"Do Not Be Irritating Your Children"

Englishman

I typed the above few words into Google.

Now that was really interesting..!

If we look at the NWT's version of Ephesians 6: 4, we read:

"You, fathers, do not be irritating your children, but go on bringing them up in the discipline and mental-regulating of Jehovah." (Ephesians 6:4

In my younger days, the WT suggested that we irritated our children when we didn't take them to meetings our out in the ministry work! (If anyone can dig up a bit from an old WT where that was stated, I'd really appreciate it).

I'd be interested to see how others viewed this Scripture when they were JW's, and I'd also like to know how they view it now as ex-witnesses.

What did you / do you - think it means?

Englishman.

Nosferatu

I used to use that scripture on my mother whenever she'd piss me off or embarass me. I completely forgot about that scripture. I have no clue what it means now. Maybe the same thing? Don't piss off your kids?

Mulan

I'd be interested to see how others viewed this Scripture when they were JW's,

My brother always used that scripture on my Mom when she would tell him no.

I think it means not to confuse children, by changing the rules all the time, or being a hypocrit. Just a thought.

Englishman

Hi Mulan,

There was a WT around 1990 that clearly stated that it was only the lack of disipline in attending meetings etc that irritated chidren. It was along the lines of parents not being firm enough with their youngsters "thereby irritating them".

It was quite astonishing to read and I was hoping that someone might recognise whereabouts it came from.

Englishman.

blondie

My experience mirrors Mulan's. I have seen this applied to having the family study and regularly and not being a hypocrite. I did search the CD through 1999 using Eph. 6:4, irritating and meetings. Nada. All applications are to not being a hypocrite and having a family study.

Blondie

Nosferatu

Absolutely amazing how they make this scripture work to their advantage and not the child's. Children are powerless, women are powerless.

FlyingHighNow

I always thought it applied in this way: fathers do not be harassing your children by verbal abuse or teasing. I also thought it meant that fathers should not be unfair to their children.

I still think it means that. I have seen many fathers crush their poor children's feelings and esteem by saying cruel things or being overly harsh with the discipline.

The WTBTS will take any scripture and find a way to twist into their brainwashing program.

Flyin'

Shutterbug

If you use the normal definition of irritate then things take on a whole new meaning from the one the WTS puts out there. At one time I had one going thru puberty and one going thru menopause, and I could irritate both of them simply by walking thru the door.

FMZ

Why not? They irritate the piss outta me!

FMZ

Englishman

No-one got any old WT volumes from 90/91 to trace this?

Englishman.

"Do Not Be Irritating Your Children"

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