Defender

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  4

  Regarding the JULY 1 2001 Watchtower Article

  by AngelofMuZiC in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  watchtower-july 1, 2001 article "do not let doubt destroy your faith".

  this article is stunning!!!

  the "spiritual gems" found in this article are in my opinion priceless.

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  Defender

  Very Good! Joanne. You were clearly able to discern WT doublespeak.

  Regards,
  Defender
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  7

  WT May 1 & June 15, 2001

  by Defender in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  the may 1 and june 15, 2001 watchtower issues have reading articles about helping widows through their trials and look after orphans and widows in their tribulation.

  both articles contain very healthful counsel, tips and recommendations to the grieving and needy and to those around them on how, and when to offer help and support.. the problem with these articles is not that the average jw or local congregation elders are not doing their part in helping out the needy.

  in fact, most individual jws are as compassionate and supportive as the average person.

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  Defender

  The May 1 and June 15, 2001 Watchtower issues have reading articles about “Helping Widows through their Trials” and “Look After Orphans and Widows in Their Tribulation”. Both articles contain very healthful counsel, tips and recommendations to the grieving and needy and to those around them on how, and when to offer help and support.

  The problem with these articles is not that the average JW or local congregation elders are not doing their part in helping out the needy. In fact, most individual JWs are as compassionate and supportive as the average person. Additionally, and despite many failings, the majority of congregation elders are decent human beings and will try their best in helping out.

  The problem lies with the system that not only authored these articles, but also constrains the limit and the amount of help and support that JWs and elders are able to give.

  I say system, because nowadays, unlike the heydays of Russell, Rutherford, Knorr and Fred Franz, there is no one single writer for any article found in the publications of the Society. A writer may begin an article, but then it goes through several stages of checking, proofreading and very importantly, a legal audit before it gets to printing. During this process, the finished product may end up looking entirely different from what the original author started with. All this, is done under the oversight of the different committees of the Governing Body. However, if someone wanted to take the Society to task for lets say, writing something offending, neither the original writer, nor those that did the checking, and not even the GB members, with the latest re-org, can be held liable. Instead, they will be met with a wall of a legal corporation. So, it is a system, and it is very efficient. Because it is a system, it is rather vague, and cannot be visualized.

  When anyone receives counsel or advice from someone, what is the first mental reaction they tend to have? Well, they would be checking whether the one offering such advice is applying it themselves. But, when the one offering such counsel is a system, it would be difficult to point the finger. It would also be more difficult if the system were robed with spiritual terms like “Faithful and Discreet Slave” or “Jehovah’s Organization”.

  Bearing in mind, that the Society's main motto is to emulate the way the first century Christian congregation operated, we would like to know what was the legal corporation that Peter registered in Jerusalem? How many proofreaders did his letters had to go through? To which Governing Body committee did the apostles send their writings for approval? Beside the apostle Paul, who were the other members of the legal team?

  Going back to the articles, they speak about God’s provisions in the Law of Moses for the orphan, widow and the needy and that during the early days of the Christian congregation, caring for those afflicted … was a distinctive feature of true worship. James 1:27 This is very true. The apostle Peter personally took charge to appoint capable men to oversee this most distinctive feature of true worship and that is the collection and distribution of funds to the needy. In the same vein, we would like to know how the modern GB has emulated that? Which committee is taking charge of this? Given the recent re-org, what is the name of the new corporation that is responsible for this distinctive feature of true worship?

  The Society today, boasts about the Billions of hours spent in the ministry worldwide. But, when one asks how many of these hours were spent visiting one sick sister? The answer is zero. Why? Because, of the system. The system says only hours spent talking to or being with unbaptized persons should be counted. So, if the sick sister is baptized then the time spent visiting her is not to be counted. This is not to say that JWs do not visit their sick. But, since they are urged and constantly prodded to maintain a certain monthly average of countable hours, one can see where they are going to invest most of their energies. Elders, Ministerial Servants, and Pioneers are extra sensitive towards maintaining their averages in order to safeguard their privileges.

  Caring for the Widow, Orphan and the elderly should be everybody’s responsibility. How has the Faithful and Discreet Slave taken his share besides providing for members of the GB and Bethel staff?

  How many publications the Society had published in its entire history only later wish they hadn’t? There were books, magazines, brochures, tracts, assembly parts and others. All this is due to ever-changing doctrines. How much money was wasted on such publications? If you account for paper, ink, power, real estate maintenance, personnel and their care, crating and shipping, etc. If we assume that the average cost of one magazine is 5 cents. The Society publishes close to 100,000,000 magazines every month between the WT and Awake. @ 5 cents each and we have $5,000,000. Try to figure out how many books, brochures and issues of WT and Awake the Society would rather not have published and multiply that by millions of dollars.

  Furthermore, how much time, energy, fuel and personal money the average JWs spent in distributing these “Wish-we-hadn’t-published” publications?

  The Society is well aware that of the tens of millions of magazines that are published every two weeks, the percentage of those that are actually read is in the minority. A lot of JWs find it hard to catch up with reading all these magazines. How much money is wasted on this? Additionally, every JW has a stock of undistributed literature. I know I have hundreds. Lets say that each publisher has 50 mags. Multiply that by 6,000,000 active publishers and you get 300,000,000 mags at an average cost of 15,000,000 dollars.

  As the article says, that True Christians look after widows, orphans and the sick.

  The real questions then are this;

  How have widows and orphans been helped, when millions of dollars that could have gone to their support were instead been diverted to fund “wish-we-hadn’t-printed” ever-changing-doctrine publications?

  How have widows and orphans been looked after, when millions of dollars that could have aided them in their trials have instead been funneled to publish a plethora of wasted publications?

  How Have widows, orphans and the sick been helped when Billions of hours that could have been spent in comforting them were instead used in distributing these publications?

  One wonders when Jesus finally returns and sits on his Judgment Seat, of which is he going to be impressed the most? A boastful record of Billions of hours spent in “qualified” service, or a discreet one-hour visit to a sick and needy sister?
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  19

  WT June 1, 2001 (part II)

  by Defender in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  the second article of discussion in this issue is titled: "moving ahead to final victory!".

  the article starts to talk about christs enthronement as king and in paragraph one, along with an illustration of crowned jesus riding on a white horse, it states: "we today, have clear evidence that this foretold enthronement took place in 1914.. since watchtower article discussions are always a one way dialogue, where the society speaks and the rank and file just listens, it is easy to make assertions.

  in a normal two way dialogue, when one says "i have clear evidence" for something, the other party will not just nod his head in agreement, but would rather demand to know and see what this clear evidence is and would want to proceed and examine it thoroughly.

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  Defender

  Hello thinker

  I am not sure, was this question directed to me?

  [How then could any reference to "Christ" have been dropped when the declaration had been made that "We always refuse to be called by any other name than that of our Head [Christ]. Christians continually claiming that there can be no division among those continually led by his Spirit and example as made known through his Word." {WR Mar 1883 458} ?]
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  19

  WT June 1, 2001 (part II)

  by Defender in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  the second article of discussion in this issue is titled: "moving ahead to final victory!".

  the article starts to talk about christs enthronement as king and in paragraph one, along with an illustration of crowned jesus riding on a white horse, it states: "we today, have clear evidence that this foretold enthronement took place in 1914.. since watchtower article discussions are always a one way dialogue, where the society speaks and the rank and file just listens, it is easy to make assertions.

  in a normal two way dialogue, when one says "i have clear evidence" for something, the other party will not just nod his head in agreement, but would rather demand to know and see what this clear evidence is and would want to proceed and examine it thoroughly.

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  Defender

  Greetings orbison

  Actually, I recently moved here. I used to live in Montreal and later in Toronto.
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  19

  WT June 1, 2001 (part II)

  by Defender in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  the second article of discussion in this issue is titled: "moving ahead to final victory!".

  the article starts to talk about christs enthronement as king and in paragraph one, along with an illustration of crowned jesus riding on a white horse, it states: "we today, have clear evidence that this foretold enthronement took place in 1914.. since watchtower article discussions are always a one way dialogue, where the society speaks and the rank and file just listens, it is easy to make assertions.

  in a normal two way dialogue, when one says "i have clear evidence" for something, the other party will not just nod his head in agreement, but would rather demand to know and see what this clear evidence is and would want to proceed and examine it thoroughly.

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  Defender

  Yes, currently I live near Vancouver, BC.
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  19

  WT June 1, 2001 (part II)

  by Defender in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  the second article of discussion in this issue is titled: "moving ahead to final victory!".

  the article starts to talk about christs enthronement as king and in paragraph one, along with an illustration of crowned jesus riding on a white horse, it states: "we today, have clear evidence that this foretold enthronement took place in 1914.. since watchtower article discussions are always a one way dialogue, where the society speaks and the rank and file just listens, it is easy to make assertions.

  in a normal two way dialogue, when one says "i have clear evidence" for something, the other party will not just nod his head in agreement, but would rather demand to know and see what this clear evidence is and would want to proceed and examine it thoroughly.

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  Defender

  The second article of discussion in this issue is titled: "Moving Ahead To Final Victory!". The article starts to talk about Christ’s enthronement as King and in paragraph one, along with an illustration of crowned Jesus riding on a white horse, it states: "We today, have clear evidence that this foretold enthronement took place in 1914.”

  Since Watchtower article discussions are always a one way dialogue, where the Society speaks and the rank and file just listens, it is easy to make assertions. In a normal two way dialogue, when one says "I have clear evidence" for something, the other party will not just nod his head in agreement, but would rather demand to know and see what this clear evidence is and would want to proceed and examine it thoroughly.

  Unfortunately, a two way dialogue with the Society cannot be had and for that reason, it has gotten away with the following: (Notice the dates)

  The 1921 Harp of God, page 239:

  This is without question a fulfilment of the prophecy testifying to the "time of the end." These physical facts cannot be disputed and are sufficient to convince any reasonable mind that we have been in the "time of the end" since 1799.

  
  
  

  March 1, 1922 Watch Tower:

  The indisputable facts, therefore, show that the "time of the end" began in 1799; that the Lord’s second presence began in 1874.

  The book Prophecy, 1929, pages 65-66:

  .... the second presence of the Lord Jesus Christ began in 1874 A.D. This proof is specifically set out in the booklet entitled Our Lord’s Return.

  "Clear evidence", "Physical facts cannot be disputed", "indisputable facts", and "proof” are but few examples of the Society’s liberal use of assertions. When they go unchallenged, the Society will continue to use them.

  Since Watchtower inception and until the mid to late 1930s, the Society announced that in 1799 the "time of the end" began and that 1874 is the year of the Lord’s presence and enthronement. And 1878, is the year that the resurrection started. Later, when it became obviously embarrassing to keep on holding to such dates, the Society changed all these dates to 1914 and 1918 for the resurrection. They have kept on holding to 1914, although they have discarded a number of teachings associated with it. The separation of the sheep and goats is one of them and in 1995, the "generation" teachings also got adjusted.

  Even if we assume that 1914 had some divine relevance, we are talking about the presence and enthronement of a King, and not just any King, but the King of Kings. Surely, this would be a world shattering event. The first to know about this event, should at least be the King's own slave, more so, if the slave is the King's only "approved" one. The question would be is, why this “approved slave” and supposedly only "channel", held an erroneous date 40 years before the event, and continued to hold it for 20 years Afterwards?

  More importantly, just because a major war started in 1914, has the "approved slave" applied Jesus the King's counsel recorded in Mathew 24:6 “you are going to hear of wars and reports of wars; see to it that you are not terrified. For these things must take place, but the end is not yet.” ? Or, was the “approved channel” engaged in a publishing frenzy of "end time" chronologies, which was contrary to the King's explicit instructions, proclaiming that the due time has approached?

  Just which role was the Society trying to emulate in Jesus' admonition in Luke 21:8 when he said: “lookout that you are not misled; for many will come on the basis of my name saying ‘ I am he’ and, ‘The due time has approached’. Do not go after them.”?

  Paragraph 3, under the subheading “A New World Society in the Making” starts by saying “Once the Kingdom was born, it was time to bring the restored Christian congregation – now with increased Kingdom responsibilities – more closely in line with the pattern of the first-century Christian congregation.”

  Just in a relatively small number of sentences the writer have introduced concepts that are very foreign to scriptures. Just where exactly did Jesus talk about setting up a “New World Society”? He rather mentioned that his kingdom is not of this world. Concerning the restoration of the Christian congregation, the Society have always contended that from the first century down to our time, a true Christian congregation had always existed, so then, why was there a need to restore it?

  Going along, the article goes on to describe how WT issues of 1938 and then later in 1971 made the necessary adjustments of how the Christian organization should operate. Since the kingdom was born in 1914 and the priority was to restore the Christian congregation a.s.a.p in order to take on more kingdom responsibilities, why then did it take close to 60 years 1914 – 1972 to do those adjustments? Just what exactly was the King doing during all that time?

  What is so troubling about all of this, is not only introducing terms like; “Christian organization”, “Governing Body”, “Legal Corporation”, and “the restoration of proper oversight”, none of which is ever mentioned in the Bible, but ascribing divine intervention and fulfillment of prophecy for these man-made organizational changes. This could only serve to promote the authority structure of the Society in the minds of the rank and file.

  Furthermore, all these organizational terms confuse the issue. More than 1900 years ago, Jesus set out a very simple method by which the Christian congregation should operate, and it was this; “..all you are brothers.” And “Your leader is one, the Christ.” Mathew 23:8, 10.

  In paragraph 5, we read that in 1931 this small group of Christians went on public record that they were more than just “Bible Students”, but in accordance with Isaiah 43:10, they are to be known as Jehovah’s Witnesses. A casual reader will think that this group of Christians must have met and thought this out before making this momentous move. In reality, this renaming was the brainchild of the then president of the Society Judge Rutherford. Since he held absolute power, what the Judge said was law. It was also Rutherford that introduced the concept of "organization". Very few JWs know that what Rutherford did was in fact contrary to the wishes and teachings of the initial founder Charles Russell. This is what Russell had said concerning renaming the “Bible Students’ and the setting up of an organization;

  "Q. Could not an earnest, aggressive organization (or sect), built upon Scriptural lines, be the best means of spreading and publish the real good tidings...

  A. We believe that a visible organization and the adopting of some particular name would tend to increase the numbers and make us appear more respectable in the estimation of the world. The natural man can see that a visibly organized body, with a definite purpose, is a thing of more or less power [...] But the natural man cannot understand how a company of people, with no organization which they can see, is ever going to accomplish anything." (Zion's Watch Tower, 1883, page 6.)

  
  

  "Beware of "organization." It is wholly un-necessary. The Bible will be the only rules you need. Do not seek to bind other consciences, and do not permit others to bind yours. Believe and obey so far as you can understand God's word today, and so continue to growing in grace and knowledge day by day." (Zion's Watch Tower, 1895, p. 216.)

  
  

  it is plain that the forming of a visible organization of such gathered out ones would be out of harmony with the spirit of the divine plan. (Zion's Watch Tower, 1894, p. 384.)

  
  

  "There is no organization today clothed with such divine authority to imperiously command mankind. There is no organization doing this today; (Zion's Watch Tower, 1893, page 266.)

  
  More seriously though, when the Bible Students were renamed to Jehovah’s Witnesses, their Christian identity was diluted. Being a Christian denotes a number of things. First, it denotes that the person has accepted Jesus Christ as his redeemer and leader and that he is to follow in his footsteps and obey his commands.

  Second, being a Christian denotes acceptance of the direction of the Holy Spirit. Because it was by divine inspiration back in the first century that the name “Christian” was adopted.

  Third, bearing the name "Christian" is an instrument to further the Good News of Christ.

  By becoming "Jehovah’s Witnesses", they have diluted the main theme of the Good News, which is the person of Jesus Christ. For this reason, many people wrongly believe that JWs actually, do not believe in Jesus. I remember countless times I had to explain to people at the door, that JWs do believe in Jesus Christ. This would not have been necessary had we followed Jesus’ counsel.

  Fourth, it was Jesus who told his followers that they will become His witnesses. Acts 1:8, Rev 17:6. By becoming someone else’s witnesses, even Jehovah’s witnesses, they were acting in direct opposition to the Holy Spirit and to the one who is supposed to be their leader.

  Then it is clear that it was God’s wish that those who would come to serve him should carry the name of his Son “Christ” and not his own. For some reason, Rutherford was not content with that. He wanted to represent the Big Guy himself, why should he go through the middleman?

  It is true that not all those that are called "Christians" are living according to the responsibilities of that name. And that there are thousands of denominations, divisions, sects, and cults within the "Christian" religion. But by adopting a name like “Jehovah’s Witnesses”, they have in fact formed yet another denomination, division or a sect, something which the apostle Paul denounced as works of the flesh. Gal 5:20.

  The next few paragraphs go on to describe various persecution and events.

  In paragraph 8, it talks about how JWs were blessed with increase because they have continued "seeking first the kingdom and God's righteousness." In the past and to this date, the Society loves to compare it’s increased growth versus the diminishing number of attendants in the pews of the Catholic Church. The Society even ascribes biblical prophecy to this with the drying up of the waters of Babylon.

  Even if we assumed that the pews of the Catholic Church are emptying day by day, what about the other 4,999 Christian denominations beside the Catholic Church? Why are they NOT suffering from decreases?

  Also, if the increase in number is a sign of God’s blessing, and JWs are the only true religion, then how come these other churches, who presumably are members of Babylon the Great, are experiencing similar if not even greater growth? The Society never tackles these issues.

  Additionally, if increase and growth is a sign of God’s blessing, then how do we interpret the latest decrease of JWs numbers in several countries around the world?

  The paragraph cites that there was an increase of 1,750,000 active members in the past decade alone. When reviewing the published statistical numbers, we find that in the past decade, more than 3,200,000 were actually baptized. In effect, then the number of active members should have increased by that number. So what happened to those missing 1,500,000 members? If we accounted for 1% mortality rate and about 40,000 annual disfellowshipping cases, assuming that none of them repented, that still keeps around 1,000,000 members who, in the past decade, simply walked out. Why?
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  11

  WT June 1, 2001

  by Defender in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  the wt june 1, 2001 issue contains the article "if god is for us who will be against us?".

  in this article the wt talks about identifying the marks of those having god's backing.

  in paragraph 6 it quotes jesus words found in mathew 7:15,16 where he says that "be on the watch for false prophets that come to you in sheep's covering, but inside they are ravenous wolves.

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  Defender

  The WT June 1, 2001 issue contains the article "If God Is For Us Who Will Be Against Us?". In this article the WT talks about identifying the marks of those having God's backing. In paragraph 6 it quotes Jesus words found in Mathew 7:15,16 where he says that "Be on the watch for false prophets that come to you in sheep's covering, but inside they are ravenous wolves. By their fruits you will recognize them." The article goes on to highlight eight distinguishing "marks". Let us examine those marks.

  I - They base their teachings on the Bible.

  The Society loves to portray its teachings in comparison to those of the Catholic Church. In these comparisons, the WT teachings appear to be more based on the Bible. But this is where JW “Bible Based” teachings stop. For instance, where in the Bible does it mention about the teachings regarding 1914? Where in the Bible is their a reference to 1918 being the year that the heavenly resurrection started. Where does it say that in 1918 Jesus is to appoint the Society as a his only faithful and discreet slave? Where does it say that 1935 is the year that the 144,000 number has been officially filled, or that that year the great crowd to appear?

  Furthermore, what about the erroneous teachings concerning 1914 being the end of the world. What about similar teachings in 1915, 1918, 1920 and especially 1925. Where the teachings of “Millions Now Living Will Never Die” campaign back in the early 1920s Bible based or spiritual food in due time? How about the 1975 teachings? What about the “Generation” teachings? And many other teachings that the Society had to discard, where these Bible based?

  Additionally, the Society seldom mentions the teachings of other evangelical churches. For instance, what about the teachings of the Adventists, the Seventh Day Adventists, the Worldwide Church of God and many others? Do not these churches claim that their teachings are Bible based and ask their members or new recruits to investigate this claim?

  So by saying that the teachings are Bible based, does not amount to being a distinguishing mark. Most churches claim that, and when one investigates their teachings, one will find discrepancies, very much like those found in the Society’s teachings.

  II – They use and publicize God’s name, Jehovah.

  The paragraph refers to Isaiah 12:4,5 where it mentions “..Give thanks to Jehovah, you people! Call upon his name…” Then it quotes Jesus model prayer in Mathew 6:9. It is true, the Society uses and publicize’ the word “Jehovah” more than any other church. But it is also true, that there are many churches that use the name “Jehovah”, but not to the same degree.

  Not going into much details about whether the first century Christians used the name “Jehovah” the same way the Society uses it today, it is interesting to note that in all of Jesus Christ's recorded prayers in the NT, not once does he address God in his personal name. He rather addressed him simply as “Father”.

  Let us not forget that the theme of this article is to show who has the backing of God. So, simply deciding to use the word “Jehovah” more than others do, is by itself no distinguishing mark that God himself is backing you only to the exclusion of others.

  III – They reflect God’s joyful personality

  The paragraph points to 1 Timothy 1:11 “the happy God” and asks a pointed question. “So how could his worshipers be unhappy or persistently pessimistic?” This point is more directed for internal consumption within the rank and file. The Society often uses this method to prop sunken morale. Apparently, the Society is seeing that a lot of witnesses are suffering from depression and lack of joyfulness in order to highlight this point. The article goes on to say that “, true Christians maintain a joyful spirit because they regularly feast on rich spiritual food…” This is a double-edged sword argument. Another way to look at this is by asking the obvious question and that is; Why are true Christians NOT maintaining a joyful spirit despite feeding on the rich spiritual food offered by the Society? The answer could only be that either the food is bad, or those feeding on it are not true Christians.

  Again, the main point is to show who has God’s backing. The Society is telling the rank and file to “Be happy!” in order to prove that we have God’s backing. This is putting the cart before the horse kind of logic.

  A JW need only stop by any local evangelical church and see how gloomy and depressed the attendants are. Not!

  IV – They base their conduct and their decisions on Bible principles.

  JWs are, by no means, unique in applying this point. Many, many Christians claim the same. So no distinguishing mark here.

  V – They are organized in the manner of the first-century Christian congregation.

  The paragraph does not elaborate on how the first-century Christian congregation was organized, but rather tackles Jesus’ words in Mathew 23:8-11 about who is the true teacher and who is the true leader. Then it points that “the congregation of brothers precludes having a proud clergy class that honors itself with high-sounding titles and elevates itself above the laity.” And also, “Genuine Christian shepherds refrain from trying to make themselves masters over the faith of other.”

  As usual, the Society tries to use arguments that can have external and internal applications. For the casual external reader, these argument fall under the “Free-For-All Catholic Church Bashing” where it is easy to point the finger and collect brownie points. For the savvy internal reader, these arguments are directed towards the local elders in the congregations. The accompanying photo of the elder sweeping the carpet in the KH illustrates the point.

  For some reason, the average JW cannot see the wider implications of these arguments. Namely, that the Governing Body itself is a form of clergy class with high sounding titles like “Governing Body member” and it does elevate itself above the rank and file. They are “Governing” are they not? The average JW is being “Governed” is he or she not? So we are back to two classes; one is governing, and one is not.

  And the bewildering 60,000 dollar question is; Is not the Governing Body, as a unit, being the master over the faith of the entire rank and file? They are the ones that decide what all JWs should read, believe, behave and teach. If this is not mastery over one’s faith, I do not know what else is.

  A simple test is for an average JW to walk into a Governing Body session and tell them that, based on scripture, a particular teaching or conduct is wrong and that they must change it. In a true Christian family, all are brothers and equal, as Jesus said, and that there are no leaders. Any member, no matter how insignificant, should have the God given freedom to readjust and rebuke his fellow brothers, if he or she believes that they are in error.

  Later, on in paragraph 15 of the article, the writer asks the question; “What group is noted for having no paid clergy?” Though GB members are not paid any significant amounts of money, however, all their personal needs are catered to. Their lodging, in expensive Brooklyn, food, cleaning and laundry, clothing repairs, and many other needs are offered to them free of charge. Who is paying for all these expenses? Is not the laity doing that? GB members get to travel to all sorts of exotic places and get pampered wherever they went. The question is how much money it would take for an average person to live in Brooklyn in similar conditions and pay for similar needs and services? In short, the GB is being paid indirectly which amounts to the same thing.

  Where is the real distinguishing mark of God’s backing?

  VI – They are submissive to human governments and yet remain neutral.

  If the issue is neutrality, JWs are not unique, and therefore, no clear distinguishing mark here.

  VII – They are impartial in working “what is good toward all.”

  The paragraph states that: “The working of what is good toward all and especially toward those related to them in the faith helps to identify those having God’s backing. Jesus said: “By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love among yourselves.” As individuals, JWs do appear to show love and support toward one another. Some more than others. However, JWs will look upon any non JW as worldly and deserving of death, even if that person has a personal faith in Jesus Christ and lives according to Christian principles. JWs even go farther by disfelloshipping, and thereby cutting off any exchange of love, those that consciously refuse to believe or apply any or some of the Society’s teachings that they believe are contrary to scriptures.

  When Christ said that his disciples are to show love among themselves, he was talking at a much broader term than what the Society strictly applies. He was referring to ALL those that have come to put faith in him and are living accordingly. In order to fully apply Christ’s counsel, a JW must show Christian love towards ANY one who has put faith in Jesus and is living according to Christian principles, whether, that person belongs to the Adventist, Church of God, or even Catholic Church and vice versa. When JWs and members of other denominations start showing love among themselves, then they would be abiding by Jesus’ words and would thus be showing who has God’s backing. For in that instance, there would in fact be no more denominations or cults.

  A couple of years ago, I had to move to another city because of work, so I had to rent my house. Many responded to my ad in the paper, but eventually, one family that consisted of an elderly man who can barely see, his wife and their three adult children expressed genuine interest and were ready to sign the lease. This family was a devout Christian Greek Orthodox. They paid their rent on time, no smoking, no drugs, no sex, no parties, no lying, no stealing and participated in church activities more than just on Sundays, etc.. When I visited them few months after they had moved, I found huge pictures of Jesus, that extended from the ceiling to the floor, plastered on several walls of the livingroom, and diningroom. They were not worshipping the pictures, but it was their way to express their strong faith in Jesus Christ. But as a JW, I immediately dismissed them as worldly, even my congregation PO who had, for some reason, visited them earlier commented to me jokingly, that when I decided to return to live in my home, I had to exorcize the evil spirits and give the house a thorough anti-pagan washing. I knew exactly what he meant.

  A year later, the tenants started to give me some trouble. Nothing too serious, as everything was above board with these people, but still, they were grumbling about one thing or another. During that time, I had started to investigate the teachings of the Society more thoroughly and I began to realize Jesus’ words above concerning showing love to one another, and it dawned on me that this family has very strong faith in Jesus, actually more than many JWs I knew, and that they are living a decent moral life. So, who am I to judge them as being worldly and worthy of death just because they happen to belong to a different church? I realized that if I am to apply Jesus words, then I must extend my Christian love towards them just as if they were a JW family.

  VIII – They are willing to suffer persecution for doing God’s will.

  It is true that JWs faced countless accounts of persecution since their inception and continue to be objects of ridicule, hatred and persecution in many parts of the world today. But JWs tend to be self cantered around many issues. Persecution is one of them. They believe that they are the only ones that had suffered or continue to face persecution. The only reference to persecution occurring to non JWs are found in the articles of the WT and awake that talk about those persons that stood up to the Catholic Church and pointed to its errant ways only to be persecuted and some even killed. So, in the mind of the average JW, only those that stood up to the Catholic Church and JWs suffered genuine persecution.

  The Society tries to extol every bit of mileage of any persecution they had suffered. Case in point is the imprisonment of Judge Rutherford and several of his team-mates. They were sentenced to serve many years in prison yet they ended up serving seven or eight months. But the WT Society extends that period to fulfill the 3 and the half years prophecy of the wild beast conquering the holy ones.

  Many of JWs persecution is self induced. Take for example, Rutherford’s imprisonment. He was sentenced on charges of sedition because of some bombastic anti US statements that he made in the “Finished Mystery” book. He was released on the condition that he removes the offending statements which he duly did. Today, the Society will find it extremely embarrassing to reproduce not just the offending statements but the entire book. So, if JWs suffered persecution because they promulgated a book full of offending statements and errors, would that count as genuine persecution for doing God’s will?

  Another pitfall the Society falls into is belittling the genuine persecution of others. During the first, second and third century after Christ, countless Christians died in defence of their faith. Historic estimates puts the number around one million Christians that died at the hands of their persecutors. Some were put alight as torches for the streets of the Roman Empire. Some torn apart by wild beasts in live spectator shows. Even if the historic estimates are over exaggerated, and the actual number is somewhere around 200 to 300 thousand. That still posed a problem to the Society’s teaching of two class Christians. The Society teaches that those that will comprise the 144,000 have been called on from Pentecost until 1935. So any Christian that died before 1935 must be one of the 144,000. But the historic numbers show that more than 144,000 had actually died. In order to quell the doubts, the Society offered an answer in a “Question From Readers” format;

  *** w72 7/1 415 Questions from Readers ***
  Large numbers of Christians are said to have been put to death during the Roman persecution in the first few centuries of the Common Era. How, then, is it possible for thousands in this century to have been called to become part of the body of Christ composed of only 144,000 persons?—U.S.A.

  There are historical indications that many Christians were bitterly persecuted, even killed, in the first few centuries. However, it should be remembered that, in itself, a martyr’s death did not give a person merit before Jehovah God nor did it guarantee membership in the heavenly kingdom. Many persons, even in recent times, have been willing to die for a cause, religious or otherwise. A person’s claiming to be a Christian and even dying for his belief does not in itself mean that he is an approved servant of Jehovah God. As the apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians: “If I give all my belongings to feed others, and if I hand over my body, that I may boast, but do not have love, I am not profited at all.” (1 Cor. 13:3) It is not death, but faithfulness to the very death, that determines whether an individual will receive “the crown of life.”

  Thus the fact that today there is still a remnant of the 144,000 on earth would show that down to this twentieth century fewer than 144,000 finished their earthly course in faithfulness… (circular logic at its best)

  (The article goes on to discredit the historic testimonies as being not too reliable.)

  So, dying as a lighted torch because of not compromising their faith in Christ would not necessarily be considered as genuine persecution, for the point is not dying, but proving faithful to the very death. However, being imprisoned for eight months for insisting on publishing politically offending statements and totally embarrassing material would definitely be considered faithfulness. I do not know how they can make such assertions.

  However, the Society goes on to contradict itself with the following statements;

  it-2 610 Persecution
  "Persecution of Christians by the authorities of the Roman Empire from and after the days of Nero is a matter of secular history. (See CHRISTIAN.) The charges varied, but the objectives always seemed to be the same, namely, the suppression of Christianity."

  (Now the secular history IS reliable)

  w93 11/15 11 No Thought of Compromise!
  "Was the suffering and death of thousands of the early Christians in vain? By no means! With no thought of compromising their faith, ‘they proved themselves faithful even to death and were given the crown of life."

  (So, those thousands of early Christians did prove faithful after all.)

  Furthermore, JWs are not unique in being the object of persecution. Many, many evangelical churches have suffered and continue to suffer. Even the Catholic Church has a long list of martyred missionaries.

  Paragraph 15 asks the reader to evaluate the facts; What religious group is noted for sticking closely to God’s Word..? Who stress the importance of God’s personal name, even using it to identify themselves? Who optimistically point to God’s Kingdom as the only solution to all human problems? Who uphold Bible standards of conduct..? What group is noted for having no paid clergy, all of its members being preachers? Who are praised for being law-abiding citizens, even though they refrain from taking part in politics? Who lovingly spend time and money in helping others to learn about God and his purposes?

  The article goes on to say that only JWs meet those standards.

  They set the standards and then offer proof that they alone meet those standards. However, the Bible points to an entirely different list of requirements that prove which is the true religion. James 1:27 “The form of worship that is clean and undefiled from the standpoint of our God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their tribulation, and to keep oneself without spot from the world”

  In paragraph 17, the writers asks if it is presumptuous of JWs to point out that they alone have God’s backing. They go on to say No! not more so than the Israelites in Egypt claiming God’s backing as well as first century Christians to the exclusion of Jewish religionists.

  But JWs are claiming more than what the Israelites in Egypt or first century Christians claimed for one major reason and that is the supernatural miraculous power that they had. God gave Moses miraculous powers IN ORDER TO PROVE HIS BACKING. JWs do not even believe in miracles. Similarly, God gave the first century Christians the Holy Spirit to perform miracles IN ORDER TO PROVE HIS BACKING.

  JWs not only do not pocess any miracles to prove any God’s backing, even their teachings, prophecies and predictions have amounted to naught, proving if anything, the LACK of God’s backing.

  The paragraph goes on to note; “The facts speak for themselves. In 235 lands, JWs are doing the work Jesus foretold that his true followers would be doing in the time of the end… Math 24:14”. Jesus was prophesying about those that would be preaching the same message that he and his apostles have preached. Do JWs preach the same message that Paul and Peter preached? Did Paul teach that there are two classes of Christians, two hopes? Where did Peter preach about 1914, 1918, and 1935?

  The real question then is “Is it presumptuous of Jehovah’ Witnesses to point out that they alone have God’s backing?”
• 
  46

  Canada's Numbers Declining-Worries Bethel

  by Had Enough in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  man it's good to be home, relaxed and de-stressing right now!

  how many times today, i just wanted to say aaaaarrrrrrgggggghhhh!!!!

  at my circuit's one-day assembly.

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  Defender

  Vancouver BC here

  Does anyone knows if there is a support group here in BC??
• 

  Early Christians not expect parousia in their time

  by Defender in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  the wts claim that the early christians did not anticipate the lord's presence or parousia in their time.

  the watchtower dec 1 1984, page 11 states:.

  "freethinkers and even some of christindom's theologians claim that the early christians believed that christ's parousia or presence, was due to occur in their day".. "as to the early christians' belief in the imminence of christ's presence, a scholarly refernce work* states: "the case for assuming that paul expected the parousia soon in 1 thess.

• 

  Defender

  The WTS claim that the early Christians DID not anticipate the Lord's presence or parousia in their time. The Watchtower Dec 1 1984, page 11 states:

  "Freethinkers and even some of Christindom's theologians claim that the early Christians believed that Christ's parousia or presence, was due to occur in their day".

  "As to the early Christians' belief in the imminence of Christ's presence, a scholarly refernce work* states: "The case for assuming that Paul expected the parousia soon in 1 Thess. is far from water-tight. As early as 1 Thess. 5:10 Paul reckoned with the possibility that he might die. The possibility cannot be dismissed that in speaking of 'we' in 1 Thess. 4:15 and 17 Paul was indentifying himself with the last generation without necessary supposing that he himself belonged to it".

  * The New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology, Vol 2 pg 923

  I have a few problems with these quotes.

  1- The first quote is a clear example of "poisoning of the well" kind of argument.

  2- The second quote ref material is quoted as "a scholarly reference work" this is because it supports the WTS argument in this case. In other cases this ref material would have been "Christendom's scholars" or such.

  3- What about the numerous NT scriptures that clearly show the apostles and early Christians were in fact anticipating the end in their time.

  4- Did not the society, when trying to defend its unfulfilled expectations point to the early christians expectations as a case in point? (I would appreciate some ref material on where the WTS made such referrals, as I am engaged in a discussion with an elder)
• 
  9

  Celebrate with me!!!

  by silentlambs in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  today marks a milestone in what we are trying to accomplish.

  today marks over 2000 hits to silentlambs website.

  we can now say honestly, thousands have visited www.silentlambs.org .

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  Defender

  Can anyone tell me when is DATELINE scheduled to air?