by wordlywife 23 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
Hi all-
Why is it considered that a person's bad/poor actions bring reproach upon God? I don't understand this one bit when I hear my husband talk about it. My stepdaughter is most likely going to be df'd soon (for being a typical teeneager as far as my worldly views). Didn't God create us (if you believe this way) and give us free will? As far as I'm concerned if I make mistakes or behave badly the only person I'm bringing reproach on would be me.
What gives with this?
Thanks all!
Worldly Wife
Didn't God create us (if you believe this way) and give us free will? As far as I'm concerned if I make mistakes or behave badly the only person I'm bringing reproach on would be me.
Wordlywife ,here is your problem , you are thinking like a wordly person with their own mind and not a brainwashed jw . Your stepdaughter is using her own mind and not that of the wt so she must be not part of the jws for she will bring wordly thoughts and ideas into the cult world,and to bring your own reproach on ones self for their sins, that is what the wt and elders are for , they are your judge and jury.
dear WW:
First, my sympathy for what you're going thru.
In answer to your question, JWs believe they are the "chosen of God" and thus any actions or behavior contrary to what they perceive to be the express will of that god brings reproach on the group as a whole. And this, in their view, is a big no-no. As for merely bringing reproach upon themselves, in the dub world there is no self. Self gets subordinated to the group and one sacrifices self to the greater number. Yes, it is pretty weird.
Make sure your step daughter knows it's weird and that in the cosmic scheme of things it does NOT COUNT. God is not keeping track of this crap like they think he is. This is just further proof of how out of step with reality this religion is, and she's fortunate to have learned that at such an early age. Help her to move on with the real life and find her authentic self.
The WT leaders wish to give the impression that because of their Bible-based teaching, that Jehovah's Witnesses are somehow special, with higher standards and better results than anyone else.
In reality it's humans judging other humans of being unworthy to be in their organization. It has little or nothing to do with "Jehovah". If they say "this brings reproach on Jehovah" what they're really saying is that they fear a person may make the congregation or organization look bad to other JW's, if they were allowed to remain.
I remember when elders told me that they felt I had "slapped them in the face" over something I had supposedly done, but they never said I made Jehovah felt hurt (or anything like that). I was thinking to myself, so this is all about these men and not about God!
This is why you are "worldly wife".
I would consider that to be good news. If she gets DFed and you ar there to provide support that she cannot find at the Hall, maybe she won't go back.
But specifically to your question - The above posters are correct. I would add one item. The 'reproach' thing is a catch-all. Its is used when one isn't doing what the elders want and they cannot find any other firm basis fro DFing.
Sorry to hear about this trouble. Hopefully she'll see how you'll be there for her and that will open her mind up.
Also, you are a very wordly thinking person . I like that.
Thanks Listener.. :)
I just hate all the guilt guilt guilt........poor kid. I am hard pressed to find any teeneager that doesn't go through this phase. And now this impending df-ing to help add to her self esteem. Eegads.
Worldly
The JWs are an exremely dogmatic and old fashioned judgemental religion and it would have been much better if she never got baptised at all at that difficult age because now she will get shunned.
The elders don't understand anything about teenage psychology and emotional needs all they can say is preach more and you will feel spiritually better.
the other posters are absolutely correct WW. It's not at all about "jehovah" it's about them and their reputation (and they are obviously not aware of their own reputation to others!!)
I had "slapped them in the face" over something I had supposedly done, but they never said I made Jehovah felt hurt (or anything like that). I was thinking to myself, so this is all about these men and not about God!
that's exactly what my mom said when I DA'd. I asked her what in the world does any of this have to do with her? she couldn't respond.
Happy Birthday Greendawn!!
