I've been trying to show my JW friend that the organization has 'policies' that one must follow.. He keeps telling me the standard line, it's your personal conscience...
For instance, in the no blood "policy", he argues that it is his conscience choice, he isn't 'told' he cannot take policy, it's his bible-based <gag> conscience that keeps him from taking blood..
Then I retort what would happen if they get new light on that issue, does that mean that his conscience get's new light also?
-- No answer --
No matter how hard I try, however, he will NOT admit that he is 'following' corporate policy..
So, by accident, I was searching the 1999 CD, and low and behold, look what I found:
Please note the stuff I highlighted in RED!!!! Wonder how he's gonna try and weasel out of that one, from his own literature?
*** g99 2/22 30 From Our Readers *** FromOurReaders
EndofPoverty Thank you so much for the June 8, 1998, Awake! series The End of Poverty Nears. It really put things in perspective and made me aware of my own complaining attitude. I am unemployed and have little spare money. I thought I was in poverty. Hardly! This article shows that there are others worse off than I am. I should be grateful for what I already havefood, clothing, good health and, most important, Jehovah. I so much look forward to the end of poverty. My resolve is to keep seeking Jehovahs Kingdom and to stop complaining.
C. W., New Zealand
Celibacy For some years I have been a reader of your magazines. I have to protest your one-sided reporting about the doctrines of the Catholic Church in the article The Bibles Viewpoint: Is Celibacy a Requirement for Christian Ministers? (June 8, 1998) There is no enforced celibacy in the Catholic Church! There is only a voluntarily chosen celibacy that is a prerequisite for a certain profession. Whoever claims that he was forced into celibacy is lying.
R. G., Germany
We believe that there is an important distinction between the phrase enforced celibacy and the notion that people are forced into celibacy. If, for example, a corporation establishes a dress code and hires only those who agree to adhere to it but fires those who violate it, then it could be said that the corporation has an enforced dress code. In a similar sense, it is fair to say that there is enforced celibacy in the Catholic priesthood. Our article, however, mainly points out the lack of a Scriptural basis for making celibacy a prerequisite for Christian ministers. (1 Timothy 3:2) Rather than criticizing those who choose singleness as a life course, the article noted that this has proved to be a rewarding and spiritually satisfying way of life for some.ED.
Edited by - itsjustlittleoldme on 10 September 2002 23:0:6
