Is the society shooting themselves in the foot with the new DF policy? (page 2)

IP_SEC

The specific implementiation is in the book. It is a non change. The only change is the wording of the annoucement.

Truth what is unclear about this to you? The announcement was unclear before we got the OD book yesterday. Now it abounds with clarity.

Announcement of Disfellowshiping

When it is necessary to disfellowshipped an unrepentant wrongdoer from the congregation, a brief announcement is made simply stating: ?[Name of person] is no longer one of Jehovah?s witnesses.? There is no need to elaborate. This will alert faithful members of the congregation to stop associating with that person. (1 Cor 5:11) The presiding overseer should approve this announcement.

Disassociation.

The term ?disassociation? applies to the action taken by a person who, although a baptized member of the congregation, deliberately repudiates his Christian standing, rejecting the congregation by his actions or by stating that he no longer wants to be recognized as on of Jehovah?s Witnesses. Because he is disassociated, his situation is different from that of an inactive Christian, one who no longer shares in the field ministry. An inactive person may have failed to study God?s word regularly, or because of experiencing personal problems or persecution, he may have lost his zeal for serving Jehovah. The elders as well as other concerned members of the congregation will continue rendering appropriate spiritual assistance to the inactive brother. However, the person who disassociates himself by repudiating the faith and deliberately abandoning Jehovah?s worship is viewed the same way as one who is disfellowshipped. A brief announcement is made to inform the congregation, stating: ?[Name of person] is no longer one of Jehovah?s Witnesses.

FlyingHighNow

A rose by any other name would smell as sweet. Or in this case: stink.

No matter what they call it, this new policy certainly makes it very easy for the elders to get rid of people they suspect as having apostate leanings. After spending so much blood, sweat and tears to get a person interested and to the point of baptism, it's just ludicrous for them to so easily cast someone aside like this. It's not cost or time effficient at all. And unloving, very unloving.

It seems like this new policy will only fuel the "apostate paranoia" and cause a lot of people to get kicked out. This policy will inspire new fear, as if there isn't already enough among the rank and file. I believe it will cause some to wake up and smell the rancid Bethel coffee.

purplesofa

This may sound crazy, but ...........

If they DA or DF inactive ones..........it gives a boost to the ones that are going by the diehard rules. The mentality I am doing all the right things........and they aren't so out they go. It is a reward without giving a reward when there is no longer a reward to get!!!!

It keeps the ones that are going on a shorter leash. The fear is always hanging over ones head.

told you it would sound crazy

purps

truth_about_the_truth

No one says there's proof minimus. I admit this is pure speculation. Come on, the book just came out YESTERDAY. What kind of proof can be generated in 24 hours? We ARE allowed to speculate on this board aren't we?

Besides, can you provide proof that there has been no change as you say? This is speculation on your part as well.

Why does everything have to be a black and white statement? Can't we just take a statement at face value and take it as food for thought and consider the possibilities instead of demanding proof of something?

You may be right, but then again I may be right. We can at least think about it and discuss.

IP_SEC

How is this a change?

Because he is disassociated, his situation is different from that of an inactive Christian, one who no longer shares in the field ministry. An inactive person may have failed to study God?s word regularly, or because of experiencing personal problems or persecution, he may have lost his zeal for serving Jehovah. The elders as well as other concerned members of the congregation will continue rendering appropriate spiritual assistance to the inactive brother.

However, the person who disassociates himself by repudiating the faith and deliberately abandoning Jehovah?s worship is viewed the same way as one who is disfellowshipped. A brief announcement is made to inform the congregation, stating: ?[Name of person] is no longer one of Jehovah?s Witnesses.

Neither of these are changes, neither statements make it any easier or harder to get rid of anyone. This policy is exactly the same as before. The criteria for an inactive person is the same. The criteria for a DA and DF is exactly the same. The sanctions are exactly the same. The only difference is in the phrasing of the announcement.

purplesofa

The only difference is in the phrasing of the announcement.

Then why was it necessary to change the wording ......thats the real issue! What's the signifigance of that???

fleaman uk

My Dads an Elder and they met to discuss the new Book.Believe me absolutely nothing has changed,nothing!!

I Drink,occasionally smoke,am renowned for fairly apostate views and am living in Sin with my GF.

I have faded for 2 Years and as long as i dont assosciate on a social level with the Cong or set foot in the Hall any time soon,i will not be Disfellowshipped!

To all those looking for new meaning...there aint none my Friends.

IP_SEC

Then why was it necessary to change the wording ......thats the real issue! What's the signifigance of that???

Purpl thats the thing we dont know yet. I'll grant that there is some hidden reason for the announcement change, but it was not to in anyway change the policy.

Perhaps it is legal, PC... I dont know, but there is no policy change because of it.

truth_about_the_truth

I think it's too soon to say if there is or there is not a significant change.

The next Elder's school will answer some of these questions.

Is the society shooting themselves in the foot with the new DF policy?

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