Hello theDog1,
In one of your posts, you stated that Jehovah’s Witnesses chose to be baptized and thus, should play by the rules.
Please consider the following: I got baptized before the age of 14. Back then, I was convinced of what I was thought:
1. the end was around the corner since the generation of 1914 was growing old
2. The 144 000 were already selected since 1931 and thus, the remaining number partaking was a real indication of our proximity to the end. No new (non-replacement) anointed the number of anointed was going down since 1931.
Please note that these things were not mere suggestions provided by the society, they were facts and I accepted them as such. The faithful and discreet slave, made up of thousands and thousands of wise Christians on whose Jehovah’s spirit acted upon, came as one to these conclusions. Who was I to question them all? I was a kid. So, there I was, convinced that Armageddon would come before I’d finish high school.
I even remember going door to door, believing I was separating goats from sheep and thought on numerous occasions: this person will never make it through Armageddon.
Then, from time to time, I was comparing my religion to others thinking: Which other religions
1. Sets up a book study group for its members,
2. Isn't greedy to the point of accepting credit cards,
3. Is not involved with the governments and much less with the UN
4. Does not brainwash kids with games, cartoons, and other things for that purpose
5. Does not add to the scriptures by inserting images and religious teachings in the bible
All these understandings above were not small details, they had a great impact on my life. And now that the watchtower has done away with ALL of these, how can we truly say that the organization I got baptized into is the same today?
Since then, I have come a long way in my understanding of the scriptures and, unfortunately, do not have the freedom to truly express my faith – doing so would cause a Judicial Comity. The irony is that I still share many of the watchtower’s teachings!
I can’t help but wonder by which authority any man, or group of man, can judge the faith of his fellow man, especially when it comes down to details such as bringing into question the “generation” teaching or even referring to the “144 000” as a figurative number. How an organization does this and still profess to be an organisation guided by love goes beyond my understanding.
Sincerely,
Ecan6