JW's - Do You Willingly Obey The Slave?

by TR 23 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  Tina

  ((((9seeker))))))))
  Well said!
  The fact is many mnay have and still experience emotional/psychological terrorism from JW family and friends via shunning.
  If one could so coldly cut family/blood ties,it's not a great leap here to think more than a handful would go full tilt boogie to the next step.
  Why? ANytime you have such absolutism regarding religion or a political ideal,and you've labeled far too many as opposers in opposition to their god and org,it relieves them from personal responsibility. If they felt such responsiblity this shunning wouldn't be as successful as it is.
  The next step isnt all that incredible to believe.
  Like JT,I used to hear rabid foaming at the mouth comments regarding such 'enemies'.
  Thanks TR,luv to all.Tina

  Jehovahs Witnesses,Proudly Serving Their Corporate Masters!
• 

  troubled

  Seeker,

  You said:

  "I respectfully disagree. God's law has said to kill in the past."

  Yes. Why God's Word condoned murder in the past days of the Israelites is a whole other subject worthy of discussion. However, since the institution of the Christian congregation, God's Law forbids such murder. That's pretty clearly outlined in the Greek scriptures.

  You said:

  "All it would take is a few misapplied scriptures in the WT, and the deed would be done."

  If so, the individual that performs that heinous deed has failed a test of loyalty to God, because either (1) they are not a diligent enough student of the Bible to recognize misapplied Scripture or (2) they recognize the scripture is misapplied, but choose to obey man as ruler, rather than God.

  The Bible holds the Boreans up as "noble minded" because they didn't mindlessly believe what they were told, but "checked the Scriptures daily as to whether these things were so." Even though I believe the GB is His earthly channel, they are not beyond making mistakes. The "Proclaimers" book states they are "not infallible."

  I think Jehovah expects us to be as diligent as the Boreans in our study of the Bible. We are under no obligation by God to do anything contrary to scripture, no matter who is doing the admonishing (even if, according to Revelation I think?, even if it comes as a declaration by an angel that contradicted scripture.

  So according to the Bible, human dictates would certainly fall under scrutiny, even if part of God's earthly organization. Unless I'm losing my marbles, that's the way I understand it anyway.

  You said:

  "For example, there is no greater law than Love, right? Yet what are JWs told to do when a relative is DFed? Right, to ignore the law of love and cut that person off as if they were dead." . . . "You would think most reasoning JWs would point out that Jesus spoke with and showed kindness to 'men of the nations,' and that the primary law is that of love."

  Yes, Jesus showed love to people of the nations and, at times, let love override law. A small minority of JWs have taken the same approach to speaking with disfellowshipped ones, though they are probably a small percentage overall.

  So are we disloyal JWs? Depends on how you look at it. Were the leprous men who approached Jesus disloyal for violating the law to stay hidden away? Was Abigail disloyal for acting against her husband Nabal's wishes (her head) in providing food for David and his armies? Not everything is clear cut. Personally, when all is said and done, I am glad Jehovah is going to judge me, rather than any short-sighted, well-meaning but sometimes flawed, human.

  Until then, we do the best we can with the information we have. For most of you, it's to stay outside the organization. For me, it is to stay in, but with eyes open. To try to set a good example. And to show relative subjection to God's organization and ultimate loyalty to Jehovah God.
• 

  Seeker

  I like you, troubled. You seem to be a good-hearted person, and that counts for a lot in this world. Sadly, you are part of an organization that recently had printed the instructions that Witnesses are not even supposed to think differently from what they are taught. Many Witnesses, as you say, put God above organization, and for that I am glad. When I speak about those I imagine would only be too eager to kill apostates if told to do so, I am talking about the kind that do every little thing in print, no thought required. Such types do exist, even if you are thankfully not among them. Indeed, I see the brotherhood changing more toward your type over time, as the Society gradually mainstreams itself. So with time all you say may be true. I don't believe it's reached that point yet.

  I'm speaking as one who was an elder. I know what I've seen.
• 

  Scorpion

  troubled,

  You said on the bottom of your last post: "For me it is to stay in, but with eyes open. To try to set a good example. And to show relative subjection to God's organization and ultimate loyalty to Jehovah God."

  There is no such thing as God's organization! I am just being honest with you. The term God's organization or God's church or God's true religion are nothing more than blurbs used by religions and it's leaders to keep the flocks in a submissive mindset, thinking they are something special. One does not need an organization to have a relationship with God. Anyone that tells you this is lieing.