The General -- I am struggling with this question as a result of my decision to delve deeper into the bible and my desire to truly ascertain the connatations of its verses. I have heard people on a regular basis in school call organized religion a sham and the belief in a God a sham. These are the very same people who glorify rationalistic reasoning based upon a materialistic philosphy as being surpreme. To me this view is one of arrogance and the many philosphers one reads such as Marx and Rousseau only present their views in terms of idealism. Even so, I can't see how people could even begin to hold such a view in the first place if one were to think abstractly about it, therefore, how can imperfect man produce perfect solutions would they not be inherently imperfect as a reflection of his own imperfect state?
I am really hung up on God's use of a faithful and discreet slave and the many biblical examples of using sherpards to manage his flock (Such as the apostle Paul overseeing the Christian congregations in the Meditterrean Region) on earth as shown by Matt. 24:45. To me this shows us that God does have an organization here on earth.
Does anyone have any insight they would like to share on this matter?? --
You know, it is good that you are still 'thinking' and now are free to employ 'critical' thinking as you struggle with what feels right for you. Having spent 3 decades as a Witness I am comfortable in my own feelings that 'organized' religion or 'religion' which exists for control of anyone for that matter is not for me. I believe in Christ, in the Father and very much in the Holy Spirit. I believe it is clear as to how we are guided if we seek out, if we ask, if we knock, if we have faith, if we believe, if we hope. If you are seeking guidance from the Holy Spirit and are using the Bible and are willing to let God teach you and not man then you will be led to where it is comfortable and feels right for you. You may need more years in life to see that even with the best of intentions when you get a group of people together for any purpose and must impose rules in order to maintain order you will find those who seek to abuse the power the rules sometimes can be twisted to convey. With God you don't have to worry about that because it is a given that HE is the rule maker, enforcer, and the one who impositions the consequences of not meeting the rules. But, unlike us, HE is in a prime position to guide us away from places where we would fall into temptation to abuse the system, where HE can teach us through HIS loving, gifting and patient ways to come to HIM for guidance and to rely fully on HIM for the corresponding answers we seek. HE is not harsh as mankind has demonstrated themselves to be or as man has painted HIM to be for that matter. Yes, HE is a Judge, but John plainly states in 1 John 4 that the kind of love that is love of God is free from fear and definitely from fear of reprisal. Perhaps the single most detrimental thing the WTS is guilty of is the concept of God they pummel into their members by picturing HIM as some demerit keeping, judgemental King who is tapping his fingers impatiently waiting for some cosmic clock to tick down so he can anihilate the world and exercise his wrath over it! Yet, Peter says God is patient not wanting any to perish. The FDS have their flock cowering in mortal fear while Jesus has HIS arms outstretched in invitation to COME UNTO HIM! The WTS is the antithesis of the God of the Bible yet very representative of the destructive force 'organized' religion can wreak. If that is not enough, look at the 'radical' elements of other organized religions and how they are meting out their own idea of justice for alleged infractions of their organized religious beliefs. And they too claim to all live by the 'word' of their 'holy writings'. Even where the religion seems benevolent enough the people wind up living in such distress because of their religious beliefs the standard of living is sub-standard! I honestly cannot see a single philosophy out there that stands out as exemplary of what most people would immediately recognize as 'good' in all aspects and in all ways. It just doesn't exist.
I abhor religion and especially organized religion. I believe there are some benefits to the various organizations but there are humanitarian organizations who do as much as 'religious' ones and civic groups who acccomplish as much as churches do all over the US and I am certain in other countries as well. Looking at the corruption which naturally follows power it is naive to believe there will be any organized church or religion which will be beneficent, altruistic, or philanthropical 100 percent of the time with no malice, with no self serving, with no greed ever present. As they say, absolute power corrupts absolutely! We have seen it in bodies of elders in congregation after congregation in imitation of the governing body ... and in the leadership of other churches. It is not unique to the WTS.
Paul was a good Christian, no doubt about it. But, he was a pharisee for much of his life and let's face it, they were known for their 'rule' making and their 'organization'. He was not only the apostle to the nations he was a grand organizer, a man with a gift to get people to do what he felt they should. He was obviously a leader. The man for the job at the time. Jesus' on the other hand...a real study in how you draw people to you. Give, give, give! Ask nothing in return but to do the same. The extent of his rule making was to have us love God with everything we have and to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. The extent of his organization was to share and share alike. Do unto others ... He was willing to do the hard stuff so that we could have life and that eternal. I figure I should take HIM up on HIS offer to 'follow HIM'. He knows the hierarchy and how it works and has the power and authority to accomplish for us what we need in life, now and forever.
My thoughts,,,,,
