When is an "unbeliever" not dedicated ...

Frequent_Fader_Miles

I'm a bit perplexed. According to the Flock Book Updates - 2003 for page 133 an "unbeliever" is an unbaptised person. It goes on further to state that should a dedicated, baptised Christian choose to marry an "unbeliever", his/her parents (whether elder, ministerial servant or pioneer) should not give "tacit approval"to the marriage... moral support, financial support for wedding, reception etc.

Yet still, the Congregation Service Committee (changed from "body of elders) are allowed to give permission for 2 "unbelievers" (unbaptised publishers) to be wedded at a Kindgom Hall... because they are "dedicated"?????? Does regular meeting attendance, and awaiting an assembly to get baptised translate into being "dedicated"?

changeling

A person can be an "unbaptized publisher". These are children or new ones all working towards dedication and baptism. To marry one of these if you are baptized is a "no, no".

If both parties are "unbaptiszed publishers" who claim to have made a dedication but have not yet gotten baptized, then that's ok because they are both in the same boat.

changeling

FreedomFrog

That's just wrong...and sounds so prejudice.

heathen

Good God that is so retarded . Why don't they just baptize people that want to get baptized first? unbelievable how stupid these people are .

FreedomFrog

I think it's kinda hypercritical (I think that's the word I'm wanting here).

(First situation)

Elder- "sorry, but you can't have a wedding because your fiance' isn't baptised and you are.

(Second situation)

Elder- "sure, since you both are unbaptised, we'll let you wed in the KH".

Frequent_Fader_Miles

That's just what I mean, as Freedom Frog put it ... hypocritical!

And as changeling said:

who claim to have made a dedication but have not yet gotten baptized

Anyone can make an unsubstantiated claim! Do elders have mind reading powers to know if they're telling the truth? Besides, isn't an unbaptised publisher an unbaptised person????????

Hermano

who claim to have made a dedication but have not yet gotten baptized
Anyone can make an unsubstantiated claim! Do elders have mind reading powers to know if they're telling the truth?

Jehovah knows all hearts. He will reveal the fakes to the elders who will take appropriate action. In fact, he is so busy reading hearts of people wanting the use the KH for weddings that he doesn't have time to flush out the pedophiles. Oh well. He can only do so much....

FreedomFrog

That's just what I mean, as Freedom Frog put it ... hypocritical!

Opps!

Thanks, that was the word I was looking for...not hypercritical.

"hypocritical" being "falsely claiming high principles" whereas "hypercritical" is "excessively critical".

I agree, they do have their "rules" messed up.

monophonic

"Jehovah knows all hearts. He will reveal the fakes to the elders who will take appropriate action. In fact, he is so busy reading hearts of people wanting the use the KH for weddings that he doesn't have time to flush out the pedophiles. Oh well. He can only do so much...."

brilliantly said hermano! and i love your icon.

AllTimeJeff

My impression of that was that it was up to the elders to see how each person acted. If a couple for example were going through the questions and/or acting like a JW, going out in FS and all the meetings, then the elders would be alright to do so.

Other new ones who may be publishers may still have that "worldly attitude" (i.e. they still have their soul... lol) Or the elders may be suspicious of them. In that case, they wouldn't be allowed to use the KH for a wedding.

Bottom line, nothing has changed. Their has been this "grary area" since the Nov 15 88 WT on unbaptized publishers. It is up to the elders to determine if they meet Service Dept criteria to have such "privileges" as a JH wedding.

When is an "unbeliever" not dedicated ...

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