Among the latest instructions to the rank and file Witnesses is this one:
"Following Bible principles, we will avoid trying to live (or demand others to live) by an extensive and rigid set of dos and don'ts that go beyond the teachings of the Bible." (The Watchtower - issue of April 15,2002, page 22, para 15)It's anticipated that scores of rules and regulations formerly applied in the congregations of Jehovah's Witnesses will be erased.
Ozzie it's so strange that you keep posting subjects I've been discussing for years. I've seen the principle concept being introduced somewhat in the WT instructions but then they revert back to do not do this or do not do that. I think that a list of shoulds and should nots is straight from Babylon The problem is their are so many untreated adult children of alcoholic parents in the JW congs that all they know is how to be harsh and judgmental. It is a sickness.
It's mostly the individuals behavior. I see that many want a list of should/should nots it's the level they are on. An example would be: The Wt society suggests that married couples should not take separate vacations. A sister in the audience writes down DO NOT take separate vacations Is this her fault or has she been conditioned by Babylon inside and out of the org. We're instructed not to rebel or make our own decisions. Men can't even decide whether to have a beard or not. It's up to the local elders.
I do hope principles are the way JWs go it would be cleaning out more of Babylon.
I've even discussed this subject with a WT lawyer in our cong. He's actually not that bad he's advocated for sisters that have been abused in our cong This is my issue with the WT but implementing this into the cong is impossible. They would need to be hit over the head repeatedly
Note my name imbue means principles. After considerable thought and discussion of this subject it was a natural choice.
Crazy is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.