Hi apostate man
I think its not as easy at it seems. All my childhood I never had a Xmas...and yet my father was an unbeliever. My mother found it 'convenient' and very cost effective to let her righteousness dictate our lives at xmas time. However...when it came time for her to indulge in xmas parties and after work functions...her conscience was clear, as she had an unbelieving husband after all...and she must meet him half way...go figure. I think there is a tendancy to pick and choose when something is convenient or when it is not...it just depended on whether or not you tried to avoid stumbling others. Here's my thoughts on your list:
Alcohol...when does enough become too much? People would stop attending gatherings if alcohol was being served...for fear an incident would happen and their presence would stumble others. So i never found it convenient...i found it a hassle..always worrying about what others thought.
Repentance?? Yes the elders would tell you if they thought u were repentant or not....but what if you're genuine and they don't think you are?? Try grabbing hold of your intestines and ripping them out of your body through the nearest orifice...cos thats what it feels like when you are before a judicial and when you are frightened that you are going to lose everything...not just your life...but also all your friends...your family....your honour!
Worship?? Try dragging your tired ass to the meeting on a cold wet winters night after a full day at work...kids are tired and one has a cold...your husband is taking the theocratic ministry school so you're on your own thru most of the meeting...wiping noses...looking up scriptures...trying not to yawn...trying to smile at the grumpy sister who is annoyed at your son who is absent mindedly kicking the chair in front...it would have been convenient to stay home by the fire reading a smutty novel lol.
New light? I won't even begin to start...oh yes I will. I recall a time when I sat with a sister who had two black eyes from a domestic dispute with her unbelieving husband. This same mad man cut up all her meeting clothes with a pair of scissors. This was not an attempt to stop her from going to the meetings, because he didnt care about the meetings...but it was to humiliate her when she did go to the meetings. I told this sister to leave the SOB and find some happiness....she told the elders....and I was counselled for not offering her scriptural advice which was to stay with him no matter what...until he commits adultery. It was a year later that new light revealed it was now okay to leave one's spouse if one's life is in danger.
Apparel? I've heard it all...from too tight..too short...too long...too colourful...too old fashioned...too modern...too hippie...too feminine...too masculine...TOO BAD!!
Oh i've only just started....
I could go on and on..sorry.
Just my thoughts
Beck
