Hi Lotus:
You indicated in your post earlier that you wanted to know what we thought needed to be changed. Well - rather than go into a huge list that initiates a biblical interpretation debate - I thought I'd simplify this first post by listing a few things that I really enjoy now as a born-again christian and missed out on as a JW - things that were not allowed as a JW for which I have found no scriptural basis:
(1) Listening to Christian Rock music. I love rock/pop music and have found a number of great Christian groups that have the music I like with uplifting lyrics. Why are these not allowed as a JW?
(2) Being free to question doctrine (or new light) that I don't understand or doesn't sit right with me - without fear of discipline - no matter how long I've been a Christian (or JW).
(3) Sunday school - My daughter now attends Sunday School and loves it!! She is learning about the bible at a level she can understand and enjoy. In fact - she looks forward to church!! When I was growing up I had to sit at the meetings 5 hrs a week and got spanked if I acted up (what 4 year old doesn't?!!). I didn't learn much except to dread meetings. I can find no biblical basis for not having Sunday school - and we all know the Society has the means to incorporate this!
(4) Keeping time records - why must JW's report their time and magazine/book placements? Why is a JW's priviledges based on their time spent in field service? Where is the biblical basis for that?!! Shouldn't our sharing the gospel be from the heart, and compelled by the holy spirit? I am amazed at how many christians & churches out there really do witness (a lot!!!) - in informal activities, outreach programs, missionaries, charity work, etc. Why do the JW's dictate how/when the witnessing work must be done?
(5) Mother's Day, Father's Day, Grandparent's Day....What's wrong with those?!!
(6) Cigarettes - They're awful, unhealthy, nasty..but... I don't see a biblical basis for them being a disfellowshipping matter. After all "Everthing is permissible but not everyuthing is beneficial...1 Cor 10:23, and Jesus said at Matthew 15:11 "What goes into a man's mouth does not make him 'unclean,'...". That being said, while I think cigarettes are so harmfull they should be completely obliterated - that's my OPINION...there is no scriptural basis that the society has to make them a disfellowshipping matter.
I have a whole list to go on with...but I think 6 is enough for now.