The following is the excerpt regarding the change in the Society's dictate regarding civilian service that I referenced (but was unable to locate in either the bound volumes or on the WT CD-ROM) in the thread "Screwing Up Folks' Lives" ---( http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/forum/thread.aspx?id=41706&site=3&page=1 -- good thread, don't miss it!). An alert, lurking friend was resourceful and thoughtful enough to locate and send it to me.
Below it is the excerpt within the article's context. I think it probative in any discussion of arbitrary WT policies detrimentally affecting its trusting adherents and the treachery and arrogance of their featherweight defense of yet another flip-flop.
*** w98 8/15 15-20 Strengthening Our Confidence in God's Righteousness ***
Feelings of Having Suffered Needlessly
6 In the past, some Witnesses have suffered for refusing to share in an activity that their conscience now might permit(!!!). For example, this might have been their choice years ago as to certain types of civilian service. A brother might now feel that he could conscientiously perform such without overstepping his Christian neutrality regarding the present system of things.
7 Was it unrighteous on Jehovahs part to allow him to suffer for rejecting what he now might do without consequences? Most who have had that experience would not think so. Rather, they rejoice that they had the opportunity of demonstrating publicly and clearly that they were determined to be firm on the issue of universal sovereignty. (Compare Job 27:5.) What reason could anyone have to regret having followed his conscience (!!!) in taking a firm stand for Jehovah? By loyally upholding Christian principles as they understood them or by responding to the proddings of conscience (!!!), they proved worthy of Jehovahs friendship. Certainly, it is wise to avoid a course that would disturb ones conscience (!!!) or that would likely cause others to be stumbled. We can think in this regard of the example that the apostle Paul set.1 Corinthians 8:12, 13; 10:31-33.
(!!!)s obviously represent my own editorial two cents.
The level of dishonesty and disception in these assertions is nothing short of breathtaking. The contempt and reckless disregard manifested for those whose lives were altered irreparably or destroyed altogether by a policy based on nothing more substantial than the whims of Nazis should be [criminally] actionable.
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Strengthening Our Confidence in Gods Righteousness
For your confidence to come to be in Jehovah himself I have given you knowledge.PROVERBS 22:19.
TRUE Christians are blessed with an accurate knowledge of Jehovah and of his purposes. A faithful and discreet slave lovingly supplies them with spiritual food at the proper time. (Matthew 24:45) The knowledge they gain provides them with a solid foundation on which to base confidence in God. Thus, as a group, Jehovahs Witnesses display remarkable confidence in Jehovah and in his righteousness.
2 It appears, however, that as individuals some Witnesses may need to strengthen such confidence. The Society occasionally receives letters that express uncertainty about explanations given in its publications. These doubts may be a reaction to adjustments in understanding, or they may deal with matters that touch the inquirer, especially in an emotional way.Compare John 6:60, 61.
3 Even true servants of Jehovah experience the truthfulness of Ecclesiastes 9:11: I returned to see under the sun that the swift do not have the race, nor the mighty ones the battle, nor do the wise also have the food, nor do the understanding ones also have the riches, nor do even those having knowledge have the favor; because time and unforeseen occurrence befall them all. How might this prove true in an extended, or spiritual, sense? We may have known Christians who were swift about applying Bible counsel, mighty in defending the truth, wise in applying Bible principles, and zealous in the pursuit of accurate knowledge. Yet, because of time and unforeseen occurrence, some may now see themselves limited as a result of an accident or advanced age. They may wonder whether they will enter into Gods new world without ever having to suffer death.
4 When a Christian loses his marriage mate, the pain and sense of loss is severe. Together as a couple, they may have served Jehovah for years or even decades. The surviving mate knows that death severs the marriage bond. (1 Corinthians 7:39) Now, lest his confidence be undermined, he must keep his emotions under control.Compare Mark 16:8.
5 How wise it is to view the death of a mate, parent, child, or close Christian friend as an opportunity to show confidence in Jehovahs righteousness! Even in the face of personal loss, we can be confident that Jehovah is not unrighteous. We can have confidence that everyone who gains everlasting lifewhether through survival or by resurrectionwill be happy. Of God, the psalmist says: You are opening your hand and satisfying the desire of every living thing. Jehovah is righteous in all his ways and loyal in all his works. Jehovah is near to all those calling upon him, to all those who call upon him in trueness. The desire of those fearing him he will perform, and their cry for help he will hear, and he will save them.Psalm 145:16-19.
Feelings of Having Suffered Needlessly
6 In the past, some Witnesses have suffered for refusing to share in an activity that their conscience now might permit. For example, this might have been their choice years ago as to certain types of civilian service. A brother might now feel that he could conscientiously perform such without overstepping his Christian neutrality regarding the present system of things.
7 Was it unrighteous on Jehovahs part to allow him to suffer for rejecting what he now might do without consequences? Most who have had that experience would not think so. Rather, they rejoice that they had the opportunity of demonstrating publicly and clearly that they were determined to be firm on the issue of universal sovereignty. (Compare Job 27:5.) What reason could anyone have to regret having followed his conscience in taking a firm stand for Jehovah? By loyally upholding Christian principles as they understood them or by responding to the proddings of conscience, they proved worthy of Jehovahs friendship. Certainly, it is wise to avoid a course that would disturb ones conscience or that would likely cause others to be stumbled. We can think in this regard of the example that the apostle Paul set.1 Corinthians 8:12, 13; 10:31-33.
8 In order to please Jehovah, the Jews were required to obey the Ten Commandments and also a wide variety of about 600 additional laws. Later, under the Christian arrangement, obedience to these laws as such was no longer a requirement for serving Jehovah, not even for fleshly Jews. The laws no longer binding included those dealing with circumcision, keeping the Sabbath, offering animal sacrifices, and observing certain dietary restrictions. (1 Corinthians 7:19; 10:25; Colossians 2:16, 17; Hebrews 10:1, 11-14) Jewsincluding the apostleswho became Christians were released from the obligation to keep laws that they were required to obey when they were under the Law covenant. Did they complain that Gods arrangement was unrighteous in having formerly required of them things that were no longer necessary? No, they rejoiced in the broadened understanding of Jehovahs purposes.Acts 16:4, 5.
9 In modern times, there have been some Witnesses who were very strict in their view of what they would or would not do. For that reason they suffered more than others. Later, increased knowledge helped them to expand their view of matters. But they have no reason to regret having earlier acted in harmony with their conscience, even when this possibly brought extra suffering. It truly is commendable that they demonstrated their willingness to suffer in faithfulness to Jehovah, to do all things for the sake of the good news. Jehovah blesses that kind of godly devotion. (1 Corinthians 9:23; Hebrews 6:10) The apostle Peter wrote with insight: If, when you are doing good and you suffer, you endure it, this is a thing agreeable with God.1 Peter 2:20.
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AMNESIAN