Reddit thread on convention video urging cutting off contact with Faders

by LongHairGal 30 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  Longlivetherenegades

  Matthew 18: 15 - 17 is addressed to who?
• 

  Anony Mous

  @longlive: according to JW the Bible and its message was addressed exclusively to the 144,000 ‘faithful and discreet slave’ which according to modern interpretation is exclusively members of the governing body. The ‘rest of us’ are just lucky we can obtain salvation through them. This is not hyperbole, this has been addressed through series of articles on the topic.
• 

  blondie

  I don't understand that the WTS is encouraging jws to make contact with df'd relatives and then telling to end contact with those who have just stopped attending and/or participating, but not saying things against the WTS and are leading a life that they could be df'd.
• 

  Earnest

  Anony Mous : according to JW the Bible and its message was addressed exclusively to the 144,000 ‘faithful and discreet slave’ which according to modern interpretation is exclusively members of the governing body.

  This is untrue on several counts. First of all it conflates the 144,000 and the 'faithful and discreet slave'. Secondly, it confuses the 144,000 with the remnant, those who are still on earth. Thirdly, it conflates the message of the New Testament with "the Bible and its message".

  What is understood is that the message of the New Testament in particular was addressed exclusively to those with a heavenly hope, whenever they lived. Reference to the 'faithful and discreet slave' is a red herring, and so when the understanding of the 'faithful and discreet slave' changed, there was no change to the thought that the NT was addressed to all those on earth with a heavenly hope.
• 

  FedUpJW

  As to spouses, a spouse being df'd or da'd does not end the marriage arrangement. Still function as a couple, but not in spiritual matters.

  A friend who had been DF'd back in the 90's told me that when his wife was reinstated and he wasn't at the same time the elders called her in the back room and chastised her for holding his hand during prayers at the meeting. Sorry bast--ds.
• 

  Ron.W.

  And it's not a cult!!!!!!!
• 

  blondie

  FedUpJW, it wasn't written policy, but a talk was given at one congregation I was at that even married jws could not hold hands or put their arm over the shoulder of the spouse during the meeting. People might get the wrong idea, or make the single people feel bad. Ridiculous I know.
• 

  Vidiot

  blondie - “I don't understand that the WTS is encouraging jws to make contact with df'd relatives and then telling to end contact with those who have just stopped attending and/or participating, but not saying things against the WTS and are leading a life that they could be df'd.”

  Maybe it was only ever a tug on the leash.
• 

  Earnest

  blondie : it wasn't written policy, but a talk was given at one congregation I was at that even married jws could not hold hands or put their arm over the shoulder of the spouse during the meeting.

  There was, in fact, a Watchtower, November 15, 2009, on how we comport ourselves during public prayer. It says (p.6, para.19) :

  When we are being represented in public prayer, we need to display reverential “fear of God.” (1 Pet. 2:17) There may be a proper time and place for some actions that would be inappropriate at a Christian meeting. (Eccl. 3:1) For instance, suppose someone sought to have all in a group link arms or hold hands during such a prayer. This might offend or distract some, including visitors who do not share our beliefs. Some marriage mates might discreetly hold hands, but if they embraced each other during public prayer, those who got a glimpse of such conduct might be stumbled. They might think or get the impression that the couple was focusing on their romantic relationship instead of reverence for Jehovah. Out of deep respect for him, let us therefore “do all things for God’s glory” and avoid conduct that could distract, shock, or stumble anyone.​—1 Cor. 10:31, 32; 2 Cor. 6:3.

  I suspect that some did not read this article closely enough to realise it was speaking about holding hands in a group, but just remembered we should not be holding hands. Or interpreted putting an arm over the shoulder of a spouse as "embracing each other". Unfortunately you will always get some who just love to make rules. This was discussed in an earlier thread here.
• 

  blondie

  Earnest, thanks for sharing that, my search on WOL was frustrating. I searched with everything but "hold hands." You are a good friend.