Forgive me, I'm imperfect...

by thinker 6 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

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  thinker

  When confronted with the false prophesies, strange teachings, and outright lies of the GB; many active witnesses explain it away by saying, "They are just imperfect men. Wait on Jehovah and He will make it right." The unconditional forgiveness expressed by these R&F witnesses is admirable. The christian virtue of forgiveness and allowing God to be the judge is backed up by many scriptures, from "the straw in your brother's eye...", to "cast the first stone..." to "He that judgeth me is the Lord ..."
  I would like to suggest that this same attitude of forgiveness should extend to all "imperfect men". If the mistakes of the GB can be overlooked and forgiven because, after all; they are only human, then why not do the same for a R&F witness who makes a mistake? Is it not right to "wait on Jehovah"?
  There is no need for judicial commitees and disfellowshipping, "Jehovah will make it right".

  thinker
• 

  thinker

  On the other hand, it is important "to keep the congregation clean". If it is appropriate to disfellowship one for smoking or sexual misconduct, then what is to be done about someone who teaches false doctrines that have led untold numbers of faithful followers of Jehovah to leave the faith. Many more have refused to join in Jehovah's organization because of these false doctrines. I believe these past teachings are a public scandal for the WT and appropriate action needs to be taken. I quote from the "Pay Attention..." book:

  "Apostasy is a standing away from, a falling away, defec-
  tion, rebellion, abandonment; it involves teaching false
  doctrines, supporting or promoting false religion and its
  holidays or interfaith activities."

  "The Bible condemns the following:
  Causing divisions and promoting sects.
  This would be deliberate action disrupting the unity
  of the congregation or undermining the confidence
  of the brothers in Jehovah's arrangement.
  It may involve or lead to apostasy."

  "If a person has definite knowledge of wrongdoing that
  could contaminate the congregation, he is obligated to
  report the matter in order to keep the congregation
  clean. (Lev. 5:1; Num. 15:32-34; Prov. 29:24)"

  "If you learn of serious wrongdoing on the part of such a
  person, the matter should be investigated if it poses a
  threat to the congregation's cleanness and welfare or caus-
  es a public scandal. "

  "Purposes served by disfellowshipping:
  Upholds Jehovah's name and standard of righteousness.
  (Acts 15:14; 1 Pet. 1:14-16; compare Isaiah 52:5.)
  Protects the purity of the congregation. (I Cor. 5:1-13;
  May correct the unrepentant wrongdoer, bringing him to
  his senses. (2 Cor. 2:6-8)"

  I submit that members of the GB have been involved in " teaching false doctrines". This is a " deliberate action disrupting the unity of the congregation or undermining the confidence
  of the brothers in Jehovah's arrangement. " This should be investigated because " it poses a threat to the congregation's cleanness and welfare or causes a public scandal."
  A judicial commitee should be formed for the purpose of disfellowshipping all those responsible.

  thinker
• 

  neyank

  Hi thinker,
  You've got a point there.
  Because of the false teachings of the WTS, many have been stumbled.

  Many thought that the WTS was Gods chosen org.
  And to find out that the WTS has lied to them and abussed them,
  many have stopped believing in God altogether.

  I think that certainly is a much more serious wrongdoing than many
  things people get df'd for.

  I'm with you on this.
  Let's form our own judicial comitee and investigate this matter.

  neyank
• 

  mommy

  Thinker,
  WOW! That was brilliant. I don't know how many times I have heard that while in the org. I also heard tons of analogies, get rid of the rotten apple, before it infects the others and so on. This is just allowing the R&F imo to not account for the human factor. How they can say that DF is a blessing is beyond me. How can they say it is loving to treat someone like they are unworthy?

  I do not understand how they can even bring up the old testament either. Did God say it was ok to use the old testament whenever we needed a good line? I thought it was abolished. Those were questions I had in the org, still unanswered.
  wendy
  PS. Can woman serve on this Judicial Comittee? If so count me in
• 

  neyank

  Wendy,
  You would be the first person I asked.

  neyank
• 

  expatbrit

  "They are just imperfect men. Wait on Jehovah and He will make it right."

  Why didn't the gb apply this principle in their previous religious demoninations?

  Expatbrit
• 

  thinker

  Before everyone gets carried away with the idea of disfellowshipping members of the GB, I want to remind you that I posted TWO options. I purposely chose not to pick one myself. I only wanted to point out the inconsistancy in disfellowshipping R&F JWs for "minor" sins while at the same time giving the GB complete forgiveness. No matter how you look at it, there seems to be two standards of conduct in the WT org.