Hello Change name,
Sorry i missed out on all of the fun so far. Let me attempt a short redux that may funnel these points. Because we are all arguing over semantics. First, it would help if you come clean that you are one of Jehovah's Witnesses, instead of pretending you are not. We won't judge you for being here despite that. I myself as a JW apologist for quite some time. Probably argued with some here even at one point. That was several years ago. I believe I even argued this exact point. So just a few things to consider to boil this down.
1) Would I lie if I was hiding a brother in my home, and someone was coming to get him (ie: Rawanda).....you bet. Would I think less of anyone doing the same? Nope. In my mind the sin of lying woud be trumped by the sin of aiding in the murder of my fellowman. I think most here would agree. So essentially, we are saying there is a time it is ok to lie.
2) "Every lie is an untruth, but not every untruth is a lie". This is a direct quote noted earlier. So this to me is very clear. Allowing or even fostering deception is ok, when it is against those deemed in "opposition" to their work. I have been one of JW's my entire life. I NATURALLY hid cetain things we believe or aspects of our history. The video you see, has elders dancing around the fact there is a book that while technically is not a secret, is not made available for anyone other than an elder to see. So it is a semantic arguement ove rthe difference between "confidential" and "secret".
Think about this for a second. The society is saying that when it comes to preaching or dealing with those opposing you, untruths are all good. You can withold information (ommision is not looked favorably in a court of law), and you are still just fine because of the REASON you do it. So if not outright lying, can we at least agree it is at best disingenuous and not true to the spirit of the bibles command to not have a "false tongue"?
P.S. - Your comment regarding those who leave the organization not caring about their families is offensive. It is offensive on many levels and you should apologize for it. The ACTUAL POLICY of the religion I have been and am still a part of for my entire 30+ years on this earth, is that is you vocalize distrust in the Governing Body or their appointment by God (despite they claim no inspiration from God), is that you are to be disfellowshipped and your friends and family cannot speak to you under threat of them too being disfellowshipped. The policy breaking up families is one sided. If someone even just changes their mind, says nothing, moves on with their lives and continues to lead a moral and giving life.......it is very likely they will still be unofficially shunned by friends and loved ones because they are taught it is what jehovah wants them to do.
You should apologize. Perhaps ignorance caused you to mispeak?
