GR ex BOLT says: That's ridiculous! I'm a Jehovah's Witness, not a slave. The WatchTower association is not our "leader" I don't even know where that came from. No one is in charge of us. We view Jehovah as our God who, through his holy spirit, gives information to the GOVERNING BODY, who then has that information sent to the watchtower association and they send it to the congregations throught the world by way of the elders. No slaves, no leaders, just a well organized religious orginization.
Let's take this one baby step at a time and see if what you are asserting has basis and merit.
1. I'm a Jehovah's Witness, not a slave.
A.The idea of being a slave in relation to a Master is rife in the NT.
Romans 1:1 "From Paul, a bond SLAVE of JESUS CHRIST (the Messiah)..." 2 Peter 1:1"...a SLAVE and apostle of JESUS CHRIST...". James 1:1 "...a SLAVE of God and of the Lord JESUS CHRIST...".
B. I notice you don't say you are a Christ Witness. Ask yourself "Why?" you didn't. That is the Trojan horse aspect creeping in.
2. The WatchTower association is not our "leader" I don't even know where that came from.
A. Current teaching is that Jesus is NOT your mediator (unless you are anointed.) That makes the organization all you have!
"Likewise, the Greater Moses, Jesus Christ, is not the Mediator between Jehovah God and all mankind. He is the Mediator between his heavenly Father, Jehovah God, and the nation of spiritual Israel, which is limited to only 144,000 members." Worldwide Security Under the "Prince of Peace" pp.10-11
B. If you have no "leaders" then how can the GB demand you shun beloved family members and penalize you with disfellowship?
"Really, what your beloved family member needs to see is your resolute stance to put Jehovah above everything else - including the family bond. … Do not look for excuses to associate with a disfellowshipped family member, for example, through e-mail." Watchtower 2013 Jan 15 p.16
3.No one is in charge of us. We view Jehovah as our God who, through his holy spirit, gives information to the GOVERNING BODY, who then has that information sent to the watchtower association and they send it to the congregations throught the world by way of the elders.
A. The Baptism of new JW's reveals how this Organization has inserted itself into the DEDICATION VOW
Watchtower - 1985 Jun 1 p.30
"The first question is:
On the basis of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, have you repented of your sins and dedicated yourself to Jehovah to do his will?
The second is:
Do you understand that your dedication and baptism identify you as one of Jehovah's Witnesses in association with God's spirit-directed organization? Having answered yes to these questions, candidates are in a right heart condition to undergo Christian baptism."
B. Testimony by Fred Franz in 1954 under oath in the so called Walsh Trial rebuts your opinion:
Q. If a member of Jehovah's Witnesses took the view himself that that prophesy was wrong and said so he would be disfellowshipped?
A. Yes, if he said so and kept persisting in creating trouble, because if the whole organisation believes one thing, even though it be erronious and somebody else starts on his own trying to put his ideas across then there is disunity and trouble, there cannot be harmony, there cannot be marching. When a change comes it should come from the proper source, the head of the organisation, the governing body, not from the bottom upwards, because everybody would have ideas, and the organisation would disintegrate and go in a thousand different directions. Our purpose is to have unity.
Q. Unity at all costs?
A. Unity at all costs, because we believe and are sure that Jehovah God is using our organisation, the governing body of our organisation to direct it, even though mistakes are made from time to time.
Q. And unity based upon an enforced acceptance of false prophecy?
A. That is conceded to be true.
Q. And the person who expressed his view, as you say, that it was wrong, and was disfellowshipped, would be in breach of the Covenant, if he was baptized?
A. That is correct.
Q. And as you said yesterday expressly, would be worthy of death?
A. I think - - -
Q. Would you say yes or no?
A. I will answer yes, unhesitatingly.
Q. Do you call that religion?
A. It certainly is.
Q. Do you call it Christianity?
A. I certainly do.