by garyneal 22 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
Yes police officers can be JW, if your already a jw then you cant as you (over here anyway) are sworn in to protect queen and country. If you are already a police officer and then become a JW, one of our brothers is, then you cant use fire arms anylonger.
Yes buying lottery ticket is a form of gambling and elders would lovingly counsel you first, but obviously if it continued then they would need to help you or yes you can be df for it.
I know someone poersonally who is, and has been a police officer for 20 years...and he just got baptized 2 months ago. He still carries a gun...but while holding that job can not hold a position in the cong.
Can he not hold a position in the cong because of the gun..or because he is jw? Because our police officer has a position within our cong but doesnt carry a gun. Just wandered if it was the same in usa as over here?
and, yes he is still a police officer.
I don't feel like loading my CD right now...is there an article on it?
** w06 11/15 p. 7 An Issue That Involves You ***There is also the practice of gambling. Though popular among many, gambling is a form of greed, since it is an attempt to make money through the losses of others. Jehovah does not approve of those who are "greedy of dishonest gain." (1 Timothy 3:8) If you wish to please Jehovah, then, you will refrain from any form of gambling, including lotteries, bingo, and betting on horse races. In turn, you may well find that you actually have more money on hand to meet the needs of your family.
*** w89 7/15 p. 30 Questions From Readers ***
Is it appropriate for a Christian to buy lottery tickets as mere entertainment if the proceeds go to a charity?The Bible certainly does not discourage fitting entertainment, for Jehovah is "the happy God." (1 Timothy 1:11) His people can enjoy music, modest dancing, moderate eating or drinking, and balanced sports and games. (Psalm 150:4; Ecclesiastes 2:24) However, gambling clearly conflicts with God’s wise counsel, and this is true of sharing in lotteries.
Exactly what is a lottery? It involves buying tickets to have a chance to win prizes. Winners are determined by a drawing or some random way of choosing a number. Often there is one huge prize, perhaps amounting to millions of dollars, pesos, or pounds. The appeal of such an enormous prize is so great that lotteries have become "the most widespread form of gambling." (TheWorldBookEncyclopedia) Hundreds of millions of people gamble by means of lotteries.
Some people have reasoned that being involved in a lottery is not wrong or bad because the cost of a ticket (chance) may be small, because those participating do so willingly, and because some of the proceeds may be used for a charitable purpose, such as helping the poor. How valid is such reasoning?
While some claim that buying a lottery ticket is simple, low-cost entertainment, there is no denying the greed factor. People buy lottery tickets hoping to win a lot of money. This certainly runs in the face of divine counsel against greediness, which can be such a serious vice that it can prevent a person from ‘inheriting God’s kingdom.’ Hence, if a Christian manifested persistent greed by gambling, he could be excluded from the congregation. (1 Corinthians 5:11; 6:10) The Bible says: "An inheritance is being got by greed at first, but its own future will not be blessed." (Proverbs 20:21) If a Christian felt any impulse to ‘take a chance’ in a lottery, he should think seriously about the greed on which the lottery is based. Ephesians 5:3 says that ‘greediness should not even be mentioned among us,’ much less given in to by a Christian.
The largest portion of lottery players are usually found in poor communities. So even if the cost of a ticket is small, funds are being diverted that ought to go toward genuine family needs—more food, adequate clothing, improved medical care. A person who claims to be a Christian but neglects such family needs "is worse than a person without faith."—1 Timothy 5:8.
Even if the cost of a lottery ticket would not significantly harm someone’s personal or family finances, that does not mean that others are not harmed. Why so? Because almost anyone buying a lottery ticket would like to win. From where would his prize money come? If his ticket cost ten pesos and the prize is a million pesos, that means that he takes the ticket money from a hundred thousand other people. Does that harmonize with God’s counsel against coveting others’ valuables? (Deuteronomy 5:21) In fact, his prize will involve money taken from many more people, for far more than a hundred thousand tickets will have to be sold. A goodly amount of ticket money must go for administrative costs, as well as some to the charitable purpose that is trumpeted as the rationale for the lottery. So even if a person can afford the ten pesos for his own ticket, what about vast numbers of others? Moreover, his winning will probably be publicized, moving many to begin playing the lottery or buying more tickets, even if they cannot afford this.
There is also no denying that bound up with the lottery is the dream of winning money without working for it. Yes, the lottery encourages laziness or appeals to it. The Bible, though, urges God’s people to be thrifty, industrious, and hardworking. Rather than promote a ‘get something for nothing’ spirit, it advises: "If anyone does not want to work, neither let him eat."—2 Thessalonians 3:10; Proverbs 13:4; 20:4; 21:25; 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12.
That others may share in a lottery of their own volition and that it is legal does not justify involvement in it by Christians. Some governments legalize other forms of gambling, as well as prostitution and polygamy. Though such things may be legal and many people are willingly involved in them, this does not mean that such activities are proper in God’s sight. Christians, rather, strive to reflect David’s view: "Make me know your own ways, O Jehovah; teach me your own paths. Make me walk in your truth and teach me, for you are my God of salvation."—Psalm 25:4, 5.
If a Christian genuinely wants to help the poor, handicapped, or elderly, he certainly can do so directly or in a way that does not involve gambling.
[Footnotes]
Though widely known as a lottery, this type of gambling may also be called a pool, sweepstakes, raffle, or some local name.
*** w05 11/1 p. 31 Questions From Readers ***
Can a Christian maintain a good conscience if he accepts employment that involves being armed?
Jehovah’s Witnesses the world over take seriously their God-given responsibility to provide materially for their families. (1 Timothy 5:8) However, certain forms of employment are in clear violation of Bible principles and should be avoided. These include employment connected with gambling, the misuse of blood, and the promoting of tobacco products. (Isaiah 65:11; Acts 15:29; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Colossians 3:5) Other types of work, though not directly condemned in the Bible, could violate one’s conscience or the conscience of others.
Engaging in secular work that requires carrying a firearm or another weapon is a personal decision. However, armed employment exposes one to the possibility of becoming bloodguilty if called upon to use one’s weapon. Hence, a Christian needs to consider prayerfully whether he is willing to accept the burden of making a snap decision where human life is involved. Carrying a weapon also exposes a person to the danger of injury or death from an attack or reprisal.
Others may be affected by one’s decision as well. For instance, a Christian’s primary responsibility is preaching the good news of God’s Kingdom. (Matthew 24:14) Would it be possible to teach others to "be peaceable with all men," while at the same time earning a living by carrying a weapon? (Romans 12:18) What about children or other family members? Would having a handgun in the house put their lives in danger? Moreover, could others be stumbled by one’s stand on the matter?—Philippians 1:10.
In these "last days," more and more people are "fierce, without love of goodness." (2 Timothy 3:1, 3) Knowing this, could a person remain "free from accusation" were he to choose armed employment that might bring him into conflict with such individuals? (1 Timothy 3:10) Hardly. For this reason, the congregation would not regard such a person as "irreprehensible" if he continued to carry a weapon after being kindly given Bible counsel. (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:5, 6) Thus, such a man or woman would not qualify for any special privileges in the congregation.
Jesus assured his disciples that if they put Kingdom interests first in their lives, they need not be overly concerned about having the necessities of life. (Matthew 6:25, 33) Indeed, if we place our full trust in Jehovah, "he himself will sustain [us]. Never will he allow the righteous one to totter."—Psalm 55:22.
JW's have a good thing going with their view on Military involvement, who wants to argue with a pacifist? Many people naively believe that world problems would be solved if armies were suspended. But the personal conflict and strife amongst JW's is proof that disarming is not the solution to end violence and conflict. Ending religion is a more practical solution IMHO.
A good comeback to your wife is two fold. first is Jesus words in Matt 5
(Matthew 5:41) . . .and if someone under authority impresses you into service for a mile, go with him two miles. . .
The implication is very often lost on the JW who scans over this. However the NWT cross reference takes you to the impressing into service of Simon to carry the cross for Jesus by a MILITARY officer. The cross-reference only underpins the subject. The wording is still hard to get around as there is no room left for a follower of Jesus to resist the order from someone in superior authority, whatever that order was.
What could be worse than carrying an impalement cross, the instrument used to murder criminals and in this case an innocent man.
Likewise there is a passage in Luke where soldiers who came to John to be baptized asked specifically "what more must we do" to get right with God. What a great place to tell them to leave the military but John gives them advice on how to better conduct themselves AS SOLDIERS.
Lastly the greatest blow to JW "live by the sword, die by the sword" theology is that before his death, Jesus reversed what he said earlier about carrying a sword (gun). Although he said the above "live by" words after Peter used the sword that Jesus told him to carry, it was its use, or living by it" and not carrying it that was the problem. To say that Police officers and military personnel "Live" by their weapons is a crude misrepresentation of what their function is. Before there was Police, it was the Army that maintained civil order.
The text is here:
(Luke 22:35-36) 35 He also said to them: "When I sent YOU forth without purse and food pouch and sandals, YOU did not want for anything, did YOU?" They said: "No!" 36 Then he said to them: "But now let the one that has a purse take it up, likewise also a food pouch; and let the one having no sword sell his outer garment and buy one.
Frank75
You asked "Can a JW join the Military?" Her answer "No all the Military is good for is Killing people and destroying things." The Watchtower Society owns 50% of a company that makes war weapons that kill and destroy. All you have to do is go to your "search" and type in "Watchtower and warfare technology." That organization is guilty of everything they say "do not do." Hypocrites and Liers run that organizations.
Thanks for the replies everyone. I especially thank Blondie for posting the answers straight from the source of my wife's belief's (the Watchtower). My wife gives me flack concerning how I "twist" the scriptures to suit my own ends. But I keep trying to tell her it is not the Bible, or God, that I disagree with, it is the Watchtower's interpretations of it that I find questionable. Adding things to scripture which isn't really there. I cited one example that I took issue with back when I became a Christian, the Southern (and Independent Fundamental) Baptist teachings on 'thou shalt not dance.' The Independent Fundamental Baptists went further stating that one cannot listen to rock music, including Christian Rock, Country music, Rap music, etc.. While I will admit that some of that stuff isn't wholesome, to make a blanket statement like that is a bit draconian. The Independent Fundamental Baptists were the church I associated with for the first few year of my new Christian life. They rival the Watchtower in their legalism.
Making statements like the following:
IFB: You can play the piano but how many souls have you won for Christ? Christ commands us to go out soul winning (ie. door to door preaching).
WT: We must continue to go out door to door preaching the Kingdom.
IFB: If you are a member of a church and you attend another church, that is the same as committing adultery against the home church!
WT: Witnesses do not attend other churches as this is the same as spiritual fornication.
IFB: Rearrange the letters of Santa, and you have Satan. Can you see how Satan infiltrated the Lord's Holiday? It's CHRISTmas, not XMAS!
WT: Satan is influencing the world to partake in holiday traditions like Christmas which is not really Jesus' birthday. This is a pagan teaching.
I can go on, but you get the idea....
| TD says: As the unbelieving husband of an active JW |
I find it funny how people on both sides of the aisle call each other the unbeliever. To a Jehovah's Witness, the Christians are the unbelievers. The reverse it true to the Christians. My wife's KH sits right next door to a Baptist church. I made a comment on multiple occasions and to multiple people that I can imagine the Baptists on one side of the yard, pointing to the witnesses on the other side while the witnesses are pointing to the Baptists. Both groups saying, "We have the Truth and YOU'RE living a lie!"
| diamondiiz said: When athiests hear religious people speak no wonder they roll their eyes and are glad they are no part of religion as most religious people repeat what they've learned from their religious leaders and that's what they follow but hopefully their religions are not so controlling that they can't reject at least some of the crap that is thaught by their religious leaders. |
I would agree that religious zealots (though well meaning and intentioned) make Christianity look bad. Jesus railed against the religious leaders of His day and we should all do well to examine ourselves to ensure that we are not becoming religious. I must point out that I had realized how the Jehovah's Witnesses seemed to "idolized" the Watchtower a few months ago but I did not point this out until my wife made it a point to make Christians out to look like they idolized the cross. I guess we should be quick to remind ourselves that before we try to remove the specs out of someone else's eye, that we make sure their are no logs in our own. Approach people with kindness and love if you find them doing something that disagrees with the Bible. We walk a fine line between being totally non-judgemental, allowing anarchy and confusion to enter the body of Christ, and becoming legalistic and controlling.
| black sheep says: Round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round you go. |
I know and sometimes it is discouraging. I'm afraid she is going to have to see for herself from within her own group in order to realize it.
It's hard to present the good news of Christian freedom to someone like this. She either has to cut out the things she enjoys completely (holidays, birthdays, etc.) or partake in them and face Jehovah's wrath. No balanced view of such things at all.
BlackSheep said you have to grab them by the primary Doctrine, but their primary Doctrines are nuts, is he saying you have to grab them by the nuts and srangle them ?
love
Wobble
