Most of us was very pleased to hear that the Watchtower Society discourage people from making their well meant “suggestions” into rules.
*** w96 9/1 20 Living by the Law of the Christ ***
4 Nonetheless, true Christians do not allow their worship to become a meaningless structure of laws. They do not serve Jehovah merely because some individual or organization tells them to do so.
Of course we all know that the Watchtower Society would never make any rules. As the Watchtower magazine state here, they are simply not “authorized to scrutinize” and to “issue judgments” on films, books and toys.
*** w96 9/1 21 Living by the Law of the Christ ***
At times, some write to the Watch Tower Society asking for rulings on such matters as what view they should have of specific films, books, and even toys. Yet, the Society is not authorized to scrutinize such things and to issue judgments on them. In most cases, these are matters that each individual or family head should decide, based on his love of Bible principles. Others tend to turn the Society’s suggestions and guidelines into rules.
Oh no, the Watchtower Society would never issue judgment on toys:
*** w54 12/15 743 Origin of Christmas and Its Spirit ***
Is the spirit of God found in the millions of toy soldiers and tanks, guns and planes that glorify war and not “peace on earth, good will toward men”? Is it found in the gluttony, the drunkenness, lasciviousness and murder committed on this day called “Christmas”?
They would of course not say anything about books and films either:
*** w97 1/15 6 Messengers of Godly Peace Assemble ***
A highlight of Friday’s program was the symposium “Watch Out for the Hidden Snares of Entertainment.” Today’s music, movies, videos, television shows, video games, books, magazines, and comics often reflect demonic thinking.*** w97 7/15 16-17 Are You Pursuing Virtue? ***
11 Many television programs, videos, and movies promote vice. According to one prominent mental-health expert, ‘hedonism, sexuality, violence, greed, and selfishness’ predominate in most of the movies being produced today.*** w96 10/15 12 Singleness-A Door to Undistracted Activity ***
11 This involves guarding against permissive ideas diffused by means of many TV programs, movies, magazine articles, books, and song lyrics. Such ideas are flesh-oriented. A young Christian of either sex who wants to make room for singleness should “walk, not in accord with the flesh, but in accord with the spirit.
No, be it far from the Watchtower Society to make any rules, about anything. It is all just suggestions:
*** w96 9/1 21 Living by the Law of the Christ ***
For example, in the March 15, 1996, issue of The Watchtower, there was a fine article encouraging elders to make regular shepherding calls on congregation members. Was the purpose to establish rules? No. Although those who are able to follow the suggestions find many benefits, some elders are not in a position to do so.
As an example of this take a look at this collection of such “suggestions”:
*** w67 12/15 765-6 Searching for the Bible Principles ***
1. Is it wise to join a school or office sports team?Your associates can have a good or a bad effect on you. (Prov. 13:20) Will it involve time that should be spent with your family or in theocratic activity? (Eph. 5:15, 16) Physical training is of limited value. (1 Tim. 4:8) It is wise to avoid the fierce competitive spirit of the world. (Gal. 5:26) Could it involve one in nationalistic ceremonies? (1 Cor. 10:14; Dan. 3:18) Parents are to make the decisions for minor children. (Prov. 22:6; 23:22)
2. Would it be wise to accept a promotion on my secular job?
A husband is responsible to provide materially for those in his care. (1 Tim. 5:8) Materialistic desire for luxuries can lead one away from the faith. (1 Tim. 6:10; Mark 4:18, 19) Jehovah will provide the necessities for those trusting in him. (1 Tim. 6:8; Matt. 6:11, 31-34) Will it interfere with your service to God? (Col. 4:5; Heb. 11:24-26)
3. May a Christian go to the theater to see a popular motion picture?
God’s people shun entertainment that encourages immoral desires or a love of the world. (2 Tim. 2:22; 1 John 2:15-17; Rom. 12:9) We should seek association and entertainment that upbuild and encourage right conduct. (Phil. 4:8; Ps. 119:63) Will others who see you attend be stumbled? (Phil. 2:4; 1 Cor. 10:32, 33)
4. Should I permit my son or daughter to go out on a date with a person of another religion?
As head of the household, the husband is responsible to make the final decision. (Eph. 5:22; 6:4) Association with false worshipers should be avoided. (2 Cor. 6:16, 17; Ps. 106:35, 36) Might it lead to a marriage to an unbeliever? (Deut. 7:3, 4; Neh. 13:25, 26; 1 Cor. 7:39) Parents should protect the moral integrity of their children. (Gen. 34:1, 2; Prov. 5:1-4) Children can show respect for Jehovah’s arrangement of things by being obedient to their parents. (Eph. 6:1)
5. Is it all right to wear the short “miniskirts” that are currently in style?
Female adornment should be modest. (1 Tim. 2:9, 10) A Christian wife is to be in subjection to her husband; a minor daughter is to be obedient to her father. (Col. 3:18, 20) Christians do not seek to imitate the world, but set an example of goodness. (1 Pet. 4:4; Eph. 5:9-12; 1 Cor. 10:31) We need to shun anything that would cause stumbling or would detract from our ministry. (2 Cor. 6:3, 4; 1 Cor. 13:4, 5)
6. Is it compatible with Christian principles to go hunting or fishing?
Animals may be killed for food. (Gen. 9:3) True worshipers may obtain food by fishing. (John 21:6-13; Luke 24:42, 43) While man has dominion over animals, he should not deal cruelly with them. (Gen. 1:28; Prov. 12:10) We should avoid the bloodthirsty spirit of Nimrod, killing just for sport. (Gen. 10:9)
7. Is it proper for a Christian wife to go to a “nightclub” with her unbelieving husband?
Christian wives are to be in subjection to their husbands. (Titus 2:5) If a mature Christian visits a place with a bad reputation, it might wound the conscience of a weak one. (1 Cor. 8:10-13) Christians do not seek to be present where shameful conduct or speech is common. (Eph. 5:3-5) God’s servants seek to maintain a clear conscience before Jehovah. (1 Pet. 3:16, 21)
Now, remember that this is just suggestions. You do what you want now, you hear!. But of course you might get yourself DF’d that way. But as you can see the Watchtower Society NEVER make any rules about anything, right?
But they have another word for rules and suggestions in Brooklyn, which is the word counseling! How does the Watchtower Society want you to react to their “counseling”?
*** W98 7/15 12 Beware of lack of Faith ***
We also have “the faithful and discreet slave,” appointed by Jesus to provide spiritual “food at the proper time.” (Matthew 24:45-47) Thus, God is still speaking. But are we listening? For example, how do we respond to counsel about dress and grooming or choice of entertainment and music? Do we “listen,” that is, pay attention to and obey what is being heard? If we have the habit of making excuses or taking exception to the counsel, we are opening ourselves to the subtle danger of hardening our hearts.
Compare the quote immediately above with this one:
*** w96 9/1 21 Living by the Law of the Christ ***
At times, some write to the Watch Tower Society asking for rulings on such matters as what view they should have of specific films, books, and even toys. Yet, the Society is not authorized to scrutinize such things and to issue judgments on them. In most cases, these are matters that each individual or family head should decide, based on his love of Bible principles. Others tend to turn the Society’s suggestions and guidelines into rules.
Which one of those two do you think they want you to live by in Brooklyn? The first one of course, the other one is just another of those “window dressing” articles aimed at the general public. Do they want you to obey their counseling? Or do they let you take it or leave it?
*** w98 7/15 13 Beware of a Lack of Faith ***
19 The lesson, therefore, is that if we fall into the habit of failing to “listen to his own voice,” ignoring counsel from Jehovah through his Word and the faithful slave class, it will not be long before our hearts become callous, hardened.
No, you can’t ignore it. It is from Jehovah himself and he is of course extremely concerned about the length of you skirt and you hairstyle, after all he is the ultimate creator of haute couture.
*** w98 7/15 13 Beware of a Lack of Faith ***
Similarly, when the slave class offers counsel on the need to be selective in our choice of music and entertainment, and so forth, do we gratefully accept it and make adjustments where necessary?
Of course you have to accept the rules, oops counsel of the “slave class” on music too, and make “adjustments” accordingly, or else!
*** w98 7/15 14 Beware of a Lack of Faith ***
20 If we do not respond positively to Jehovah’s “voice,” clearly expressed in the Scriptures and Bible-based publications, we will soon find ourselves “drawing away from the living God.” Passive ignoring of counsel can easily become an active belittling, criticizing, and resisting of it. If left unchecked, the result is “a wicked heart lacking faith,” and recovery from such a course is usually very difficult.
It is obviously fatal not to obey the “counsel” and listen to “Jehovah’s voice”.
So it turns out that the Watchtower Society is making rules about grooming, dress,
hairstyle, music and entertainment after all. They just call it counseling.
*** w96 9/1 20 Living by the Law of the Christ ***
4 Nonetheless, true Christians do not allow their worship to become a meaningless structure of laws. They do not serve Jehovah merely because some individual or organization tells them to do so.
It is quite obvious that they do everything in their power in Brooklyn to make their members obey their homemade “structure of law” and if they don’t they will make life very hard for them.
Norm.