by cedars 34 Replies latest jw friends
It seems to me that at times there is a temptation to use tragedies to try to further the ex-JW agenda of proving Watchtower doctrine wrong, and in my opinion by using an apostate strawman argument at that.
Yes, they pump up the experiences when someone (allegedly) escapes harm when they are at the meeting instead of staying home. But JWs are never directly told (nor in my own anecdotal experience do many actually believe) that they have physical immunity from harm while preaching.
The WTS has in recent years been fairly clear that individual jws should not expect personal protection. It could be that they slept through this part of the WT.
God’s people – individuals protected or only “as a group”
***w09 3/15 p.26 par.8***
Because of obeying such commands, God’s servants on earth today now number some seven million. Who can deny that his people have become “mighty in the earth”? (John 10:16; Rev. 7:9, 14) And how “blessed” they will yet be as God carries out his purpose! As a group, those with an earthly hope will be preserved through the coming “great tribulation” to form “a new earth” in which “righteousness is to dwell.”
*** w08 9/15 p.9***What About Physical Protection?
8 As individuals, we know that our immediate physical protection is not guaranteed. We take the position expressed by the three faithful Hebrews who refused to bow down to King Nebuchadnezzar’s image of gold. Those God-fearing young men did not presume that Jehovah would miraculously protect them from physical harm. (Read Daniel 3:17, 18.) As matters turned out, Jehovah did deliver them from the flames of the fiery furnace. (Dan. 3:21-27) Even in Bible times, however, miraculous deliverance was the exception rather than the rule. Many faithful servants of Jehovah died at the hands of opposers.—Heb. 11:35-37.
9 What about today? As “the Provider of escape,” Jehovah certainly can deliver individuals from perilous situations. Can we definitively say whether Jehovah did or did not intervene in specific cases? No. Still, an individual who has escaped a dangerous situation may feel that Jehovah intervened. It would be presumptuous for others to take issue with his feeling. At the same time, we must realistically acknowledge that many faithful Christians have died as a result of persecution, as was the case during the Nazi era. Others have died under tragic circumstances. (Eccl. 9:11) We might ask, ‘Did Jehovah fail to be “the Provider of escape” for faithful ones whose lives were cut short?’ That could hardly be the case.
I remember a similar situation with me about 35 years ago-- but it was a small yap-yap dog that darted out from the open door, bit me on the ankle and just as fast, went back into he house. I exclaimed to the householder- your dog just bit me!! She nonchalantly reliped, " I didn't see anything" and with a wry smirk, she bid me adieu and closed the door. I wonder how she trained her dog to do that trick.
Thanks Blondie
I remember this young zealot of a sister took me down
in some gun riddled boondocks
She clearly ignored the signs of target practice I pointed out
to her
She truly believed that Jehovah was gonna send some angels
to lift us outta that bottom. In which she stupidly chose to go
I can't do no runnin'. And a fast walk won't do.
.
Does anyone remember a CO from the 60s, Bro. Link, he could stare down mean barking dogs till they whimpered.
Check out this week's Congregation Bible Study which many congregations will be having tonight.
page 79 of the Jeremiah book, paragraph 22, "If Jehovah sees fit, he can also hide his modern-day servants from danger."
I guess these old women didn't make the cut.
I was terrified of dogs have been every since I as a little kid.
I was ridiculed, mocked, put down, made to feel like I had no faith, etc when I was out in service if I refused to go to a home with a dog becuase the dog scarred me.
The dogs always sensed my fear and they would come at me, I have been told over and over by JW's that I lacked trust in Jehovah that was why dogs bit me. I kid you not.
I have put myself in danger so many times it is unreal. There was one time where I knew this home had a mean dog and it was my door. I was in a car group of four other sisters and I begged them to just write it down for letter writing, This aggressive sister told me NO WAY it was my door and that I had better get out of the car. There was no dog in sight so it was clear to the car group that I just did not want to talk at the door. I went to the door shaking and sure enough the dog came tearing out from the back, he was a wicked mean German Shepard I ran for my life and barley made it back to the car. I was so scarred and all the sisters in the car were laughing their heads off at me telling me I looked so stupid.
I have been bit six or seven times, one bit did not break the skin but it bruised so bad that it took six months to heal. We were pioneering and I had no money to go to the doctor. My husband asked me why I allowed the dog to bit me. I just wanted to cry. It just really hurt my feelings more than anything because he did not care, it was like it was my fault.
I have been told that I was faking my fear of dogs just so I did not have to go to the door because I did not want to save peoples lives, I was trying to get out of talking, taking my fair share of the doors.
Yet I have been with other JW's who have been afraid of dogs and they get away with not going where there are dogs. I do not know why there was such a difference with me.
One time I was bit by a small dog an ankle bitter and my husband said Jehovah let it happen because the guy was so afraid we might sue he stood and listened to my husband for over an hour, my husband said if the dog had not bit me the guy would not have gotten a witness, so Jehovah allowed it to happen and it was no big deal just a small wound.
The bottom line is I had no choice but to go to doors with bad dogs, I do not know why I was forced to but I was FORCED TO. I know to most of you that makes no sense why did'nt I just say no. I did, I begged, pleaded, even cried not to make me go to the doors with bad dogs, but I was told it was my service to Jehovah to go to ALL DOORS. I have even been told that they would not move the car until I got out. Now I find it hard to believe myself but it was how I was treated in feild service.
The pain of how I was treated by my fellow JW's hurts more then any dog bite.
LITS
Chaserious
Yes, they pump up the experiences when someone (allegedly) escapes harm when they are at the meeting instead of staying home. But JWs are never directly told (nor in my own anecdotal experience do many actually believe) that they have physical immunity from harm while preaching.
But surely you agree that the Watchtower is double-tongued, in that it will say or imply contradictory things when this suits its purpose. Yes, technically speaking, the Watchtower's stance is that Witnesses aren't physically protected. However, then you get dramatic experiences in the publications implying divine protection (the Nigerian family who escaped a plane crash by attending a meeting springs to mind), not to mention the bizarre picture in the OP, and you have to wonder what the point of it is? As far as the above image is concerned, the caption "God's angels support and protect his servants" accompanies a depiction of big burly angels towering over Witnesses dutifully engaging in the preaching work. What message are witnesses supposed to take from that?
Perhaps these tragic circumstances are not appropriate for highlighting this duplicitous approach, and I sincerely apologise if any offence was caused. Uppermost in everyone's minds should be the welfare of those poor sisters rather than the making of any particular point. You make an important observation in that respect, and it's duly noted. However, anyone who knows anything about the Watch Tower Society knows they are perfectly capable of sending out two conflicting messages simultaneously, thus leaving some if not all Witnesses under a false impression that could make them less careful than they would otherwise be.
Cedars
LITS what a horrible story, to have others put you in danger because of their irrational, reckless and irresponsible retardedness.
I am well known for not doing houses where there are dog signs. I just quote Pr 22:3 (above) and suggest if they are that concerned they will have to do it themselves.
There's no way I would be bullied into it, I would bully them back. Easier for me since I have external genitalia so am allowed to speak out strongly.
Splash
