Just wondering. Thanks!
Does the Bible talk about Conscience Matter?
by Iamallcool 15 Replies latest watchtower bible
-
-
Bobcat
The Bible (especially the NT) talks about keeping a good conscience.
The WT talks about 'conscience matters.' In other words, they decide what areas are appropriate for you to use your conscience. Anything else, they're conscience decides for you. (I'm answering from a WT view - since this is a JWN forum.)
-
alanv
Bobcat you are so right about the Watchtower deciding what matters are conscience. There are loads of things the bible does not speak about and yet the
Watchtowery determine how you should view it. Only a few things they leave for the witness to decide themselves. They would much rather dictate on everything, but 9% of things is not a bad percentage when it comes to control.
-
-
-
-
-
King Solomon
Yup, 'conscience matters' are the ONLY situations where a JW is allowed to use their Bible-trained™ conscience after thoughtful prayer (i.e. not just the usual thoughtless rambling one otherwise does in a prayer, thanking God for unicorns, flowers, lollipops, Justin Bieber, etc). The rest of the decisions they face are under God's jurisdiction, and not appropriate to use one's own powers of discretion (AKA 'free will'), but are required to follow God's wishes and laws, AKA Divine Will, as expressed via the Bible (or if a JW, in the publications).
The irony is one of my JW relatives was bagging on the Mormons, saying how Jesus warned Xians about any attempt to append to the Bible, as they do with their Book of Mormon (I can't remember what NT scripture he used to make this claim. Anyone know?). Of course, the thought running thru my mind was that warning would seem to apply to JWs as well, where the GB basically appends their interpretations onto the "supposedly closed for future modifications" Bible, placing them on par with (or even above) the Bible.
-
blondie
(1 Corinthians 8:1-13) . . .Now concerning foods offered to idols: we know we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. 2 If anyone thinks he has acquired knowledge of something, he does not yet know [it] just as he ought to know [it]. 3 But if anyone loves God, this one is known by him. 4 Now concerning the eating of foods offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no God but one. 5 For even though there are those who are called “gods,” whether in heaven or on earth, just as there are many “gods” and many “lords,” 6 there is actually to us one God the Father, out of whom all things are, and we for him; and there is one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things are, and we through him. 7 Nevertheless, there is not this knowledge in all persons; but some, being accustomed until now to the idol, eat food as something sacrificed to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. 8 But food will not commend us to God; if we do not eat, we do not fall short, and, if we eat, we have no credit to ourselves. 9 But keep watching that this authority of YOURS does not somehow become a stumbling block to those who are weak. 10 For if anyone should see you, the one having knowledge, reclining at a meal in an idol temple, will not the conscience of that one who is weak be built up to the point of eating foods offered to idols? 11 Really, by your knowledge, the man that is weak is being ruined, [your] brother for whose sake Christ died. 12 But when YOU people thus sin against YOUR brothers and wound their conscience that is weak, YOU are sinning against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat flesh at all, that I may not make my brother stumble.
(1 Corinthians 10:25-33) 25 Everything that is sold in a meat market keep eating, making no inquiry on account of YOUR conscience; 26 for “to Jehovah belong the earth and that which fills it.” 27 If anyone of the unbelievers invites YOU and YOU wish to go, proceed to eat everything that is set before YOU, making no inquiry on account of YOUR conscience. 28 But if anyone should say to YOU: “This is something offered in sacrifice,” do not eat on account of the one that disclosed it and on account of conscience. 29 “Conscience,” I say, not your own, but that of the other person. For why should it be that my freedom is judged by another person’s conscience? 30 If I am partaking with thanks, why am I to be spoken of abusively over that for which I give thanks? 31 Therefore, whether YOU are eating or drinking or doing anything else, do all things for God’s glory. 32 Keep from becoming causes for stumbling to Jews as well as Greeks and to the congregation of God, 33 even as I am pleasing all people in all things, not seeking my own advantage but that of the many, in order that they might get saved.
-------------
The WTS undermines any concept of conscience.
*** w82 7/15 p. 24 par. 12 Benefiting From Your God-given Conscience ***Even though an individual feels it is a ‘personal matter of conscience,’ if it damages others it can lead to his receiving Jehovah’s adverse judgment. This shows how deceptive it can be to think ‘if it is up to my conscience, it is all right.’
So, when facing a decision on ‘a matter of conscience,’ we need to reflect on, (1) what God’s Word says relating to it, and (2) how our decision might affect or involve others.
AND THEN SPEAKS OUT OF BOTH SIDES OF THEIR MOUTH
*** w73 5/1 p. 265 Malawi’s Citizens Face a Vital Decision ***Why do Jehovah’s witnesses refuse to buy the party cards? It is not because of any political leanings on their part, for they are absolutely neutral toward all political movements. With them it is solely a matter of conscience and God’s law.
-
Bobcat
The Society's view of the conscience is not all that different from how Patriots and Terrorists are viewed. With Patriots and Terrorists, it really depends on which side you're on.
If you stand your ground on something the Society agrees with, you are loyal to God by keeping a good conscience. But if you stand your ground on something the Society disagrees with, you are a disloyal evil apostate.
Oh yea, there is a footnote to that. If you stand your ground on something the Society disagrees with, you are a disloyal evil apostate. If the Society later changes their viewpoint to be the same as yours, guess what? You are still a disloyal evil apostate, even though you actually stood up for what they now hold to be true. From the Society's viewpoint, you had the temerity to keep a good conscience without their approval. You will surely die for such brazen conduct.
That is how the WT views the conscience.