Sister n law wacko. PLEASE! Need advice!

by annalice 59 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  Robdar

  "Marked, inactive or disassociated"? Huh?

  What is "marked" supposed to mean?
• 

  daystar

  "marked"

  I assumed she meant with the mark of the beast. (??)
• 

  undercover

  What is "marked" supposed to mean?

  I don't have the references handy (cue Blondie) but "marked" is a condition where if one in the congregation is considered "weak" or "unspiritual", others in the hall will "mark" them as such and give much considertaion before associating with them socially.
• 

  Hecklerboy

  in her early thirties still lives at home ,never dated, been married ,and has no real social group of friends except her parents. The three of them go on trips , go out together, and that is her world. She has never been to happy that her two older brother went off and got married had kids and got lives of their own. She also refused to come to my baby shower and to see us in the hospital. When they all see the baby is when we go down to their house they never come here even though we are only 30 min away and they have an open invitation to visit us whenever they want

  Wow, that sounds just like my family. Woudn't come to my wedding, have only visited us twice in the last 6 years (mom and sister). My brothers have never visited us.

  Yet somehow they are always asking when we are coming to visit and if I'm going to start coming back to the meetings (HELL NO !!!!!!!).

  It's just funny how they think they are always right and we are destine to die.
• 

  anewme

  I agree with EVERYONE else on this one. She may mean well but she is over the edge and has gone off the deep end. Keep away from her. You must center for yourself and do what is best for your little family.
  
  Keep well and safe,
  
  Anewme
• 

  daystar

  It's just funny how they think they are always right and we are destine to die.

  Yes, it is a riot.
• 

  Odrade

  It's so weird it's comical... except for the part about Andrea Yates, that was chilling. (whoever made that comment you are right on.) Sister-in-law sounds a bit off the deep end. Other than being a nuisance to the two of you adults, she probably can't do anything to you. But be careful with the baby around her. Don't give her any opportunity, ever, to be alone with him.
  There are lots of people on this board who have prayed for loved ones to die or be killed before Armaggedon so they wouldn't "die in a judgement period," and they could be resurrected. She is "not okay with pre-armaggedon gehenna suicide," what does that mean? Is she unbalanced enough to take matters into her own hands so that nobody "suicides?" Does she "love" you enough to "give you a chance" by harming you before Armaggedon?
  Obviously, I don't know what potential for "divine violence" your sister-in-law has, but be careful. She sounds like a tragedy waiting to happen.
• 

  Wasanelder Once

  Send the letters back unopened, best advice:

  Here is the official WT-"BS" on "Marking" for those who really give a poop.

  w99 7/15 pp. 29-31 Questions From Readers ***

  Is

  the ‘marking’ mentioned at 2 Thessalonians 3:14 a formal congregational process, or is it something that Christians individually do in avoiding unruly ones?

  What the apostle Paul wrote to the Thessalonians indicates that the congregation elders have a clear role in such ‘marking.’ However, individual Christians thereafter follow through, doing so with spiritual objectives in mind. We can best appreciate this by considering Paul’s counsel in its original setting.

  Paul helped to establish the Thessalonian congregation, aiding men and women to become believers. (Acts 17:1-4) Later he wrote from Corinth to commend and encourage them. Paul offered needed counsel too. He urged them ‘to live quietly, to mind their own business, and to work with their hands.’ Some were not acting that way, so Paul added: "We exhort you, brothers, admonish the disorderly, speak consolingly to the depressed souls, support the weak." Clearly, there were "disorderly" ones among them who needed counsel.—1 Thessalonians 1:2-10; 4:11; 5:14.

  Some months later, Paul wrote his second letter to the Thessalonians, with additional comments about Jesus’ future presence. Paul also gave further guidance about how to deal with disorderly ones who were ‘not working but were meddling with what did not concern them.’ Their actions were contrary both to Paul’s example as a hard worker and to his clear order about working to support oneself. (2 Thessalonians 3:7-12) Paul directed that certain steps be taken. These steps came after what the elders had already done in admonishing or counseling the disorderly. Paul wrote:

  "Now we are giving you orders, brothers, . . . to withdraw from every brother walking disorderly and not according to the tradition you received from us. For your part, brothers, do not give up in doing right. But if anyone is not obedient to our word through this letter, keep this one marked, stop associating with him, that he may become ashamed. And yet do not be considering him as an enemy, but continue admonishing him as a brother."—2 Thessalonians 3:6, 13-15.

  So the further steps included withdrawing from the disorderly ones, marking them, stopping association with them, yet admonishing them as brothers. What would lead the members of the congregation to take those steps? As a help to clarify this, let us identify three situations that Paul was not focusing on here.

  1. We know that Christians are imperfect and have failings. Still, love is a mark of true Christianity, calling on us to be understanding and forgiving of others’ mistakes. For example, a Christian might have a rare outburst of anger, as occurred between Barnabas and Paul. (Acts 15:36-40) Or because of tiredness, one may speak harsh and cutting words. In such instances, by manifesting love and applying Bible counsel, we can cover over the error, continuing to live, associate, and work with our fellow Christian. (Matthew 5:23-25; 6:14; 7:1-5; 1 Peter 4:8) Clearly, failings of this sort were not what Paul was dealing with in 2 Thessalonians.

  2. Paul was not addressing a situation in which a Christian personally chooses to limit association with another whose ways or attitudes are not good—for example, one who seems excessively focused on recreation or on material things. Or a parent may limit his child’s association with youngsters who disregard parental authority, play in a rough or dangerous way, or do not take Christianity seriously. Such are simply personal decisions in line with what we read at Proverbs 13:20: "He that is walking with wise persons will become wise, but he that is having dealings with the stupid ones will fare badly."—Compare 1 Corinthians 15:33.

  3. On quite a different scale of gravity, Paul wrote to the Corinthians about one who practices gross sin and is not repentant. Such unrepentant sinners had to be excluded from the congregation. The "wicked" man had to be handed over to Satan, as it were. Thereafter, loyal Christians were not to mix with such wicked ones; the apostle John urged Christians not even to greet them. (1 Corinthians 5:1-13; 2 John 9-11) This, however, does not fit the counsel of 2 Thessalonians 3:14 either.

  Different from the above three situations is that involving "disorderly" ones as discussed in 2 Thessalonians. Paul wrote that these were still ‘brothers,’ to be admonished and treated as such. Thus, the problem with the "disorderly" brothers was neither on the level of a mere personal matter between Christians nor of sufficient seriousness that congregation elders had to step in with a disfellowshipping action, as Paul did in connection with the immoral situation in Corinth. The "disorderly" ones were not guilty of grave sin, as was the man disfellowshipped in Corinth.

  The "disorderly" ones in Thessalonica were guilty of significant deviations from Christianity. They would not work, whether because they thought Christ’s return was imminent or because they were lazy. Further, they were causing significant disturbance by ‘meddling with what did not concern them.’ Likely the congregation elders had repeatedly counseled them, in line with Paul’s advice in his first letter and with other divine advice. (Proverbs 6:6-11; 10:4, 5; 12:11, 24; 24:30-34) Still they persisted in a course that reflected badly on the congregation and that could spread to other Christians. So the Christian elder Paul, without naming the individuals, publicly called attention to their disorderliness, exposing their erroneous course.

  He also let the congregation know that it would be appropriate for them as individual Christians to ‘mark’ the disorderly. This implied that individuals should take note of those whose actions corresponded to the course about which the congregation was publicly alerted. Paul advised that they "withdraw from every brother walking disorderly." That certainly could not mean completely shunning such a person, for they were to "continue admonishing him as a brother." They would continue to have Christian contact at the meetings and perhaps in the ministry. They could hope that their brother would respond to admonition and abandon his disturbing ways.

  In what sense would they "withdraw" from him? Evidently, this was in a social context. (Compare Galatians 2:12.) Their ceasing to have social dealings and recreation with him might show him that principled people disliked his ways. Even if he did not get ashamed and change, at least others would be less likely to learn his ways and become like him. At the same time, these individual Christians should concentrate on the positive. Paul advised them: "For your part, brothers, do not give up in doing right."—2 Thessalonians 3:13.

  Clearly, this apostolic counsel is no basis for looking down on or judging our brothers who make some minor slip or error. Instead, its objective is to help one who takes a disturbing course that significantly conflicts with Christianity.

  Paul did not lay down detailed rules as if trying to create a complicated procedure. But it is plain that the elders should first counsel and try to help a disorderly one. If they do not succeed and the person persists in a way that is disturbing and that has the potential for spreading, they may conclude that the congregation should be put on the alert. They can arrange for a talk on why such disorderliness is to be avoided. They will not mention names, but their warning talk will help to protect the congregation because responsive ones will take extra care to limit social activities with any who clearly display such disorderliness.

  Hopefully, in time the disorderly one will be ashamed of his ways and will be moved to change. As the elders and others in the congregation see the change, they can individually decide to end the limitation they have put on personally socializing with him.

  In summary, then: The congregation elders take the lead in offering help and counsel if someone is walking disorderly. If he does not see the error of his way but continues to be an unwholesome influence, the elders may warn the congregation by means of a talk that makes clear the Biblical view—be it of dating unbelievers, or whatever the improper course is. (1 Corinthians 7:39; 2 Corinthians 6:14) Christians in the congregation who are thus alerted can individually decide to limit any socializing with ones who clearly are pursuing a disorderly course but who are still brothers.

  W.Once
• 

  blondie

  Marking

  When an individual is marked, a name is not mentioned in the talk given during the service meeting. They talk about actions or behavior, i.e., marrying outside the WTS, that an individual is taking despite "counsel" by the elders. Thus the rank and file are told to avoid socializing with anyone doing this. (They can talk to them about 'spiritual' things and go in service with them but not to a movie, for example). Many times this talk follows someone being reproved, privately or publicly, but not on the same night of an reproof announcement.

  Individual JWs can privately 'mark' people but they aren't supposed to broadcast it to other JWs...but we know they do.

  Blondie
• 

  Kristofer

  Don't acknowledge the letter.

  Or be very tongue & cheek about it..

  I,_Watchtower Bible & Tract Society (print name)

  belive that I am:

  __Marked

  ___inactive

  __X_dissassociated

  Reasons: 1. Promelgating false prophecy 2. Commiting Sprititual Prostitution with association to the United Nations 3. Pedophilia 4......*add your own**

  Signatue_Governing Body_________ date:_______