Listen to JWs ... or Else!

by compound complex 12 Replies latest jw friends

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  compound complex

  Dear Friends,

  The following is nothing new, yet I found Frenchy's comments from 8 June 2000 a perfect, brief declaration of the mentality of "God's people." This exclusivist stance is fueled irresistably by Rutherfordian-style rhetoric:

  SC
  I have been following your posts. There is no question by any reasonable person who is familiar with JW teaching, let alone a Witness who has been such for a long time, that we do preach that there is no salvation outside the organization. Isolated quotations from publications obviously designed for public relations only highlight the double talk.
  That doctrine of 'we (and we alone) have THE truth' is the backbone of the Witness mentality. This is the whip and the carrot that is used to push field service activity. This is the whip and the carrot used to push meeting attendance. This is so basic to our faith that it is ingrained within us. This is what gives us that superior attitude that so angers people 'of the world'.
  Any argument against that mindset is either just argumentative or is a public relations ploy. Witnesses never talk about anyone else being correct as far as salvation is concerned. We are of the mindset that unless a person becomes a witness, he will perish at Armageddon. We group all other religions together and call them Babylon the Great, the spiritual harlot. We talk about her utter destruction at Armageddon with the same blood thirsty zeal as a Pentecostal preacher preaching hellfire. We call the organization God's modern day 'ark' of salvation.
  Note the following quote from km 11/96, page one.
  

  Their lives are at stake. You are morally obligated to carry out your commission to help them.
  We have been divinely commissioned to sound a warning. Jehovah will soon bring an end to this entire wicked system of things. Millions of lives hang in the balance. Would it be right for us to ignore the peril to others and be concerned only about saving ourselves? Of course not. We are morally obligated to help save the lives of others.—1 Tim. 4:16.

  Now can someone read this and honestly say that this is not our philosophy? "We have been divinely commissioned" Who is we? I think we all know the answer to that.
  km 1/92 page 1
  

  Knowledge Makes Us Responsible: The fact that lives are at stake should move us to be diligent in making return visits. (John 17:3) Our knowledge of Jehovah's judgment and the nearness of Armageddon should incite us not only to warn the wicked but also to help those who are 'sighing and groaning because of the detestable things happening on earth.' (Ezek. 9:4) They need to be brought into association with Jehovah's visible organization.

  Please note the second sentence and how it relates to the last sentence. Now, how can someone say that we do not associate salvation exclusively with being a JW?
  km 1/88, p. 8
  

  Lives are at stake—theirs and ours. (1 Tim. 4:16) We want to help others to come to know Jehovah so that they too can call on his name to be saved.—Acts 2:21.

  . What does this tell us? What does it mean to a witness to 'come to know Jehovah?'

  *****************************************************************************************************

  CC
• 

  changeling

  Yes, to JW's their message is definitely of an "or else" nature.

  The evangelical message is much the same. It's: "Accept Jesus" (or else).

  For Muslims it's "Praise Allah" (or else)

  Nobody says the "or else" out loud, but it's there nonetheless.

  Makes me sick.

  changeling
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  compound complex

  Thank you, changeling ...

  I agree and appreciate your input.

  CoCo
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  dawg

  You dumb bastards, we are right and if you don't believe us just ask us... LOL... I thought that was one of the funniest thngs I've read in some time... LOL... good lord, did my Dad write that?

  Oh the Bird food we all are going to make...and you know why that doesn't scare me, cause its BS that's why. Just ask me I'll tell you.
• 

  compound complex

  Dear Dawg,

  Please, Dawg ... tell us, and don't hold back!

  Was your dad in the writing department?

  CC
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  Maddie

  I've been discussing this today with IIbh and this is what the WT teach, but individual JW's don't always say this if you ask them about it. The mind boggles.

  Maddie
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  compound complex

  Yes, Maddie, at the doors we were never so bold and direct. The true WT message was always softened. Good PR.

  Makes me wonder about that so-called final message of doom we were one day to preach: "Sorry folks, it's too late! You had your chance."

  Really?

  CoCo
• 

  worldtraveller

  Yet it states in the bible that all will be saved. Not sure where but it's in there. Could someone pull it off for me? Thanks.
• 

  blondie

  *** w67 8/15 p. 499 par. 4 The Way to Security ***The unintentional manslayer in Israel did not flee abroad, leaving his country, but headed for the city of refuge, which belonged to the nonpriestly Levites; the city of Hebron belonged to the Aaronic priests. This signifies that the provision of salvation is closely connected with Jehovah’s organization. A remnant of the spiritual priestly class is still on earth today, forming the nucleus of the congregation of Jehovah’s people. We cannot ignore the role the visible congregation of Jehovah’s witnesses plays in this provision of salvation. In Acts 2:47 we read: "At the same time Jehovah continued to join to them daily those being saved." That means that those "being saved" were added to the visible body of the early Christian congregation. They were gathered together into one united family of faith. So the visible congregation of God’s people has something to do with the provision of salvation today. Indeed, it has an important place in that provision. Every congregation forms a small part of God’s people. We cannot remain outside the organization of God’s people, separated from it, if we want to have Jehovah’s protection. Jehovah’s spirit and his angels all tend to a bringing together in unity of thought, aim and action. So there is a vital connection between Jehovah’s protection in the antitypical city of refuge and His visible congregation of spiritual Israelites, supervised by the "faithful and discreet slave."—Eph. 4:3-6; Matt. 24:45-47.

  *** w93 9/15 p. 22 They Compassionately Shepherd the Little Sheep ***But if we were to draw away from Jehovah’s organization, there would be no place else to go for salvation and true joy. (Compare John 6:66-69.)

  YET

  *** w90 11/1 p. 26 par. 16 Our Relative Subjection to the Superior Authorities ***As Christians, we face up to similar challenges today. We cannot take part in any modern version of idolatry—be it worshipful gestures toward an image or symbol or the imputing of salvation to a person or an organization. (1 Corinthians 10:14; 1 John 5:21)

  *** w67 8/15 p. 503 par. 19 The Way to Security ***If we want to assure our everlasting salvation, we must stay within the bounds of Jehovah God’s loving provision associated with his visible organization, presided over by his High Priest.

  *** km 11/90 p. 1 par. 1 Directing Bible Students to Jehovah’s Organization ***They must appreciate that identifying themselves with Jehovah’s organization is essential to their salvation. (Rev. 7:9, 10, 15)
• 

  compound complex

  Dear World and Blondie:

  Thank you both - W, for the apt question and, B, for the excellent reply.

  Makes you wonder if anyone in Writing ever does research on past-to-current thinking. Call it "new light" and no one will notice!

  In this case, however, there probably is no actual change. It's just how it's watered down at the doors.

  That is a good point about attributing salvation to a person or entity = idolatry.

  Gratefully,

  CC