I read much of the book last night. It was hilarious and disturbing at the same time. I read some of it to my husband, and we had some good laughs....especially the part where you are not allowed to touch your spouse's breasts or genitals for foreplay, only for intercourse itself. (If that isn't anti-women, I don't know what is!) The JC is supposed to ask enough questions to determine if porneia occurred. So, in other words, they are delving into your sex life! But it's not a cult....ummmm, right.
I'm not sticking up for the reasoning in the "flock" book but if I missed reading this in another part of the book, I apologise.
Being an ex elder, there were occasions when I had the privelige agony of using this book when on JC's. These statements were not refering to married people.
Under the heading of Pornea, the following was said:
Uncleanness includes an intentional momentary touching
of sexual parts or caressing of breasts. ( I Thess. 4:7, 8;
1 Tim. 5:1,2)
I can't understand how they applied the two scriptures here as to touching sexual parts or breasts!
It may include the willful practice of heavy petting or
the fondling of breasts.
It includes oral and anal sex or mutual masturbation
between persons not married to each other
Not married to each other is the key statement here. Quite a difference from what they said in one of the books published years early that oral and anal sex was a no no in the marriage bed. Most ignored the ruling, but a few fearful ones turned themselves in. (My wife and I ignored this one)
Self-abuse, or masturbation, is not "porna'a
Pheewww!
Victims of sexual abuse need to be treated with
extreme thoughtfulness and kindness.
Elders should
always do what they reasonably can to protect
children from further abuse;
Have they ever done this? I'm just relieved that I never had to deal with any sexual abuse cases. The way I feel about the WTBTS now.........I would be right up there with Silent Lambs if I had info about this.
If a new loose leafed version of the "flock" book comes out I can see it now...............The PO or secretary announces at the beginning of the meeting......."There will be a short (there never was a 'short" elders meeting that I went to) elders meeting immediately following the prayer today. And bring your flock book with you."
There will be deletions and new editions every time you turn around.
HappyDad