The frequent denunciations the WTS directs at homosexuals is especially outrageous considering how they KNOW that there are thousands of celibate homosexuals within their ranks suffering in silence under the guilt and burdens heaped upon them.
homosexuality
by wilton 45 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
-
undercover
That's been the JW teaching since at least the late 70's. A person can be a homosexual and be in the organization - as long as he/she doesn't act upon those urges in any unclean way. Thus, no holding hands with someone of the same sex either. Nada, nothing. It would be up to the homosexual to police his/her own thoughts and "get them under control" thru prayer & works befitting repentence (going out in service). And it wouldn't hurt to marry someone of the opposite sex either.
I've never seen that in print. I've never heard that from the platform either. I'm not saying it hasn't been said somewhere by somebody, but I seriously doubt that this is the "official" stance of the organization. I suspect that maybe some empathetic elders or COs have given this information to some who admitted having these "feelings". Their publications, though, are condemnatory against homosexuality.
-
SanFranciscoJim
In fact, it says in the "secret" Elder's Manual that if a member of the congregation spends the night in the home of a "known homosexual", they can be disfellowshipped.
-
dolphman
Dude, being a homosexual can be a good thing. You'll always be surrounded by people with excess cash (no divorce or child support payments amongst gay men) who have a taste for the good life. On the downside too much sex and drugs often f*ck up healthy gay relationships. As far as God goes, you don't need him, especially the Christian concept of god. He's got an old-school-macho-man-got-a-can-of-whoop-ass-ready-for-all-you-sodomites attitude and it's a waste of time for you to worry about it.
Realize this: All religions teach the same thing and lead to the same place. Anybody who says differently is selling something (probably a Watchtower). Good religions for gays are buhddism and hinduism (yoga). Both accept Christ as a prophet and allow for homosexuality.
-
Eyebrow2
I am sorry...but JWs do NOT have a dont ask dont tell policy...if they find out you are gay and cannot reform you, you are OUT of the closet and out the door. Big Tex hit the nail on the head. The potential gay study may be told as long as he keeps in under control he is okay...but the rest of the congregation is looking at you sides ways and talking about you. and unless you prove youre cured by getting married, then good luck getting privillages....you have to be a pretty good actor and no one has to know you were ever gay.
I have a friend of the family that has been disfellowshipped 5 times in the last 20 years...he is gay, but keeps trying to fight it, and fight it and FIGHT it...which lead to a drinking and drug problem. He had thought he was cured when he was disfellowshipped for the 4th time because he had thought he had fallen in love with a woman...a woman he had to give up when he was reinstated.
I feel badly for all the gays out there that had to live as a witness until they were able to get free...it must have been pretty damn tough. Definately listen to those people. If anyone ever tells you that gays are welcome they are not telling you the truth..they are welcome to study, but if they are changing their ways, then JWs are not encouraged to associate with you. and if you get baptised, and cannot fight your feelings, then you are out, and shunned. If you want to study, go ahead, but dont get baptised. They can still talk to you if you just study but decide it is not for you. but if you get baptise and get kicked out or leave...then you must be shunned.
Check out some other churches that openly accept gays. Universalist Uniterians are very open, and are very different from other churches. Many of the ministers are gay themselves. I dont really consider them christian, beacuse they dont have any real doctrine...but they accept others lifestyles and beliefs....aethists are welcome there, as well as others from different religious backgrounds.
good luck on your search.
-
waiting
The frequent denunciations the WTS directs at homosexuals is especially outrageous considering how they KNOW that there are thousands of celibate homosexuals within their ranks suffering in silence under the guilt and burdens heaped upon them. - enishi
Perhaps a cruel, planned, oxymoron? Keep denouncing disgusting *active* homosexuals so that those could-be-at-any-moment-disgusting, *inactive* homosexuals won't forget.....and the jw's who know they're gay won't forget either? Perhaps a way to try & filter out the homosexuals amongst them - "get out if you can't take the heat?" If one looks at the training the WTBTS delivers to all it's followers (df, da, shunning, discipline, God's killing sprees, "the backroom" elders---- it's ALL NEGATIVE REINFORCEMENT. It works - but it's cruel. Like some parents of old who knew of no better way than to beat their children. However, the WTBTS knows of positive reinforment.....they just refuse to use it. The WTBTS really believes they have the God-given right to beat their slaves....no "fellow" about it - headquarters ain't no slave class. That is, those who believe in God. The others think it's a corporation with odd freebies doing the work for them. My opinion, naturally.
-
NaruNaruChan
Being married does not make you not gay.
You know how sometimes you hear stories of husbands leaving families for other men?
This is why. People think if you're gay, marrying someone is the cure. WRONG!!!!!!! All that does is turn a closeted individual into a supposed "perverted homewrecker" load of crap if you ask me. JWs don't believe anything nice about being gay. Check my post history and read my first post, my story, and how i was dfed for being a lesbian. It isn't pretty, and they'll play nice nice with you when you study about it, but they detest homosexuality and consider it a huge ol' sin, so just do yourself a favor and don't mess with JWs. Think buddhism. Much safer for us gays. ^_^
Joker, what in the hell are you talking about? did you pull that comment out of ur butt or what?
Oh, and welcome Quill. ^_^
-
RAYZORBLADE
Yes, I was encouraged to 'marry', to 'change', or 'cure' me.
The funny part is, and I've experienced this, not often, but on occasion with ex-JWs, that they thought I didn't do enough to work through my 'inclinations'.
In other words: you didn't do MORE????
Anyways, without getting into any details, I hear on occasion from married gay JWs. They too fell for the myth: 'marry' and it'll be fine.
Wrong!
This topic certainly fascinates people doesn't it. Anyways, becoming a Jehovah's Witness does not cure homosexuality, nor does any other christain infused tincture of god and/or scripture.
Over 20 years ago, I tried to live the lie, and convinced myself that I could be 'straight/hetero'. Sorry folks, it doesn't work that way, and my situation, is not unique.
Important to live your life successfully, regardless of your sexuality.
Cheers!
-
SanFranciscoJim
Around 25 years ago, when I was still a zealous JW, I wrote an unsolicited article for Awake about how I had "conquered" my homosexuality and mailed it off to Bethel.
Instead of publishing my story, the article was given to the District Overseer, who gave it to the Circuit Overseer, who brought it to the P.O. of our congregation. How do I know this? Because the Sunday after the article had been passed to the P.O., the P.O.'s son came up to me after the Watchtower study and asked "Is it true you're a fag?"
From that day forward, although I was still a member in good standing, I was never again invited to any JW social function. I was treated as if I had suddenly contracted leprosy.
-
Gretchen956
(((((Jim))))) well its a good thing you got out! My experience the higher up you got in that organization the worse gossiper you were. Its a shame. As someone else said on this or another thread, one day the karma wheel will turn and they will have much to answer for.
Gretchen