Jehovah`s Witnesses Boasted They have No Clergy Laity Class ?

by smiddy 29 Replies latest jw friends

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  smiddy

  Well that`s what was impressed on me to differentiate between the true religion and false religion , when I was converted in 1960 , do they still claim that ? Believing that they still do , I will say this.

  What about ,:The Governing Body who definitely are set apart from the rank and file for their attitude towards the R&F , but also from the attitude of the R&F towards the Governing body members.Many do seem to idolise GB members by their actions , and the GB members dont seem to discourage that.

  And not only for their attitude , how about their life-style , being housed in Bethel with all the mod -cons of modern civilization as opposed to a R&F member living in a third world country .does the WT Society do anything to make their lifestyle improve ? or do they just say

  { Did Jesus have a place to rest his head ? }

  What about Elders : Apart from running the congregation in a dictatorial manner, what Elders say goes , , they sit in judgement of the R&F members , meting out disciplinary action against any they see fit to do so , disfellowshipping , ostracising ,shunning ,any that do not meet with their approval.

  In the process disrupting and destroying familys, causing divisions within familys , and breakups of marriages , many of which were blessed in a Kingdom Hall.

  Not to be overlooked are the Ministerial Servants who are regarded as potential Elders , ready to step up into that exulted position to influence the rank and file and manipulate them to do their will when they become Elders.

  You have the Governing Body who admit they don`t have direct communication with GOD -Jehovah

  And this is after 100 years of Christ Jesus rule since 1914 ?

  Am I the only one who sees problems here ?
• 

  nugget

  The society is sneaky what they should say is they do not have paid clergy. They most certainly have a structure and a hierarchy with publishers at the bottom with no influence and an expectation that they will provide financial support.

  Ministerial servants, Elders, COs and the governing body provide the rule enforcement and doctrine. Just as popes,cardinals and bishops do in the catholic church and arch bishops, bishops and vicars do in the protestant church.
• 

  zeb

  Yet they claimed clergy confidentiality at the ARC!
  
• 

  Fernando

  Watchtower religion doublespeak on clergy vs laity two class system

  
  

  ka,1973 - God’s Kingdom of a Thousand Years Has Approached

  
  

  *** ka chap. 18 p. 375 par. 27 Bringing the “Man of Lawlessness” to Nothing ***

  27 Did Jesus Christ, the Head of the Christian congregation, give instructions for his disciples to be divided up into clergy and laity? Nowhere in the four Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John or in the book of Acts of Apostles or in the book of Revelation are there instructions to split up his disciples into two general classes.

  *** ka chap. 18 pp. 375-376 pars. 27-28 Bringing the “Man of Lawlessness” to Nothing ***

  In the Revelation given to him through Jesus Christ, the apostle John refers to all the disciples of Christ as being priests, saying: “He made us to be a kingdom, priests to his God and Father. . . . ” “You made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God, and they are to rule as kings over the earth.”—Revelation 1:6; 5:10.

  28 Likewise, the apostle Peter writes the Christians that they are all priests, saying: “Be you also as living stones built up, a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. But you are a chosen generation, a kingly priesthood, a holy nation, a purchased people: that you may declare his virtues, who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.”—1 Peter 2:5, 9, Roman Catholic Douay Version.

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  Searching wt lib 2014 for “faithful and discreet slave class” produces 361 hits.

  Searching wt lib 2014 for “anointed class” produces 54 hits.

  Searching wt lib 2014 for “other sheep class” produces 49 hits.

  Searching wt lib 2014 for “both classes” produces 38 hits.

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  *** w09 10/15 p. 15 par. 14 “You Are My Friends” ***

  One way is to obey the direction provided by the faithful and discreet slave class, which consists of Jesus’ spirit-anointed brothers still alive on earth.

  *** w67 10/1 p. 593 par. 9 Following Faithful Shepherds with Life in View ***

  These men too, though occupying responsible positions of oversight themselves, recognize and submit to the superior appointment of the “faithful and discreet slave.”
• 

  atomant

  Just imagine being dictated to forever smiddy.
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  Chook

  I know that if Christ physical returned today he couldn't even get an interview with Mr Morris due to his dress code and facial hair
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  Finkelstein

  Just because the WTS/JWS's clergy don't wear elaborate clothing such one sees in the main stream Catholic and Protestant churches, doesn't mean they don't have an operating clergy within their institution. ie. GB members, Branch heads, CO. Elders etc.

  ......all have structured positions to look after the spirituality of the flock as it were and to uphold the core doctrines of faith.
  

  The WTS has always tried to differentiate itself from main stream Christendom calling it false religion, in reality their religion is just as false as the others, even more so from a theological perspective.
  
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  The Searcher

  The org has claimed in law courts to have "clergy-penitent privilege".

  That says it all!
  
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  stuckinarut2

  Try disagreeing with the direction from the elders and GB! Then see how quickly their "authority" is exercised in judgement!
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  scratchme1010

  Like most-to-a;ll of their claims, they are s joke. Of course, not only do they have a clergy/Laity structure, but their denial of it is what makes it so oppressive.

  As others said, try contributing to their believe as an equal and see if you'll last there one second.