What Was I Agreeing to at my Baptism, Anyway? (page 2)

mustang

I was baptized WAY B4 the '73 date. The questions were still the same, as far as I know.

The questions are basically the same as many "Christian" baptismal vows. That makes them 'some sort of generic Christian' baptism. I think that Brooklyn fi-nally realized this and made the change in that '80's re-think of things.

[BTW, some essays have quotes of changed baptismal vows as early as 82 or 83; regardless, WTS changed them about then. Look up AlanF's essay in the Osarif site; I believe it is still out there, somewhere.]

Then I quit going to meetings B4 1975. So, I haven't sat blindly through a bunch of meetings in the 80's and RATIFIED the new vows without realizing it.

Therefore, my early baptism is essentially 'some sort of Christian' baptism. If it is a JW baptism, it is for a type that no longer exists.

Either one of the two descriptions in the last paragraphs is fine with me: that means that I am not a JW as they currently exist.

Perhaps I am 'some sort of generic Christian'; I'm OK w/ that, 2.

Mustang

mustang

Atypical,

That has reminded me to look in the bookshelf where I keep the few JW books that I have added to rebuild my old familiar JW library.

I found that one of my relatives had given me a copy of that one; I shall read it. So thanks.

My first reaction is that it corresponds to the much older "What Has Religion Done for Mankind". I would guess that that book was from the late 50's, but I am not sure.

Mustang

atypical

Yes, it really is a very good read for someone who is not concerned with the authority of the wtbts. All you have to do is ignore the last few sentences of each chapter, which is where the writers try to explain why the particular religion is wrong.

Also, I had not heard of the book you mentioned. I am going to search it out and read it. I firmly believe that the WTS' biggest downfall will be their own words, which is why I enjoyed Quotes' site so much.

cheers

MidwichCuckoo

(2) Do you understand that your dedication and baptism identify you as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in association with God’s spirit-directed organization?

I think this is VERY manipulative - who thinks this stuff up?

drew sagan

When I got baptized I was under the impression that everything was "Bible Based" and that the scriptures could not be read any other way. Keep in mind I was 17 at the time. Not what I would call the age of understanding. Anyway, later on I began to see that what the Watchtower teaches is INTERPRETATION and not simply understanding the Bible the only way it can be understood. Following a dogmatic interpretation of the Bible is really what the Watchtower delivers.

I know some that view the baptism that they recieved as invalid and an acceptance of the JW ideaology. I understand their view. For me though, my baptism was between me and my creator. I was baptized because I believed in the principle of using the Bible as the guide to your life, accepting Jesus and our Heavenly father. To me, that dedication was between me and God, not a dedication to an organization run by men.

Darth Yhwh

I know some that view the baptism that they recieved as invalid and an acceptance of the JW ideaology. I understand their view. For me though, my baptism was between me and my creator. I was baptized because I believed in the principle of using the Bible as the guide to your life, accepting Jesus and our Heavenly father. To me, that dedication was between me and God, not a dedication to an organization run by men.

Well said Drew. I have thought this same thing recently. Who are the WBTS, elders at a KH, or any other rank-n-file JDdub to come between a commitment one makes to their creator?

sf

your dedication and baptism identify you as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in association with God’s spirit-directed organization

Basically, you are 'contracting' your dedication TO THE WATCHTOWER BOOK ORGANIZATION with baptism. This is "gods spirit-directed org here on earth" according to the NWT, right? "Identifies you" meaning, you are their employee of sorts. When you are hired by a boss, is that not a contract, of sorts?

That is what it is saying. "You now belong to us. You follow our rules and policies or you are fired".

Baptism into this org has NOTHING to do with spirituality and dedicating your life to jehovah. It is about loyalty to "gods spirit-directed org here on earth".

That is how I interpret baptism INTO this org. and it's true creed.

Am I wrong?

sKally

Jamelle

I think that for many people the experience of baptism was heartfelt. They were offering themselves to God.

The Witnesses take advantage of a person's sincere desire to please God. Viewed one way, it could seem that going through with a Witness baptism ceremony is meaningless. But I like to think that God would see the heart of a person and know the value of what was being offered. This is probably an over simplified way of looking at things, but its just how I feel.

None of these thoughts are a result of my direct experience. I was terrified I was going to be struck dead when I answered those questions with a "Yes" - because I knew I was lying. I wasn't good enough and never would be.

Dismembered

What Was I Agreeing to at my Baptism....?

To never be left alone.

Dismembered

prophecor

I was terrified I was going to be struck dead when I answered those questions with a "Yes" - because I knew I was lying. I wasn't good enough and never would be.

I wasn't so much terrified as it was I knew in my darkest spaces, I wouldn't be able to fullfill my obligations. Somewhere down that dark road, I knew I would wind up on the outside of the organisation. It would merely be a matter of time. I cried that day, just hoping that the new system would get there before I would finally bail out.

What Was I Agreeing to at my Baptism, Anyway?

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