Having your say: Jehovah's Witnesses have NONE

by Terry 6 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

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  Terry

  Jesus was the leader, the Rabbi, the teacher and he chose his Apostles.

  They followed him, they listened, they obeyed.

  But--did they HAVE THEIR SAY?

  Did they ask stupid questions and get answers?

  Did they have opinions that were voiced, heard and answered?

  Were there discussions, controversies, arguements among Jesus' followers? Were these permitted without punishment?

  In other words: was there as much GIVE as there was TAKE in Jesus' discipleship?

  I think the answer to this can only be an honest "Yes!"

  It logically follows that Jesus allowed his Apostles to think, reason, examine, question, argue and participate BECAUSE THEIR MIND was important and their IDENTITY as a person.

  Being a christian, a faithful believer and a participant in Jesus' ministry was MORE THAN MERE OBEDIENCE.

  IF your are a Jehovah's Witness today you DO NOT have your say. You are not allowed to question or argue with Governing Body policy or with Elder instructions.

  Can we conclude your MIND is not valued and your identity as a person is irrelevent?

  Would it be an error to assume the demand for OBEDIENCE has become the most important aspect of JW leadership?

  WHY?

  Jesus had Authority from his Father.

  This authority was a light yoke which brought no burden.

  Matthew 11:29-31
  
  New King James Version (NKJV)
  
  29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

  It freed captives to burdensome religious duties.

  Could we not today look at the day to day burden of Jehovah's Witnesses and conclude it is more like Judaism under Pharisees than freedom under Christ?

  Mark 10:

  42 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
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  Knowsnothing

  Terry, I thought you didn't profess any faith...

  Being a Christian seems appealing at times, but when it comes time to defend the faith, some simply back down.
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  AuntBee

  That is such a great post, Terry! I've thought about that a lot as a mother of a large family, in reading many JW stories, and seeing lots of YouTubes.

  As you said, being a christian, following Jesus was more than just obedience. -- I've noticed that in JW world, it seems like all the parents care about with their older kids is that they...... GO TO THE MEETINGS. Many are not even caring/trying to persuade them of the truth of it all, as long as the kids keep going to the meetings, that will keep the parents happy.

  With most of the Christians i know, from various denominations, keeping the kids 'in church' is not the main goal. We desire that they come to the Faith, really and truly, in their hearts. And this cannot be coerced. Many allow and even expect times of questioning, doubting, etc. Our goal isn't to have their bodies in a pew to please us or make us look good.

  My own son is almost 17 and hasn't attended church in a year. He is reading about all kinds of religions right now, and makes no claim to be a Christian. How can i deny him his own spiritual journey? Do i pray for him? You Bet! Do i try to make little points occasionally, or suggest things for him to read once in a while? yes. Do i look down on him for this? NO WAY.
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  dgp

  Bookmarked.
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  sizemik

  Could we not today look at the day to day burden of Jehovah's Witnesses and conclude it is more like Judaism under Pharisees than freedom under Christ?

  Terry . . . the conclusion you've drawn has been stated and believed by many . . . and rightly so.

  But the angle of approach you've used to shine the light on it . . . is superb!
• 

  Terry

  Terry, I thought you didn't profess any faith...

  Being a Christian seems appealing at times, but when it comes time to defend the faith, some simply back down.

  Holding people to their own standards isn't a profession of anything. It is a demand for honesty.

  The Watchtower Society cannot be in any way connected to authority from Jesus.

  Rather, it is obvious they lord it over their members as a substitute mediator.
• 

  Terry

  following Jesus was more than just obedience. -- I've noticed that in JW world, it seems like all the parents care about with their older kids is that they...... GO TO THE MEETINGS. Many are not even caring/trying to persuade them of the truth of it all, as long as the kids keep going to the meetings, that will keep the parents happy.

  Reaching the "person" means caring that there IS an individual with a thinking mind involved.

  JW's treat potential converts as well as their own as objects and objectives statisically.

  Much the way a librarian is custodial of books, JW parents make sure "things" are where they should be and accounted for.

  Whereas Jesus said the christian shepherd left the 99 in the flock to seek out and find the stray sheep and bring it back in his arms; JW elders write off the strays and label them as trouble or apostate.

  LOVE is concerned about the individual and not the PROCESS of dealing with others as a discharge of responsibility.

  LOVE is personal.

  JW'S are impersonal in their empty, souless "love".