Main Entry: ar·bi·traryFunction: adjective
1:depending on individual discretion (as of a judge) and not fixed by law arbitrary>
2 a: not restrained or limited in the exercise of power :ruling by absolute authorityarbitrary government> b:marked by or resulting from the unrestrained and often tyrannical exercise of powerarbitrary arrest and detention>
3 a:based on or determined by individual preference or convenience rather than by necessity or the intrinsic nature of somethingarbitrary standard> arbitrary positive number> <arbitrary division of historical studies into watertight compartments -- A. J. Toynbee> b: existing or coming about seemingly at random or by chance or as a capricious and unreasonable act of will arbitrary -- Nehemiah Jordan>
daystar: Are they arbitrary?
Daystar, thanks for pointing this up. I should have include that definition in the first post. The answer to your question is, yes. Only 3b could arguably not apply, which may have been the definition prompting your question.
daystar: And do weightier matters, such as Christians values as mercy, grace, compassion, etc. get side-lined?
I agree, this is the most important question a JW has to ask themselves. And it wouldn't be fair to ask it in the context of a single congregation, either. What is the organization characterized by? Rules and rituals, or mercy, grace, and compassion?
In my experience, the public identifies JWs by what they can and cannot do, what they do and do not believe. They aren't publicly identified by their mercy, and certainly not by their grace or compassion. There are Watchtowers that promote the idea the world does see those qualities, but you would have to consider the source and whether it might be biased.
Ultimately, each reader will have to make their own determination.
