by Truth and Justice 21 Replies latest jw friends
Thanksgiving
Surely that's a national celebration? I doubt they'd allow that. They'd have to allow many other national celebrations, such as Bastille day and May 1st etc
Independence day? Billions celebrate independence from England in one form or another. 1.6 to be precise.
Ha ha ha !
Actually in a country that is hyperpartisan in its politics and has an almost militant patriotism happening, Thanksgiving is surprisingly neutral with no political or religious overtones.
It's just a day everyone stops to eat and be thankful of the things they do have. It doesn't celebrate the US, no flag waving. Even people who complain about commercialism in Christian holidays like Christmas actually find Thanksgiving to be refreshing.
It's one holiday that everyone can agree on. Except JWs of course!
Funnily enough, American Independence Day, the 4th of July, IS a nationalistic holiday and should be verboten.
But, every JW I've ever known loves to go watch big fireworks displays!
There has been the thought offered, that the Governing Body will some how revise the Memorial but I don't think that its necessary, nor actually advisable for the following reasons.
While we are reminded every year, that one day (after the rapture) the need for the Memorial will end, until that time it does hold a special place in the hearts and minds of the Brotherhood, that could be said to be one of the few Biblical things we do. But on a practical point, the fact that the option (and partaking of the bread and wine) for the heavenly hope, does help the many newer ones from Christendom accept the Faith easier. And its well understood and tolerated by local Elders (and by extension the Society) that many do actually partake do to an 'spiritual enthusiasm' that can dissipate over time.
Also, every religion (even the well established mainstream Christian religions) have a bit of magic or mysticism in their practical worship. And if you have ever been to an Orthodox Mass then you will understand the importance of the trappings around it are, let alone the Transubstantiation of Christ blood and flesh, in the minds of its followers.
Thus it could be said that religious particularities can be well tolerated and valued. And so I feel that the Memorial can be ours, considering that its not really an onerous occasion to attend.
Plus its one one few occasions, were Jesus cracks a decent mention.
I would rather worship the sun (and the moon) by participating in the greater Memorial--the eclipse. With a decent pair of eclipse glasses, one can watch the total eclipse (if you are in the path) or a partial one if you are near. Plus there is a lunar eclipse tonight. Hey, if they hate when I worship the sun by celebrating Christmas, I wonder what they are going to do when I worship both the sun and the moon. And no, I will not be going to worship that beady-eyed monster thing.
Damn...I mean damn! Several times throughout the talk the speaker threatened the audience about partaking of the emblems 'unworthingly'! What the hell business is it of his who partakes and who doesn't?
Things were very different this year. Many DFed ones came back for the first time..
So many got a call from someone they hadn’t spoke to for years even decades and the thought of actually seeing them again and being able to speak even just a little was enough for so many to decide to come to the memorials,
next step is love bombed and being pressured to have new Bible study and get reinstated
it will be a very interesting time over the next year or years as all these DFed ones who agree to a Bstudy will have had their eyes opened. Not like studying with a new convert.
They will be slowly asking the hard questions to the poor publishers who take the studies!
it’s something new never happened before in the history of the organisation. No need to reach the point of baptism as these former DFed ones already got Baptised a long time time ago.
there were so many new ones at different memorials yesterday, how many will decide to get reinstated as PIMOs just for the social aspect with family and friends?
"Do you think the org will change it's stance as to only "anointed" ones partaking"
I don't think that there are any more anointed alive.
And partaking does not mean anything. It does not make one anointed.
"Do you think the org will change it's stance as to only "anointed" ones partaking"
Not a chance. Lots of changes going on right now, but they are mostly superficial. That would be too big of a doctrinal change. JWs will always make the claim that the major doctrines do not change.
