Posts by Vanderhoven7

11

New-Old Light on Alternative Military Service

by Vanderhoven7 in

not sure where i picked this up.

"new-old light on alternative military service.

fact 1: the watchtower sanctioned both military service and alternative military service under charles russell.. .

Vanderhoven7

Wow! How did that get translated so quickly?

11

New-Old Light on Alternative Military Service

by Vanderhoven7 in

not sure where i picked this up.

"new-old light on alternative military service.

fact 1: the watchtower sanctioned both military service and alternative military service under charles russell.. .

Not sure where I picked this up

"New-Old Light on Alternative Military Service

FACT 1: The Watchtower sanctioned both military service and alternative military service under Charles Russell.

FACT 2: Under subsequent leadership the Watchtower condemned both military service and alternative military service for 60 years.

These Bible rules were enforced under threat of disfellowship.

Thousands of JWs went to prison because they refused both military service and

alternative service.

FACT 3: a proposal to change the Society’s position on alternative service to relieve the suffering of the brethren and their families was made in 1978.

But a two-thirds majority vote was not attained…presumably Jehovah hadn’t yet

communicated a change of mind on the matter yet. So the issue was shelved and

the brothers continued to languish in prison.

FACT 4: Then Jehovah God finally sent the new-old light to Watchtower headquarters:

”What, though, if the State requires a Christian for a period of time to perform civilian service that is a part of national service under a civilian administration? Here again, Christians must make their own decisions based on an informed conscience. What if the Christian's honest answers to such questions leads him to conclude that the national civilian service is a "good work" that he can perform in obedience to the authorities? This is his decision before Jehovah. Appointed elders and others should fully respect the conscience of the brother and continue to regard him as a Christian in good standing. “ The Watchtower 1996 May 1 p. 20.

Are JWs with overly strict consciences responsible for their own imprisonment over alternative military service? The WTS explains away those terrible feelings of having sufferedv needlessly:

“In the past, some Witnesses have suffered for refusing to share in an activity that their conscience now might permit. For example, this might have been their choice years ago as to certain types of civilian service. A brother might now feel that he could conscientiously perform such without overstepping his Christian neutrality regarding the present system of things.

Was it unrighteous on Jehovah's part to allow him to suffer for rejecting what he might do without consequences... What reason could anyone have to regret having followed his conscience in taking a firm stand for Jehovah? By loyally upholding Christian principles as they understood them or by responding to prodding of conscience they proved worthy of Jehovah's friendship. Certainly, it is wise to avoid a course that would disturb one's conscience...

In modern times, there have been some Witnesses who were very strict in their view of what they would or would not do. For that reason they suffered more than others. Later, increased knowledge helped them to expand their view of matters. But they have no reason to regret having earlier acted in harmony with their conscience even when this possibly brought extra suffering. It truly is commendable that they demonstrated their willingness to suffer in faithfulness to Jehovah... “
(The Watchtower 1998 August 15 p. 17 Underlining added)

Was it the fault of their consciences or was it rather the fault of an organization that demanded strict obedience to all of its extra-biblical ever-changing “truths”?

"...there cannot even be coexistent tendencies or schools of thought within the Christian organization." (WT 1983 September 15, p.18)

Approved association with Jehovah's Witnesses requires accepting the entire range of the true teachings of the Bible, including those Scriptural beliefs that are unique to Jehovah's Witnesses. (WT 1986 April 1, p. 31)

19

My new definition of cult.

by Yomama in

jw
friends

forcing someone to believe something that is untrure and shunning them if they do not believe it.

Vanderhoven7

My take is that the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses is a dangerous controlling cult from the top down.

10

Answer to Robert Luccioni's Lies and Misrepresentations

by Vanderhoven7 in

here is the video, "strengthen your core" by robert luccioni.

https://href.li/https://www.jw.org/en/library/videos/#en/mediaitems/vodpgmevtmorningworship/pub-jwb_202011_11_video.

here is the response by jason wynne .

Vanderhoven7

Glad to see Jason's letter is being translated in a number of different languages.

12

Merry Christmas

by jhine in

i don't think that it is too early to wish everyone a merry christmas and invite you all to join with me in sending festive greetings to everyone .

.

jan .

Vanderhoven7

Have a wonderful Christmas, one and all, despite the current pandemic.

4

An illustration of obeying the Governing Body when it makes no sense from a human perspective.

by BourneIdentity in

.

Vanderhoven7

God's channel of communication, God's sole spokesman on earth, the Faithful Slave, the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses, define doctrine because they are the only ones commissioned to interpret the Bible for mankind and were given that exclusive ability by Jesus Christ in 1919; they are not inspired, but they must be believed and followed for salvation .. .Although they take the lead, Jehovah's Witnesses have no leader or leaders except Michael the Archangel.

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