Very, very good point, Blondie. Speaking personally, we only joined our church in March. By then we had been classed as DAd since last October. We were going to church services in October, but weren't members...
Attending another church is grounds for disfellowshipping
by passwordprotected 39 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
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sir82
Oh, and by the way, this is one of those "by their actions So-and-so has disassociated himself" type of things.
The WTS stays out of hot water by saying, technically correctly, "we don't disfellowship anyone for [attending another church / joining the military / accepting a blood transfusion / voting]".
Of course "disassociating oneself" is functionally equvalent to disfellowshipping, but apparently whatever legal entities the WTS is concerned about don't know that, or don't care.
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Chalam
Some believe that prayer is the most powerful tool. They pray that their loved ones trapped in the cult will choose the route of Love, rather than a route of hate and enslavement to strangers in Brooklyn.
Amen!
My wife was never a JW but she hated it when I started following Christ. She said it was the end. I pressed on with my faith and loved her as best I could. I remember praying for her pretty much every day, quite often several times a day. I never try to exert leverage on her, just love, forgiveness and prayer. Occasionally I would invite her to church stuff. The answer was "no" so I didn't flog a dead horse. Strangely though she would ask me about it when I got home.
One evening I was off to a BBQ with church friends. My daughter said she wanted to come (she had been to things before, Sundays also) and as we were getting ready I had the surprise announcement that my wife was coming!
Before too long she announced one Sunday she was coming to that as well. There was a public prophecy in tongues that week 1 Corinthians 12:10. She didn't understand it but said she felt in her spirit it was soothing, comforting and words directly for her. Before long the interpretation came and it as directly from the bible John 14:6
Well wild horses couldn't stop her as far as Jesus is concerned now. I would say the same for those who are born again believers who have people trapped, love them and pray for them.
All the best,
Stephen
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carla
Password, please check your pm's. thank you.
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quietlyleaving
I have wondered about this - all I got from an elder is that if a sister who is married to an elder goes to church he would have to step down.
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passwordprotected
Prayer is powerfully important. But guess what? As Christians Christ expects us to not only pray, but to obey. If we're Christ's body on earth, then sometimes we need to stand up and be counted. That may mean taking the WTS on in some shape or form.
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leavingwt
(Matthew 10:34-37) 34 Do not think I came to put peace upon the earth; I came to put, not peace, but a sword. 35 For I came to cause division, with a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a young wife against her mother-in-law. 36 Indeed, a man’s enemies will be persons of his own household. 37 He that has greater affection for father or mother than for me is not worthy of me; and he that has greater affection for son or daughter than for me is not worthy of me.
(Matthew 11:29-30) 29 Take my yoke upon YOU and learn from me, for I am mild-tempered and lowly in heart, and YOU will find refreshment for YOUR souls. 30 For my yoke is kindly and my load is light.”
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passwordprotected
People need to be led to the yoke...If they are kept from the yoke due to fear, what can a Christian do to get rid of the fear?
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besty
IMHO the chink in the WTS armor may be coercion and baptism of minors and then subsequent shunning if said minor becomes DA/DF
Over the age on majority and you are screwed by an unscrupulous Brooklyn based cult that makes promises it can't deliver - but we won't be the 1st or last to buy Brooklyn Bridge.
It shouldn't happen to children though.
We need a lawyer prepared to work pro bono on such a case and then I'm sure we can get enough people for a class action.
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Chalam
Hello Mark,
If we're Christ's body on earth, then sometimes we need to stand up and be counted.
Agreed.
That may mean taking the WTS on in some shape or form.
Maybe? What the Lord is calling you to do? If this is plan then press on. If not then put it down.
This is some useful words to meditate on
Romans 12:18-20 (New International Version)
18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay,"says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:
"If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."Matthew 5:44-46 (New International Version)
44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?
Also these Psalm 86:15 Psalm 103:8 Psalm 145:8
All the best,
Stephen