Pleasing Jehovah or Pleasing the Congregation??

worldlygirl

I was always annoyed with my ex for using the words "pleasing to Jehovah" to describe certain actions. In actuality, he an his family (and I suspect others as well) seemed to be much more concerned with pleasing other Witnesses or members of their congregations. As an outsider, it seemed to me that they were always looking for "loopholes" to get by with certain practices, as if they thought they could trick Jehovah or that He wouldn't notice so long as they were not reproved or disfellowshipped.

My ex sister-in-law regularly spent the night with her boyfriend or he with her. Her JW parents adopted a "don't ask/don't tell" policy with her. But her mother made the comment to me once that she "hoped the brothers never found out about it." In other words, even though my mother-in-law KNEW her daughter was doing something that she could be disfellowshipped for, she still carried on and associated with her on a normal basis. This wouldn't bother me at all except for the fact that when her son confessed to fornication and was disfellowshipped, she shunned him! The kicker is, even though he told them about it long before he was DF'd, she (and her husband) continued to associate with him right up until the time he was "officially" DF'd.

My question is, how do they justify invoking the scripture saying not to associate with adulterers, fornicators, etc.... Where in that scripture does it say you can associate with such people until they are disfellowshipped? If they are trying to please Jehovah, wouldn't they want to follow the scripture even before they are directed to do so by the body of elders? Or, is Jehovah not really who they are trying to please?

Your thoughts, please. (And, by the way, this post in no way is meant to imply that I agree with shunning family members. I'm just using this as an example of the flagrant hypocricy of my ex's family!)

Worldlygirl

stillajwexelder

My thoughts are they are trying to please neither - -all witnesses do is try to please the Governing Body -- worship of man(an organization) that is all they are doing

Elsewhere

No shunning until an official DF... yup... tells you who they are severing.

Oh, but of course the organization does not compel people to shun DFed people... that is their own personal decision.

An amazing example of Double Think.

blondie

Here's some appropriate scriptues (all NWT):

Psalm 26:3-4

4 I have not sat with men of untruth;
And with those who hide what they are I do not come in.

Luke 16:15

15 Consequently he said to them: "Y OU are those who declare yourselves righteous before men, but God knows YOUR hearts; because what is lofty among men is a disgusting thing in God?s sight.

Matthew 6:1

6 "Take good care not to practice YOUR righteousness in front of men in order to be observed by them; otherwise YOU will have no reward with YOUR Father who is in the heavens.

Matthew 23:5

All the works they do they do to be viewed by men;

SwordOfJah

worldlygirl:

You ask: My question is, how do they justify invoking the scripture saying not to associate with adulterers, fornicators, etc.... Where in that scripture does it say you can associate with such people until they are disfellowshipped? If they are trying to please Jehovah, wouldn't they want to follow the scripture even before they are directed to do so by the body of elders? Or, is Jehovah not really who they are trying to please?

I believe the specific example you are stating is the exception. Each Witness must be loyal to Jehovah and must keep his high standards of moral conduct. Some families because of their ties will try to get away with associating with family members although these might be fornicators, but Jehovah does not accept their disloyalty and will have to answer for their actions.

On some judicial cases handled by elders, these are prolonged because of lack of proof or because the wrongdoer is avoiding meeting with them, and if their Witness family still associates with them, then they are guilty by association.

shotgun

Great post worldlygirl

You said

You ask: My question is, how do they justify invoking the scripture saying not to associate with adulterers, fornicators, etc.... Where in that scripture does it say you can associate with such people until they are disfellowshipped? If they are trying to please Jehovah, wouldn't they want to follow the scripture even before they are directed to do so by the body of elders? Or, is Jehovah not really who they are trying to please?

SOJ replied

I believe the specific example you are stating is the exception.

I would say this is not the exception but the rule. I have known many elders who associate with their children who are baptized but faded away and practise things they have and continue to disfellowhip others for. Other elders often know about this and reply Jehovah will eventually look after this.

Often times it's a known fact that elders may have a drinking problem and again it's wait on Jehovah.

The exceptions are the ones who consistently apply the same rules and regulations in their own lives that they so forcefully use on others inside the congregation.

But could you really expect more than that from men who are directed by men.

SwordOfJah

shotgun:

It does not surprise me that you generalize and exaggerate since you oppose Witnesses. Your general comment that elders may have a drinking problem is absurd and pure gossip. This is a typical tactic used by Satan and continues to use through people like you. If there is proof of wrongdoing, elders will not overlook the problem and immediately form a judicial committee to handle those cases. Many gossipers as yourself often do not know all the facts and reach incorrect conclusions. Many on this board give specific examples that cannot be verified, and yet it is often taken as facts. Are there some rotten apples inside some congregations? Of course, but eventually these leave or are taken care of as many on this board are excellent examples of these cleansed out.

worldlygirl

SwordofJah, I have never been a Witness, I am only describing what I have seen, particularly with my ex-husband's family, all of whom profess to be Witnesses in good standing and all of whom seem to be well thought-of in the congregation. I am not speculating on rumor, but have actually seen many instances such as the one I described.

Now, please go away and don't hijack my thread. I really want to get others' observations on this topic. Thanks.

Worldlygirl

SwordOfJah

Oh I see, you only want the viewpoint of those opposing Witnesses. Ok, I'll stay out of it then.

worldlygirl

Thanks! Goodbye.

Pleasing Jehovah or Pleasing the Congregation??

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