Jehovah's Witnesses are not a democratic organization! Don't think that you'll be able to turn it into one because you'll end up going crazy in the process.
A CALL TO ACTION: HIGH PRIORITY
by Wingman 112 Replies latest jw friends
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M.J.
I agree, I would have liked to see the letter. Too bad. I find the most compelling arguments for those still in come from those who can find common ground with their targeted audience.
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snowbird
Proverbs 18:1 3 He who answers before listening—
that is his folly and his shame.The above is good for us all to keep in mind. I hope he comes back and posts the letter.
Sylvia
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unique1
Why are you guys being so mean to the new guy. Real christian welcome guys.
You are always WELCOME here wingman. Most of us try to be TRUELY loving as opposed to the fake love found within the congregation.
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Dansk
Sylvia and Unique1,
You've obviously got good hearts - but most of us here have been so pained year in and year out because of Watchtower that we can't help being anything other than cynical. OK, let's see the letter.........................but don't hold your breath.
Ian
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NotaNess
HONESTY.....love your reply. Tell it like it is.
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eclipse
Here is the letter, pm'd to me from wingman.
I think it is a well written and addresses important issues, even if I don't agree with everything in it,
it speaks to witnesses in their language and that's what counts.
It does not matter that it might not have any effect,
what matters is that many elders will read it, and it will hopefully plant seeds of doubt.
Isn't that what we want? Why be so cynical? Why not just support this and give it a shot? It couldn't hurt to try!
The Body of Elders
Dear Brothers,
It is with matters of great concern that we write you. We feel at this time the organization is in serious crisis. Indications are that Jehovah may have removed his spirit from the organization as he did to his people in ancient times. This is reflected in the yearly report and a definite downturn particularly in countries where the work is well established. Many have lost their zeal for the ministry and are inactive. Too many young ones are not staying with Jehovah. The increase of family breakdown, poor meeting attendance, fewer baptisms each year and the apathy of the brothers also indicate a withdrawal of God’s spirit. Depression is a real issue among the brothers. The internet is having a major impact with thousands of brothers frequenting ex-witness sites while still remaining active in meeting attendance and field service.
A number of issues may have lead to this situation and need to be addressed as a matter of urgency.
1) Our young people in general are not learning to be spiritual men and women. Too many are turning to the world. Many seem to have a foot in both camps. It is common practise for young ones to be in the field ministry in the morning and drinking at night clubs in the evening. Little is provided for our young people. Other religious groups are flourishing because they recognize the special needs of youth. We urgently need programs for our youth. Individual congregations are unable to initiate such programs. The future of the work depends upon our young people. They are the Elders and Servants of tomorrow.
2) Too much emphasis has been placed upon the organization and following its lead rather than on a personal relationship with our Heavenly Father. Following Christ has become equated with following organizational directions. For instance the blood issue is now so complex that many are confused and an example of how they must consult the publications on every little matter. It is noted that many brothers do not seem to have a personal relationship with God and are better able to explain congregational or organizational tradition and procedures than the scriptures.
3) Our record of interpretation of Biblical Prophecy is very poor, one for which we all need to take responsibility. It would seem our own words condemn us. (WT May 1 1997 pg.8.) Much of the older literature is now available through the internet enabling anyone to confirm the embarrassing past record of failed predictions, the truth of what was said prior to 1930 regarding 1914 and the manner in which they were presented. The Proclaimers book was less than candid about many things. God’s blessing depends on setting things straight with a detailed apology and recognition that Jehovah had nothing to do with these interpretations as was claimed. It is time for honesty and repentance. No other religious organization can match the list of failed predictions made on a worldwide scale for which we are responsible.
4) The disbanding of the 1914 generation teaching in 1995 only after it had clearly failed showed we acted with hindsight, not insight. After publicly preaching for nearly fifty years the generation of 1914 would see the end, this fundamental teaching was abandoned, even though claiming in every issue of Awake up to the time that it was God’s promise. This teaching was not speculative as suggested in the WT 1 Sept 1995. It was taught as definitive truth. It was listed among the unique truths of Jehovah’s Witnesses and apostasy to deny it. The Watchtower was less than honest in the way it dealt with this major change.
5) The discovery the Watch Tower Society applied for and was associated with the United Nations as a Non-Government Organization, (NGO) from 1992 until 2001 when exposed by a British journalist, despite condemning other religions for their association (WT June 1, 1991 pp. 15-20 par. 11). The library card excuse is not valid as an NGO associated with the UN DPI must support the principles and the charter of the UN. Time is overdue for a printed apology in the Watchtower for such hypocrisy in light of the faithful example of our brothers in Malawi and other countries. Many have left over this issue having felt betrayed, including some anointed ones. Details are still clear for all to see on the United Nations website showing the seriousness of this matter.
6) We have become legalistic, even Pharisaic in many ways. Insisting on trivial matters and creating a myriad of rules both written and unwritten that weigh the brothers down and rob them of the joy that should be theirs in serving Jehovah. While disfellowshipping wrong doers keeps the congregation clean, there is little consistency between congregations and a myriad of guidelines has devalued the ransom sacrifice of Christ Jesus. We find no scriptural example for our judicial procedures. Thousands of families have been torn apart and many are suffering. This goes far beyond what Jesus implied at Matt.10:37 and is only a result of our policies.
7) We have been too judgemental of others, belittling them as “so-called Christians”. Though quoting religious leaders of the past and condemning them and their religion as a whole to destruction, we have distanced ourselves from our own words, explaining them away with terms such as “present truth” or “new light”. If we have judged others for what they said and did in the past then surely we too should be responsible for what was said and printed in Jehovah’s name. Surely Jesus words at Matt 7:2 apply to us.
8) Most concerning is the issue of child abuse. A recent court case in the Superior Court of California saw Jehovah’s people fighting a case against a victim of abuse for the right to withhold information it held about the abuser.
How is this different from Christendom’s behaviour? We lost the case. Will elders be asked to destroy information regarding child abusers to deny courts access to this information? Would the brothers be happy to know their donated money is being used to fight cases in court that really only protect the rights of abusers and the organization rather than the victims? This is most disturbing after the distribution of Kingdom News #37, highlighting the failures of other religions in handling child abuse.
Of further concern, the Society lawyers claimed before the court “clergy penitent privilege” despite the fact we have always claimed to have no clergy as distinct from Christendom. The court rejected this claim.
One recent out of court settlement to sixteen victims of child abuse by Elders and Ministerial Servants cost the Society millions of dollars in donated money. This was widely publicised in the media. Many more cases are pending. While our procedures have tightened up in recent years this has only been a result of legal action and bad publicity. We now face many years of legal action by abuse victims and costly settlements for our lack of insight in the past.
In ancient Israel, God’s earthly organization at the time, Jehovah sent faithful men to set things straight. Men like Jeremiah, Samuel, Isaiah, Ezekiel and others spoke out before Jehovah’s anointed ones at the time. Today any person who speaks up is fearful of being disfellowshiped. Individuals have no voice within the organization. Even anointed brothers with many years of faithful service have been disfellowshiped for raising concerns to the Governing Body. It seems in reality that the “faithful and discreet slave” does not include these anointed ones after all. Any expressed criticism of the Governing Body or denial they are the sole channel Jehovah is using is considered apostasy. This is an unhealthy situation.
For this reason we have decided to remain anonymous for fear of losing our families. Many active brothers are in contact, including anointed ones, Bethel family members and Elders, secretly communicating with each other about these matters. How sad an “underground” has even developed among Jehovah’s people. These brothers are genuinely concerned, love Jehovah and have strong faith in the ransom of Christ but have lost confidence in the earthly organization. No person or group is making any claim to being used by God in this matter. Love of God and Christ and the brothers is the only motivation. We feel more can be accomplished by remaining in our positions of oversight and having an effect upon the brothers at a local level and working for change with Jehovah’s direction.
Attacks by apostates are increasing particularly through the internet. This can be negated by being honest both with ourselves and with others. As Luke 8:17 says, “There is nothing hidden that will not become manifest, neither anything carefully concealed that will never become known and never come into the open”. Instead of shooting the messenger, we need to take responsibility and repent before Jehovah. The apostate problem will disappear if we become more reasonable and admit our mistakes. The internet problem will not go away by simply warning the brothers against typing “Jehovah’s Witnesses” into their search engines.
It is hoped this letter will appeal to the conscience of those with honest hearts to make a real examination of the situation. We believe Jehovah’s future blessing is dependant on our repentance. We can no longer say we have the “truth” if we are not truthful with ourselves. It is our prayer that all Bodies of Elders will pray on these matters and express their concerns to their Circuit Overseers and the local branch. We have no doubt it will bring Jehovah’s blessing. Our fear is the organization will become irrelevant if change is not made. The very fact we need to send you this letter anonymously is a striking example of the situation we have created for ourselves.
We pray for Jehovah’s blessing in your consideration of these matters.
Your Brothers in Jehovah’s service -
snowbird
Thank you, Clipsey. Now we know what's in the letter. That wasn't so bad, was it?
Sylvia
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drew sagan
I actually must say that it's a pretty well written letter.
The sad fact is though that if these problems are actually admitted to be true then it would be obvious that the organizations claims about itself being the only God appointed religion on earth would be a fraud. In order to take on such changes the organizaiton would have to drastically change it's own high opinion of itself which by the way it interlocked into it's own theology.
A loose loose situation for anybody hoping for change. -
Open mind
Thanks for PMing to Eclipse and, Eclipse, thanks for posting it.
Here's a "sound-bite" clip I'm gonna tuck away:
"4) The disbanding of the 1914 generation teaching in 1995 only after it had clearly failed showed we acted with hindsight, not insight. "
I like that. Of course, in mentioning this to my wife, I'l say: " THEY acted with hindsight, not insight."
As others have said, I don't think genuine reform is a realistic expectation. But the language of the letter and the "let's fix this thing. We're still serving Jehovah" approach may help break through the cognitive dissonance of yet more JWs.
Open Mind