Is it possible to lay something to rest here?
Whilst a few of the "Anointed" amongst the JW's may have delusions of grandeur, that is not the normal case. It is far more humbling than that. It involves being called by the Father, by means of the Holy Spirit, to a relationship with the Son. The heavenly hope bit is a misnomer, since the call actually involves wanting to be where the Son is.
People from quite a number of denominations would lay this claim, they just wouldn't call it "anointing". Some call it being "born again", some merely call it being a Christian. It isn't just a Pentecostal / Baptist phenomena.
To say that a 20-something JW is delusional, just because they have had a religious / supernatural experience, is beyond condescending, it is IMHO outright intolerant.
It is my understanding that once they have had their eyes opened, in this way, few remain amongst the JW's. Hence the figures for memorial partakers aren't being impacted as heavily as they might, if all remained and outed themselves on memorial night.
I've gotta say that I hate responding to this kinda thread, because the more voluble posters on this type of topic are generally atheistic, anti-religious, or generally knee-jerk-reactionaries to the terms "anointed" / "heavenly hope" / etc. Then, of course, you get those that go off the deep end and start spouting scripture and try to use the opportunity to preach [8&>]
What am I really trying to say? Merely, don't tar us all with the same brush as a certain small group of fossilized doctrine-changers, in Brooklyn.
Hmmm, not too bright, either - I can't get the emoticons to work in posts ~sigh~
Edited by - LittleToe on 18 July 2002 6:41:44
Edited by - LittleToe on 18 July 2002 6:43:33
