DF'ing and DA'ing procedural change in the horizon

by iloowy 285 Replies latest members private

• 

  truthseeker

  I note that some are bringing up old articles on how the Society treats inactive ones.

  At one time, this would be fine and dandy and one could say, look here, they said such and such about treating inactive ones.

  The times, they are a changin' and what was written 5, 10 or 20 years ago no longer holds weight.

  Consider the 1914 generation teaching and the 1935 cut-off date for the anointed.

  Because these teachings have completely changed, it is now meaningless to bring up what was taught 10 years ago.

  It's the same with the new book study arrangement. Next year the book study is conducted at the Kingdom Hall so that renders null and void all previous articles talking about the importance assigned to attending the book study in private homes.

  The Society can quote from old Watchtowers at whim but they can also change policy if it suits them or if their hand is forced.

  This possible new direction regarding faders, if true, is very worrying indeed, but it might serve more than one purpose.

  I have heard some mention a great "sifting work" being carried out in the organization, and this new procedure would give much food for thought on this aspect of "sifting."
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  Cheetos

  It is the process the elders would go to inquire and obtain information is what I hate, I could kick myself in the ass for cooperating in the past when they came probing for information, I should have told them to pound sand.
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  blondie

  truthseeker, it may be old but can you show me anything in current print that says anything different? Rather than trying to read the minds of the WTS, it is better just to see what comes out and not to worry. I'm sure if the 2008 KM in February or March were checked, we'd find a similar article

  ***km 2/07p. 8 Do Not Forget Those Who Are Inactive ***

  1

  Are you acquainted with anyone who has become inactive? Perhaps he has stopped associating with the congregation and has drifted away. You may have contacted such a person while engaging in the house-to-house ministry. We must keep in mind that the individual continues to be our spiritual brother. We want to confirm our love for him and help him to return to the congregation and to ‘the shepherd and overseer of our souls.’—1 Pet. 2:25.

  2

  Demonstrate Interest: A brief telephone call or visit may assure one who has become inactive that we have not forgotten him. What could we say? We may be encouraging by simply letting the person know that we were thinking of him. Keep the conversation positive and upbuilding. (Phil. 4:8) We might mention a point that we enjoyed from a recent meeting. We could also invite him to an upcoming meeting or assembly and offer to save him a seat or provide transportation.

  3

  A sister who had been inactive for more than 20 years was found in the territory. Although she was unwilling to accept a Bible study, the sister who found her called back, leaving the current magazines. After the district convention, the publisher shared some convention highlights with the inactive sister, and eventually she was reactivated.

  4

  When Someone Returns: When an inactive brother begins coming back to the meetings, how should we treat him? Well, how did Jesus treat his disciples after they had temporarily abandoned him? He warmly referred to them as his "brothers" and showed confidence in them. He even gave them an important assignment. (Matt. 28:10, 18, 19) Shortly thereafter, they were busy declaring the good news "without letup."—Acts 5:42.

  5

  Before offering to study the Bible with someone who has become inactive or before inviting a brother who has been inactive a long time to accompany us in the ministry, we should seek direction from the elders. If we come across an inactive publisher in the territory, we should inform the elders so that they can render needed assistance.

  6

  As the Bible clearly shows, only those who run the course to the finish will receive salvation. (Matt. 24:13) Therefore, take note of those who may have stumbled or drifted away. If we patiently reflect Jehovah’s love by demonstrating sincere interest in such ones, we may experience the joy of seeing them resume their sacred service alongside us.—Luke 15:4-10.
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  Jeremy C

  Let's take a step back and consider what exactly the Watchtower organization is. Is it a church? No. A corporation? Partly. But the entire organizational structure with it's authority pyramid is, for all intents and purposes, a government. How often have we heard the term "theocratic arrangement" used to justify a whole host of organizational procedures that have no resemblence to first century Christianity? And why don't most active JWs question the Watchtower's idiotic policies? Because Jehovah's Witnesses are not members of a church. They are subjects of an earthly government. The Watchtower publications have even likened JWs to "earthly ambassadors". What does all of this have to do with any shunning policies?

  We need to remember that the Governing Body does not act as a body of elders per se, but actually acts as an oligarchy governing council. They have final executive, judicial, and legislative authority within this "theocratic government". Just as the United States Supreme Court has the final say on interpretations of the Constitution; the GB has final say on interpretations of the Scriptures. Jehovah and Jesus are tossed into their talks and articles to give the whole arrangement legitamacy, but this is similar to the Ayatollahs appealing to Allah as their authority. And this is how theocracies work.

  Jehovah's Witnesses have been indoctrinated to believe that this "theocratic government" is preparing to rule as soon as the earthly governments are destroyed. The Watchtower study articles have been bluntly stating that "new instructions" will come to Jehovah's people that they will not understand. I don't know how any of you read those statements, but it is clear to me that those instructions will only serve to bulwark the organization's objectives, not an attempt to allign themselves with the first century Christians.

  We can quote Scriptures all day in the attempt to point out how new shunning policies would not be Scriptural. So what if they are unscriptural? We are missing the point. The GB routinely likens itself to Moses and the Priesthood who had to deal with rebellious malcontents (such as Korah), whereby Jehovah took stern actions to keep his "pure worship" pure. Purity is the key word. The organization is obsessed with purity. If anything or anyone is perceived as tainting the purity of Jehovah's organization; whether they be faders or anyone else, the GB and their band of lawyers can justify any new policies they wish. The whole Mexico - Malawi issue should make that obvious.

  In the minds of the Governing Body as well as the rank and file; this is not so much a congregation as it is a theocratic government that must be kept pure. Remember that.
• 

  ninja

  If it IS true and this goes into effect....nevermind.....I'll just have to find another way to annoy them then......ninja haszard
• 

  BabaYaga

  Jeremy C... you have done it again. Your quote: "...consider what exactly the Watchtower organization is. Is it a church? No. A corporation? Partly. But the entire organizational structure with it's authority pyramid is, for all intents and purposes, a government."
  
  Never have I considered this, but you are so correct. Good lord, we talk about it all the time as being a business, which of course as you say it is... but more importantly, yes, it is a government. A dictatorship, at that... and certainly not one concerned with anything but its own survival as an entity.
  
  Right on.
• 

  yesidid

  Mary, Burn the Ships et al mirror my thoughts and intentions.

  We have been quiet faders, not saying much at all about what we know about the cult.

  But........................................if they stopped our family from talking to us.........................

  all hell would break loose.

  I know local television people who would lap up the information I could give them. And it would not stay local.

  I don't want a confrontation. But if they insist, they will be sorry.

  yesidid
• 

  Mulan

  I had lunch with a JW friend today (we meet far away from home, so no one sees us)

  She is horrified by this, and can't imagine what they are thinking.

  My husband and one of his friends (both ex elders) both think the WTS is getting ready to do away with the whole process, and this is just a first step.
• 

  passwordprotected

  @ blondie - even that March 2008 KM article carries no weight. The WTS are offering a kindly hand of love and assistance to the faders (aka inactive ones). If these ones persist in refusing to respond to such fine Christian love, then they can't say they weren't given a chance to return to the flock. Clearly they are showing from their actions - staying away from meetings and ministry, and not responding to the elders - that they no longer wish to be part of God's one true people...
• 

  Jeremy C

  There is another point I failed to mention. Whether or not the specific rumor of this thread is accurate or not is irrelevant. I believe that sooner or later, there will be a major crack-down on this phenomenon of faders still associating with active members. Here's why:

  Along the lines of my previous post, I believe that the Governing Body will perceive the fader problem as a threat to the purity of the organization; and thus, something that will hinder Jehovah's holy spirit until all spiritual "uncleaness" is removed. One of the beliefs of all Jehovah's Witnesses is that hidden or uncorrected uncleaness within a congregation or circuit hinders Jehovah's holy spirit; like large rocks in the middle of a stream. This concept has been put forth in talks as well as Watchtower articles.

  The Old Testament is filled with accounts where the majority of worshipers suffered from Jehovah's displeasure due to the indescretions of a few unfaithful ones. This concept is alive and well in the organization. I believe that the Governing Body will come to see a major threat in the fact that thousands of faders are now chatting online; exchanging apostate ideas, and yet still have association with active JWs. They will see this as an "uncleaness" within the organization, and something that must be removed in order to keep Jehovah's worship "pure" and "undefiled".

  Has anyone noticed that growth in the countries with the most internet-active faders is close to zero? Coincidence? Perhaps. Do you think the Watchtower leadership will brush that off as a coincidence? The JW organization is viewed as a modern day Israel; and the Governing Body as a modern day priestly class. Direct parallels are constantly drawn between the Old Covenant arrangement and the modern day organization. Just as purity was demanded by Jehovah back then; purity must be maintained today.

  So, here is the situation. We have thousands of "Korah-like" individuals talking online with each other who still have access to active Jehovah's Witnesses. Do you really think the modern day "Jeremiah Class" will allow this "defilement" to persist in Jehovah's temple?