They still Worshipped Jehovah how he outlined it to them.
Too bad the watchtower doesn't do the same. Instead they teach "commands of men as doctrines".
To name a few:
No beards. Monthly field service reports. Unscriptural positions such as "pioneer". Secret kangaroo courts judicial committees. Persecution of brothers? who, out of necessity, go back to school. No 2 door cars. Coverup of child abuse. Sanitizing their history. False prophecies. NGO membership with the UN.
Actually, by leaving the watchtower I was being obedient to theocratic direction?. My last meeting was the "special talk" in Apr. 2003. The PO gave the talk, and in it stated that true christians should get out of any religion that has political involvement because such a religion is part of "babylon the great". With its UN involvement, the watchtower definitely met that criteria.
24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. KJV
yeah, that's the only one i've seen too. too bad it wasn't jesus talking and it's rather vague on what 'assembling' is...
First of all it says nothing of "congregations", merely like minded ones assembling (2 or more?). I'd venture to say most "believers" on this forum spend more time associating and encouraging one another here than at any so called "meetings".
The JW's don't even come close to following the admonition of this verse. There is very little if any real "love" at their gatherings. Where does it say 5 meetings (it's really only 3, but the Dubs love dramatic "numbers"). Read what those verses really "say", not what you wish they said.
It's funny but I have heard my "born-again" friends use that same scripture to convince me I needed to go to their "meetings" too- sheesh the clergy must be hard up for cash.
Again- Why the need to control? Jesus didn't seem to concerned about people not being in large groups- oh yeah he HATED the religious "LEADERS", they only people he condemned, kinda makes you wonder...
What would you have done back in the 1ST Century when Jesus came on the earthly stage and started Christianity. Would you have became his follower?
I would have asked Jesus if he was looking forward to returning to his home planet. I would have also inquired about how he was planning to spread his word to people on other continents.
