached me first. I knew a couple of others on the body who’d have dragged the poor guy through the mud. 🤷♂️
@@LePédantSémantique What made you not follow protocol? Even PIMO Elders obey what Watchtower procedures. The indoctrination is strong. Your behavior of being nice to the guy is not the norm.
@b1crusade384 I’ve seen way too much behind the curtain after many years at WT HQ. Didn’t fear local elders. Nothing to gain by being an A-hole.
Had no more f*cks to give! 🤷♂️
In the 90ths, a 21 year old would not even quallify to sit in the back with the audio.
LOL, remember those days? You couldn't even run the sound booth!
@ Just a few years ago here in Northern Europe the requirements for Sound was that you had to be MS.
I believe they removed this part since then.
@survivingparadisepodcast I remember when I was 14/15, we were having bookstudy Thursday night at the KH, and this is a tiny congregation. I think we had maybe 40 publishers at the time and the elder who was conducting was the only "qualified brother" to run the sound, but I knew how because my dad was an elder and I helped him install it, so they had me run the sound, a friend of mine run 1 mic and an older sister ran the other mic. 🤣 It was the only meeting I can remember that aside from a couple of very young baptized boys, it was all sisters.
The sound system had only been in for maybe 4 years, so it would have been in like 1994. We were so behind in the tiny town of Weiser, ID. Before the sound system was in, a sister would play all of the music for the songs on a piano and there was a wood burning stove to keep it warm inside, that we had to get wood for every year until they did a remodel in like '95 or '96.
Jesus Christ wasn't even baptisted at 21, he was 30. This is truly a new Low... 🤦♀️
EXCELLENT POINT Michelle!!
The elders wanted me to stop talking to my disfellowshiped mom, i never stopped. So stayed doing mics for 18 years, and never became an MS. Im glad im away from status chasers.
I finally never returnedcafter covid.
A ex jw friend of mine left 20yrs prior to me.
Never disfellowshipped.
After her dad died (her parents were good friends of mine) she was cleaning out his belongings n found a letter. It was from his elders advising the parents to have no contact with their daughter.
They had ignored the letter but never told their daughter. It would have also meant no contact with grankids.
The mother now 94ish lives happily n very coherent n with her daughter.
Mum is still a witness.
They just respect ea has a different belief system.
N that is how it should be instead of disowning your family.
@delphinawhiles6235 the bible mentions disfellowshiping once, the apostle paul kicked someone out for having relations with their mother in law. The apostle paul didn't get permission from God or Jesus. That being said, the bible doesn't give instruction stop talking to family. God created family, why destroy it?
Excellent, good for you! NEVER listen to them.....most are highly uneducated, even the older ones. It's embarrassing
@@delphinawhiles6235 Big hugs...it's INSANE what they get families to do to one another......it's really sick
Although a 21 year old elder could be good for those his own age...
But how could a 21 year old elder possibly help a 45 year old sister? Or a 50 year old brother with marriage issues? Or even a 30 year old couple with issues with toddlers or school age children? They must be desperate for elders....
It is truly absurd. Total insanity.....desperation
I am so so glad i got out of this cult two years ago. No way could I, would I view a 21 year old as an elder. I'm almost 54 years old. What on earth???
Image a 21-year old listening to some 50 year-old woman talking about what happened in bedrooms, in a judicial committee. Those kids are gonna get messed up.
I got out nearly 3 years ago welcome to your freedom. I was in for 30 years. 21 year old elders is crazy. Things are getting desperate in the org.
LOL, can you imagine???
@@b1crusade384 first thing that came to mind. He'd be a mess LOL
@b1crusade384 exactly what I was thinking!
I can tell you me and my fellow sisters spent a good portion of our 20s crying in a Kingdom Hall bathroom. And 99% of the time it was because of the bad behavior of a brother in his 20s.
yep. I had a TON of teenage girls in my congregation that I watched grow up. I was their 'go to elder'..... so much devastation through the teenage years. Imagine a 21 year old guy doing that.....
It is clear that things are not going well with the organization. Such a serious shortage of "good" experienced shepherds.
Absolutely....no question they're hurting. This is pure desperation!
Love your videos, Stacy! Thanks again for another fun and pithy side-eye at a recent development from the Org!! 😂❤⭐
Thanks Suzie!
I think what is happening is that the average over-all age of many congregations is getting younger as the old die-hard members are passing away. I also think they are losing young members who are not getting baptized and are walking away.
Agreed, they'll never have the solid members they had from 50's-90's, again.
They're bleeding young people.....they aren't staying. The old folks are worn out
Being a 21 year old elder and getting double honor severely f's your brain up and with no return from this... the damage, arrogance and narcissism will be countless more dangerous as it already is right now... so sad... yes, the GB is absolutely desperate...
I agree. It's further proof they have set up a dynamic where young men are reaching for imaginary 'power'.... it does incredible emotional damage to everyone involved
21 years-old: Legal age to drink. Can be appointed as an Elder. Coincidence? I think not.
There's lots alcoholics in the congregation, sometimes you just dont know about it.
Me neither . . . By the way , I cannot imagine him assisting at an Alchoholics Anonymous meeting and keeping that spiritual smile on his young man's face for very long . . .
In Scotland it's 16 years with food, or 18 years without food. God help us, if an 18 years old JW elder comes to my door, God help him.
@Yvonne
I can see the headline now: "18 year-old JW elder kilt by Yvonne on her doorstep."
LOL LOL, I had the exact same thought. Terrible isn't it?
You outdid yourself this time Stacy! 40 years in and I’ve been out for five years.
Despite the damage, the cult did to me I haven’t lost my belief in a creator. But I can say you are the only atheist XJW, I listen to.
I truly appreciate the time that you put into research and how funny your podcasts are.
One of the best things of being a Christian as a former witness is the ability to spit out the bones. I respect that you have lost your faith, but your information is still so timely and I can ignore any of your info that goes contrary to my current belief system But gobble up so much of your info.
Keep it up, sir! There is no doubt you are having an effect!
Thank you so much, I appreciate you! I'm actually agnostic by nature, but I appreciate your kind words, so glad you're out!
@ sorry about the mischaracterization!
I wish you all the best in this new year and look forward to your next one!
wonderful again Stacey !
thank you!!
Obviously, WT is fully embracing FAFO.
The brain’s frontal lobe, especially the prefrontal cortex, isn’t fully mature until around *age 25.*
The development of the pre-frontal cortex of the frontal lobe allows us to process the pros and cons of a decision before it is made.
They attack that frontal lobe from birth of they can
It gives a whole new meaning to, "It's a privilege to be used." Thanks Stacey, always a great podcast!
Thank you! It's wild times!
Yeah, "what could go wrong?" The implications of this is going right over the pimi heads. 🙄 Pure desparation.
Absolute craziness....when i was 21 i didnt know my ass from my elbow when it comes to life & experience! Give me a break!
Jehovah seems to be getting dumber & dumber as time drolls on with no paradise in sight 🙄 Is he OK? Should someone check on him???
Well, he is really old...been around since the 13th century AD. Give the old dude a break!
@@adamantiumbullet9215 🤭
Maybe he's in the privy?
he is really struggling......all over the board! LOL
Has nothing to do with God... It's man-made religion
The Bible isn't the final authority when it comes to scriptural matters. The publications are what elders are primarily looking for. The publications are more quoted than the Bible.
The Bible isn't an authority at all. Try to prove a good share of WT theology using only the Bible. Good luck.
@adamantiumbullet9215
Witnesses neither believe in nor use the Bible, it will not support their beliefs.
The NWT was written to promote the god created by Watchtower.
Bible =Word of God.
NWT =ever changing word of Watchtower.
😂
@@mattmurdock2868
To be fair, JWs do believe in the Bible, and they do use it. However, just like the other 44,000+ Christian denominations and sects, they believe in it according to _their view,_ and they make it conform to _their_ view no matter how tortured the process.
Every religion does this to one degree or another. WT went one step further by creating their own Bible version, AFTER they formed their doctrines. Since no accepted Bible translation supports those pre-determined doctrines, WT was forced to produce its own Bible which does support those doctrines.
@adamantiumbullet9215
Well said, Adam.
Yes, other cults have also written their own "bible."
TRUTH!
This is very telling.
Very..... it's bad.
Thanks for another good one!!!
Thank you!
Women in submission to men was the deal breaker for me, and the elders and ministerial servants were twice my age. But this? This? No way. I don't know how those sisters can live with this arrangement.
The religion is unrecognizable from where it began. lol
SO true....those of us old enough remember.....don't recognize it
I watched that movie Heretic and it reminded me about being a JW. It's very interesting if you want to check it out
Thank you, I'm not familiar with it.....I'lll look it up. I rarely watch movies, but love all things cult documentary, etc.
January 15, 2030 Announcement:
10 year-old brothers can be appointed as Elders... as long as they have a note from their mom saying it's okay.
LOL, it's coming!
@@adamantiumbullet9215 😂😂😂
@@survivingparadisepodcast Very soon, toddlers ! 🤣Sorry ! I couldn't resist...
Yeah, but in dog years, a 21 year-old Elder is really 147.
Depends on the breed 😂
😂
LOL!
😂
@ *"Depends on the breed"*
For our purposes here, shepherd.
18 year old ministerial servants lol. You could have a ministerial servant giving you life advice while he has yet to pass his high school exams 😂. Elders, most 21 year olds today, are still living in their parent's basements. It's funny from the outside, but getting life advice from a child would be infuriating.
All 100% truth
If I had to sit in front of a 21 year
Old, well, it wouldn’t happen. He know NOTHING! No world or life experience. And can you imagine if he still lived with mommy and daddy!🤣🤣
In most cases, yes-specifically those who choose to remain home. But, I can both empathize and sympathize with those twenty-one-year-olds who find themselves in situations where, due to the declining health of their parents, have to remain at home and support their families. They’re the ones who want to leave, but can’t.
LOL, no one is going to do it either
Great episode
According to the old cliche, desperate times call for desperate measures.
And they're VERY desperate at this point
Desperate but not Serious..Adam Ant 😅
Actually it is serious to put people with little life experience in charge of everything you hold dear. Another mail in the coffin for WatchTower.
@@RebeccadeWinter-t1c "don't speak, don't talk...what do you do? You don't speak, don't talk, what do you do?".....classic
This um seems abusive...21???? Wrong on so many levels... Deuteronomy tells us if a prophet gets ONE thing wrong, its Not from God. MT15:14 "Disrequard them. If the blind lead the blind, Both will fall into the pit"...Praise God for helping me out of this destructive, lying, dishonest Cult. Get out of her my people I pray they wake up and let the promised helper, the Spirit lead you. May the REAL Truth set you free. 21 is Not "Older Men"!!! Our Lord Jesus wasn't even baptized till 30! Thank you
Well said....and in the Bible!
The 2025 revised Flock book will contain the following terminology changes to accommodate 21 year-old Elders:
1. _"brazen conduct" and immorality_ is now called "the Ick"
2. Suspicion of sinning will simply be known as "Sus".
3. All Elders are "dudes". Also see "bruh".
4. When a JW is not disfellowshipped, it's a "Big W".
5. When a JW is disfellowshipped, it's a "Big L".
6. "G" on the Ministry School counsel form will be replaced with "Slay".
7. CSA allegations are "Cringe".
8. The _COBE_ is now "The GOAT". Also see "boojee".
9. _Theocratic Warfare_ is now "Cap". If the GB's lips are moving, it's "cappin' "
10. Any JW that questions new light is "Delulu".
11. _Brother_ will be shortened to "bruh".
12. _Sisters_ will be shortened to "Sis".
13. A good-looking single sister is a "snack".
14. Inactive publishers are "ghosting".
15. A disrespectful _sis_ is a Karen.
16. Fornication is now "hooking up".
17. A 21 year-old Elder sitting on a judicial committee is "Adulting".
18. The wife of an Elder is "boo".
19. WT eschatology is "Girl math".
20. Any JW that thinks appointing 21 year-old Elders is a really bad idea is "Keeping it 100".
Blood fractions!! Did you know that you can accept donated blood fractions from strangers, but you can't donate your own blood fractions in advance for an operation. Unbelievable & nonsensical!
I remember being Shocked when I
First learned that a 25 year old could
Serve in the United States Congress
To make the Laws and Regulations
For a Nation of over 300 million people.
And then when two Mormon missionaries came to my door , who were only 18 , and said they were Elders.
Watchtower must be following
The Mainstream of Modernity . 😂😂
BTW - NOAH was too old to walk
To Australia for the Koala Bears.
Maybe Stacy can take a Refresher
Course on all things NOAH.😂😂
WT stole the Mormon's "Family Worship Night" idea. Why not steal the idea of really young elders?
Insanity
🤣
Hi everyone. Hope ya’ll have a wonderful week ahead.
Tonight’s cyber menu is sandwiches.
Grab your plates & get some grilled cheese, tuna melts, BLT’s, turkey avocados, french dips, pastrami’s, roast beef’s & some steak sandwiches. Then make your way over to the all you can eat ice cream sunday bar. Don’t forget your napkins.
🥪🍦💪🏼
🍨 💕
My cyber Pastrami Reuben was delicious.
@@adamantiumbullet9215 Thanks! They’re will be more next week. 😂
@ jacki
Let's do cyber Mexican food next week. I'll bring the Margaritas...
@ oh man, you’re on!! Let’s do it!! WHOOP WHOOP!!
When i was 21, they had a elders meeting because they found my "myspace", i missed that elders meeting because i had a flu.. ermm... massive hang over 😂
LOL, love it!
@@Andisols_Myakka 😂
Thanks!
thank you!
Good show ❤
Previously they had a Watchtower study that highlighted appointed much younger Elders and MS's, No doubt, some bodies of elders were appointing "boys" at far less than 18, Hence the announcement. Crazy
Absolutely insane
On average it takes between 22-25 years for the Human Brain to fully develop.
Obviously, these "adults" are clueless 🙄
Exactly. The portion of the brain that makes rational decisions doesn't mature until at least age 25.
If WT thinks they have legal problems now, wait until the 21 year-olds are in the mix. Oy.
I saw a study yesterday that said men aren't emotionally mature until 43. I'm still working on that maturity thing LOL
@survivingparadisepodcast 😂😂 sounds about right! Don't think it's gender specific - some Never fully develop (lol)
Wow they are desperate!! Before I left in 2019, my congregation appointed several young men !! Later they had to disfellowship them why? Driving drunk got stopped by police, having wild parties and not being considered to the older generation!! A mess!!
Anyone on here from Britain
Yes. I'm from Britain
Been out for almost 40 years. Thankfully. X
@valread5403 Hi where are you from.
Kings kynn
Gloooooorious 😂😂😂😂😂😂
I am just a few years older than you. When I was 20, 21 the elders in all their wisdom made this 15, 16 year old an MS. It went straight to his head. He would strut around, the elders loved it because they were dumping everything on him.
It made it horrible for us sisters out in service. I worked Monday through Friday and I would go out in service every Saturday for sure if not Sunday. I hated and despised field service, yet I diligently went out both days because I was such a true believer.
I had a very beat up Toyota Corona. 4 doors as I was a good JW. The elders weren't going out I don't know why but they would dump their kids. A couple of the teenage daughters liked this MS.. it was totally crazy and not safe. I would put 5 to 6 of these kids in my small car.
The MS would try to dictate to me what to do and how to do it. I finally got sick of it and went to one of the elders whose daughter I was taking and he was mad I could tell. It made me really nervous but I stood up for myself as best I could and it stopped. The kids stopped getting dumped on me.
Ironically the MS when he turned 18 became an apostate. If he saw in the territory he would chase us down the street with a big cross on his neck.
He was so annoying there was a sister in her 70s who he would really try to control. She was a good JW and would try to obey because that's what you do to MS, I found her one time near tears because of what he was doing to her, what really bothers me is the elders knew what he was doing.
Oh how I wish that had woke me up. I went on to pioneer, go to Bethel, etc. It was finally knowing about the CSA problem that got me out. If only that with the MS could have woken me up. I would have had such a better life 😢
Wow, heck of a story and not uncommon!! Too young to be given that power!
Sorry Stacey they're not koala bears they're a marsupial...Peter from Australia. Always enjoy your podcasts thanks for all you do.By the way Skippy the kangaroo says gidday...lol
Thank you for correcting me! Native to Australia, true?
❤😂
With this announcement, I can’t help but be reminded of Douglas Walsh, a Scottish witness, who was appointed by the Society as company servant (or, to use the current term, coordinator of the body of elders) before even turning eighteen. He found himself at the center of a case during the early ‘50’s because he tried to use his appointment as an excuse to dodge conscription into the British military. (This is the same case in which Vice President Freddy “We’re Not Saying” Franz testified, admitting before the court that he did not understand the Koíne Greek of the books of the New Testament yet would later go on to prepare the “Kingdom Interlinear” (using the manuscript of Westcott and Hort), which has served as a veritable nuclear bomb against the Society’s teachings.) Of course, young Brother Walsh lost his case in the court and lost his appeal in the House of Lords.
I also can’t help but be reminded of how the Society regards appointed servants in the congregations and units of Jehovah’s witnesses to be the foretold “seven shepherds, yes, eight dukes of mankind”. (Micah 5:5,NW 1984 edition) The thought of a twenty-one-year-old being regarded as a duke is laughable, to say the least. At the same time, however, given the way some actual dukes deport themselves (Andrew of York comes to mind) and certain illegal activities within the organization-the mere discussion of which the Society has long tried to silence, I suppose it shouldn’t be all that surprising.
Finally, the 1989 article amounts to a tacit admission by the Society that it regards appointed servants-these Theocratic “dukes”-as mere empty vessels who say what the Society tells them to say. A couple of observations: 1. That would seem to debunk the requirement of “experience” in life on the part of servants. 2. If the Society is not willing to give the servants the scriptural “double honor”, inasmuch as it does regard them as empty vessels, how can the rank-and-file on the local level be expected to do so?
Excellent share!~ Thank you for posting this! I hope others read it!
It seems that, more and more, the Watchtower is becoming a caricature of itself.
😂 . A glorious one 😂😂
;)
As I’ve posted before, my guy, u & I have eerily similar backgrounds, including being the youngest Elders in our late 20’s in our respective circuits.
Boy oh boy; I remember how I felt I was not qualified to be an elder b/c it was a WT from the 70’s that reminded us that Timothy, a young Elder, was “probably” in his early to mid 30’s.
So who was I, at 28 to be appointed? What an eye opening experience, even though I went on to become the youngest COBE by a country mile, I remember as Secretary, I had to keep telling myself “Jehovah’s Organization is Perfect, filled w/ Imperfect Ppl.” Holy ish that file cabinet was filled w/ unmentionables. How is a 21 yr old going to handle this? And they have to be mature enough to keep it “confidential???”
I find it funny or ironic how for yrs this religion scoffed at the LDS church for having young guys as Elders, & now, voila, here we are. The religion is getting desperate to hold on to young brothers in particular. Wouldn’t be surprised if we start seeing a push on young marriages to raise up the next group of JWs similar to the LDS.
*Side note; from watching a documentary, the similarities are quite eery. There’s some stark differences, as well, but a lot of core policies including using the terms “The Truth & Apostate”
YES!!!! I was the Secretary for a time as well. I quickly learned it was THE job no one else wanted. The stuff in the files.......back then.....if people only knew!!
What are people doing when they leave are they turning to other faiths or just keeping their heads down .
My experience is that most people leave religion all together....atheist or agnostic
They might justify themselves by refering to Elihu in the Book of Job?
LOL, you have holy spirit!
Gidday Stacey just wanted to let you know about a song been out a little while called Chandelier by aussie woman called Sia.
These guys LITERALLY think they're God's gift to men!
I'm enjoying watching the downfall.
Me too!
Almost looks like child abuse...ok I won't go there ..
Yep....so much we could say
👋WTBTS manifesting DESPERATION... 🤪🤪🤪
Yes!
What a “Glorious” episode! Unfortunately that garage you were appointed in pales in comparison to the garage the judge is currently buried under (allegedly) LOL
Much love from Canada 🇨🇦 hope your 2025 has been well
LOL....somewhere in San Diego......"allegedly"
This is willlllllld
So as well as younger entry to Bethel service; this.....
I am not against younger people having opportunities - but with the implications of the level of power in JW (which I would not want to put on older folk either)
Me neither....but they have too much power in JWs
Is there a video of what woke you up? I love hearing jw exit stories, and hope to identify what nuggets can help others escape
I actually need to share my story!!! Have never been able to sit down and capture all of it....but I will if others are interested
@@survivingparadisepodcast I second this, please do share! Knowing you, I'm sure it involved quite a lot of critical thinking and asking questions. Those unique perspectives and reasoning might help to free some of those who are on the fence about exiting but have never had things presented in just the right way that they can relate to. Great work as always, thanks for the laughs!
Way to change the strobe light again GB!! They must be desperate
They're desperate!
The new gas lite, they are appointing youngers now in place of elders.
It's incredible!
This is absolute craziness... I don't understand how more ppl aren't waking up. Then again, maybe they are and that's why they are reactively appointing 21 year olds to elders, because there aren't enough brothers staying in the org.
I think THIS will wake more than a few people up....
Stacey,
You have me rolling on this one 😂.
Heavens 11 have really lost their minds on this one. I already know many young men serving as ministerial servants are leading double lives, and to think they may be considered for the position of elder is just ludicrous. Fact is, many middle-aged brothers just don't want to serve anymore, and so they are looking at ruining the lives of young men by appointing them as elders. Next up are sister's serving. I would bet on it. JW's minds must be spinning on this one. Glad I'm on the outside looking in.
LOL hey SGT! I just can't stop laughing at the absurdity!
@survivingparadisepodcast feedback I'm getting from PIMO friend is the pub's heads are spinning
This is Insane...these demons are out of control!!!
#exjwbatized@9
Brian Gibbs
Even if this doesn't wake people up, there is no way this won't cause problems. 21-year-olds giving advice? With their HUGE knowledge base of life and its realities? 😬 Likely still suffering from the delusion of being young and knowing *everything* as we all did around that age, because we hadn't experienced much nothing yet to challenge that viewpoint AND compound that with having been chosen by God to get double honor.
Yeah. That's gonna work out perfectly. 😑
On a personal note, ~25 years back, in my mid teens, I was at the KH when there was an announcement of a new elder having been appointed. It's quite curious that I remember it to this day, and the reason for that is that this brother, I thought, was TOO YOUNG.
Yeah, he was a good guy, the son of one of the elders, had been an MS probably as long as I could remember -- I hadn't really paid attention that, he'd just always been one of the men working the literature table, the mics, the sound table etc.
But he was probably in his early to mid 30's -- at the very most. He was definitely younger than my parents, and I had looked at him more like one of MY generation rather than an OLDER generation (I wasn't yet aware of generations overlapping at the time.😅) Like one of the YOUNG men in the congregation. And now he was... an ELDER of the congregation. 🤔
It felt very off and didn't sit well with me. I was not one to see faults in the congregation, or to even pay much attention to stuff. I just wanted the meetings over with, and to get home. But this I remember to this day, that I should SUDDENLY see this young man as someone on par with the other elders in my cong, who were my parents' age and older. I wasn't raised to go to the elders with personal problems (thank goodness), but if I had, I would not have gone to this "elder."
Governing Body members are late 40s and early 50s and annointed. Lol
LOL, full circle youth movement!
Welp, I guess with them appointing 50 year olds as Governing Body members, they had to roll the age back to avoid the next guy who gets appointed at 40 from only being an elder for 5-10 years...
moving target!
Is that 21 year old elder (just out of nappies) qualified to read and understand Watchtower holy texts, whereas a Norwegian judge of many years would struggle.
LOL, very good point!
Don’t the Mormons call their boys on bikes Elders? If I remember correctly when they came to my door they introduced themselves as Elder so and so? Hmmmmm
they do - but it doesn't come with the power of JW 'elders'. In mormon communities that role is called a Bishop (and yep the same dodgy chats about people's sex lives etc
Can't make this ish up 😂😂🤦🏿♂️.
They are desperate at this point.
VERY!
Without going to Bethel??? LOL Stop abusing WT, just stop GB, Enough is Enough!!!
LOL, nope just be 21!
I'm listener #144 lol. Ask the g.b. what that neans. Maybe I'm annointed 😅 No correction, 145th liker. I missed tge annointing maybe 😂. Seems I'm always missing the mark somehow .
me too!
@survivingparadisepodcast lol! It's great! Sorry for the typos, i wasn't wearing my glasses, still not hahaha!
Older man = 21 years old.
makes sense?
🤣🤣🤣🤣
You repeat yourself too much. You are a windbag who sounds jealous.
Your words read as from a 21 year old elder... dumb, inexperienced, indoctrinated, unwise and creepy...
Then why are you listening? Oh ya, because you’re probably a bot & not real. 😂😂😂
18 years x 21 years = 378 + 153( John 21:11 ) = 531 + 1492 (NEW WORLD ) = 2023 , Promise Land ''incident'' of October 7 . On October 21 , 2018 , Sunday , I saw for the first time the number 78 in the number 666 ( 6x6x6 + 18 divided by 3 ; Revelation 13:18 , 13 x 18 divided by 3 ) . When at that time I added 78 to 1945 , I felt fear and tore up the paper I was doing the numbers on . My father died at age 78 years and 8 days on August 19 , 2007 , Sunday . 78 + 8 = 86 , Genesis 16:16 . 378 + 39( 18+...) = 417 + 2887 (Seven Times , 360 x 7 + 367 ) = 3304 divided by 2 = 1652 + 366 (One Time ) = 2018 .
Day 15 of January , 2025 ; 1+2+3 ... + 15 = 120 minus 2025 = 1905 , birth of Nathan Knorr on April 23 . From January 15 to April 23 there are 98 days . 98 days( Ezekiel 4;6 ) minus 1977 (death of Nathan Knorr ) = 1879 , the first watchtower magazine was published . January 15 , 1 15 minus 2025 = 1910 . 1905 + 1910 + 33 A.D.(catalyst) = 3848 divided by 2 = 1924 , birth of the 39th president(18+21) . From December 29 ( death of the 39th president at the age of 100 years and 89 days) to January 15 , there are 17 days ( 1+2+3 ..... + 17 = 153 ) . 31 days in December minus 29 = 2 ; 2 x 15 = 30 + 17 = 47th president . 100 years + 89 days = 189(Ezekiel 4:6) . 2024 minus 189 = 1835 . 1835 + 2024 + 33 A.D.( catalyst ) = 3892 divided by 2 = 1946 , birth of the 45th president .
2030: 12 year old Elders, face tattoos ok, everyone attending on zoom with mic and camera off. 🫠
LOL LOL.......it might happen!