Ok.......this year marks the 10th annniversary when the WTS unleashed the "Pay Attention to the Flock" book a.k.a the Top Secret Elder Manual. In honor of that milestone I'll post some memorable gems from what is now the modern-day holy grail.....(parenthetical comments are mine).......
Sexual misconduct, including; adultery, fornication, and other forms of "por.ne'a..":
Uncleanness includes an intentional momentary touching of sexual parts or caressing of breasts. Such minor uncleanness can be handled at the discretion of an elder or two; it does not require a judicial hearing. There is a need for strong counsel, admonition, and assistance to help the individual to maintain chaste conduct in the future. If not corrected, such conduct may escalate in gravity and by frequent repetition become loose conduct. Loose conduct .... may include the willful practice of heavy petting or the fondling of breasts.
(This paragraph alone counts for SO many dysfunctional/sexually retarded JW's)
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Judicial Hearings:
If the appeal committee disagrees with the decision to
disfellowship, the decision should be discussed with the
original judicial committee privately.
If both committees agree that the person should not be
disfellowshipped, the individual should be so advised.
The appeal committee will send the branch office a brief
explanation of the mutual conclusion not to disfellowship
reached by both committees, which should clearly state
that the original judicial committee agrees with the deci
sion.
The original committee will receive a copy of the
letter,which will be kept in a sealed envelope in the
congregation's confidential file.
At times the original committee and the appeal committee
may hold conflicting opinions.
When this occurs, the individual should not be given any
indication of the conclusions of the appeal committee.
Simply tell the person that the decision is pending.
The appeal committee should send the S-77 and S-79
forms to the branch office with a letter giving reasons for
its decision and should include a letter from the original
committee expressing the reason(s) for disagreement.
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Reinstatement:
When an individual is reinstated, he will still need much
spiritual assistance.
The elders should see that definite arrangements are made
to help the person regain spiritual health and strength.
(Col. 2:7; Titus 2:1, 2)
They may arrange for a Bible study to be conducted,
which would be reported as field service.
Restrictions should be imposed to help the person see the
need of continuing to make 'straight paths for his feet' and
also out of consideration for the congregation's
conscience. (Heb. 12:13)
The privilege of sharing in the field service is restored
when the individual is reinstated.
other privileges, such as commenting at meetings,
handling parts on the program, and offering prayer at
meetings, can be restored progressively when it is
determined that the individual has progressed spiritually
to the point that he is qualified and when it is judged by
the elders that the extending of such privileges will not be
offensive to the congregation.
It will be up to the elders of the congregation where he
now is located to decide when certain privileges may be
restored.
(Depending on which hall you went to, there are still certain ones who haven't gotten privileges back for 5 or 10 years because of leaving things up to local congos.)
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Marriage:
Marriage is of divine origin. (Mark l0:6-9)
Engagement is a serious commitment and is normally a
personal matter. (Matt. 5:37)
However, unilaterally breaking an engagement may
require inquiry if the one doing so has an organizational
position of responsibility. (w75 6/15 pp. 382-4)
Marrying an unbeliever is contrary to Bible principles.
(Deut. 7:3, 4; 1 Cor. 7:39; 2 Cor. 6:14, 15)
If a dedicated, baptized Christian marries an unbeliever,
this would result in disqualification from all special
privileges for the time being. (1 Tim. 3:2, 4, 5, 12, 13;
w82 3/15 p. 31)
If the parent is an elder, a ministerial servant, or a pioneer
and encourages, allows, or gives tacit approval to the
marriage, this raises questions regarding his or her
qualifications.
Use of the Kingdom Hall must be in harmony with God's
standards.
It would not be used for marriages of unbelievers or the
reenactment of marriages, such as on occasions of
anniversaries. (w84 4/15 pp. lO-15; km 12/81 p. 4)
However, on occasion the body of elders may decide to
allow two unbaptized publishers, who are regularly
associating and awaiting an assembly to get baptized, to
be wedded at a Kingdom Hall.
In each case, the body of elders will decide when the
Kingdom Hall may be used for a wedding.
(Control freakery at its best. This gave a license for these overly zealous off-balanced untrained volunteer elders to commandeer, dictate who will or who won't be in weddings. Family members or friends that the bride and groom had planned for ages to have in their wedding could be booted if they didn't meet the supposed spiritual criteria of the local elder body. Especially during the time that JW's had the article on large gatherings, I remember one wedding where most of the bridal party was dropped, and the reception was kept to a small group. Many family members and friends were uninvited and were only able to see some of the pics later on.)
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Gambling:
Christians should avoid gambling in all its various forms,
including lotteries. (Compare Isaiah 65:11; w89 7/15 p.
30; g82 7/8 pp. 25-7; g81 11/22 p. 27.)
Gambling can lead to or incite unchristian traits, such as
greediness and covetousness. (Rom. 13:9, 10; 1 Cor. 6: 9,
10; Col. 3:5)
Additional bad results from gambling and association
with gamblers give true Christians further reasons for
avoiding it. (1 Cor. 15:33; g85 8/8 pp. 22-3; g82 7/8 pp.
25-7; w80 9/1 pp. 29-30; w72 10/1 pp. 593-4)
If a person makes a practice of gambling and after
repeated counsel unrepentantly pursues a course of
greediness, he could be disfellowshipped from the
Christian congregation. (w80 9/1 pp. 29-30; w67 6/15 p.
356)
A person must guard against the view that petty gambling
solely for entertainment is harmless. ( Gal. 6 :7, 8)
However, elders would not want to get involved in what
publishers do in this respect unless spirituality is
endangered, either that of the individual or that of the
congregation.
If a business concern gives out prizes to winners of a
contest or to customers whose names were drawn from its
customer list, it may not be wrong to accept such a prize if
no money has to be paid to participate. (w73 2/15 p. 127)
A person needs to be careful that accepting such a prize
does not stir up greed.
The language used in advertising a drawing or contest, as
well as the kind of sponsors, may involve elements with
which a Christian would not want to be identified, either
for personal reasons or for fear of stumbling others.
(Can somebody tell me what the difference between the stock market (of which the WTBS is a fairly major player on) and this definition of gambling?
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I'll be back to post some more "hits"....................