http://www.caymannetnews.com/cgi-script/csArticles/articles/000041/004145.htm
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
No such thing as 'Watchtower' teachings
Monday, July 24, 2006
Dear Sir:
When I read Mark's comments (The Watch Towers teachings are convoluted), I remember when I was not a Witness and felt the same way.
Although Mark does not have a complete view of our understanding of the Bible, I will assume he is sincere. I know I was sincere when I thought the Witnesses were a cult. Mark does not even know that there is no such thing as "Watch Tower" teachings. If he had done his research he would know that he was discussing the teachings of a religious organization called Jehovah's Witnesses, not one of their publishing corporations called the Watchtower. They are two different entities: one is religious and the other is a publishing entity.
Most Jehovah's Witnesses are not members of the Watchtower Society but they are members of a religious organ called "Jehovah's Witnesses." But Mark's error is common;
I once was part of that movement so against the Witnesses I did not even know who they were. Mark should be forgiven.
Now to the issue: I am inviting Mark to contact me and to discuss each of the issues that he has raised. I am ready.
Hal Flemings
witnessess are NOT members of the WT Society - Caymen News
by Will Power 37 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
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Will Power
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Stealth453
Good article, but the point is??
Sorry, I'm a bit slow...
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Will Power
sounds like the "JWs" are disassociating themselves from the WT society on the charge of apostacy (flip flops) & fornication (UN debacle)
and that the announcement will be made in Sept. (unless they repent that is)
Then the JWs world over can start shunning Brooklyn!!
YAY
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jgnat
The man is using "theocratic warfare" to entice new recruits. Amazing how he tries to distance himself from his own literature?
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Crumpet
just pedantic rubbish - twisting words! UGH!
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garybuss
The guy's right.
The literature says the literature is printed by Jehovah's Witnesses. To be a member of the Watch Tower Society one needs to be a Jehovah's Witness, but all Jehovah's Witnesses are not members of the Watch Tower Society. Few are. -
Scully
This is not a new tactic. The WTS has delivered instructions via the Kingdom Ministry that individuals engaging in Field Service™ should not identify themselves as representatives of The Watchtower Society, but should refer to themselves as "Jehovah's Witnesses".
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km 2/89 pp. 3-4 Our Identification as Jehovah’s Witnesses ***Our
Identification as Jehovah’s WitnessesAs ministers of the good news, we are known publicly as Jehovah’s Witnesses. Our voluntary participation in the field service is motivated by love of God and neighbor. It is not carried on at the insistence of any man or organization but is according to our God-given commission to preach the "good news" and make disciples. (Matt. 24:14; 28:19, 20) Therefore, publishers do well to avoid representing themselves as agents or representatives of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc., or any other corporation used by "the faithful and discreet slave" to advance Kingdom interests.—Matt. 24:45-47.
In case of an accident or an emergency or if problems are encountered while working trailer parks, apartments, or certain other territory, publishers may need some form of personal identification beyond giving their name along with a brief Scriptural explanation of the nature of our religious work. If questioned, or when asked for credentials, baptized publishers may use the identification card (S-65) signed by the presiding overseer, which shows one is preaching the good news of the Kingdom in association with the local congregation named on the card.
A supply of identification cards (S-65), which may be issued to baptized publishers when there is a need, will be included with the annual shipment of congregation forms. If any publishers use a personal name card in connection with their field service activities, they should not print thereon that they are representatives of the Watchtower Society.
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Lady Lee
I think the logic or illogic of this reasoning is that to be a member of the WTS one would have to own shares in the legal corporation. Since few JWs own shares (and who knows who does) they cannot legally claim to be members.
It misses the mark however because before getting baptized one must swear obedience to the legal corporation. The pre-baptismal questions are:
- On the basis of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, have you repented of your sins and dedicated yourself to Jehovah to do his will?
- Do you understand that your dedication and baptism identify you as one of Jehovah's Witnesses in association with God's spirit-directed organization? – June 1, 1985 Watchtower, p30
"God's spirit directed organization" is the legal entity - the Watchtower society. We could debate there are many organizations with the name Watchtower so wno knows which organization JWs have to be obedient to.
Sounds to me like JWs are associate members. They don't have full membership but they do have associate status. Many corporations have various levels of membership which grants them varying degrees of rights and responsibilities. But they are still "members" regardless of the degree of membership.
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blondie
*** w95 8/1 p. 16 Taught by Jehovah Down Till This Day ***
Jehovah uses this "slave" as his means of teaching people today. Those of the slave class adopted the name Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1931. Since then millions have associated with them and have accepted that name and joined in proclaiming God’s Kingdom. This magazine, The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom, is the principal instrument employed by the "slave" in the teaching work. However, other publications are also used, including books, booklets, brochures, tracts, and the Awake! magazine.
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w89 3/15 p. 22 Insight That Jehovah Has Given ***19
As this brief historical review has shown, it is through the columns of The Watchtower that explanations of vital Scriptural truths have been provided for us by Jehovah’s "faithful and discreet slave." The Watchtower is the principal instrument used by the "slave" class for dispensing spiritual food***
w63 6/1 p. 338 Willingly Expand Your Ministry ***This slave class has used the Watch Tower Society as its legal instrument since 1884, and the chief publication of dissemination of Bible truth since 1879 has been The Watchtower. It is so even to this day
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w60 7/15 p. 438 The Awake "Faithful and Discreet Slave" ***Regularly and progressively such a great crowd are receiving their spiritual food through the columns of the eighty-one-year-old instrument in the hands of the "slave" class, The Watchtower, the religious magazine with the largest circulation in the world.
*** yb77 p. 11 1977 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses ***
The Watchtower magazine is the principal instrument of Jehovah’s organization in dispensing spiritual food earth wide.
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Scully
LadyLee:
"God's spirit directed organization" is the legal entity - the Watchtower society. We could debate there are many organizations with the name Watchtower so wno knows which organization JWs have to be obedient to.
Sounds to me like JWs are associate members. They don't have full membership but they do have associate status. Many corporations have various levels of membership which grants them varying degrees of rights and responsibilities. But they are still "members" regardless of the degree of membership.
Yep. The cashier at Wal-Mart is an "associate", and so is the guy who cleans the toilets, and so is the store manager. All "associates" with varying roles and responsibilities. I always thought that this was a very sneaky tactic on the part of the WTS though, because it shifts the responsibility for a lowly Publisher™ on to the "local congregation". Especially when the ID card (S-65) is being used. The WTS gets to wiggle out of any vicarious liability claims (for property damage, trespassing, etc) that may arise out of the individual Publisher's action while engaged in the public preaching work, and it gets shifted back to the congregation.