May 15 WT - Survival depends on loyal association with the organization

by truthseeker 48 Replies latest jw friends

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  TheListener

  I agree with your comments Mary, but I do think they could "DA" incorrigible ones. Most dubs wouldn't bat an eye if an inactive one were given multiple chances to return and chose not to and was subsequently DA'd.

  I feel that they've been setting something up since the release of the new Organized book in March 2005 (date?).

  They brought special attention to the DF and DA arrangement and the announcement changes.

  They will be changing something, but the question is what?

  Perhaps it will be a softening. Perhaps they'll show that when someone is announced as no longer a JW they need not be shunned automatically. Only ones who are active fighters against God's organization deserve that treatment.

  Or

  Perhaps it will be a toughening. After a certain amount of time (biblically determined of course) an inactive individual will be announced as no longer a JW thus keeping the congregation clean and alerting the community that so-and-so isn't a witness and their activity doesn't reflect on the congregation.
• 

  TheListener

  Oh and also.

  The organization knows that weak members weaken other family and friends over time. Usually.

  By limiting contact with such ones they may feel they can bolster the faith of the believing family and friends.

  A smaller zealous group safe from outside information might be more controllable and profitable for the organization.
• 

  ozziepost

  We were taught at the recent elder's school I attended that to be considered a Jehovah's Witness one has to be engaging in the preaching work.

  Compare this edict from God's bible-based™ organisation with these words:

  "That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord", and believe in your heart that God raised him ftom the dead, you will be saved."- Romans 10:9 (NIV)

  And this:

  "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast." - Ephesians 2:8,9 (NIV)
• 

  AuldSoul

  After a certain amount of time (biblically determined of course) an inactive individual will be announced as no longer a JW thus keeping the congregation clean and alerting the community that so-and-so isn't a witness and their activity doesn't reflect on the congregation.

  So saith the grand Theo-crat (Theodore Jaracz). At least, I'm fairly certain this will be coming soon to a Kingdom Hall near you.
• 

  TheListener

  Frankly Auld Soul I agree with you agreement of my post.

  In my experience this type of stance will have the effect of "scaring" many weak ones to increasing their activity.

  Thus, should such a change be made, the WTS may see an increase and not a decrease in their statistics in the year or two following the announcement.

  However, I truly believe that those weak ones spurred into action by fear would slowly wear out and yet again find themselves under the heel of the organization, only this time instead of becoming inactive and faded - they'll be announced to the congregation and shunned.

  In the long run this kind of move by the WTS could have the effects of strengthening their core members and making them even more sure armageddon is coming quite soon - but even they face the possibility of death or wearing out.

  For me personally, I believe that something like this would further shake the wavering faith of several individuals I know.

  “Publishers are like a handful of sand- the tighter you grasp them, the faster they run through your fingers” -anonymous
• 

  Scully

  Thanks for posting those quotes, Blondie!

  It is quite a different matter with a former Christian who is "disassociated." This designation is applied basically in two situations:

  First, though it is uncommon, a person might decide that he absolutely no longer wants to be a Witness. We do not mean a person such as is described above, a spiritually weak or discouraged Christian who may express some doubts. Rather, we mean someone who resolutely declares that he absolutely is no longer one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Since in the past he voluntarily became a baptized member of the congregation, it would now be proper for him to inform the congregation that he is ending this relationship. It would be best if he did this in a brief letter to the elders, but even if he unequivocally states orally that he is renouncing his standing as a Witness, the elders can deal with the matter.—1 John 2:19.

  The second situation involves a person who renounces his standing in the congregation by joining a secular organization whose purpose is contrary to counsel such as that found at Isaiah 2:4, where we read concerning God’s servants: "They will have to beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning shears. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, neither will they learn war anymore." Also, as stated at John 17:16, "they are no part of the world, just as I [Jesus] am no part of the world."—Compare Revelation 19:17-21.

  In either of these two situations, the person by word and/or actions has clearly terminated his status as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, disassociating himself. Hence, the elders will announce briefly to the congregation that this individual has disassociated himself. Those in the congregation will accept the person’s decision and thereafter will view him as a former brother with whom they would not fellowship, in harmony with what we read at 1 Corinthians 5:11 and 2 John 9-11.

  As can be appreciated, the spiritually weak and inactive son about whom the question was asked has not become a "disassociated" person in either of these two senses and no such announcement has been made in the congregation. So it still may be possible to aid him in the spirit of Romans 15:1: "We, though, who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those not strong."—See also Isaiah 35:3.

  So, when can we expect an announcement that the WTS, based on its 10-year NGO affiliation with the UN-DPI, has disassociated itself from True Worship™?
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  heathen

  After a certain amount of time (biblically determined of course) an inactive individual will be announced as no longer a JW thus keeping the congregation clean and alerting the community that so-and-so isn't a witness and their activity doesn't reflect on the congregation.

  Look at that , so worried about their "standing" in the community . The only people that like j-dubs anyway are other j-dubs . The problem with them is they will shun over things nobody really cares about in the real world . Such as a difference of opinion even . I guess everybody is to assume the worst case scenario . It's not like we are talking about murderers or white colar criminals . So brother so and so had a little too much to drink or sister hot pants likes boys ..........ohh the horrors ...........

  That's a great point there scully . They still don't want to face the music on that little fraud ......
• 

  LDH

  Will God execute the wicked? Habakkuk says yes!

  That was shortly before he kicked the can THOUSANDS of years ago. That Brother Habakkuk, always letting his little light shine!

  Are we actually inside Jehovah's arrangement of spiritual protection? When the great tribulation strikes, tears of joy and thankfulness will stream down the faces of those who have sought out such protection. For others there will only be tears of sorrow and regret."

  How dare they.

  If you go to their website and click on 'beliefs', it says you do NOT need to be a JW to survive Armageddon.

  Lisa
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  AK - Jeff

  "To survive the end of the present wicked system of things, we must do more than believe that it will be destroyed. We must exercise faith, taking full advantage of God's provisions for survival. Of course, we need to exercise faith in the ransom sacrafice of God's Son, Jesus Christ (John 3:16,36)

  Interesting indeed - is that why they all go to the memorial and not eat the emblems that Jesus said his followers should eat in showing faith in his ransom.

  Huh???????????????????????????????/

  Jeff
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  AK - Jeff

  Perhaps they're about to do away with the loophole known as FADING!?!?!?!

  Maybe they will call those that leave that way and are removed 'Fadeloshipped' ? LOL

  Jeff