Service Meeting says "Leave Everything"

by Billy the Ex-Bethelite 27 Replies latest watchtower bible

  • Billy the Ex-Bethelite
    Billy the Ex-Bethelite

    This has probably been addressed, but I'm in a rush and wanted to get this out ASAP while it's fresh and before I have to run off again. And I don't have the KM with me to note the exact instructions and passages discussed, anyway...

    Last week in the Service Meeting, there was an unusual part that I wish I would have been prepared for. The only material was to read a couple passages from Luke and discuss how they affect our attitude toward our ministry. Of course, they were Jesus telling everyone to leave family, friends, and property in order to follow him. It sounds of course like the usual beat the sheeples to do more, give more, and hate your family. Here's a few things that I brought up in my anti-witnessing but not necessarily in this order:

    1) Indeed Jesus had nowhere to lay his head and his ministry was all about his giving to the people. But guess what? The GB certainly have a place to lay their heads. The CO has a place to lay his head. These guys get the best accommodations, travel extensively, and believe me, they're "takers", not "givers". Of course, I can speak from experience to say that I wouldn't buy a used car from any one of them. They are certainly nothing like Jesus in their leadership.

    2) And let's be very honest. We've read the accounts of Jesus: He could heal any illness. He could pull food out of a magic basket to feed me and thousands of others with leftovers. If you're fishing, he could overfill your nets. Need cash? Pull money out of a fish's mouth. HE COULD RAISE THE DEAD!... and dozens of other super-spectacular miracles that the GB couldn't do. And I can tell you this. If a man came along today that could 100% cure the sick, raise the dead, calm storms and other natural disasters, etc., I'D DROP EVERYTHING AND FOLLOW HIM TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH! But that isn't what's happening today. The GB can't even cure male-pattern baldness. Why would I drop anything in order to peddle their litteratrash?

    3) Context. Just before the first passage in Luke that was discussed is the account where the disciples encountered another stranger that was expelling demons in Jesus' name. The disciples asked Jesus if they should stop him. But Jesus said to the effect that anyone that isn't against us is for us. The Watchtower explanation to that text is that to be "approved" everyone must be part of "the organization". What Jesus said was nullified later when the Christian congregation was established. Technically, since this SM passage follows closely, the context should be the same. When Jesus said to leave everything and follow him, this would no longer apply when he was gone from the earth.

    4) More context on the same line. Remember in Luke 10:4 (I think) where Jesus had said that his disciples didn't need purse or food pouch in their ministry? Well, they didn't, as long as they could enjoy Jewish hospitality and Jesus was their to also care for them. Later in Luke 22:35,36, Jesus told them that they now would need not only a purse and food pouch, but also a sword? Why the change? Because Jesus knew that Christians wouldn't be able to enjoy a "free ride" anymore, and he wouldn't be around in person to support them.

    In conclusion, Watchtower stands condemned for their self-righteous "We never claimed to be a prophet... but you'd better treat us like one!" attitude. They aren't Jesus and don't deserve the obedience that a true prophet would EARN.

    Watchtower Corporation is a cult. The GB and their "spiritual paradise" is a fraud.

  • Meeting Junkie No More
    Meeting Junkie No More

    AMEN to all you said. Brilliant analysis.

  • ABibleStudent
    ABibleStudent

    I like your interpretation, analysis, and conclusions Billy the Ex-Bethelite. What was the WTBTS trying to prove? Was it just another example of the GB trying to rewrite the scriptures? I wonder how someone could question the WTBTS' conclusions without sounding like an apostate? If you had discussed your analysis with the JWs, what would have been their reaction? Crucify him!

    Peace be with you and everyone, who you love,

    ABibleStudent

  • Chemical Emotions
    Chemical Emotions

    I really like this! Very interesting. When I got to hear that talk in the Service Meeting a few days agao, the brother went on and on about being ready to drop everything for god the WTBTS. And that you should forget your family if they're in your way. (only they said it in a "nicer" way). I didn't think about it as thoroughly as you you did, but I had some similar thoughts.

  • discreetslave
    discreetslave

    Skillfully Wield “the Sword of the Spirit”

  • WTWizard
    WTWizard

    Leave everything? For what? They instruct people to leave everything, but give no further instructions.

    More rational might be "Leave everything, because your country is about to become totalitarian. You need to leave the country and take residence in a nearby country (or one not so nearby), before they close the door on you." That would give people a destination, and time to prepare. They would have time to research where they are to move to, which could allow them to take a few things. Even in an emergency, they would be prepared to leave and know where to go to. You get no such assistance in the witless religion.

    Another logical instruction might be "Leave everything and buy silver." You would be given instruction that your currency is about to become worthless, and the ability to cross-reference to see for yourself that the government or appointee is printing money out of control and hyperinflation is soon to strike. Leaving everything means taking dormant assets denominated in the currency out, and using the funds to purchase silver. Later, when the currency becomes worthless, your silver will still buy another currency or itself can be used as currency. Again, you are given the ability to research and get your assets safely out of a currency before it becomes toilet paper, and you will still have something in the event of emergency (if the hyperinflation strikes suddenly). Again, you get no such assistance with the witlesses.

    Instead, they want you to leave everything for no good reason. You are given instruction to pio-sneer, and to give everything to the Worldwide Pedophile Defense Fund. You are supposed to "prepare" by going from door to door, wasting most of your time doing nothing but spreading the cancer to others. You are to leave a career, and start pio-sneering. And, the end result is ending up destitute and old. At least in a better country, you would have a good chance to start your own business (which is when the benefits really take off). And, if you invest in silver and hyperinflation never shows up, you still have a solid investment 50 years from now. You always take a bath when you follow the advice from the Filthful and Disgraceful Slavebugger.

  • AwareBeing
    AwareBeing

    Heres a great question about "belongings" for the OKM part:

    "How should you "leave everything" in pursuant of Jehovah's interests" (WT's will)?

    A) Sell everything and keep only the bare essentials,

    B) Use it to take care of your family's need,

    C) Give it to those needy in the congregation, or

    D) Donate the majority of your proceeds to GB in care of "CCJW."

  • undercover
    undercover

    Reports are heard of brothers selling their homes and property and planning to finish out the rest of their days in this old system in the pioneer service. Certainly this is a fine way to spend the short time remaining before the wicked world's end.

  • Gayle
    Gayle

    Back in late '60s and early '70s, there were so many, extremely zealous and sacrificing, that sold their homes, went to where the need was greater. pioneering. Not in too many years, they came back, broke, sickly and though they were still JWs, they were broken, never the same any more.

  • Chariklo
    Chariklo

    Hate to sound a contrary note, but I have to, to be fair.

    Just from my own very limited experience, I know, locally, those who have done exactly that, chosen to live extremely simply and are pioneering.

    They are gentle and wise. (Although, to balance that, I know that many will say they can't be wise because they believe and preach something that isn't true.)

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