No matter what opinions you may have, the Memorial is very important to us. Many are opposed to the way the organization performs the Memorial because of restrictive rules as to who should partake. As Jesus said in scripture, "Keep doing this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." (1 Cor 11: 25) So, it is a command that Christ gave. And the disturbing part is what is said in the outline of the Memorial talk, (if its still in the Outline, because I haven't been to a Hall in years), where they read the following verses 27-30 to make you think twice as to partaking, where it says "whoever eats the loaf and drinks the cup of the lord unworthily will be guilty respecting the body and the blood of the Lord," it goes on to talk about scrutinizing oneself,........"and many among you are weak and sickly, and quite a few are sleeping in death."
It is always good to scrutinize ourselves, and make sure that we do not celebrate the event in an unworthy way. But in the organization's thinking which has always been, those who partake should be those in the congregation with a good standing like good meeting attendance, going out in service, (which has been minimized now), Reg and special pioneers, the elites and GB, and those who work with them. And yet that was not who Jesus was referring to, the scripture speaks to us individually. It is a matter for each individual whether it is Paradise on earth life or the Heavenly life. There was NO differentiation between the two, HE said in scripture "Keep doing this in remembrance of me.
I had remembered one time when I use to attend Memorials, that it always seem to be an inquisitive thing to look around and see who was partaking, it was a curiosity for many. But it would go beyond that, as I remember individuals saying "Did you see that? Sister Weak partook last night, and she only puts in an average of 8 hours a month in service, plus she doesn't answer up at the meetings. I put in more hours than her every month." I have actually heard that. Thru out the time I had attended Memorials, I always heard certain ones critizing those who felt that their conscience and their relationship with God told them that they should partake.
WHO ARE THEY TO TELL GOD THAT A CERTAIN BROTHER OR SISTER IS NOT WORTHY OF PARTAKING?
My Mother and I are having a private Memorial at home in reading the scriptures about his death and things pertaining to this special event. Its all up to us what we decide to do. If I'm not mistaken, I believe Ray Franz wrote in his 4th book that he knew of many that had a private Memorial at their home. Many of them had a different view than the society, where many felt that their conscience could not go along with something that they felt was not being celebrated by the scripture. On a side note, I wonder how the witnesses will be dressed tonight, considering the new dress change.
Remember, its up to you what you decide, not them.