Having It Both Ways?--A Defining Characteristic

by blondie 27 Replies latest jw friends

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  blondie

  I was reading on another website and found this post. The poster said I could post it here. It shows why it is hard to reason with anyone in the organization.
  

  When individuals leave the organization for conscience reasons, it is evidence that God is shepherding and protecting the flock by doing a sifting work. When people leave another Christian religion it is evidence that the religion is morally corrupt and unable or unwilling to provide spiritually for their members.
  
  When a Christian from another denomination lies, he is acting according to his own disposition being from the father of the lie. When a Jehovah's Witness lies, he is proving his loyalty to Jehovah and fulfilling his sacred obligation to engage in spiritual warfare. During times of rapid growth the organization claims Gods approval for the harvest.
  
  During times of little or negative growth, the organization prints that this is evidence that the end is near because it appears that the harvest work is almost over.
  
  When a Jehovah's Witness is martyred, it is seen as following Christ example and fulfillment of Scripture. When a Christian of another faith is martyred it is seen as a misguided, albeit admirable exercise in a form of faith but proving false to its Source.
  
  When the organization prophesies falsely it is due to man's imperfection and an eagerness to see the new system. When another faith prophesies falsely it is proof that they are a false prophet in fulfillment of Christs words about the presence of many false prophets during the last days.
  
  When other Christian faiths experience growth it is because the Devil is misleading the entire inhabited earth. When Jehovah's Witnesses experience growth it is undeniable evidence that Jesus is actively leading the organization.
  
  When other religions are exposed as fraudulent and a menace to society and they lose certain privileges or status within a particular context, it is because God uses the governments as his executioner of justice. When the Jehovah's Witnesses are exposed as fraudulent and a menace to society and they lose certain privileges or status within a particular context, it is because Satan owns all the governments; else how could he have offered all of them to Jesus as a temptation?
  
  When the Catholic Church engages in protecting Pedophile Priests by hushing up the matter it is evidence that they are a filthy Harlot. When Jehovah's Witnesses don't notify police of charges of child molestation it is because of their willingness to allow Jehovah to handle the matter in his due time; thereby displaying faith in the ultimate JUDGE.
  
  Jehovah's Witnesses claim to have no clergy and hence are totally unlike Christendom's rulers who get special reverence and lord it over their brothers. When asked why they don't report criminal charges to the police they claim it is because it's a perversion of the clergy/laity relationship.
  
  When a Jehovah's Witness is unrepentant he is disfellowshipped. branded unfit for association. When the organization is unrepentant of its sins and people find it unfit for association and contentiously leave, it is because they are full of pride and refuse to wait on Jehovah.
  
  When a Christian of another faith celebrates Mothers Day they are following ancient pagan practices and giving undue attention to someone. When Sisters wear a wedding ring which clearly has pagan origins and draws attention to her status, it is evidence of the divinely inspired institution of marriage.
  
  When a Jehovah's Witness defrauds another Witness, it may be brought before the elders for possible social sanction if guilty. When a Christian of another faith defrauds a Witness he is often times encouraged to sue the pants off him and squeeze him for every dime.
  
  When other Churches support the UN it is evidence that the harlot is fornicating with the Wild Beast. When the organization officially agreed to support UN objectives it was because they needed "access to their library".
  
  When a different faith-believing relative shuns their Jehovah's Witness family member, it is fulfillment of Christs prophecy concerning the breaking up of families when someone starts to believe in Christ.
  
  When a Jehovah's Witness shuns his different believing relatives, whether they believe in Christ or not, it is seen as an action necessary to keep oneself without spot from the world.
  
  Every event in Jehovah's Witness life is seen as evidence that they have the truth and others will simply be destroyed by God. Perhaps others can provide more examples of having it both ways. I'd argue it is their defining characteristic.

  Blondie
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  Been there

  I like that Blondie, thanks.
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  Holey_Cheeses*King_of_the juice.

  Sums them up in a nutshell. Their actions, whatever they may be, are excusable by their religious convictions.

  cheeses - watcher of the ones with double standards.
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  smack

  perfect. My brother is visiting (and also attending the convention) at the end of the year. He might just get both barrels

  Of course, I will use tact in my warfare

  Steve
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  Brummie

  This is excellent Blondie, thanks for posting it.

  Its one of those posts that roll around our heads and are so abvious & true yet we seldom write them down.

  Brummie
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  Shakita

  Hi Blondie:

  When a Christian of another faith celebrates Mothers Day they are following ancient pagan practices and giving undue attention to someone. When Sisters wear a wedding ring which clearly has pagan origins and draws attention to her status, it is evidence of the divinely inspired institution of marriage.

  So true! You can not pick and choose which pagan custom you say Jehovah approves or disapproves of. Either they are all pagan and should be avoided, or they are all seen as "customs" instead of religious observances from pagan origin. I think this is where the society will be seeing alot of change in the coming years. As people get tired of the hypocrisy and double standards, they will gradually accept more and more so called "pagan observances" and become more mainstreamed.

  I see so many older ones in the congregations I belonged to for so many years that are dying without the promise of seeing the new system come in their lifetime. I also see so many younger ones who are leaving because of the strangle hold that the society has on their own personal decisions. I don't know about others here.....but what I see happening in our area is very enlightening. The older generation is dying out, and the newer generation are disillusioned and are fading from the scene. In my opinion, the society will see a great decrease in numbers (even if they say otherwise) unless they see some new light on major issues like shunning and disfellowhipping. Adopting a more mainstreamed and loving attitude towards those who make mistakes, or choose to leave the organization altogether, will be the only way to survive into the new century. If they do not, their bottom line ($$$) will be affected......this hopefully will help them to adopt some new light for the sake of their own survival.

  Mrs. Shakita
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  mizpah

  Blondie:

  Perfect example of the double standards that permeate the Watchtower Society and Jehovah's Witnesses. Sadly, when a person thinks himself right he can say and do things that are wrong and justify it in his own mind. But the person who has his own standard of ethics will be bothered by these contradictions. Not all Jehovah's Witnesses are "spiritual robots" as evidenced by the thousands who left and continue to leave the organization. And the Watchtower Society continues to make mistakes that can not be hidden such as the sexual abuse problems that are currently sweeping the organization.

  We can only hope that more of the members will wake up to the fact that they are following an unchristian organization that uses deception and lies to hold its members.
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  Perry

  Hey Blondie,

  Check this out.

  http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/6/33225/1.ashx

  Here's a few more.

  When Jehovah's Witnesses collect millions of dollars from their members for huge building projects, it is Jehovah 'speeding up the work'. When other churches collect millions of dollars to build their meeting houses, Jehovahs Witnesses are told to feel sorry for these people because unscrupulous leaders are fleecing their flocks.

  When a natural disaster like a flood, earthquake etc., strikes an area and no Jehovah's Witnesses die, (only the wicked); Jehovah knows how to protect his people in time of distress. When a natural disaster strikes and JW's die, it is because Jehovah allows Satan to test his people 'even unto death'.

  When a person leaves a destructive life of drugs, crime, and debauchery to become a JW, it is evidence of the changing power of the Holy Spirit. When another person leaves the same lifestyle to become involved in any other religion.. we shouldn't be surprised because even Satan himself keeps transforming himself into an angel of light.

  When a catholic goes to confession it is an unscriptural practice instituted by the great harlot. When a Witness goes to a judicial meeting he is showing himself obedient to those taking the lead.

  When an elder rapes a child, it is hoped that he will repent and change his ways by studying the bible and reassuring himself what is acceptable to the Lord. When a Catholic preist rapes a child, it is what is expected in a filthy, satanic false religious system.

  When a Jehovah's Witness lies to you straight to your face, it is because they are engaging in spiritual warfare and you don't deserve the correct information. When any other person lies, it is because they are from their father.... the father of the lie.

  The list is endless. And we sometimes wonder why we felt crazy at times as JW's? Sheesh!
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  Amazing

  Hi Blondie,

  Yep ... that article sums up the JWs pretty well. It is part of their central doctrine ... that is ... if something affects JWs, it is from God dealing with them ... if it affects the non-JW world, it is the Devil dealing with the world. God's organization vs the Devil's organization. The JWs are in a very sick religion. Thanks for posting this. - Jim W.
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  Perry

  Oh.... And I also give you permission to repost this..... LOL

  BTW, what website did you find this on? I want to know why they left out my bolded phrases in the text..... I think it reads much more powerful that way.