What will be the next Dub doctrine to change?
1. 1914 (the hot favorite?) Actually this changed in 1995 to the point that no JW living understands it or can explain to others. Most oldsters like me still cling to the old explanation, or maybe don't see it is "old." They can't unhook it from the return of Jesus as king without unhooking 1919 which events they say validate them as the only true religion.
2. Blood (how would we know? no-one can explain it anymore!) Now here is one I can see changing. With the technological advancement with hemoglobin-based products and their becoming widely used with FDA approval, I can see many JWs using them. Of course they are made with stored blood, but the WTS got around the organ transplant flipflop, and the reuse of your own blood in cellsaver machines.
3. Shunning of relatives Many elder bodies (around here) do not enforce the edict against associating with family members, especially immediate ones like children that live outside the home. Too many elders are ignoring this one themselves. But as to nonfamily, it is the only way the WTS can put fear into the rank and file to stay in line. If more of the rank and file knew about the elder exception rule, it might be harder to use. But then the elders don't need a good or fair reason to DF someone. Just 3 liars on a committee.
4. Anointed I can see this changing with regard to the nonanointed in charge at Bethel, the "Nethinim" or "Given Ones." I can see them having an anointing by association with the FDS. It is not much of a change from spirit-appointed to spirit-anointed.
5. Standing sitting for national anthem Most JWs try to avoid the situation by coming late after the anthem or coming and remaining in a standing position until it is over.
6. Jury service Jury service is already a conscience matter.
w97 4/1 p. 29 Questions From Readers (listed under "Conscience" in the WT Index)In the final analysis, each Christian faced with jury duty must determine what course to follow, based on his understanding of the Bible and his own conscience. Some Christians have reported for jury duty and have served on certain juries. Others have felt compelled to decline even in the face of punishment. Each Christian has to decide for himself what he will do, and others should not criticize his decision
7. Voting Voting is presented as a conscience matter now, but not listed under "Conscience" a hidden message
w99 11/1 p. 29 Questions From ReadersThe November 15, 1950, issue of The Watchtower, on pages 445 and 446, said: "Where Caesar makes it compulsory for citizens to vote . . . [Witnesses] can go to the polls and enter the voting booths. It is here that they are called upon to mark the ballot or write in what they stand for. The voters do what they will with their ballots. So here in the presence of God is where his witnesses must act in harmony with his commandments and in accordance with their faith. It is not our responsibility to instruct them what to do with the ballot."
What if a Christian woman?s unbelieving husband insists that she present herself to vote? Well, she is subject to her husband, just as Christians are subject to the superior authorities. (Ephesians 5:22; 1 Peter 2:13-17) If she obeys her husband and goes to the polling booth, that is her personal decision. No one should criticize her.?Compare Romans 14:4.
What of a country where voting is not mandated by law but feelings run high against those who do not go to the voting booth?perhaps they are exposed to physical danger? Or what if individuals, while not legally obliged to vote, are severely penalized in some way if they do not go to the polling booth? In these and similar situations, a Christian has to make his own decision. "Each one will carry his own load."?Galatians 6:5.
There may be people who are stumbled when they observe that during an election in their country, some Witnesses of Jehovah go to the polling booth and others do not. They may say, ?Jehovah?s Witnesses are not consistent.? People should recognize, though, that in matters of individual conscience such as this, each Christian has to make his own decision before Jehovah God.?Romans 14:12.
Whatever personal decisions Jehovah?s Witnesses make in the face of different situations, they take care to preserve their Christian neutrality and freeness of speech. In all things, they rely on Jehovah God to strengthen them, give them wisdom, and help them avoid compromising their faith in any way. Thus they show confidence in the words of the psalmist: "You are my crag and my stronghold; and for the sake of your name you will lead me and conduct me."?Psalm 31:3.
8. Posting on JWD will be allowed Funny, the WTS will never opening acknowledge any site by name, in a positive or negative way.
9. Pants suits for the "sisters". I would settle for pants on women climbing ladders and in recreational settings in WTS illustrations.
10. Being called to attention to hear the "Kingdom Melodies" before the convention sessions. Actually the music is supposed to be a signal to get in your dam seat.
11. Reporting Reporting time or reporting wrongdoers. I'm surprised that the WTS doesn't take roll call at the meetings and assemblies/conventions now with so many absent. How would they know who qualifies as an MS or elder without time reporting?
12. Restrictions (yeah, right!!!!!!!!!) Let me tell you about restrictions. I was talking with a sister one day and she told me how she had been put on restrictions. None of the elders on her JC ever checked back to see how she was doing, and certainly never told her she was off restrictions. After being on restrictions only 3 months, one day at the meeting, a young brother came up and handed her a talk slip. Here she was scheduled for a talk in 2 weeks. Knowing you can't be on the school when you are on restrictions, she cornered the school overseer and asked what was going on. Was she off restrictions and he should know he was on the JC. She said suddenly 3 brothers were in the backroom and came out after and told her she was off restrictions. Certainly not an indication of knowing the condition of the sheep!
13. The UN is part of Satan's empire. I don't think the WTS can back off this since everything except the WTS is part of Satan's empire and is strongly linked to the "scarlet-colored wild beast." They may de-emphasize this.
14. Other (please detail)
The WTS will continue to dun the congregations for money. I found this interesting "announcement" in the 12/03 KM.
km 12/03 p. 7 Announcements
As a reminder to the brothers handling the congregation accounts, donations placed in the boxes for the Worldwide Work and for the Kingdom Hall Fund are to be remitted monthly and should not be used for payment on a Kingdom Hall property loan or for any other congregation expense.
And for those who want to make plans to avoid the Memorial in 2005, it will be on Thursday, March 24, 2005.
And remember the good old days when you offered "prophecy" books in the door to door work?
February:
Draw Close to Jehovah. If this publication is not available, you may use
Life?How Did It Get Here? By Evolution or by Creation? or
Revelation?Its Grand Climax At Hand! as an alternative offer.
March: Knowledge That Leads to Everlasting Life. A special effort will be made to start home Bible studies. If people already have this publication,
Pay Attention to Daniel?s Prophecy! may be offered.
