I just read this account the other day in "In Search of Christian Freedom". It's pretty bad when they strongly suggest (threaten) members break the law just so they can taddle on each other.
"A Time to Speak"----When? (with scans).
by Atlantis 33 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
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mraimondi
Its clearly obvious that either the WTBTS changes their standpoint on this, or ALL witnesses that are employed in sensitive professions that are under hipaa or similar, should be immediately FIRED.
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snowbird
I heeded WT's admonition and almost lost my job as a result.
I WAS A FOOL.
Enough said.
Sylvia
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mraimondi
snowbird i hope i didnt offend you with my statement, it wasnt meant to be personal.
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snowbird
snowbird i hope i didnt offend you with my statement,
Of course you didn't offend me.
This happened 20+ years ago.
I reiterate: I WAS A FOOL.
Sylvia
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crazyblondeb
thought this deserved to be BTTT!
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aquagirl
I just reposted this on Facebook.This info NEEDS to get out...
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ziddina
Good for you, AquaGirl....
Have you informed your current medical providers AND those whose confidentiality was breached, in your mother's case, of this particularly noxious bit of Watchtower weasel language hiding their devious agenda??
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aquagirl
I sure have!!! AND,as a result of me putting ths on facebook,have recieved 2 emails from friends who are in the medical field,Rn and Pa,asking me to pursue this..Thank you so much!!!!
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skeeter1
Aquagirl,
A Time to Speak dealt directly with medical issues. But, the WTS has more articles encouraging followers to rat on each other.
*** Watchtower 9/1/1987 pages 14-15 "A Time to Speak"-When? ***
Thinking Ahead Employers have a right to expect that their Christian employees will ‘exhibit good fidelity to the full,’ including observing rules on confidentiality. (Titus 2:9, 10) If an oath is taken, it should not be taken lightly. An oath makes a promise more solemn and binding. (Psalm 24:4) And where the law reinforces a requirement on confidentiality, the matter becomes still more serious. Hence, before a Christian takes an oath or puts himself under a confidentiality restriction, whether in connection with employment or otherwise, it would be wise to determine to the extent possible what problems this may produce because of any conflict with Bible requirements. How will one handle matters if a brother or a sister becomes a client? Usually such jobs as working with doctors, hospitals, courts, and lawyers are the type of employment in which a problem could develop. We cannot ignore Caesar’s law or the seriousness of an oath, but Jehovah’s law is supreme. Anticipating the problem, some brothers who are lawyers, doctors, accountants, and so forth, have prepared guidelines in writing and have asked brothers who may consult them to read these over before revealing anything confidential. Thus an understanding is required in advance that if serious wrongdoing comes to light, the wrongdoer would be encouraged to go to the elders in his congregation about the matter. It would be understood that if he did not do so, the counselor would feel an obligation to go to the elders himself.There may be occasions when a faithful servant of God is motivated by his personal convictions, based on his knowledge of God’s Word, to strain or even breach the requirements of confidentiality because of the superior demands of divine law. Courage and discretion would be needed. The objective would not be to spy on another’s freedom but to help erring ones and to keep the Christian congregation clean. Minor transgressions due to sin should be overlooked. Here, “love covers a multitude of sins,” and we should forgive “up to seventy-seven times.” (Matthew 18:21, 22) This is the “time to keep quiet.” But when there is an attempt to conceal major sins, this may be the “time to speak.”A JW can be reported for just about anything, see the list of things that could be a disfellowshipping offense
*** Watchtower 8/15/1997 Page 30 Why Report What Is Bad? ***
The reporting of wrongdoing is an act of genuine concern for the wrongdoer. James wrote: “My brothers, if anyone among you is misled from the truth and another turns him back, know that he who turns a sinner back from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.”—James 5:19, 20. So, then, why report what is bad? Because it works what is good. Really, to report wrongdoing is an act of Christian principled love shown toward God, toward the congregation, and toward the wrongdoer. As each member of the congregation loyally upholds God’s righteous standards, Jehovah will richly bless the congregation as a whole. Wrote the apostle Paul: “He [Jehovah] will also make you firm to the end, that you may be open to no accusation in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.”—1 Corinthians 1:8.*** Knowledge 1995 page 138 14
Whose Authority Should You Recognize? *** 22 What if a Christian suffers some evil or becomes discouraged because of committing a sin? Soothing Bible counsel and the elders’ heartfelt prayers in his behalf can help to restore him to spiritual health. (James 5:13-15) These men, appointed by holy spirit, also have the authority to administer discipline and reprove any who pursue a course of wrongdoing or who pose a danger to the spiritual and moral cleanness of the congregation. (Acts 20:28; Titus 1:9; 2:15) In order to keep the congregation clean, it may be necessary for individuals to report serious wrongdoing. (Leviticus 5:1) If a Christian who has committed a grave sin accepts Scriptural discipline and reproof and gives evidence of genuine repentance, he will be helped. Of course, persistent and unrepentant violators of God’s law are disfellowshipped.—1 Corinthians 5:9-13.*** Kingdom Ministry 2/1979 Page 7 Meetings to Help Us Make Disciples *** What is loyalty?
(Eph. 4:24) If you know that a member of the congregation is guilty of serious wrongdoing, what should loyalty move you to do? (Lev. 5:1) If you heard a critical report about a brother, what would loyalty move you to do? (Ps. 50:20, 21; 1 Tim. 5:19) If there was an opportunity of making quite a bit of money, but it was at the possible risk of doing harm to our Christian brothers, what course would loyalty move us to take?—Prov. 28:20; 1 Tim. 6:9, 10. What situations today could test the loyalty of young Christians? How was young Joseph able to resist the pressures and temptations to commit immorality? What do we learn by the expression “day after day” in connection with this temptation? How could similar situations come up at school? (Gen. 39:7-12) How could Eli’s sons have been a test to young Samuel’s loyalty? Could similar tests be exerted on young ones from within God’s congregation today?—1 Sam. 2:12-18.*** Kingdom Ministry 8/1982 Page 1 Youths-Serve Jehovah With Loyalty ***
4 Young ones generally feel a keen sense of loyalty to friends. This can present real tests when such companions get involved in unchristian conduct. Many youths then face situations involving divided loyalties. Will you report serious wrongdoing or ignore it as if it never happened? Genuine regard for Christian associates and love of God will no doubt move you to report this in line with the principle at Leviticus 5:1. Christian youths thereby avoid becoming “a party to wickedness” by yielding to a false sense of loyalty.—Deut. 13:6-8; Organization, page 181.*** Watchtower 6/15/1991 Pages 20-21 Youths-Will You Pass the Test of Christian Loyalty? ***
You will need additional help. “Let your parents know, let the elders know right away—right in the beginning,” exhorts one young Christian who benefited from such help. Yes, your parents are probably in a good position to help you. “Give your heart” to them, letting them know the full extent of your problems. (Proverbs 23:26) They can arrange for you to receive further assistance from the congregation elders when that is necessary.—James 5:14, 15.Manifesting True Loyalty—How?
Of course, it would be best never to fall into disloyal conduct in the first place. Psalm 18:25 tells us: “With someone loyal you [Jehovah] will act in loyalty; with the faultless, able-bodied man you will deal faultlessly.” Jehovah richly blesses those who loyally maintain high standards of conduct. There are other ways, though, in which your loyalty may be put to the test. For example, suppose a friend of yours has embarked upon a wayward course. Will you let misguided loyalty to that friend overshadow your loyalty to Jehovah? The loving thing to do would be to approach that friend and urge him to report the matter to his parents or to the elders. Tell your friend that if he does not do so within a reasonable period of time, you will have to do so yourself. Proverbs 27:5 says: “Better is a revealed reproof than a concealed love.” By assisting your friend in this way, you manifest not only the genuineness of your friendship but also the depth of your loyalty to Jehovah.