Blondie's Comments You Will Not Hear at the 10-21-2013 WT Study (CONSIDER ONE ANOTHER)

This is the kind of article I would see coming up and I would think, now the people who shun me and others for no scriptural reasons, elders, their wives, pioneers, etc., would be adjusted to show the love of the Christ. They would see that what they were doing did not have God’s blessing. What a pipe dream! They would give the perfect comments, show they knew what to apply and how, then be their cruel back-stabbing people they had always been.

The pioneer sisters that always made sure you or someone else was never in their car group. And if that failed, never talk directly to you the whole morning. The elders that would come to with fake concern about your spirituality based on the gossiping of some unnamed person in the congregation, not allowed to talk directly to that person and not getting the details of your supposed sin so you might correct any errors, that you were out of town, you were other people when and where it happened (usually his jealous, mean-spirited wife).

Many people on this board were disillusioned with the WTS for many reasons. In my case it was the lack of love, in some cases deliberate hurtful behaviors and in other cases deliberate avoiding times to help others.

Jesus did not say: “By this all will know that YOU are my disciples, if YOU believe the right doctrine, such as the trinity, hellfire, the use of the cross in religions, etc. but (have love among yourselves).”

How can someone die for someone if they can’t live for them? How can you believe that someone at the hall will die for you if they won’t talk to you, live for you?

HOW WOULD YOU ANSWER?

What does it mean to “consider

one another”?

How can we ‘incite one another

to love and fine works’?

How can we ‘encourage one

another’?

START OF ARTICLE

1, 2. What helped 230 of Jehovah’s Witnesses to survive the

death march at the end of World War II?

AS THE Nazi regime collapsed at the end of World

War II, an order was given to eliminate thousands

who remained in concentration camps. The inmates

of the Sachsenhausen camp were to be evacuated to

seaports where they would be loaded on ships and

sunk at sea. This was part of a strategy later known

as the death marches.

COMMENTS

So why does the WTS go back to 1945 to find an example of Christian “love”? Why not something today, that you should be able to find in your congregation. Why pick an extreme example?

2 Thirty-three thousand of the prisoners from

Sachsenhausen concentration camp were due to

march 155 miles (250 km) to Lubeck, a port city

in Germany. Among them were 230 of Jehovah’s

Witnesses from six countries, who were ordered to

march together. All had been weakened by starvation

and disease. How were our brothers able to survive

the march? “We continually encouraged one another

to keep going,” said one of them. Along with

God-given “power beyond what is normal,” their

love for one another helped them survive the ordeal.

—2 Cor. 4:7.

COMMENTS

An extreme example…what about those in the congregation suffering serious chronic illnesses? Are they encouraged when other jws tell them they should be at the meeting because Sister Agony does so, the same jws who miss all the meetings when they are on vacation?

Or when the read these two opposing views in the WT publications:

*** w02 1/15 p. 19 par. 17 Keep On Displaying Goodness ***

What about our fellow believers who are unable to attend Christian meetings regularly because of a serious chronic illness? They may feel crushed because they cannot always worship Jehovah in direct association with their spiritual brothers and sisters. But they can be sure that Jehovah understands their circumstances, will keep them in the light, will give them his holy spirit, and will help them to keep on doing what is good.—Isaiah 57:15.

*** w06 10/1 p. 25 par. 17 Courage Strengthened by Love ***

Chronic illness can also be discouraging, even depressing. “In the book study group I attend,” says a congregation elder, “one sister suffers from diabetes and kidney failure, one has cancer, two have severe arthritis, and one has both lupus and fibromyalgia. Sometimes they feel down. Yet, they miss meetings only when they are very ill or in the hospital. All are regular in the field service.

3. Why do we need to encourage one another?

3 Today, we are not on such a death march, but we

do face many challenges. After the establishment

of God’s Kingdom in 1914, Satan was ousted from

heaven and confined to the vicinity of the earth,

having “great anger, knowing he has a short period

of time.” (Rev. 12:7-9, 12) As this world approaches

Armageddon, Satan is using trials and pressures in

an attempt to weaken us spiritually. Added to this

are the stresses of day-to-day life. (Job 14:1; Eccl. 2:

23) Sometimes the cumulative effect of our difficulties

can wear us down so much that whatever emotional

and spiritual strength we muster up may not

be enough for us to cope with the discouragement.

Consider the case of a brother who over

many decades had helped scores of people

spiritually. In his later years, he and

his wife experienced ill health, and he

began to feel very discouraged. Like that

brother, all of us need “power beyond

what is normal” from Jehovah as well as

encouragement from one another.

COMMENTS

Was God’s Kingdom established in 1914?

What the Watchtower said prior to 1914	What the Watchtower claims it said prior to 1914
"The year A.D. 1878 … clearly marks the time for the actual assuming of power as King of kings, by our present, spiritual, invisible Lord - …" The Time is At Hand (1911 ed) p.239	"The Watchtower has consistently presented evidence to honesthearted students of Bible prophecy that Jesus’ presence in heavenly Kingdom power began in 1914." Watchtower 1993 Jan 15 p.5
"But bear in mind that the end of 1914 is not the date for the beginning, but for the end of the time of trouble. Zion's Watch Tower 1894 Jul 15 p.226	"Jehovah's witnesses pointed to the year 1914, decades in advance, as marking the start of "the conclusion of the system of things." Awake! 1973 Jan 22 p.8

Is Satan attacking individual jws directly?

*** w03 6/1 p. 20 par. 11 Stand Still and See the Salvation of Jehovah! ***

Gog of Magog is identified as Satan the Devil in his debased position since 1914. As a spirit creature, he cannot carry out his attack directly, but he will use human agencies to do his deeds.

*** w99 9/1 p. 5 Does the Devil Make Us Sick? ***

Divine help gives faithful worshipers of God protection from direct attack by wicked spirits.

I remember an older couple that traveled to a hospital in another state. No one had time to look after their place and pet. They had no children. The brothers and sisters had excuses, not convenient to stop by, too busy pioneering, allergic although they had 2 pets in the same animal place, assumed the elders had it under control, individual elders assuming the other elders would take care of it. I got a call from a neighbor asking if I could help out because they had to go to another city unexpectedly to look after an aging parent. She arranged for someone from her church to help until I could get there the next day….another church!

Or the elder’s wife who was looking after her aging parents, aging MIL, and blind sister, 3 children, with a husband whose work took him away for days at a time…and the sisters in my car group complained because she wasn’t regular pioneering after all she didn’t have to work outside the home!

4. If we are to encourage others, what counsel

of the apostle Paul must we take to heart?

4 If we are to be a source of encouragement

to others, we must take to heart

the exhortation that the apostle Paul

gave to the Hebrew Christians. He said:

“Let us consider one another to incite to

love and fine works, not forsaking the

gathering of ourselves together, as some

have the custom, but encouraging one

another, and all the more so as you behold

the day drawing near.” (Heb. 10:24,

25) How can we apply the counsel contained

in these meaningful words?

COMMENTS

Incite…in many cases they don’t know their names, the names of the children, their phone number or where they live (a flaw that was highlighted during Katrina, elders having no idea about where people were, or what they needed).

“CONSIDER ONE ANOTHER”

5. What does it mean to “consider one another,”

5 To “consider one another” means “to

take into account the needs of others,

to think about them.” Can we closely

consider the needs of others if we limit

our conversations with them to a

quick greeting at the Kingdom Hall or

a discussion of only trivial matters? Not

really. We, of course, want to be careful

to ‘mind our own business’ and

not to ‘meddle in other people’s affairs.’

(1 Thess. 4:11; 1 Tim. 5:13) Nevertheless,

if we want to encourage our brothers,

we truly need to get to know them

—their situation in life, their qualities,

their spirituality, their strengths, and

their weaknesses. They need to view us

as their friends and be assured of our

love for them. This requires spending

time with them—not just when they face

and what effort does doing so require?

problems and get discouraged but at

other times too.—Rom. 12:13.

COMMENTS

Can we closely consider the needs of others if we limit

our conversations with them to a quick greeting at the Kingdom Hall or

a discussion of only trivial matters

Little is said at most congregations about encouraging bible thoughts before or after. Most don’t remember the topic of the talks let alone the details. They are too busy running to talk to their best friends. If they talk to you it is to find out why you missed the meaning, that the illness you have is not that serious, you would be better if you followed their medical advice, and sister so-and-so has the same problem and she gets to all the meetings….

No meddle in people’s affairs…but elders are appointed as judges, right, and their wives are privy to personal information and are judges by association, and if they don’t know the true details, they will make them up.

Spending time with them; an elder used to say to me after a short greeting, “we have to have you and your husband over,” six years of that. Finally I had my calendar and tried to find a date, even six weeks out, response, “too soon already booked” or “too far out can’t commit.”

6. What will help an elder to “consider” those

in his care?

6 The older men in the congregation

are exhorted to ‘shepherd the flock of

God in their care,’ doing so willingly and

eagerly. (1 Pet. 5:1-3) How can they carry

out the shepherding work effectively unless

they really know the sheep in their

care? (Read Proverbs 27:23.) If elders

make themselves available to fellow believers

and enjoy being with them, the

sheep will be more likely to ask for assistance

when needed. The brothers and

sisters will also be more inclined to reveal

their true feelings and concerns,

enabling elders to “consider” those in

their care and render needed help.

7. How should we view the “wild talk” of those

who are discouraged?

7 When addressing the congregation

in Thessalonica, Paul said: “Support

the weak.” (Read 1 Thessalonians 5:14.)

“Depressed souls” are weak, in a sense,

and so are discouraged ones. Proverbs

24:10 says: “Have you shown yourself

discouraged in the day of distress? Your

power will be scanty.” The words of a

deeply discouraged person may become

“wild talk.” (Job 6:2, 3) When ‘considering’

such ones, we need to keep in mind

that what they say may not be a true reflection

of what they really are at heart.

Rachelle, whose mother became severely

depressed, learned this from personal

experience. Rachelle says: “Many times

Mom would say something very hateful.

Most of these times, I tried to remind

myself of the kind of person Mom really

is—loving, kind, and generous. I learned

that depressed people say many things

they do not mean. The worst thing that

one can do is to return evil words or

actions.” Proverbs 19:11 states: “The insight

of a man certainly slows down his

anger, and it is beauty on his part to pass

over transgression.”

COMMENTS

“wild talk” = detailed proven concerns about cruelties by others towards you and others.

Are they “weak” or strong to have endured such specific unkindnesses for months or years? Who is weak, they ones who do it and the ones that support it by their silence?

Many times they are the cruel persons inside….the sister who says “I hate sister pioneer, others compare her to me and I look bad.” Shouldn’t she have been concerned about those who made those comparisons?

So how much verbal abuse is a person required to take?

8. For whom do we especially need to “confirm”

our love, and why?

8 How can we “consider” someone

who feels downhearted because of the

shame and despair that he still experiences

as a result of a past transgression,

even though he has taken steps

to correct matters? Concerning a repentant

wrongdoer in Corinth, Paul wrote:

“You should kindly forgive and comfort

him, that somehow such a man may not

be swallowed up by his being overly sad.

Therefore I exhort you to confirm your

love for him.” (2 Cor. 2:7, 8) According

to one lexicon, the term rendered “confirm”

means to “ratify, validate, make

legally binding.” We simply cannot assume

that the person understands our

love and concern for him. He needs to

see it demonstrated by our attitude and

actions.

COMMENTS

What would discourage a person more, something they have done or something cruel someone who is supposed to love them has done.

Do jws remind other jws of their past sins? How long did it take for Peter to be forgiven, months. Do you think every time someone saw Peter they whispered behind their backs, “there he is, he denied Jesus not once, not twice, but three times, and here he is still an apostle, only months later...) and ten years later, 20 years later.

Many jws move away to get away from the gossip.

“INCITE TO LOVE AND FINE WORKS”

9. What does it mean to “incite to love and fine

works”?

9 “Let us consider one another to incite

to love and fine works,” wrote Paul.

We need to motivate fellow believers to

display love and engage in fine works.

When a fire is about to die down, we may

need to stir the coals and fan the flames.

(2 Tim.1:6) In the same way, we can lovingly

incite our brothers to show their

love for God and for neighbor. Appropriate

commendation is essential to incite

others to fine works.

COMMENTS

So what things should jws do to DISPLAY love?

Tell them they are not doing enough and compare to others in the congregation?

Commendation = something elders are told to say just before the lower the boom on a jw.

*** w92 4/15 p. 25 ‘Exhorting on the Basis of Love’ ***

Similarly today, counsel or advice can often be cushioned with sincere, warm commendation. And such counsel should be, not blunt or tactless, but generously “seasoned with salt” so as to be more palatable to the listener.—Colossians 4:6.

I remembered jws coming up and “commending” me on my comments but when I asked specifically what stood out, they could never be specific…an empty commendation…and neither can the WTS (I imagine the conductor made the old, never funny “army of large women” joke. No soccer for sisters, not chaste.

*** w07 1/15 p. 6 Man and Woman—A Dignified Role for Each ***

What a grand privilege godly women enjoy today! “Jehovah himself gives the saying; the women telling the good news are a large army,” says Psalm 68:11. Such women are to be commended. For instance, their skillful teaching at home Bible studies is leading many to accept true teachings that please God. Married Christian women who help their children to become believers and are supportive of their husbands who have many congregation duties also deserve praise. (Proverbs 31:10-12, 28) Single women too have a dignified place in God’s arrangement, and Christian men are admonished to “entreat . . . older women as mothers, younger women as sisters with all chasteness.”—1 Timothy 5:1, 2.

10, 11. (a) Who among us need commendation? (b) Illustrate how commendation can help

10 All of us need commendation,

whether we are discouraged or not. “My

father never once said I did anything

well,” one elder wrote. “So I grew up

lacking self-esteem. . . . Although I am

now 50 years old, I still appreciate being

reassured by my friends that I am doing

a good job as an elder. . . . My own experience

has taught me how important it is a person who has ‘taken a false step.’

to give encouragement to others, and I

go out of my way to give it.” Commendation

can stimulate all—including pioneers,

elderly ones, and those who may

be discouraged.—Rom. 12:10.

PICTURES: Share with others in the field service (NO suit coats, rolled up sleeves, is that allowed?)

Incite to love and fine works (do elders go door to door with sisters (with a car group), under 18 jws, older jws?)

Enjoy wholesome association (How wonderful? Elders playing soccer with the young brothers (2 token black brothers) from their congregation (so how do they commend the sisters only at the KH with a single trite sentence every year? I knew elders that went years with only the obligatory “how are you” as they ran off to do more important work without waiting for the answer.”)

COMMENTS

But what if the only time elders given commendation is as a prelude to counsel. I was associated as a baptized member for almost 35 years and never heard any commendation except unspecific and trite just before they would tell me what I had done “wrong” without any proof of such wrongdoing except from one nameless person afraid to say it to me directly. No Matthew 18 here, but I would be tried in the court of congregation gossip.

11 When ‘those who have spiritual

qualifications try to readjust a man who

has taken a false step,’ loving counsel

and appropriate commendation may

motivate the wrongdoer to return to

the course of fine works. (Gal. 6:1) This

proved to be true for a sister named Miriam.

She writes: “I went through a traumatic

period in my life when some close

friends left the congregation and, at the

same time, my father suffered a brain

hemorrhage. I became very depressed.

In an attempt to overcome my depression,

I began to go out with a worldly

boyfriend.” This made her feel unworthy

of Jehovah’s love, and she contemplated

leaving the truth. When an elder reminded

her of her past faithful service,

her emotions were stirred. She allowed

the elders an opportunity to reassure her

of Jehovah’s love. In turn, her love was

rekindled. She ended her relationship

with the unbeliever and continued serving

Jehovah.

COMMENTS

Who is “worthy” of God’s love? Only jws marching to the GB orders, the elders, other people’s opinions in the congregation? Should jws be men pleasers as based on what humans say or God pleasers based what you have read in the bible?

(Ephesians 6:5-7) 5 YOU slaves, be obedient to those who are [YOUR] masters in a fleshly sense, with fear and trembling in the sincerity of YOUR hearts, as to the Christ, 6 not by way of eye-service as men pleasers, but as Christ’s slaves, doing the will of God whole-souled. 7 Be slaves with good inclinations, as to Jehovah, and not to men,

(Colossians 3:22, 23) 22 YOU slaves, be obedient in everything to those who are [your] masters in a fleshly sense, not with acts of eye-service, as men pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, with fear of Jehovah. 23 Whatever YOU are doing, work at it whole-souled as to Jehovah, and not to men,

Have you ever had someone tell you that you aren’t worthy because of not following their personal views?

*** lv chap. 2 pp. 20-21 par. 16 How Can You Maintain a Good Conscience? ***

On the other hand, those with a more restrictive conscience should not be critical of others, insisting that all view matters of conscience just as they do. (Romans 14:10) Really, the conscience is best used as an internal judge, not as a license to judge others. Remember Jesus’ words: “Stop judging that you may not be judged.” (Matthew 7:1) All in the congregation want to avoid making an issue of personal matters of conscience. Instead, we seek ways to promote love and unity, building one another up, not tearing one another down.—Romans 14:19.

Do you think Miriam had any specific support or help before she found it outside the congregation?

Did that elder commend Miriam while she was doing well or became depressed or did he and the BOE wait till she “drifted”?

What specifically had this elder or the congregation done after her father’s illness? Did they hide behind the imperfection clause?

12. What can be said about using shame, criticism,

or guilt to motivate others?

12 Shaming an individual by making

unfair comparisons with others, criticizing

him by setting up rigid standards,

or making him feel guilty about not doing

more may motivate him to a spurt

of activity, but the results are only temporary.

On the other hand, giving a fellow

believer commendation and appealing

to his love for God can have a lasting,

positive effect.—Read Philippians 2:1-4.

COMMENTS

Shaming and individual by making “unfair” comparisons: Comparing jws with a jws with bad circumstances.

Guilty for not DOING MORE as jws hear from the platform rather than “you did a good job” but rather “you could DO MORE.”

Here’s an example in how the WTS does both, makes comparisons and has the DO MORE philosophy at the same time.

*** w12 12/15 p. 13 You Are a Trusted Steward! ***

COMPARING OURSELVES WITH OTHERS—IS THAT WISE?

18 Each of us can ask, ‘How do I view my stewardship?’ Problems may arise when we compare ourselves with others. The Bible counsels us: “Let each one prove what his own work is, and then he will have cause for exultation in regard to himself alone, and not in comparison with the other person.” (Gal. 6:4) Rather than compare what we do with what others do, we should focus on what we personally are able to do. This will protect us not only from being puffed up with pride but also from being discouraged. In evaluating ourselves, we should recognize that circumstances change. Perhaps because of poor health, age, or various responsibilities, we cannot do all we used to. On the other hand, we might be able to do more than we are now doing. If so, why not try to step up our activities?

‘ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER’

13. Encouraging others involves what? (See

opening image.)

13 We need to ‘encourage one another

all the more as we behold the day drawing

near.’ Encouraging others involves

motivating them to continue moving

forward in their service to God. Just as

inciting to love and fine works can be

likened to stirring up a fire that is about

to go out, encouraging others can be likened

to putting fuel on the fire to keep it

burning or to increase its intensity. Encouraging

others calls for strengthening

and comforting the downhearted. When

given an opportunity to encourage such

a person, we must speak in a warm and

gentle manner. (Prov. 12:18) Moreover,

let us “be swift about hearing” and “slow

about speaking.” (Jas. 1:19) If we listen

empathetically, we may be able to identify

situations that discourage a fellow

Christian and say something to help him

deal with those circumstances.

COMMENTS

Isn’t the best way to motivate is to show how and work beside someone? When did an elder spend quality time with you? Or anyone in the congregation that wasn’t family? Is strengthening some done from a distance from the platform?

Listening empathetically means not interrupting or having made a judgment on hearsay.

It is better to live a sermon than speak one.

14. How was one discouraged brother helped?

14 Consider how one compassionate

elder was able to help a brother who

had been inactive for several years. As

the elder listened to him, it became clear

that the brother still had a deep love

for Jehovah. He diligently studied every

issue of The Watchtower and was making

an effort to attend meetings regularly.

However, the actions of some in

the congregation had made him feel disappointed

and somewhat bitter. The elder

listened empathetically without being

judgmental and expressed loving

concern for the brother and his family.

Gradually, the brother came to realize

that he was allowing bad experiences

of the past to prevent him from serving

the God he loved. The elder invited

the brother to join him in the preaching

work. With the elder’s help, the brother

resumed his ministry and eventually

qualified to serve again as an elder.

COMMENTS

Bad experiences of the past or continuing experiences in the present? Had these people changed, been counseled for their unloving ways? A pedophile allowed to remain unidentified in the congregation, an elder or brother who defrauded jws and never tried to repay them, a sister who accused a young sister of chasing her husband when it turned out to be the husband chasing this sister, but not after the wife had spread it all over the congregation, she was not corrected and the congregation was not told the facts, and the slandered sister was told to be quiet and “wait on Jehovah”?

15. What can we learn from Jehovah about encouraging

the downhearted?

15 A discouraged person may not immediately

feel better or respond quickly

to the help we offer. We may need

to keep on supporting him. Paul said:

“Keep hold of the weak, be patient with

everybody.” (1 Thess. 5:14, An American

Translation) Rather than quickly giving

up on the weak, let us “keep hold” of

them, as it were, and continue supporting

them. In the past, Jehovah dealt patiently

with those of his servants who

at times were discouraged. For instance,

God was very gracious with Elijah, considering

his feelings. Jehovah provided

what the prophet needed to carry on in

his service. (1 Ki. 19:1-18) Because David

was genuinely repentant, Jehovah kindly

forgave him. (Ps. 51:7, 17) God also

helped the writer of Psalm 73, who almost

gave up serving Him. (Ps. 73:13,

16, 17) Jehovah is gracious and kind to

us, especially when we are downhearted

and discouraged. (Ex. 34:6) His mercies

are “new each morning,” and they “will

certainly not come to an end.” (Lam. 3:

22, 23) Jehovah expects us to follow his

example and treat the depressed ones

with tenderness.

COMMENTS

So do jws expect after one little “encouraging” talk that the person should just jump back in? Quickly giving up on you because you are “weak.” Not seeing you as someone with worth, that Jesus gave up his life for? After all how many “weak” jws committed murder like David who bypassed the Law requiring execution and kept living.

Can you imagine being in the congregation listening to this and realize you are being labeled “weak” when you have really been strong dealing with a very difficult situation? Or

*** w77 5/1 p. 259 You Can Deal with Depression ***

Discern how much of your depression lies in your own mental attitude, and what influences bear upon you to produce that “down” feeling. You may even find that you are manifesting an “escapism” reaction or that, in a morbid way, you even “enjoy” your depressed state—a sort of self-pity.

Weak, discouraged, depressed = any jw that says they have never been in one or all of these categories is lying.

ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER

TO REMAIN ON THE ROAD TO LIFE

16, 17. As the end of this system draws near,

what must we be determined to do, and why?

16 Of the 33,000 prisoners who left

Sachsenhausen concentration camp,

thousands died. However, every one of

the 230 Witnesses of Jehovah who had

left the camp came through that ordeal

alive. The encouragement and support

they received from one another played a

key role in turning that death march into

a march of survival for them.

COMMENTS

Everyone survived because they stuck together, each one taking responsibility for each one of the 230 jws, not seeing it as the job of the elders, or the elders assigned that work to one elder, or the congregation all knowing who the flock are, their name, their family, where they live, their phone number, knowing the appearance of the flock. They shared whatever they had with each other. Will jws today do the same? Do they do it now not just when there is a disaster?

17 Today, we are on “the road leading

off into life.” (Matt. 7:14) Soon, all of Jehovah’s

worshippers will unitedly walk

into the new world of righteousness.

(2 Pet. 3:13) May we be determined to

help one another along the path that

leads to everlasting life.

COMMENTS

The WTS teaches that only jws are on the road to life; all non-jws are on the road to eternal death, no resurrection.

Jehovah’s worshippers = only jws

Why not Jehovah’s Christian worshippers, where is Jesus in this picture?

New world of righteousness = minus all non-jws, men, women, children, including babies, permanently.

Help one another or spy and report on one another?

SOON = The end has been predicted as 1914, 1915, 1920, 1925, 1940’s, 1975, (1984), (1994) and expanded by the overlapping generation doctrine to 100 years more into the future.

CARROT: everlasting life on a paradise earth, the carrot jws dangle before non-jws and other jws.

CONCLUDING COMMENTS

After the confusing adjustment and clarifications in the August 15, 2013 WT, this all seems so boring, all the same.

But the WTS sees they need to strengthen their hold over the rank and file, including, especially including the Dos, Cos, and elders. It won’t be by wasting time on the discouraged, weak, and depressed.

Next week, CONSIDER WHAT KIND OF PERSON YOU OUGHT TO BE.

And if you are not sure, there are many people at the KH that will tell you and be sure that will not mesh, it will be like the LDS concept in Eden, Adam and Eve had to break one law to keep the other.

*** w08 1/15 p. 14 par. 7 “Rightly Disposed” Ones Are Responding ***

Jehovah has appointed Jesus as Judge; hence, we do not have the right to judge anybody. That is fitting, since—unlike Jesus—we can judge only by the “mere appearance to [our] eyes” or “the thing heard by [our] ears,” whereas Jesus can read the intimate thoughts and reasonings of the heart.—Isa. 11:1-5; 2 Tim. 4:1.

Love, Blondie

Faithful Witness

Thank you so much. I've only just discovered this great work you are doing. I appreciate it.

Very insightful.

prologos

we hope the truth you speak in your comments is encouraging to others and healing for you, thank you.

piztjw

Spending time with them; an elder used to say to me after a short greeting, “we have to have you and your husband over,” six years of that.

I had this for the last nineteen years from one of them in my town about me. I finally told him he should just quit talking about it as I was fed up with all talk and no action!

Do jws remind other jws of their past sins....months later, ten years later, 20 years later.

Just a few comments from "elders" in my town. "You are reprehensible. You married a non-jw in the past." " No matter how spiritual they are (you) some men will NEVER be used for anything other than going in FS and scrubbing the KH toilets!" Your past sin (marrying a non-jw) might stumble someone, and we don't know if you will EVER be forgiven. It might be ten, twenty, thirty or more years, if ever."

When an elder reminded her of her past faithful service, her emotions were stirred. She allowed the elders an opportunity to reassure her of Jehovah’s love. In turn, her love was rekindled.

So when "elders" instead remind you of ONE past sin over and over again instead of acknowledging the other many years of faithful serve us what would logically happen to ones love, not only of God but of others in the congregation?

Will jws today do the same?

I heard one older brother say he hoped that when it came tough times and food was scarce that he hoped he would be the one to dole it out because there were way to many others who would hog the food for themselves and their families and then all would go hungry. He said he would sparingly dole a little out to each one and all could get something. Of course he was reviled and finally forced off the body by the young bucks.

Weak, discouraged, depressed = any jw that says they have never been in one or all of these categories is lying.

My father would give some of them the benefit of the doubt and say they were either foolishly naive, or lying.

Just a few of my own observations.

JW GoneBad

Why do we say that Jehovah’s Witnesses place the Watchtower magazine ahead of the Bible? Note how the elder in paragraph 14 determined the discouraged brother’s level of spirituality who he was helping:

‘As the elder listened to him, it became clear that the brother still had a deep love for Jehovah. He diligently studied every issue of The Watchtower and was making an effort to attend meetings regularly.’

No mention of the Bible!

Obviously the elder had little concern about how much time this brother reads God’s Word the Holy Bible. That’s a JW elder for you!

LoisLane looking for Superman

Great job as usual Blondie.

Thank you so much!

LoisLane

Bruja-del-Sol

Spot on! Very well written and very recognizable!

Julia Orwell

And if anyone is depressed or discouraged, it's obviously their own fault for 'allowing' themselves to be hurt by others or some other deficiencies. The locus is shifted from circumstances and the crazy org to the individual believers. Mea culpa mea culpa!

Ding

"Strong" = 100% belief in the GB

"Weak" = anything else

blondie

Ding, actually 200%

Blondie's Comments You Will Not Hear at the 10-21-2013 WT Study (CONSIDER ONE ANOTHER)

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