Would I be in trouble?

by Pallbearer 11 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

  • Pallbearer
    Pallbearer

    Would I be in trouble?

    Let's suppose that I had never stopped going to the meetings at the Kingdom Hall, and that I was still actively engaged in the Field Service. If you were to be invited into my home you couldn't help but notice that the entire top (probably 6 foot across) of my entertainment center (a piece of furniture that holds the TV and that has glassed-in shelves on each side) is crowded with religious figurines, most of which came from the local Catholic Store.

    Now let's suppose that you, the one invited in, are an Elder.

    Question: What will you think? And what will you do? Anything?

    It just so happens that I am fond of sculptures, and especially those sculptures or figurines that depict people or objects in the Bible.

    For example, at the left end of the ledge there is a figurine that says "Time began in a garden". Next to it is a figurine that depicts Mary and Joseph, with Mary pregnant and sitting on a donkey that is being led by Joseph. Next to that is the Nativity scene that has several pieces: the wise men, the "star", the babe Jesus, and Joseph and Mary etc. Next to that is a figurine that depicts the child Jesus learning how to work with wood, and with Joseph and Mary observing him. Next to that is a figurine of a grown Jesus holding a child in his arms. Next to that is a figurine of the Apostle Paul, holding a Bible in one hand and a sword in the other. Next to that is a figurine of the Apostle Peter, holding a key. Next to that are two separate figurines, both of which depict Michael the archangel defeating the Devil. Next to those, at the right end of the ledge, is a figurine that depicts Jesus, sitting on a throne with the earth underneath his feet, and flanked with a lion on both his left and right. Oh, and there are two separate figurines, each of which have a lion and a lamb that depict the Lion of Judah and the Lamb of God. Those are sort of sitting in the foreground. And also in the foreground there is the figurine that has the Lord's Supper, with Jesus and the 12 present.

    Then if you were to swing around to the right of that piece of furniture you'd see a blue cabinet, on the top of which you'd see a figurine of Moses holding up the 2 tablets. Swinging still further to the right, you'd see a decorative blue "Blanket Chest". The top of it is literally cram packed with a mixture of figurines. There's another, larger, Nativity Scene. It is composed of the wise men, bearing gifts, and the "star". All separate pieces. There is also a figurine of the bust of Pharaoh. There is a figurine of a winged lion, quite similar to the one described in Daniel 7. There is also a figurine of a Rhino (which is the type of animal I think that Daniel saw but didn't name, his 4th beast in Daniel 7). And also there are the two figurines of the busts of Homer and Aristotle. There is a figurine of Saint Patrick. And there is a figurine of Saint Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals.

    Swinging further to the right you'd see on my fireplace mantle a huge, bigger than life figurine of Grumpy (the Walt Disney character). And there are 2 or 3 other objects there as well.

    So there's no way that you, Brother Elder, could possibly miss the fact that I am a huge fan of figurines.

    Now just what are you thinking? What will your reaction be?
  • NVR2L8
    NVR2L8

    Brother elder told my brother-in-law to get rid of his model plane collection because mostnof them were war planes...His reasoning was that Jehovah hates weapons of war and that now was his opportunity to show his love for the truth. When I heard this I told him that there is an elder in my congregation that is facinated by WWII hostory and he owns books and DVDs on this subject! It all depends on what you are willing to sacrifice to prove to this elder that you love the truth more than figurines (idols to him).

  • ronwashington
    ronwashington

    well, aside from the fact that being obsessed with figurines is kinda weird, you're not going to get in trouble. The only one that could would be the star of david in the nativity since that's supposed to be satanic in origin.

    you'd probably get a little bit of counsel for everything else, but that's about it. Don't expect any privilieges.

  • King Solomon
    King Solomon

    So there's no way that you, Brother Elder, could possibly miss the fact that I am a huge fan of figurines.

    Nope.

    That's open and shut "idolatry": thou shalt make no graven images of those in Heaven, etc.

    JWs expect that religious figurines are to be disposed of when someone becomes a JW from Catholicism, and for an ACTIVE JW to purchase them? Dude....

    If JWs are scared of CHILDREN playing with Sparlock due to concerns that it might lead to idolatry, that goes double for religious icons, since you'll be tempted to "worship" them (or incorporate them into your thoughts of YHWH). Serious stuff, and if you persist, you'd face reproof and/or DFing for "brazen conduct" (if not outright idolatry).

  • rip van winkle
    rip van winkle

    It really depends on the individual elder. During my vetting with the baptismal questions, an elder asked me "Is it right or wrong for a Witness to have a painting of angels in their home? I was surprised that he said it would not be wrong. But, I can guarantee had he asked one of his fellow elders the same question, they would have the viewpoint that it would be wrong.

    If there's a cross in the house-that would be a problem as that is an object used for worship. Do you worship your figurines? If you do, then it's idolatry. If you don't, then it's a collection of figurines. Some people collect LLadro, some collect Mickey Mouse, some collect stamps and coins, etc.. None of that is considered idolatry.

    Just don't have any elders come to your house and keep enjoying your collection!!!

  • rather be in hades
    rather be in hades

    i think they'd turn tail and run while confused that you aren't being haunted

  • Quentin
    Quentin

    WOULD I BE IN TROUBLE?

    Maybe, maybe not. After hanging around here for four, or five years, I've come to the conclusion that jw's of today can get "into trouble" for whatever ANY knit browed, knuckle dragging elder, or one of their ass kissing stooges, mindless thinking is on a subject.

  • NOLAW
    NOLAW

    You would be in BIG trouble as you are violating The Watchtower R . There was an article against collecting such items.

  • rip van winkle
    rip van winkle

    NoLaw- Do you know the date of the mag?

  • WTWizard
    WTWizard

    You could be in trouble for displaying anything. Brother Hounder could dislike something innocent, and insist you get rid of it. He could come back a day or so later, and if you (1) refused to let him in, or (2) the object is still there, you are now going to be hauled into a judicial hearing for "brazen conduct".

Share this

Google+
Pinterest
Reddit