Posts by Truthexplorer

26

Living as Christians at the C.L.A.M this week

by Truthexplorer in

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.

Truthexplorer

It means going to the meetings for 6 months or more and to stop what you were doing that got you df. -But the elders look for evidence of God's Holy Spirit

Fisherman- I get the whole idea about repentance and works befitting repentance, and obviously keeping the Congregation clean; but what I don't get is why an individual continues to be shunned having sincerely expressed their heartfelt desire to return to God?

1 Cor 5:11 says - But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people. NIV

Obviously, if it came to light that the returned individual was STILL PRACTICING the above, then the Christians are not associate with the individual in line with scripture.

But the person who earnestly wishes to return to Jehovah and has changed their life around to do so; why not welcome such a one back with open arms and a warm Christian welcome, instead of a cold watchtower shoulder!, yet obviously not allow that person reinstatement or privileges for a period of time until they have proven to everyone works that befit repentance. That would be more loving and appropriate at the same time. Why the need for complete shunning?? That is out of line with the story Jesus told about the prodigal son!

26

Living as Christians at the C.L.A.M this week

by Truthexplorer in

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.

Truthexplorer

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.

26

Living as Christians at the C.L.A.M this week

by Truthexplorer in

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.

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

9

Escape From Paradise - One year anniversary - Thanks everyone!

by Brock Talon in

today 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.

Truthexplorer

Hey Brock, I enjoyed both your books. Escape from paradise gave a good insight into daily life at bethel. TE

76

What is your relationship with ALCOHOL?

by nicolaou in

here 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!

Truthexplorer

My relationship with alcohol is very good

13

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 in

i 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!

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!

78

Half of the cong was dancing last night

by StarTrekAngel in

so 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.

Truthexplorer

I think they should just throw all cares to the wind and make song 146 Boney M's 'By the rivers of Babylon'

14

My door intercom......

by stan livedeath in

a 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 ?

?.

Truthexplorer

hey-that might very well have been us this morning lol

37

Infighting at the top?

by JeffT in

jw
friends

we'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.

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.

78

Half of the cong was dancing last night

by StarTrekAngel in

so 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.

Truthexplorer

Yep, what was wrong or inapproprite yesteryear is OK today, so saith the GB!