Can elders be dangerous people?

avengers

The scripture below the image is written in Dutch.
Read the scripture in your native language and tell me what you think.

Avenger, I really don't know what 'you' had in mind, however, here are my thoughts. It is obvious that they are not just reading the Bible. They have Bible study aids to help them understand what their reading.

Going along with the context of the scripture it says, all scripture is inspired of God. Now, are the Society's publication 'inspired?' Since their not,(at least not by God) then who's word should they be obeying? Should they not follow the rule, "We must obey God as ruler rather than men?' Is there not a conflict of interest here?

Guest 77

ozziepost

Doesn't it seem strange to you that the 'good guys' (the elders) are always illustrated in formal dress i.e. they wear ties, whereas those being instructed are open-necked?

Who said that there was no 'clergy class' who wear special garb in the WTS? !

Cheers,
Ozzie

"If our hopes for peace are placed in the hands of imperfect people, they are bound to evaporate."

- Ron Hutchcraft Surviving the Storms of Stress

Guest 77

Ozzie, you need to dress the part of being self-righteous. How else will you get others to act the part?

Guest 77

HadEnuf

Can elders be dangerous people you ask? I think the majority are spiritual terrorists disguised in suits and ties. I think I've HadEnuf of them.

Fire Dragon

Guest77,
I think you may have read the wrong scripture. You are quoting 2 Tim 3:16, the one in the caption is 3:6. This scripture talks about sly men working their way into households.

I personally find this to be a very appropriate scenario for the WTS. It is exactly their tactic! They always encourage the flock to continue calling on homes of those who say they aren't interested. Why? Because perhaps their circumstances will have changed and they will be more receptive. I can't tell you how many Bible studies are started because a loved one died, or someone is going through a divorce, or a family member is ill. The JWs look for people in a vulnerable weakened state of mind -- a time when they are looking for God to support them. This is how they are successful in their work.

"...if there is a hell, I'll see you there." (NIN - Downward Spiral)
I'll be the one providing the fire.

QUEENIE

CAN ELDERS BE DANGEROUS --- only to themselves (my opinion) !!!

Amazing

Hi Avengers: The context leading up to 2 Tim. 3:6 is interesting:

"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth." - 2 Tim 6:1-7

The above is a good description of con-artists. Certainly, many men and women have used religion to con people out of money, labor and materials. I think Tele-vangelists are among the more likely to 'creep in' via the TV and solicite funds, but then use much of the funds to build empires and finance luxery living, rather than helping the poor as they advertise. Likewise, the Watchtower religion directly 'creeps' into households and leads people into a lifetime of learning but never really learning. They too use labor, mateials, and funds of JWs.

What about Elders: I think like any religion, the local congregation leadership is most often sincere, doing what they believe is right. In other words, not con artists. The everyday potential for harm with JW Elders does not come from what they knowingly do, but from what they fail to do because they are lacking in proper training and knowledge.

There are Elders whose normal personality is dangerous anyway: These types, if in another situation, like a powerful political or military office would be just as dangerous ... not because of the organization, but because opportunity is there for them to abuse. The JW religion is no exception to having dangerous people locally and all the way up the chain of command to their Governing Body. Certainly, Joseph Rutherford is an example of the wrong kind of person in a powerful position. Some posters here and on other ex-JW forums have given characterizations of various current GB and other Watchtower officials that leads one to believe that some are dangerous.

The Real Danger: While dangers exist everywhere, I believe when it comes to matters of faith combined with a high-control group like the JWs, the dangers are inherantly there - even if all the leaders are normally sincere and well intentioned - not because they cannot go bad, but because the problem is the very root of the system they believe in ... the Watchtower religion is not in practice, policy, rules an organization one could call Christian, for the spirit of Christ is in opposition to what the JWs have become. The danger is that the JWs, Elders, MS, men, women, COs, DOs, on up put on the face of Christianity ... they all make claims ... but as Jesus said, it is the fruitage they produce that counts ... and as Paul stated above to Timothy, to turn away from these type of people ... get the hell away as fast as we can, because to continue with them will only make us like them.

bchapp

I also thought vs 7 was interesting "always learning and yet never able to come to an accurate knowledge of truth"Wouldn't continously changing doctorines and predictions prove that?

"If the truth hurts most of us so badly that we don't want it told,
it hurts even more grievously those who dare to tell it." (Judge Ben Lindsey, 1869-1943)

Guest 77

Thanks FD, wow was I off scripture. No wonder I said what I said.

Guest 77

Can elders be dangerous people?

"If our hopes for peace are placed in the hands of imperfect people, they are bound to evaporate."

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