Once again our lurking JW friend sent us a copy of the June 15th " witness only " Watchtower. All I can say is that the WT society sure knows how to compartmentalize and pick and choose how they view truth and honesty. I'll share some of these " golden nuggets " and see what you think.
On page 17 of the article " Speak Truth With your Neighbor " it states, " Does being truthful with others mean we must disclose every detail to whoever asks us a question ? Not necessarily . While on earth, Jesus demonstrated that some people are undeserving of a direct answer or of certain information. " ( It cites the scripture where Jesus won't tell religious leaders where he got his authority. ) The WT continues, " He ( Jesus ) did not feel obligated to answer the question in view of their corrupt practices and faithless example . Similarly today, Jehovah's people need to be on guard against apostates and other wicked men who use trickery or cunning for selfish purposes . " ( Governing body perhaps ? ) Notice the easy way they mind control the rank and file witnesses to se that being apostate automatically makes a person " corrupt and faithless " . Or cunning and selfish ". So in the WT society's eyes " they don't deserve the truth " !
In this next paragraph notice the bait and switch technique to justify trusting the elders to tell the truth - but not other people in the witnesses. It mentions that some gossip and meddle in people's affairs . It states, " Yes, those who pry into the affairs of others or those who cannot be trusted to keep a confidence may find that others are reluctant to share personal information with them. " NOW NOTICE THE BAIT AND SWITCH . It continues, " At times, however, congregation elders may need to ask questions about personal matters in order to carry out their assigned duties. In such a case, our cooperation in speaking truth is much appreciated and is a great help. " Translation : The elders have the right to know what goes on in rank and file members personal lives - you don't. Elders can be trusted - rank and file members cannot be trusted.
Now in this final point - notice how the article minimizes lying about others in the congregation and how the elders are instructed to handle it. They certainly don't view it as serious as fornication or adultery ! Check this quote out ! Paragraph 12 states , " Elders work diligently to protect the congregation from those who tell malicious lies . A malicious lie is told with a view to harming someone ; it's purpose is to make the person suffer in some way or experience distress . It involves more than making petty , misleading statements or exaggerating the facts. Of course , all lying is wrong , but NOT EVERY CASE OF UNTRUTHFULNESS REQUIRES JUDICIAL ACTION. Hence, elders need to use balance , reasonableness , and good judgment when determining if a person who has made statements that are untrue has established a pattern of deliberate , malicious lying that would require judicial action. OR WOULD FIRM, LOVING ADMONITION FROM THE SCRIPTURES SUFFICE ? " Wow. So I guess when Revelation spoke about lying being the same in God's eyes as fornication and adultery - in the WT society's view - lying is nothing more than a petty sin just requiring " loving admonition ". Go ahead smear your brothers and sisters good name in the dirt with lies ! O.K. to lie about child abuse ? Fine. O.K. to lie about wrongs happening in the congregation - especially if elders are committing the wrongs ? Fine . You'll just get a little counsel is all . Ick.
So - Anyway this was the latest spiritual indigestion or grub the rank and file are being served ! As always I look forward to any takes , comments or observations ! Thanks