I was never disfellowshipped, but did experience a public reproof ( which I now know should have been a private reproof). Having moved halls, I recall having to attend all the meetings including the book study in a state of reproof. The book study was an embarrassing experience. I was not allowed to answer. I experienced 6 months of this AND had attended 'EVERY' meeting in that time. I finally went up to an elder, who pardon the pun, was elderly and whom I thought would show a little empathy and understanding given his experience AND wisdom; someone I thought was approachable. I asked if it was now possible to answer up at the meetings at this point given that I had been attending every meeting for several months. His wonderful spiritually grounded answer was and I kid you not. 'heh...heh...heh... naw...naw...naw....naw..naw' whilst smiling to himself and shaking his head. That wonderful, spiritual, loving, edifying Christian response to my sincere question caused me to stay away from the meetings for another 3 whole years. It is no wonder so many disfellowshipped individuals refuse to go back, knowing the gauntlet they have to go through to be reinstated. It's must be an absolute nightmare for such ones.
Truthexplorer
JoinedPosts by Truthexplorer
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Living as Christians at the C.L.A.M this week
by Truthexplorer inthis weeks meeting under the section - living as 'christians', starts off with 'repentance makes a difference', which is a talk given by an elder taken from w06 11/15 27-28 par 7-9. in a nut shell it discusses those who have been disfellowshipped and then show repentance.
it then goes on to discuss reinstatement and how a certain amount of time must pass by before this can take place.
it makes the following point in the paragraph.. 'a disfellowshipped person is not automatically accepted back into the congregation after a certain amount of time has passed.
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Living as Christians at the C.L.A.M this week
by Truthexplorer inthis weeks meeting under the section - living as 'christians', starts off with 'repentance makes a difference', which is a talk given by an elder taken from w06 11/15 27-28 par 7-9. in a nut shell it discusses those who have been disfellowshipped and then show repentance.
it then goes on to discuss reinstatement and how a certain amount of time must pass by before this can take place.
it makes the following point in the paragraph.. 'a disfellowshipped person is not automatically accepted back into the congregation after a certain amount of time has passed.
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Truthexplorer
This weeks meeting under the section - Living as 'CHRISTIANS', starts off with 'Repentance Makes a difference', which is a talk given by an elder taken from w06 11/15 27-28 par 7-9
In a nut shell it discusses those who have been disfellowshipped and then show repentance. It then goes on to discuss reinstatement and how a certain amount of time must pass by before this can take place. It makes the following point in the paragraph.
'A disfellowshipped person is not automatically accepted back into the Congregation after a certain amount of time has passed. Before he can be reinstated, his heart condition must undergo a great change. He must come to realize the gravity of his sin and the reproach he brought upon Jehovah and the Congregation. The sinner must repent, pray earnestly for forgiveness, and conform to Gods righteous requirements. When requesting reinstatement, he should be able to give evidence that he has repented and is producing 'works that befit repentance'
So effectively , lets just say for argument sake a person is genuinely repentant (similar to the prodigal son) and his or her heart desire is to genuinely 'return back' to God. He or she cries their eyes out before the elders, telling them they are truly sorry for their wrong doing and genuinely wants to do right in Gods eyes again. The following happens:
Well firstly, there aint no preparing the fattened calf or joyful party for the returned prodigal son or daughter...Nope! Instead they receive a welcome back Watchtower style; which is that the person MUST sit at the back of the hall and be shunned for most, if not more than a year by the entire congregation. No one can speak to them; they cant speak to anyone (such Christian love and encouragement!). They will continue to be shunned until the BOE come to a decision that the person 'is truly' repentant.
It isn't good enough for such a person simply to have no privileges in the hall, which would be fairer and perhaps more more fitting...nope!; Watchtower goes further than that. The individual will be treated to what amounts to being a proverbial leper for a period of time and then all being well can then and only then, be reinstated back into the Congregation where they can experience the prodigal son style welcome!
Right after the elder gives this 'loving' talk, the next item is a discussion on the topic 'Forgive Freely?
OH.. THE IRONY
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Escape From Paradise - One year anniversary - Thanks everyone!
by Brock Talon intoday marks the 1 year anniversary of the release of my second book, "escape from paradise".
i wanted to take the time to thank everyone here who was supportive of this book and for all the great feedback i received on it.
you guys rock.. of course, not all the feedback was pleasant.
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Truthexplorer
Hey Brock, I enjoyed both your books. Escape from paradise gave a good insight into daily life at bethel. TE -
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What is your relationship with ALCOHOL?
by nicolaou inhere in the uk new drinking guidelines have been issued which suggest "no more than 14 units a week - equivalent to six pints of beer or seven glasses of wine.".
another piece of the advice which is getting a lot of attention is that "if people drink, it should be moderately over three or more days and that some days should be alcohol-free.".
already people are making cries of "nanny state!
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Truthexplorer
My relationship with alcohol is very good
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Can you guys help me? I need to find all the recent articles on the WT's most recent stance on education and carreers
by macys ini am at work talking to a current jdub and i am making progress (i think) with her and right now the theme is education.
she says that the wt no longer looks down on education and is claiming that the wt no longer says we are close to the end!
tia!
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Truthexplorer
Couldn't believe it when it was referred to at the CLAM. Talk about making people feel guilty over something that is perfectly normal! -
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Half of the cong was dancing last night
by StarTrekAngel inso went to the meeting last night.
i had not been to one since before the holiday break (3 weeks ago).
besides, it was our first meeting in the new format.
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Truthexplorer
I think they should just throw all cares to the wind and make song 146 Boney M's 'By the rivers of Babylon'
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My door intercom......
by stan livedeath ina few minutes ago...my door intercom went...i picked up the phone...wasn't expecting anyone.. young child's voice... "were just here with this watchtower why be honest".
no thanks...byee.. what sort of message is this sending out ?
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Truthexplorer
hey-that might very well have been us this morning lol -
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Infighting at the top?
by JeffT inwe've all been trying to decipher what is going on at the top of the watchtower organization.
clearly, the game's afoot, we just don't know what game we're playing.
item: the constant harping about money and donations.
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Truthexplorer
Jefft- you may very well be right. I would love to be a fly on the wall at those GB meetings. Perhaps some bethelites can leak some info/proof that this could very well be the case. -
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Half of the cong was dancing last night
by StarTrekAngel inso went to the meeting last night.
i had not been to one since before the holiday break (3 weeks ago).
besides, it was our first meeting in the new format.
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Truthexplorer
Yep, what was wrong or inapproprite yesteryear is OK today, so saith the GB! -
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SOME similiarities between Putin and the GB
by Truthexplorer ini was watching a french news programme today that looked at why putin has quite a high following within russia despite the fact he rules with an iron fist.
the journalist highlighted the fact that putin is happy for individuals to question his policies (within reason) 'as long as' you support him as president.
it was only afterwards i got to thinking....who is it that jehovah's witnesses aren't allowed to question whatsoever?
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Truthexplorer
I was watching a french news programme today that looked at why Putin has quite a high following within Russia despite the fact he rules with an iron fist. The journalist highlighted the fact that Putin is happy for individuals to question his policies (within reason) 'AS LONG AS' you support him as president. Journalists are CLOSELY watched/monitored if they ask sensitive questions that may cause his leadership embarrasement; and of course anyone openly critizing him can be sent away to prison. One guy got 3 years for openly critizing him! It was only afterwards I got to thinking....WHO is it that Jehovah's Witnesses aren't allowed to question WHATSOEVER? Answer= The GB. What happens to Jehovah's Witnesses who may disagree with some of WT teachings or simply want to share their own view on scripture with others at their hall? Answer= They are closely watched/monitored by the elders in line with the GB's policies. What happens to those who openly question/critisize the GB? Answer = They face endless years of isolation from fellow witnesses, friends and in many cases even their own family (a figurative type of imprisonment). Isn't it interesting that everyone 'in' the organisation agrees with the GB regardless! Did you ever hear a witness at the hall say that they didn't agree with the GB on certain matters? In Ray Franzes book Crisis of Conscience, he likened the GB to an Iron fist in a velvet glove,. It's all quite astonishing when you look at the similiarities!!