Need help on the subject of "Intolerance"

EdenOne

Hey.

I need your help if possible. I would like to locate some information within the publications with comments from the WTS that could help me build a case.

Case in point is: Can an individual JW hold different views on doctrine from those held by the "Organization" and still continue to be a JW if he chooses to, and if he keeps his opinions only to himself?

I remember a recent magazine making comments regarding the intolerance of other religions who limit the freedom of their members to study the Bible....or another one (Publishers book?) about those who harbored doubts about the course of events within the organization but remained inside.

I got an excellent quote from Rutherford in the booklet "Intolerance" but that was from 1936 already. Is there anything I could use that's more recent?

Thank you in advance for any help.

Eden

The Searcher

Despite what the Org's two references below state, they apply only to non-Witnesses, because any Witness who followed these suggestions would be subjected to disciplinary procedures based on the false premise of "brazen conduct".

*** w69 3/15 p. 166 Why It Is Wise to Examine Your Religion ***

We need to examine, not only what we personally believe, but also what is taught by any religious organization with which we may be associated. Are its teachings in full harmony with God’s Word, or are they based on the traditions of men? If we are lovers of the truth, there is nothing to fear from such an examination. It should be the sincere desire of every one of us to learn what God’s will is for us, and then to do it.—John 8:32.

*** sm pp. 17-18 par. 8 The Need to Search for the Truth ***

Hence, a wise man will examine the things he has received from his parents, including his religion. He will keep the good things and reject those things that are not good. This is essential if he is to find the truth about religion.

The Masters of Our Faith in Brooklyn gave Witnesses a clear warning in the September 2007 Kingdom Ministry, that they had no need to research doctrines amongst themselves and neither should they do so, because it was not condoned by the GB!

*** km 9/07 p. 3 Question Box ***

Does “the faithful and discreet slave” endorse independent groups of Witnesses who meet together to engage in Scriptural research or debate?—Matt. 24:45, No, it does not. And yet, in various parts of the world, a few associates of our organization have formed groups to do independent research on Bible-related subjects.

nicolaou

Search the WT Library for an article about Mennonites coming into 'The Truth' © It was only a few years ago as I recall.

valkyrie

Eden One: from Jeffro's post here, http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/watchtower/bible/129316/1/Independent-Thinking#.UrwrU7TFkYI

*** w83 1/15 p. 27 Armed for the Fight Against Wicked Spirits ***

Fight Against Independent Thinking

19 As we study the Bible we learn that Jehovah has always guided his servants in an organized way. And just as in the first century there was only one true Christian organization, so today Jehovah is using only one organization. (Ephesians 4:4, 5; Matthew 24:45-47) Yet there are some who point out that the organization has had to make adjustments before, and so they argue: “This shows that we have to make up our own mind on what to believe.” This is independent thinking. Why is it so dangerous?

20 Such thinking is an evidence of pride. And the Bible says: “Pride is before a crash, and a haughty spirit before stumbling.” (Proverbs 16:18) If we get to thinking that we know better than the organization, we should ask ourselves: “Where did we learn Bible truth in the first place? Would we know the way of the truth if it had not been for guidance from the organization? Really, can we get along without the direction of God’s organization?” No, we cannot!—Compare Acts 15:2, 28, 29; 16:4, 5.

21 When we consider the mighty spirit forces who are fighting against us, we must acknowledge that on our own we could not possibly win. Yet with God’s backing, and with the help and support of his organization—our worldwide association of brothers—we cannot lose. (Psalm 118:6-12; 1 Peter 5:9) However, we must never forget that we are in a spiritual war, and that wartime is no time to be relaxing, enjoying only leisure and the pleasures of life. Rather, it is the time for vigorous training, alertness and self-sacrifice. The enemy has been able to get some from among us to relax their guard, and these have become battle casualties. May this never happen to us! It will not if we keep on “the complete suit of armor from God” and “stand firm against the [crafty acts] of the Devil.”—Ephesians 6:11, 12.

*** w66 6/1 p. 324 Intellectual Freedom or Captivity to the Christ? ***

It seems that some in association with the early Corinthian congregation were disregarding Paul’s authority, looking at him according to what he appeared to be in the flesh, and neglecting to take into account his special commission from Christ. Today, too, there are those who, by their independent thinking, question Christ’s ability to have and use on the earth a specially appointed governing body of imperfect humans, to whom he has entrusted all the Kingdom interests or “belongings” on earth. (Matt. 24:45-47) When such independent thinkers receive counsel and direction based on the Bible, they incline to the thought, ‘This is only from fleshly men, so it is up to me to decide whether to accept it or not.’

On this very subject, E. A. Dunlap, Registrar of the Watchtower Bible School of Gilead, speaking to a class of missionary students, recently inquired: “Do you look at it that way?” Then he continued: “If you do, then you are being infected by that spirit of independence with which Satan is infecting the whole world. So, to overcome this attitude, the thing to do, as the apostle Paul intimates, is to think, ‘Now, am I “bringing every thought into captivity to make it obedient to the Christ”?’”

snare&racket

There is a scottish court case ideal for this...

EdenOne

Yeah, the "Walsh Case", S&R. I got the full transcription in pdf. somewhere in my hard drive. Hard to read through and through to find the relevant bits.

Eden

EdenOne

Thank you guys for the quotes....but still haven't found the ones I was looking for.

Eden

adamah

EdenOne said-

I remember a recent magazine making comments regarding the intolerance of other religions who limit the freedom of their members to study the Bible....

You're not referring to the Awake! article of July 2009, titled "Is it wrong to change your religion?" which included the infamous words, "no one should be forced to choose between their beliefs and their family"? IIRC, the article started with the story of a Hindu who wanted to become a JW after reading the Bible, but her family threatened to shun her.

Adam

EdenOne

Adam, I think that's exactly the one I had in mind.

I may be facing ...hmmm....an ordeal soon, and some quotes to that effect may come handy.

Thanks.

Eden

adamah

Here's the direct link to the Awake! article on the JW site:

http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/102009251

Make sure you really understand what it's saying, as the article is a classic example of the JW's unrestrained use of 'weasel words', eg God gives mankind "the freedom to choose" does NOT imply "freedom from consequences" (eg by your family and elders choosing to shun you), and the use of the word, 'should' (which in their use ONLY implies 'desirable', but not promised or guaranteed, as if it's prescriptive order telling the congregation not to shun anyone who decides to leave the 'true' religion).

Adam

Need help on the subject of "Intolerance"

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