2024 Governing Body Update #2: The Fallout - Episode 53 - JW Watch 

Back in the 1970s my father gave talks from the podium . He suffered with a skin problem for many years and his doctor told him it would be better for him not to shave for a time so as to give his skin a rest. My father started to grow his beard and explained to the elders why he was doing this . The elders accused my father of trying to be "more attractive" to the opposite sex! My father was a good looking man to start with so this was ridiculous. When he was then told by the elders to shave off his beard he rightly refused on the grounds of his health. All of his privileges were taken away from him . When my father wrote to Bethel in London explaining the situation their response was " In whatever the elders say you must obey". What a joke this organisation is.

Left 32 years ago 🙏 Armageddon was always just around the corner. I knew people who were born in the late 19 century who thought they would see “the end of this system of things” . I know people now who should have left when I did and without saying it, wish they’d left when I did. Breaks your heart how many honest, good people have been hoodwinked by this cult!

I finally had a candid discussion with my JW family and I am now officially labeled as an apostate since I dared to question the organization in general and the GB specifically. It might sound weird, but I actually feel really free.

I was 42 when I finally garnered the courage it took midlife to face my questions and agonizing fear. Life continues... With or without us.

Fear kept me in for 36 years . A large part of me knew it didn’t make sense since childhood, but a larger part of my brain was high jacked by great and cult indoctrination .

Free after 26yrs of questions that I had the whole time. Out since 2000 and no regrets. They taught me how to read the Bible and how to pray. When they said stay off the internet, I went on the internet and learned how child abuse cases were handled and how the abused were treated.

I still don't understand the "new light" thing. WHY would a loving God intentionally allow his true followers to believe an incomplete or untruthful doctrine, at best, or an outright lie, at worst? When will more people stand up to the GB and point out that they are false prophets, by their very own definition?

In holland over here there is a group working to get the shunning policy legally banned. They are very active..also in Belgium...

Love , love , love , jw watch . Great having the panel back

As a life long atheist, now in my early 60's, I can't imagine the disappointment from having wasted so much life being gaslit with bullshit.

I big problem is the false hope they give sounds so good. People don’t want to give that up. Especially after giving up the life they have now.

Simply put, we need more videos from you Lloyd, loved this one! Miss all your excellent rebuttals

It’s so weird to me that someone who quit yet continues to read Bible and live a decent life was officially deemed an “apostate” (only learned they did that just last week - this was 20 yrs back!) for merely questioning a few of their teachings ( the ones not based on Bible.) So a disfellowshipped “sinner” can be invited back - a criminal, an abuser- but not little old “just finished reading the whole Bible and I believe it!” me !! This religion is so far from what the Bible wants ( as you read it - not just a cherry picked quote here and there in Watchtower) you see how wrong it is. Thanks for all your videos!

If your on the fence as a JW. Just get out now, you will feel better when you are out of the cult.

Yes not a scripture religion and JW WT agency DOES NOT have a religious business status in US. It is a video and realty estate business. Thank you for this video

I had to brothers from my old congregation show up to my house inviting me to the memorial. I left that cong before I moved, but they somehow got a hold of my new address. Must have been someone from my family.

I laugh. I was JW for 20 years. How did I fall for this foolishness?

I listened to you during Covid. It was refreshing to have a place to hear affirmations after fading for the last few years. Regular pioneer for 20 yrs. Unlike many .. your show is calm. Precise. Not loud or chaotic. It’s not angry. Hateful. Many channels have good information, But the delivery is obnoxious. Hard to relax ! Thank you for having a show that’s easy, informative. Calming. You just make people feel better.

This was a fun episode. This whole panel are persons I would be proud to introduce as friends to my former friends and cult members. All four of you are smart, articulate, loveable, level headed, peaceable persons. Everything opposite of what the GB9 claim you are. It's podcasts like this that help me to reaffirm my decision to leave (Jan this year). I have a thorough disgust for the GB9 as they completely misrepresent the love of The Christ. I pity the men at the congregational leadership level because the GB9 has made them the enforcers of the rules, stripping them of their natural desire to shepherd in love and turning them into henchmen. I pray for God to glorify himself by bringing this organization to ruin. Thanks Lloyd for another well run show.

In my hall, 5 out of 8 elders grew a beard and began going without a tie the meetings right after the announcements were released.

Love the show. Easily left with my husband after being unhappy in the kingdom hall for several years due to the changes. For us setting a date for the end of the world, shunning and not getting an education were to much like other culty religions. It's been 50 years. We're still married, have happy, financially successful, college educated children who are kind and out and about every day. What a waste to live your life based on some one else's view of every human thought, desire and hope.

I missed the “live” but watched in it’s entirety. Thank you so much Lloyd, Jonathan, Sheri and Shaka! I thoroughly enjoyed the entire content. It gives me hope that many others out there share my feelings about the org. I realized when I left that there was no direction from the Holy Spirit among the body. I was absolutely crushed, after spending 38 years of my life….LIVING this way. All the while thinking I was pleasing Jehovah. I wondered how many countless others had been expelled or left willingly to the avoid the judgement of a judicial committee. If the organization was a true representation of Jehovah on earth…surely the elders that deal with the judiciary process are extremely bloodguilty. I knew in my heart that I had not committed sin, so how did Jehovah NOT know that by reading my heart?? Then I seriously knew something was very wrong! Lloyd your channel was the first one I found and I was so thankful to know that many others too were waking up.

New subscriber & Former JW (1970-1994). I watched the “beards are okay now” statement. I found it to be ridiculous, confusing, condescending and just plain bizarre. The men behind the curtain are finally being revealed.

Yes, my sister reached our to me, inviting me to the memorial. I have not heard from hear in 20 years. I ignored your message.

I think the most concerning angle of how the organisation handles things on the higher levels, is if they actually do believe it. A scam is nothing new, but believing you genuinely are in the right is far more dangerous

It wil be ok to celebrate birthdays and Christmas next,this will be the next announcement from these bloated fools 🙋🏼‍♀️💙

Good morning from Tasmania. If the love of the greater number was to cool off just before the end why are they going to such lengths to keep the numbers up 🤔

You guys look so happy, although outside of JW. There is a big world out here to experience, and the most high won't leave you like JW has.

A family member of mine went to the most recent Memorial after a long health issue and didnt recognize most of the Brothers because they now all have beards.

Seems like the beard thing has been accepted a lot quicker than the pants and ties, since the facial hair growth is more natural than the wardrobe.

Had to put my phone on airplane mode because I got so many invites. As an introvert I preferred the old method of shunning..😅

Damn! Missed the live! 😢

I left 20 years ago as a baptised adult. I’ve confirmed my being an Atheist and am continually questioning the beliefs of those I keep in touch with. They seem totally unwilling to cut ties and label me an apostate or disfellowship me (because I’ve continually refused to have that conversation) It’s bizarre. I’ve seen many get disfellowshipped in life. Yet I get to visit my Dad and have debates with elders and other members, they just keep saying they believe I’ll return one day. I won’t, even if God could be proven he’d still be a monster

I grew up in that religion and at 22 now living on my own was able to practice critical thinking and follow my passions and dreams . I will recommend a great book that blew my socks off. “The History of God “ by Karen Armstrong You can learn about the INVENTION of Yewh . Have been able to experience great sorrow and happiness and would never choose to live like the words from Teddy Rosevelt “Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure... than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much, because they live in a gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat.” Will be 66 soon and always learning so much about what I was not supposed to learn Peace and love always T.

So my question is what separates the Jehovah's witnesses from the world now

Check out the ten million dollar film set they are building in Australia. Cheers mate love your work

Great show and very informative. I was never a Jehovah's Witness but I find it very interesting how religions change as culture and social norms change. Although I still think there is a lot of unhealthy and dangerous aspects of JW, it is nice they are changing somewhat. The Catholic church has changed again and it seems to be part of the organization itself and part the world changing around them. On a personal note, I cannot stand dresses and skirts so I am so happy women can wear pants in that setting now. I know it is "feminine" but I have always hated them. I feel exposed, vulnerable, and like an old female stereotype when I wear them. Pants are also just so much more comfortable to me. It would be a major issue if I was forced to wear a skirt and I have refused to do so at work events before. From a worldly perspective, telling a woman to wear a dress or skirt is just pure sexism to me. It should be the choice of the woman if she wants to wear one. And I love the kilt story. Hilarious.

I was never part of JW but was part of another Christian organization/control group that had similar strict rules. I agree with one of your panelist who said these rules are practiced differently depending on the church which means these rules change may be meaningless at some churches. The group I was part of loosened the rules and made exceptions to be more appealing, but some of the old school leaders disagreed, and became more stricter and defiant, causing a split. I presume this will be the some case in JW church’s.

Phenomenal stream

Hey Lloyd, has anyone suggested naming a drink after Tony Morris? Of course it would contain whiskey; but what else? Anyone have any ideas?

Looking at the nice looking buildings and the lake setting, it appears that the JW's and the GB have their "Paradise on Earth"

There will be a box of "spare ties" to pull from, if they deem it necessary.

Next chance the cross will come some time

I left in 2009 when my son was born because I did not want my son exposed to this ridiculousness. That being said, the changes that they have made shocked me because they have always been so dogmatic. I think the older witnesses must be having a hard time digesting this stuff.

We can only hope it ends

Clearly JWorg's main focus is NOT retention of maximum members. If it would they would make changes much earlier. The main point is not to lose another state registrations like in Norway. Many countries are on the track like Japan, Spain and many other EU based countries start to seriously consulting the Norway case and local exJW communities. JWorg know this, so they have to act as soon as possible. See. just 2-3 weeks after the final Norway verdict and the change is out!!! Many did not realised that the greetings in KH, ties and slacks were not the main point of this change wave. Actually it was stopping the disfellowshipping of minors, as clearly stated in the Norway case. It is clear from the instructions elders received. Regardless of repentance, if the minor is not a well known active apostate (almost all minors are DFd for sexual affair, smoking weed etc..) and there is hardly any active apostate among the DFd minors, the case will be thrown on to parents and lightly monitored. After 18y I suppose all the cases will move to long term inactive cases, so parents could keep normal delations with their kids regardless if they were baptised or not in childhood. Will be Norway satisfied do JWorg could apply for registration now? Not at all. The 2nd most significant change is the explanation of 2John9,10. Does the account speak about greeting in KH? no. so next change will be: you can greet DFd person on the street, shopping, just anywhere. Does the account speak about greeting ONLY? no. SO next change will be: You can even invite a DFd person to your home if the person is your relative and not active well know apostate. (It will be actually a return to policy in 70' and 80' where family could normally speak and gather with DFd except spiritual stuff). Next, all congregation members can greet and gather with any DFd person if not active well know apostate. Than JWorg will apply for re-registration in Norway. And will be successful. Some, especially form older generation will be confused, some awaken, yet so what, the org will get rid of the exhausting trials with governments and save much more money than lose from awaken members. They can very easily just double the monthly requirement (around 5USD?) to 10 per a congreagation member and they will be even richer then before.

Praise Jah!

Depending on the what court cases the organization is facing will dictate what changes will take place next. I still have older family members that are struggling with the so-called new light. It breaks my heart.

I 💕 you loyd

Some are saying that with the beards, skirts, ties, etc, the Organization is trying to protect the bros and sisters from the persecution in the Great Tribulation by making them unrecognizable to the wordly people In the other side are the ones who are saying that the Organization did this changes to know who the iniquitous really are, those who were specting these many changes with thrill I feel pity and compassion for all these good prople who are treated like children, employees and slaves, making them so confused with these, and surely more, pointless speculations... and all for nothing.

❤😊❤ not just a opinion true. It happens

What? Did I miss something? The NWT was used until 2013? What are they using now?

not sure if you read the comments. But if you do, what did the JW org say on the Covid jabs ? My sister is a JW, told me she was not taking them but then took them and denied she had ever said she wouldn't.

What about the Original Bible Students and their thoughts about all these changes?

I feel like there is likely a correlation between these changes and the fact that Tight Pants Tony Morris is no longer a part of the Governing Body. I imagine he would have been resistant to all of these changes.

Great video. I think more changes will come at some point. I think the JW Organization will be around for a long time yet, but I don't think they'll survive as an institution if they don't implement some changes along with way. Younger generations of people, it would see, are more okay with questioning religious teachings and practices. We're seeing significant progressive social changes like the extension of civil rights to the LGBTQIA+ community and the perseverance of those fighting to ensure reproductive health rights for women, the continued fight for voting rights, and more concern over the future of the environment -- and younger people have played a major role in advocating for such issues. I feel that the more progressive the outside world gets, the more vitriolic fundamentalist religious groups like Jehovah's Witnesses start behaving. They really shoot themselves in the foot, and they fail to understand the more vitriolic they get, the more they push more progressive-minded younger people away. The Witnesses have to try to appeal to younger people because older generations are on death's doorstep. The JWs largely appeal to working-class people who feel they don't fit into larger society it would seem, and if these people have reason to feel hope and that they have some agency in trying to improve their lives and the lives of others, the less they might feel inclined to join religious groups like the JWs. All the Watch Tower Society can do is make unfalsifiable promises of God soon deciding to step in and fix things and threaten you with divine punishment and the loss of your eternal salvation, meanwhile Witnesses surrender their decision-making abilities and give up on their ability to try and effect change in the world to the Society. The non-Witness world will continue to move on and find a way to survive, whether the Witness Organization becomes more regressive or not.

Thanks!

Hello from California! USA

My parents called me to invite me to the Memorial.

What does Tony Morris think about them saying that women can now wear pants?

Hello LIoyd, do you know if they are still involved with Masonaria? I'm talking about the rings they wear, what do you think? And congratulations, your channel makes me stop coming back more and more.

😂😂😂😂😂 cor blimey, hot pants. Been a long time since they were about. 😂

Alcolic thinking, which is very black or white, could have held the governing body back and went with Tony. As to the old groans could it be the groan of resentment perhaps? It would be for me.

Disfellowshipping (shunning at its worse)....is not loving. Witness the many ex-JWs who find it so difficult to leave the faith and afterwards warn others of the faith. Understanding that a religion needs to maintain some sense of ' spiritual health' and must not participate/involve themselves in behavior directly opposing its rule/law......but yet, still cannot ignore the emotional and spiritual harm shunning causes. You instead contaminate your 'loving way' with an rule that is not loving........how can Jehovah approve.

I really am glad that in all my years since leaving the JW Organization that I've never been invited to attend the Witnesses' yearly Memorial of Christ's death by my JW mother or any other Witness relative -- though they probably wouldn't do so to begin with because I am an open, unapologetic apostate. I wouldn't want to go anyway. I cannot imagine sitting there passing around bread and wine just for the bread to go to waste and listen to a fearmongering sermon about how the end of this current world system is "right around the corner" -- and in addition to that, I find the idea of another human serving as a substitutionary atonement for my wrongdoings to be morally appalling, which is one reason why I am no longer a Christian. I wouldn't get anything out of going to the Memorial.

The next thing that they will adjust might be the celebration of birthdays ór the blood policy that will be left to the individuals ‘bible trained conscience’…. The last one to do with the organisations liability….

Hello LIoyd, my name is Antônio, it's a pleasure, I'm speaking from here in Brazil, does the change about releasing hi have something to do with the case of Norway, do you know anything? Why do I know about Norway cutting subsidies

It’s all related to $$$ and keeping members!

I'm pro-changes, but I think the GB is desperate. The older ones don't look at the changes with good eyes. Hope they make more changes. Blood, academic education, more privileges for sisters, etc.

I do not doubt for one nano-second that many ‘000’s if not 10’s 000 of Jehovah’s witnesses have a sincere and deep faith on our Lord Jesus Christ. True, some of their knowledge is a bit off the true path, but tell me, which body of believers today have an unbroken connection to “the Truth” beyond reasonable doubt? - John 8:32. If you do know, please tell me and I will go to their meetings immediately.

I thought it was an April's fool joke.

What i want to know is s when isvthe class action lawsuit against these monsters going to have? How many exjws have dirt on these guys, lets expuse them, plus whi lost their childhood over this crap, and time money free labour etc.

Are disfellowshipped ones allowed to say a greeting to other disfellowshipped ones? At the risk of stepping on theocratic boundries .... Hello Everyone!

You can interview me anytime...

Every single Elder and most MS in the congregation I go to grew beards.

I don't own "slacks". Jeans or dresses. So I guess I'd still be in a dress, lol.

When will the "Be Jehovah's Friend" videos show Sophia in pants and the dad with a beard?

Can i wear loafers or sneakers with the pants or does it have to be heels? Can men wear a man bun or braid with the beard? Curious if there are going to be a bunch of clarifications on the specifics of what is acceptable. Or was the purpose of the announcement to say they are backing off on micromanaging the attire, and no one really cares what you wear anymore.

Let me rephrase that the so-called world😂

They think that the Bible was written directly for them. How Arrogant. It will always be a wacky religion.

My JW son has grown a beard. I have been shunned now for about 10 years. Its a joke

I’m in husband account

To be fair, all Christians “have been playing that game “ for 2,000 years. Jesus predicted The End before his disciples died . So….

Pants will okay until someone wants to identify as a man instead of a woman😂 Asking to use their new pronoun

JESHUA had a beard right?

What about the apostate theology? Jesus is God!

THERE ARE MORE CHANGES COMING, THE JW LOGO IS GOING TO GO AWAY. AND SOME MORE ACCORDING TO A PIMO ELDER

Thank god for mute. Shut them kids up!!!

It's really not that big of a deal and I'm not sure why you are putting so much focus on your life of what they are doing and not. You could be out there focused on Christ and building up the kingdom.