happy man:
I'm glad you joined this discussion. Many here complain about particular problems they have had with individual JW's in the congregations. Some have been hurt by officals at all levels. Some JW's are fornicators - cheating on their wives, molesting children. Some get drunk.There are power struggles. I have even seen fist fights in the kingdom hall. I have heard white brothers of rank in the organization refer to blacks as "niggers". I have heard black brothers of rank refer to whites as honkeys, peckerwoods & crackers. That's why there are so many scriptures in the Bible that address these problems. And yes the first century Christians had these same problems.
Please read the following scriptures and ask yourself why they were included in the Bible.
2 Peter 2:2
Furthermore, many will follow their acts of loose conduct, and on account of these the way of the truth will be spoken of abusively.
Is it possible for some JW's to be involved in loose conduct so that people would speak abusively against the truth? Of course. And that's why the forum is filled with those who speak abusively against JW's.
1 Corinthians 5:1-5
5 Actually fornication is reported among YOU, and such fornication as is not even among the nations, that a wife a certain [man] has of [his] father. 2 And are YOU puffed up, and did YOU not rather mourn, in order that the man that committed this deed should be taken away from YOUR midst? 3 I for one, although absent in body but present in spirit, have certainly judged already, as if I were present, the man who has worked in such a way as this, 4 that in the name of our Lord Jesus, when YOU are gathered together, also my spirit with the power of our Lord Jesus, 5 YOU hand such a man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, in order that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.
Again. Is it possible for JW's to become notorious for their fornication in a community? Yes and there is a remedy too. Although some here think it is cruel. Paul said that the man that committed the deed should be taken away from YOUR midst. Do you think humans can get carried away with this sort of thing. Of course. Paul had to counsel congregations to show mercy too. Some congregations do a good job of this others don't. But the people on this board, who you don't know personally, would have you believe that their situation was not handled properly.
James 4:1-3
4 From what source are there wars and from what source are there fights among YOU? Are they not from this source, namely, from YOUR cravings for sensual pleasure that carry on a conflict in YOUR members? 2 YOU desire, and yet YOU do not have. YOU go on murdering and coveting, and yet YOU are not able to obtain. YOU go on fighting and waging war. YOU do not have because of YOUR not asking. 3 YOU do ask, and yet YOU do not receive, because YOU are asking for a wrong purpose, that YOU may expend [it] upon YOUR cravings for sensual pleasure.
Here James says that there are fights in congregations. Could there be fights among JW's? Paul had an ongoing battle with powerful church pillars who wanted to have gentile Christians circumcised. And this wasn't a settled issue after Acts 15 Jerusalem council. It seems the decision about circumcision was ignored. Paul even said he wished these ones would get their whole male organ removed.
Philippians 2:19-21
19 For my part I am hoping in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to YOU shortly, that I may be a cheerful soul when I get to know about the things pertaining to YOU. 20 For I have no one else of a disposition like his who will genuinely care for the things pertaining to YOU. 21 For all the others are seeking their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus.
Is it possible that the majority of JW's who have authority in the congregation are seeking their own interests and not of Christ Jesus? Paul didn't use the word "many" he said "all".
2 Timothy 4:2-5
2 preach the word, be at it urgently in favorable season, in troublesome season, reprove, reprimand, exhort, with all long-suffering and [art of] teaching. 3 For there will be a period of time when they will not put up with the healthful teaching, but, in accord with their own desires, they will accumulate teachers for themselves to have their ears tickled; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, whereas they will be turned aside to false stories. 5 You, though, keep your senses in all things, suffer evil, do [the] work of an evangelizer, fully accomplish your ministry.
Is this scripture just talking about persecution from the outside - by the world and governmental authorities? It's talking about inside the congregation. And it say Christians should SUFFER EVIL. Do you think this board is filled with people who suffer evil? All of us have had evil done to us on occasion. Suffering Evil means not letting that EVIL make you want to return EVIL for EVIL.
happy man: (and other indecisive lurkers) ask yourself - do you want to get caught up in such hate as you see displayed on this forum? Are these people going to guide you to freedom when they are slaves to hatred?
