Watchtower Aug 1st gives out conflicting signals

ozziepost

Heard the expression "Having a bet each way"? You know how it goes, someone doesn't want to give offense or get "offside" with readers, colleagues etc so they try and agree with two conflicting arguments simultaneously.

The Watchtower wouldn't do that, would it? No...then think again.

Check out the August 1st issue and see the article "The Word of God Exerts Power", an experience from Jamaica which tells of a man named Cleveland who gave up a number of things to become one of JWs. Among the things he gave up was playing soccer.

Cleveland was deeply involved in his community's soccer team, and its games were interfering with his meeting attendance. What would he do? In spite of intense pressure from his teammates, coach, and friends, Cleveland decided to quit the soccer team. Yes, God's Word was beginning to exert power, influencing him for good!

So what "signal" does this give out? Why, that there is something 'un-Christian' about playing soccer and that a true Christian wouldn't do it. Right?.......... Wrong!

Check out the article "Yoga - Just an Exercise or Something More?" in the same issue of The Watchtower! On page 22 it describes (and provides illustrations) of three activities approved for Christians. What are they? Walking, Gym workouts, and....guess what?....SOCCER!

Are these guys confused, or what?

It's true what Jesus said of those who lived by rules in his day, the Pharisees:

"They bind up heavy loads and put them upon the shoulders of men, but they themselves are not willing to budge them with their finger." - Matt 23:4

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because you shut up the kingdom of the heavens before men; for you yourselves do not go in, neither do you permit those on their way in to go in." - Matt. 23:13

Cheers, Ozzie

Freedom means not having to wear a tie.

Xena

Sure you can play soccer. As long as it is ONLY with your brothers and ONLY when it doesn't conflict with meetings, field service, conventions and personal/family study. Oh and you don't get to competitive and are careful not to get hurt because that would cause interference with your meeting and field service attendence!

Soooooooo if you can find enough "brorthers" you can have a what???? 30 minute game once a month maybe????? Where you don't keep score of course....

The fun just NEVER ends for them does it?

ItsJustlittleoldme

In spite of intense pressure from his teammates, coach, and friends

Sarcastic mode ON:

I personally like this; The christian congregation <gag> certainly would NOT resort to 'peer pressure' <gasp> tactics itself to get someone to attend meetings, get baptized, go out in field service, etc.. etc.. etc.. No, No, only WORLDLY people who have an agenda would do something as low down as try to use a satanic tool like peer pressure to get someone to do what they wanted that person to do.. After all, the ENTIRE CHRISTIAN CONGREGATION <gag> is all about free will, 'true freedom', and gosh darnit, I'll just say it, "LOVE" for one another, and certainly wouldn't resport to 'peer pressure' <GASP> to try and YOKE anyone with their ideas/ideals/doctrines etc etc etc..

blondie

The WT covers its derriere by saying,

Cleveland decided

The WTS never tells people not to vote, not to salute the flag, not to take a blood transfusion, etc. It is always the individual's decision. JWs and ex-JWs know that is not true at all.

People are afraid that they will appear stupid and incompetent and lose their status if they speak the truth.

What did they say in the Emperor's New Clothes?

We are two very good tailors and after many years of research we have invented an extraordinary method to weave a cloth so light and fine that it looks invisible. As a matter of fact it is invisible to anyone who is too stupid and incompetent to appreciate its quality."
They all tried to conceal their disappointment at not being able to see the clothes, and since nobody was willing to admit his own stupidity and incompetence, they all behaved as the two scoundrels had predicted.
A child, however, who had no important job and could only see things as his eyes showed them to him, went up to the carriage.
"The Emperor is naked," he said.
And here is what holds many back:
"I can't see anything," he thought. "If I see nothing, that means I'm stupid! Or, worse, incompetent!" If the prime minister admitted that he didn't see anything, he would be discharged from his office.

Sirona

I HATE THIS STUFF!!!

One young man I know of had 2 passions : Rugby and the thought of going into the army.

The JWs took all of that away from him and to this day he regrets it and looks longingly at those who HAVE fulfilled their dreams.

Watchtower, stop ruining peoples lives!!!!!!

Anyway, thanks for pointing out that contradiction..

Sirona

TheOldHippie

We used to play soccer in the congregation, and I liked it - I played rather unorthodox, since it was all just for fun. Then one day, I took down the ball with my hands, and two sisters who definitely were in the soccer to show how well trained they were, shouted at me, "If you don't don't stop playing against the rules, you're not allowed to play any more!" OK, so I left the field, telling them loudly what I thought of their behaviour, and have never taken part since then - two years ago. Others have encouraged me to take part, and then I reply why I don't want to any more. The same two sisters told the young daughter of a co-elder of mine that she had to leave the field, since it was "dangerous to her". He ordered his two children off the field, and neither he nor his children have taken part any more, either. That was last year.

So the congregation team is shrinking. So much for a non-competitive mindset.

plmkrzy

In spite of intense pressure from his teammates, coach, and friends

I wonder if his teammates, coach, and friends decided to shun him from that day forward?

avengers

Come to me, I have the truth and all the words for everlasting life.

funkyderek

Then one day, I took down the ball with my hands

OldHippie, in any sport played with almost anybody, if you cheat you will be called on it. Handling the ball in soccer is cheating. It ruins the game for eveyone else. You behaved like a spoilt child.

jack2

Blondie and Xena hit the nail on the head.

Watchtower Aug 1st gives out conflicting signals

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