by I_love_Jeff 20 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
Only so long as you keep it to yourself , once you share this beleif with anybody else , you will be counselled about it , if you persist in voicing these doubts and spreading them around you will be disfellowshipped.
smiddy
Your link claims there is a Masonic connection. What's up with that.
Like Blondie stated, as long as you don't share your beliefs then yes. I do not believe most JW doctrines today but sit there and lie, comment, and pretend all for the sake of my family. I draw the line at volunteering for Judicial Committee's (not scriptural) and most other activities that would be too dificult for me to stomach. My wife knows some of my views and even agrees with some of them, but I dare not speak against the holy GB or she will turn off.
I suppose so I know I did. however you will never truly lead a fulfilling life if you realize you are not free to express your opinions or openly talk about serious situations in the organization.
It has made me wonder though if the wt changed it's stance on "unity" and the atmosphere that was fostered was one of research and discussions among members, what would be the result? It wont happen but I think it could potentially make for a nice network.
I_Love_Jeff - "Is it possible to maintain personal beliefs as a member of the Watchtower Society when absolute unity is demanded?"
I tried to.
I faded before it could drive me nuts.
Officialy - No.
In practice, everybody does but never mentions them . As Blondie said, if a Wt says that children of unbelievers die at Armageddon, they dutifully discuss it but few really believe it
It is just like the recent change with the marriage in the ressurrection (sp?) . Most already believed that to be the case.
Sort of like Catholics on Birth Control.
I found that I had mainly personal beliefs, all at odds with Official teaching, which I maintained for a number of years. As a lover of truth I finally accepted that this stance was indistinguishable from Hypocrisy.
And I believed Hypocrisy to be the same as lying, and denying Truth.
So I left.
You can maintain them for so long, and then if you don't get out, you lose integrity, honesty and self-respect.
By the mid 1980s if you had any personal beliefs and ideas or things you liked to do (in the bedroom) different from the Wt. you kept them to yourselves or a very tight group of friends.
Designs-
Masonic connection. The symbolism is there but of course there is no proof.
