by Julia Orwell 59 Replies latest members adult
Most of the cases were sexual along with physical and verbal abuses. Rape, incest, molestation. Death from a lack of blood transfusion in an emergency. The most cringe worthy was a single mom who's son had a botched circumcision.
Being an Elder aged me twenty years.
Hummingbird001: the 8 of us shared a cab to the club.
Is sardining with the oppposite sex, in a cab, a judicial offense? Was there lap-sitting, faces mashed into bosoms, at all?
I gotta question. Where are JWs told that they need to 'confess' things to elders? WHY do they do so? Do they have old Catholic memories or what? I seem to remember that if we know of sin of others, we are to discuss it with them. How did that get turnned into confessions and JCs? It doesn't seem biblical, but I haven't focused on that stuff lately.
I gotta question. Where are JWs told that they need to 'confess' things to elders? WHY do they do so?
The JW religion is a works doing, rules following based religion. There are a few scriptures that relate to confession of sins (someone help please), but the main thing the Watchtower uses is guilt. They will make a person think that their secret sin (be it major or minor) is holding back Jehovah's holy spirit from the congregation, allows the demons to harass the person, and makes the person a target for destruction at Armageddon. After thinking upon this fear and having a gulty conscience that they are breaking the JW rules, many JW's crack under pressure and run to the elders to confess some of the most bat-shit crazy stuff you can imagine.
So many to tell... One Sister, 15 years ago, baptised only a year, admits she is addicted to sex(not married), started talking to a neighbor, next thing she knows, they are in the woods doing the nasty and she was 52 at the time! A year ago(2012), she gets reinstated(now 67 years old), 4 weeks later she shows up with her "New Boyfriend"! She is out again. You go Girl...
Let the WTS answer the question about confession; they dance around the question but the Index tells the story:
*** dx86-12 Sin ***
confession to elders: w10 9/1 23-24; w06 11/15 28-29; w01 6/1 30-31; w01 8/15 30; g97 1/22 12; w95 1/1 27; om 145; w86 4/1 26
*** w01 6/1 pp. 30-31 Questions From Readers ***
In view of Jehovah’s willingness to forgive sins by the merit of the ransom sacrifice, why is it necessary for Christians to confess to the older men in the congregation?
As can be seen in the case of David and Bath-sheba, Jehovah forgave David’s sin, grave though it was, because of David’s genuine repentance. When the prophet Nathan approached him, David openly confessed: “I have sinned against Jehovah.”—2 Samuel 12:13.
However, Jehovah not only accepts a sinner’s sincere confession and extends forgiveness but he also makes loving provisions to help the erring one progress to spiritual recovery. In David’s case, the help came through the prophet Nathan. Today, in the Christian congregation, there are spiritually mature older men, or elders. The disciple James explains: “Is there anyone [spiritually] sick among you? Let him call the older men of the congregation to him, and let them pray over him, greasing him with oil in the name of Jehovah. And the prayer of faith will make the indisposed one well, and Jehovah will raise him up. Also, if he has committed sins, it will be forgiven him.”—James 5:14, 15.
Skillful elders can do much to ease the pain of heart that is felt by the remorseful sinner. They strive to imitate Jehovah in their dealings with him. They never want to be harsh, even though strong discipline may be warranted. Rather, they compassionately consider the immediate needs of the individual. Patiently they strive to readjust the erring one’s thinking by using God’s Word. (Galatians 6:1) Even if a person does not voluntarily confess his sin, he may still be moved to repentance when approached by the elders, as David was when approached by Nathan. The support thus rendered by the elders helps the erring one to avoid the danger of repeating the sin and the serious consequences of becoming a hardened practicer of sin.—Hebrews 10:26-31.
It is certainly not easy to confess to others deeds that one feels ashamed of and to seek forgiveness. It takes inner strength. Reflect for a moment, though, on the alternative. One man who failed to reveal his serious sin to the elders in the congregation said: “I felt a pain in my heart that would not go away. I increased my efforts in the preaching work, but the sickening feeling remained.” He felt that confession to God in prayer was enough, but clearly it was not, for he experienced feelings similar to King David’s. (Psalm 51:8, 11) How much better to accept the loving assistance that Jehovah provides through the elders!
*** w11 8/15 p. 31 par. 15 Pursue Peace ***
If a Christian becomes aware of a serious sin on the part of a fellow believer, he should encourage that one to confess the sin to the elders. (1 Cor. 6:9, 10; Jas. 5:14-16)
*** w08 4/15 pp. 10-11 par. 15 Seek God’s Guidance in All Things ***
A Christian might have offended someone and needs to apologize. Or he might have made a mistake and needs to admit it. What if someone commits a serious sin? He needs to humble himself and confess the sin to the elders. An individual might even be disfellowshipped.
*** w88 2/15 p. 20 par. 20 “May You Have Peace” ***
If any do become guilty of gross wrongdoing but cover it up, they will clearly lose Jehovah’s approval and “the peace of God” that they had. They will also lose their own peace of mind. (Compare 2 Samuel 24:10; Matthew 6:22, 23.) You can see, then, why it is imperative that any Christian who has fallen into serious sin confess that to Jehovah and to loving elders, who can promote spiritual healing. (Isaiah 1:18, 19; 32:1, 2; James 5:14, 15)
I was in bethel at the time the "young people" publication released in the late 70's. There was a discussion about the chapter dealing with masturbation and homosexualty. the Bethel elder made comment that refered to a statement in the publication stating that 85% of young people masturbate. He adds further to his comment saying the other 15% are liars.
Had a quite nice sister tell me repeatedly that we (the Elder body) were bugging her telephone, her radio, her television, monitoring her credit cards and following her around night and day. Frankly I think I strained something trying to keep a straight face. Felt sorry for her because she obviously had some problems.
Gosh I wish my husband liked receiving oral. I like to give bit he doesn't like to receive. He must be the only man in the country who doesn't like it...
Alphaman, that Goat Boy reference made me spit my drink on my monitor....too funny!
