BLONDIE’S highlights FROM the JULY 17, 2016 WT Study (2016) (HOW DO YOU MAKE PERSONAL DECISIONS?
https://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/
EXCELLENT GENERAL WEBSITE: www.jwfacts.com
Bible translations www.biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible
WT publications http://www.a2z.org/wtarchive/archive.htm (old)
www.jw.org (new)
WT child abuse www.silentlambs.org
Blood issue www.ajwrb.org
http://marvinshilmer.blogspot.com
United Nations http://www.randytv.com/secret/unitednations.htm
Also posted on
OPENING COMMENTS
When I first read this title I thought what I saw many jws do, ask other jws their opinion, no research first in the publications or the bible, when no consensus of opinion, they would run to their favorite elder, then the CO, and some write to headquarters over and over looking for the magic answer, the one they wanted to hear.
I remember overhearing one jw ask an elder, who did the right thing (per the WTS) and pulled out a publication, and pointed to their application of a scripture to the questions. The jw would then say (But what do you say) because they knew the elders made the rules in their congregation.
So I wondered what the WTS would say and why it makes this topic worthy of a study article.
Paragraph 1
Was fornication forbidden in pre-Christian times in Israel? If yes, why; if no, why, use a scriptural explanation. Remember I am not talking about adultery.
Where in the OT does it explain that an Israelite could be put to death if 2 people observed them staying overnight with someone of the opposite sex?
Paragraph 2
While the bible may not provide any “specific” command the WTS is happy to jump in and make one. What did Jesus say at Matthew 15?
Then there came to Jesus from Jerusalem Pharisees and scribes,+ saying: 2 “Why do your disciples overstep the tradition of the men of former times? For example, they do not wash their hands+ when about to eat a meal.”+
3 In reply he said to them: “Why do you overstep the commandment of God because of your tradition?+ 4 For example, God said, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’+ and, ‘Let the one who speaks abusively of* his father or mother be put to death.’*+ 5 But you say, ‘Whoever says to his father or mother: “Whatever I have that could benefit you is a gift dedicated to God,”+ 6 he need not honor his father at all.’ So you have made the word of God invalid because of your tradition.+ 7 You hypocrites, Isaiah aptly prophesied about you when he said:+ 8 ‘This people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far removed from me. 9 It is in vain that they keep worshipping me, for they teach commands of men as doctrines.’”+ 10 With that he called the crowd near and said to them: “Listen and get the sense of it:+ 11 It is not what enters into a man’s mouth that defiles him, but it is what comes out of his mouth that defiles him
Paragraph 5
Stumbling others is brought in, even if in a congregation of 99, one says they will be stumbled (reason unclear or ridiculous) the 99 must give in to the one. Elders will tell you that there is one that could be stumbled but you cannot talk to them about it, they will be nameless or in many cases nonexistent being used by the elders to manipulate others.
Paragraph 6
Perceive God’s will as from the pages of the WT publications, and explanations from the elders and other “spirit-appointed” men, right?
Paragraph 8
Did Jesus run to the religious leaders of his time, their Talmud, to get his answers?
Did Jesus have writings and publications apart from the OT to get his answers?
Was Jesus paying attention to the teachings of the religious leaders of his time? Did their interpretations of the scriptures find Jesus in approval of them?
In my last congregation, the sisters were allowed to have 2 piercings in each ear; but other congregations in the circuit did not allow it. The elders in one congregation called headquarters and were told that each BOE could make different rules for their own congregation. Did you know that?
Love Blondie