The fact that JWs ascribe certain attributes to the FDS that really belong to Christ is a good indication of idolatry. For example, they believe that one has to be a member of the organization to survive Armageddon. In other words, salvation is through membership. In contrast, the Bible speaks of salvation through Christ. To JWs the organization is "the truth." Whereas the Bible speaks of Christ as "the way and the truth and the life." Each JWs now has to take an oath to the organization before baptism. But Christians were baptised "in the name of the Father, the Son and holy spirit." The FDS claim to be God's only spokesman today belies the fact that Christ alone is "the Word." In this way, the Watchtower has diminished the importance of Christ and taken upon itself the roles that are exclusive to him: Saviour, Mediator, Word, etc.
The Faithful and Discreet Slave is an IDOL
by cultswatter 17 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
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anewme
thankyou for these comments. I have written them down to share with a JW friend who I have allowed 6 years to go by without sharing my true heart with him.
THIS IS THE CRUX OF THE JW DILEMMA! THE FAITHFUL AND DISCREET SLAVE LIE!
This will probably be my one and last opportunity to share this info with him. But I must speak!
So so sad. -
Narkissos
The central role of the "FDS" (which to the average JW means the GB, in spite of the theoretical distinction) in JW land can certainly be construed as "idolatry," but, to be fair, praying for church leaders has been a part of Christianity ever since Paul's epistles ("pray for me/us" etc.). Every single Catholic mass includes prayer for the pope and the local bishop. All along it can be read either as an expression of faith and mutual care or as a tool of mind control, depending on your perspective.
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M.J.
The glorified FDS is a granfalloon: http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/12/132810/1.ashx
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M.J.
(Isaiah 42: 8) I am Jehovah, that is my name; and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise unto graven images.
Hmm, is the FDS getting any glory?
How about praise?
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Arthur
To JWs the organization is "the truth." Whereas the Bible speaks of Christ as "the way and the truth and the life." Each JWs now has to take an oath to the organization before baptism. But Christians were baptised "in the name of the Father, the Son and holy spirit." The FDS claim to be God's only spokesman today belies the fact that Christ alone is "the Word." In this way, the Watchtower has diminished the importance of Christ and taken upon itself the roles that are exclusive to him: Saviour, Mediator, Word, etc.
This was one of the most disturbing aspects of the organization that began to haunt me in my final days as a JW. I remember sitting in a Circuit Assembly and finally seeing how the organization is idolized. I couldn't understand how I had failed to see this for all of those years. It was like I had finally awoken out of a blackout and realized what was really going on. It was an experience that left me shaken. The baptismal questions were a glaring example of this.
Indeed, the organization has been placed into the role of mediator. More specifically, the annointed remnant have been placed into the role of mediator; being that associating with these ones or the "John Class", is vital for salvation.
When any church or organization teaches that salvation can only come through them; they are guilty of preaching a new gospel.
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chelleadam
I don't know if I would classify them as an idol, necessarily. I think they come very close to it at times for most witnesses. I never prayed directly to them, but they do claim to be God's channel on earth for dealing with his "true" followers. Since the bible says Jesus is the only mediatior between God and men, they are heretics at the very least.
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Confession
I agree with your points, found-my-way. I once wrote this to my mother. (I might even send it to her one day...)
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It is perhaps one of the greatest ironies I will ever witness in my life. More than all other religions I know, Jehovah’s Witnesses ardently emphasize the need to flee from idolatry. No crosses, no holidays, no national emblems… Don’t hang posters of pop culture icons, don’t emulate “worldly” athletes or celebrities… Jehovah’s Witnesses are intensely concerned about committing idolatry, but they cannot see that their devotion to the Watchtower Society is as idolatrous as a thing could be.
“Furthermore, there is no salvation in anyone else, for there is not another name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must get saved.” [Acts 4:24, NWT]
“Jesus said to him: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” [John 14:6, NWT]
“…survival of individuals today depends on their faith and their loyal association with the earthly part of Jehovah's universal organization.” [Watchtower, May 15, 2006]
This is an extraordinary deviation from the scriptures, and a shocking apostasy from the faith Christ established. I remember your talking to me about idols when I was a little boy; about the importance of not involving “things” in one’s worship. I even recall your remarking how some people will say, “I’m not worshipping the object itself. It’s just something I like to use; something through which I pray to God.” You made clear that Jehovah did not tolerate such “things.”
When Jesus compared Himself to Moses’ copper serpent, what was his point? That we had to keep looking at him (Jesus,) right? When He says, “No one comes to the Father except through me,” who is “me?” The scriptures go to great lengths to emphasize the importance of fixating on Christ and the folly of putting your trust in men.
“Now to me it is a very trivial matter that I should be examined by YOU or by a human tribunal.” [1 Cor. 4:3, NWT]
“Do not put YOUR trust in nobles,
Nor in the son of earthling man, to whom no salvation belongs.” [Psalm 146:3, NWT]“Not that we are the masters over YOUR faith, but we are fellow workers for YOUR joy, for it is by [YOUR] faith that YOU are standing.” [2 Cor. 1:24, NWT]
But it’s okay. You’re not really putting your faith in the men at the Watchtower Society. You’re just putting your faith in Christ through them, aren’t you? Does this remind you of the aforementioned warning about idolatry you yourself gave to me? Don’t think this applies to you? Then ask yourself: Is it possible for you to successfully put your faith in Jesus without having this reliance upon and allegiance with the Watchtower Society? If you answer “no” how can you not recognize this relationship with the organization as being idolatrous?