If JW's Should Be Accountable For Their Sordid History.....

by AllTimeJeff 40 Replies latest jw friends

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  AllTimeJeff

  ....shouldn't Christian religions of all persuasions be accountable as well?

  If this is insulting, it isn't meant to be. But think about it. Former JW's all the time come here on this forum and others to hold the Governing Body accountable for teaching lies and holding on to a history, a tradition if you will, that embraces leaders like C T Russell and J F Rutherford, both of whom taught things that are almost entirely rejected by JW's today. In Rutherford's case, he was coincidentally a low life human being, an adulterer, an alcoholic, etc.

  So I do think it fascinating that some who leave JW's will join other Christian religions, and then not be honest about the sordid history of these religions. Like the Catholic Church. (too may points to go into with them, how about the Inquisition and the threats on Galileo for starters). The Protestant Reformation was also, uh, not cool to our liberal democratic sensibilities today.

  Our liberal, democratic sensibilities. It's so important to acknowledge, generally speaking, where we have progressed today and how we view religious excess. We don't tolerate the suppresion of women, the persecution and execution of homosexuals, or killing somone for the simple offense of reading of the bible in a language not Latin. Or the support of Hitler. (sorry Pius XII) How about the Inquisition? Whose accountable for that?

  That IS HISTORY. Certified. Can't run from it.

  I just find it fascinating that former JW's to this day will come to this board and demand accountability to the leadership of JW's for their past hypocrisy. While pointing out (rightly so) that such hypocrisy proves that JW's don't have the truth, there are many of the same who will leave JW's and join another Christian religion with a much older, sordid history of brutality and religious abuse.

  It's difficult to defend. I think at the very least that it is not 100% honest to bash JW's and at the same time not acknowledge the history and associated problems with older Christian religions, who did similar, often worse things while claiming to commit such crimes in the name of god and Jesus. (and the holy spirit...)

  Just a thought. And as Terry says, your mileage may vary.
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  shamus100

  So you are saying that Jehovahs Witnesses aren't as bad as some religions?
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  AllTimeJeff

  Exactly Shamus. You got my point EXACTLY!

  There's a kiss for trying anyway.....
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  AllTimeJeff

  It isn't about rating which religion is worse. It's about being honest.

  If we are willing to discuss the history of one religion and demand accountability, we should apply the same standard to all.

  That is my main point.
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  shamus100

  Nice edit, Jeff.

  There is a difference between a cult and a religion. The Catholic church has been around a long, long time. Back when it was acceptable to have slaves. Times were different, and if you want to put 20th century ideals against 15th century ideals you will always lose.
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  AllTimeJeff

  I agree Shamus that religions morph with the cultural sensibilities of their times. That makes sense.

  At the same time, because the Church changed, yet still claims supremecy thanks to "holy tradition", it makes sense to me that the church be held to the same standard we would hold the Governing Body.

  To the Catholic Church's credit, they finally changed their mind on Galileo... a few years ago.
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  AllTimeJeff

  I think that the realization that religions morph with their times, while on the one hand dis-crediting the argument that a religion is superior or "the truth", actually adds value to religion today.

  Because religions must bow to the whims of the culture they find themselves in, religions today are more frequently tolerant of gays, equality to women, etc. in our western world.

  I think that is a positive development, even if it also shows that their is no one superior truth to be found within any one religious theory.

  Now, I will happily allow that there ARE many roads. That is cool. I just wish we could get passed this idea that there is only one road, one way to worship and have faith that trumps others.

  Holding religions accountable for ALL their history demonstrates that there are many roads, and many reasons to be humble about one's faith.
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  shamus100

  The Catholic Church did not rule the world. Kings ruled the world. If you want to heap everything on the Catholic Church, then I guess that's your business. It's wrong, IMO, but it sounds more like someone who takes every negative thing about religion, puts it into a ball, and then flies out swinging. Global labelling at it's finest.

  Jehovahs Witnesses are a cult. They are a cult that hides pedophiles and have no remorse. The difference between the CAtholic Church and Jehovahs Witnesses is the Catholic Church apologized for it. Jehovahs Witnesses still do it and don't give a shit. The Catholic Church is paying people for their error. Jehovahs Witnesses are not.

  No comparison at all in my books.
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  AllTimeJeff

  Shamus, I agree with you on that score.
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  AllTimeJeff

  Btw, I use the Catholic Church as my main example, and I acknowledge in this case that it isn't fair to not include other religions as well. ALL should have honest acknowledgment of their past.