I ask because I wasn't sure if you were one based upon your current "non-Christian" status. And I think anyone can comment. You don't have to be a JW to be on this board. Obviously, there's no book of GB credentials to fall back on. But if you've been a Witness for close to 50 years (like me), you might believe that it is an odd thing to have ever been DF'd and eventually serve on the Governing Body.....If you think otherwise, OK.
Was Governing Body Member Gerritt Losch Ever Disfellowshipped?
by minimus 32 Replies latest watchtower scandals
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logansrun
Min,
Oh, don't get me wrong, I'd like to know if Losch was ever DFd. It's interesting -- but nothing more. I don't see how it would in any way be deflamatory against the Society if he ever was DFd, though. Like I said, if anything, this one example could be used by a JW apologist to show that the JWs are not as strict as some say they are.
I'm on your side, no, really, I am.
B.
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minimus
We all know, the restrictions are more enforced than ever! Logan, your thinking too much. Don't be so logical and maybe you'll "feel" it's "more than interesting"......btw, I wasn't saying his whole life as an anointed one was the testimony. I was saying that, as the Watchtower says, if a person was to be "called" by Jehovah to act as a "replacement", their whole life would have to be exemplary. It stands to reason, if this WT. application is being made to "regular" anointed ones, GB members would unquestionably have to have proven themselves over the course of their life.
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xjw_b12
It would be newsworthy irregardless of when it occured, but sooner would be better.
But you know those rumours!
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Phantom Stranger
Min...thinking it odd and thinking it's news are different.
And basing your arguments on how long you were in is as fallacious as basing arguments on how long you've been out. I've been out longer than you, so have my views on the WTS been affected by that span of time? Yes. When I'd recently departed, I felt more like you seem to about many issues, and now I seem to agree with you less...but that is irrelevant to the validity of any argument.
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mizpah
The Society has used 1 Timothy 3 as a litmus test to see if people qualify to be elders and ministerial servants. The NWT says that an elder should be "irreprehensible" and should have good reputation from outsiders as well as commendation from believers.
If this is true of elders and ministerial servants, it would be even more so for those serving in an official capacity of a Governing Body member.
This being said, though, I have seen how the rules are bent and how recommendations from CO or DO can supercede all restrictions. I knew a PO who was disfellowshipped for leaving his wife and going with a young "sister." He divorced his wife and married the "sister." Both were eventually reinstated. And the "brother" was once again appointed as the PO in the same congregation. Both insiders and outsiders knew the circumstances. Yet, the Society didn't hesitate to appoint him upon the recommendation of the CO. (It helped that this "brother" had a successful business and was very generous to visiting CO.)
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minimus
Phantom, I based my comment on my understanding of all of the time that I've been associated with the organization. BTW, If it was no big deal because of the time period, then you can bet the Society would broadcast how merciful they are...... Mizpah, if a person holding the highest office in the Society had at one time been unfaithful and unrepentant, could they "turn bad" again???
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logansrun
Minimus,
If it was no big deal because of the time period, then you can bet the Society would broadcast how merciful they are
No, they wouldn't. They would view it as a non-issue, which is exactly what it is (if it's true).
Bradley
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Euphemism
I agree with Logan that it has little relevance to his credentials. But I do think it would be interesting as an insight into Watchtower culture. Organizationally, the consequences of disfellowshipping only last a few years; but in the guilt-based mentality of the Watchtower, many a d/fed person feels that they are marked for life.
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logansrun
BTW...where did you hear this rumor, min?
B.