by JH 7 Replies latest jw friends
The mentally and physically handicapped aren't abundant in the kingdom halls. If the JW religion is the only one that saves, then mentally and physically handicapped won't be saved. Wouldn't it be right to see more handicapped people, if indeed they have the truth?
When you were active in the JW's, what did you think would happen to very handicapped people at armageddon?
I don't recall hearing of any handicapped people in Noah's ark being saved.
Edited by - JH on 20 January 2003 11:0:17
"my sheep know my voice" Jesus.
I thought handicapped people would be saved, they may not recognise our voice but they would recognise his. We didnt have the ability to penatrate through certain disabilities, He does.
Brummie
I don't seem to follow you........but for me that's not unbelievable.
The dubs have always felt that salvation to handicapped people rested in Jehovah's hands.......that he would read the heart. They say this is true of all people. The problem is they speak out of both sides of their mouth and say unless we are following their STRICT guidlines and are INSIDE of the Organisation.....we will fare as did those who died in the flood.
Gumby
Yes, gumby, is seems unbelievable unless you look more closely.
Mentally challenged ones if intelligent enough (in the WTS eyes) to be independent in other areas, are held responsible for becoming a baptized JW.
If not intelligent enough, then their future is dependent on their parent(s) becoming baptized JWs.
So if you are mentally challenged and under your non-JW parent(s)' supervision, you will die at the great tribulation.
If you are mentally challenged and independent of their control (some are), you must become a baptized JW or you will die at the great tribulation.
WT 9/15/76 pages 575-6 Questions from Readers
First Corinthians 7:14 states that children of a believing parent" are holy
"Is baptism involved in such a childs holiness in Gods sight?What if the child is retarded?
The apostle Paul is here discussing problems in a divided family. He encouraged the believing mate not to leave the unbeliever and, as a strong reason for keeping the marriage intact, said this: "For the unbelieving husband is sanctified in relation to his wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified in relation to the brother; otherwise, your children would really be unclean, but now they are holy." (1 Cor. 7:14)
This shows that God views such children according to the principle of family merit. By family merit is meant the holiness that God credits, or imputes, to minor children who are obedient, to the extent that the child is unaccountable.
This comes about due to the valuable record of holiness and good deeds that "parents in union with the Lord" have in Gods sight. (Eph. 6:1) This family merit applies even when only one of the parents is a believer, as Pauls above-quoted words indicate.
What, then, of baptism?
A young child who is faithfully taught Gods Word will no doubt progress in knowledge and understanding, and in time reach the point where Gods spirit motivates him to make his own dedication to Jehovah and to request baptism. (1 Pet. 3:21) To be prepared for baptism, he must appreciate his need to repent, be converted and come into a proper relationship with God. (Acts 3:19; 8:34-36)After baptism, he would no longer be under family merit , but would be viewed as "holy" on his own account, being responsible before God to pursue a life of dedication.1 Pet. 1:14-16; Col. 1:21-23.
Should parents of retarded children feel that baptism is in all cases a requirement for children to be viewed by God as worthy of his protection in times of judgment, as in the foretold "great tribulation"?
The degree of retardation is clearly a determining factor, since some of such children remain with the mentality of a four- or five-year-old even when fully grown. The child may be able to grasp certain basic teachings of Gods Word and repeat these when asked. He (or she) may be obedient to the parents and abstain from doing certain things that have been pointed out as wrong and contrary to Gods will. But is the child able to make personal decisions, able to decide from his own mind and heart (not that of the parents) the course in life he wishes to take? Is he capable of comprehending and seeking a personal relationship with God, one that is not dependent upon his parents? Is he able to stand before a judicial body, accountable for any wrongdoing he may commit? If not, then such child is evidently not in position to be baptized but would continue under family merit in Gods eyes, counted by him as "holy" in that sense.
Hence, the matter should not be viewed emotionally but on the basis of Scriptural teachings.
If the retardation is not great and the child is indeed capable of becoming a disciple of Gods Son, serving God with his own heart, soul, mind and strength, then he could be aided to reach the point of baptism. (Mark 12:30) He then should be able to "carry his own load" of spiritual responsibility. (Gal. 6:5) The parents could seek the counsel of the elders if they are in doubt.
How faith-strengthening and comforting to know that young children, as well as mentally retarded older ones, may be regarded as "holy" due to family merit!
Blondie
Edited by - Blondie on 20 January 2003 10:35:59
If the JW religion is the only one that saves, then mentally and physically handicapped won't be saved.
I'm not sure what gives you that idea. Severely disabled people are always in the minority in any group. I've known people in the organization with a variety of disabilities who were respected just as much as anyone else, even a MS who was one of the most active members of the congregation despite being in a wheelchair.
Besides, look at any WT illustration that depicts the aftermath of Armageddon, and you'll see people throwing away crutches and white canes, leaping out of wheelchairs...
(I have to admit though, I was never quite sure about those with very severe mental disabilities. I just figured God didn't have to follow the WT's salvation criteria to the letter, and would do the right thing when the time came.)
I once asked a jw girl i was working with at the time about handicapped people and what would happen to them when armaggedon came, she said that unless their parents had taught them about jehovah they would not be saved. The reason i was asking her was because over the road where we were working a man i had knowwn for years who was severely handicapped was being buried,when she told me this i was shocked and i told her so.
qca1
Watchtower Conclusion is: Survival of the fittest
