Response to confession: Im not sure I agree when you say that I "distinguish yourself as a JW who does not recognize the Society as being what they want to be recognized as." My current stance is that I believe that Jehovah uses the organization to accomplish the preaching work and give us food at the proper time. However, I dont believe that every word that comes from them is straight from Jehovah's mouth and that I do not have to agree with everything that is printed. You seem to equate a disagreement with anything the WT says as a rejection of the fact that they are used by God. Correct? If thats, so i respect your opinion, however I dont agree.
Now, as to the 2nd part, I must correct you on something. I have been greatly harmed by them. I have not really said that, so I understand why you think that, but its not the case. I have been greatly harmed, my family has been greatly harmed and my friends have been greatly harmed. To make a long story short, I lost my position (MS), most of my friends, and have been marked because I stood up for what I thought was right. When I encountered politics among the body, I felt as though it was something Jehovah hates, and I stoop up against it and was destroyed over my stand. I dont regret it.
I am still associating with them because I believe God is currently using them. Not as much as they may think, lol, but using them none the less. As far as why would I stay with all of the bad things going on, frankly if you look down through history, people that were used by Jehovah have always had member who were doing horrific things to each other in the name of God. Some of the most disgraceful behavior in the Bible is done among God's people. Now, granted, this is never talked about or written about, however with a deep study of the Scriptures, you can see it clearly. In the end we do all have to stand before Jehovah, and frankly the organization will likely be gone then. When you look at the Scriptures it goes God-Jesus-Anointed, not God-Jesus-WT Bible & Tract Society INC. That is merely a tool used by God. All these people that think they serve Jehovah but in reality serve the Watchtower, what are they going to do when the system crashes and the WT cant operate?
Response to Sun Spot: I have looked through all of my posts and have not found the quote you are talking about. Did you make a mistake? What I said exactly was " i missed the memo that made suggestions from the society law." That is much "different than all JWs must accept whatever doctrines and policies currently teach". Im happy to discuss this however we need to clarify what exactly you are talking about.
Response to Open Mind: Im not one to judge who is an apostate. People who are discussing their being hurt and real problems are not apostates in my book. I know there are some here, but I dont discriminate who I talk to. From my first day picking up the Bible I have always felt that considering both sides of the argument is the only way we find our truth, whats hilarious about this is that if you told your average witness this, they would freak out, but some of the most prominent speakers who have had their stories in the WT have said exactly that.
Your illustration shows the lack of logic in the thinking that only JW's are saved. This is something that the society has backed away from. I mean alot of witnesses still think this, but the bottom line is NO ONE has the right to judge who is going to make it, thats up to God. Now, i cant speculate at what is going to happen, I have no idea, only God knows. All I know is Jehovah is perfect in justice. Thats the bottom line, he cannot make a mistake in judgment. And when you look at how Jesus treated people when he was on earth and how loving and kind and understanding he was, that tells you how Jehovah is. Now, make no mistake, i will have fear on that day out of awe of Jehovah, and of course its human nature to wonder if he will be happy with you, but I just think how Jesus treated the people who approached him that were fearful. He was very kind and calming and loving. Thats how I picture Jehovah is going to be for people who truly and honestly tried their best to serve him. And to everyone else, frankly, based on what I have read, I just dont see how Jehovah is not going to give them a chance to serve him. I mean, what about the tribal people who cant speak a known language, running around naked and eating rats who have no idea what a book is. They are not going to be given a chance? If not, thats not fair, and Jehovah is perfectly fair.
You make a valid point about the preaching work. I think part of that is that they are trying to motivate people. Sometimes they do it out of fear and guilt, I dont agree with that. But thats the tactic they use, we will see if Jehovah is pleased with that. I dont think its right. Personally I look to the Bible for the examples of the work and in addition to telling people about God and his kingdom, Jesus was also helping people. I think that helping the widows and orphans is just as important, as well as, and here is a major point, KEEPING THE PEOPLE WHO ARE ALREADY IN. I mean wow, these things are just not done. I have seen it done, I think I was lucky the first 5 years I was a witness I saw wonderful things in regards to this, so I now it exists, its just not common, at least in my experience. Its almost like if a brother or sister is having trouble, they get rid of them because they are considered a problem. But frankly, Ezekiel, I think chapter 34 is discussing that, and people who are guilty of that are in for a surprise. I personally with my ministry focus on helping people, anyone. This is something I am working on, because I need to adjust my thinking that while I think door to door is fine, there are other aspects of it that Jehovah wants and part of that is helping the widows and orphans. I think that if you or your wife is finding a point made from the platform, in a magazine, or made by another person troubling , you can look to the Scriptures for an example and see if it matches what they are saying. The Bible is a nice litmus test because at least where I am, there is alot of unchecked speach at meetings, people saying stuff that is just not correct and no one tells them. About a year ago a young brother who was a servant made the comment that apostasy is people who fall away, like fall away meaning missing meetings, etc. lol!
Response to moshe: Would the elders allow someone to get baptized with this opinion? I think it depends on how its expressed, what year it was expressed and mainly what kind of elders they are. Are they liberal, conservative? Are they friends with the person getting baptized, or is it a person who is "in" so to speak? An absolute no? I dont think so, no more times than yes? Yes.
Wow, lol your good. I have already DA'd myself? I dont think so. You seem to think that if i sent a letter written tactfully and respectfully about my beliefs, they would DF me? I dont agree, however if you have any letters sent back and forth from other people, I'll be happy to consider them.
