"Be Kind to the Fornicators in the Congregation"
FINALLY a reason for me to return to the KH.
have you noticed the article entitled "watch your associations in these last days" in the new august 2015 study watchtower?.
unless i'm reading it wrong, or somehow misinterpreting it, it is saying that we should be kind to intentional breakers of god's laws inside and outside the congregation, including fornicators, but that we must not be close associates with them.. are they already preparing for a shift in their disfellowshipping practices?.
here are the relevant paragraphs:.
"Be Kind to the Fornicators in the Congregation"
FINALLY a reason for me to return to the KH.
i saw a rumor a few weeks ago on reddit that the new imitate jesus convention is supposed to present new light and clarified understandings on the disfellowshipping/disassociation practices.. supposedly, if this rumor has any truth to it, there will be a talk given at the convention about how we should not be strict like the pharisees in how we shun people, loosening up some of the jw rules about this practice.. has anyone here heard anything about this or have more info on it?.
Steve2,
Excellent observation, which is why I rarely enter OPs about issues requiring investigations to determine facts. So many ex-Dubs want the DFing policy to end, for obvious reasons. Likely so do a lot of current Dubs. The Dfing policy gives the Dark Lords ultimate power over the sheep; I can't see them giving it up unless the internal and external pressures placed on them by the rank and file, the public, potential lawsuits and governments become greater than the power and control they garner from the vile policy. There is a tipping point to be certain; how close we are to that is the unknown.
Anything they say or do, unless it is a WT study that very clearly and specifically ends the hate filled policy, is nothing but PR IMHO and designed solely to create plausible deniability and mitigate the criticism and the lawsuits. The good thing is those pressures are mounting, from all sides. Going mainstream with their video casts where they present the Dark Lords as kind, geriatric, Disney-esque grandfathers doesn't play so well with the DFing policy. Caleb and Sofia not being able to speak to one another, their friends or their parents for a lifetime based on the policy isn't so warm and fuzzy. (a disclaimer: I only know about the video-casts, Caleb and Sofia based on this site; if I ever actually go look at this nonsense, any of you have my permission - no my plea - to shoot me).
It will be interesting to watch it unfold.
i saw a rumor a few weeks ago on reddit that the new imitate jesus convention is supposed to present new light and clarified understandings on the disfellowshipping/disassociation practices.. supposedly, if this rumor has any truth to it, there will be a talk given at the convention about how we should not be strict like the pharisees in how we shun people, loosening up some of the jw rules about this practice.. has anyone here heard anything about this or have more info on it?.
Alive!
You may be on to something. The Dark Lords have got to know that many of the rank and file and nearly all of ex-Dubs consider that they are Pharisees. I've pointed out before that the DFing policy isn't in the interest of governments; it has to stress social services, destroys families, etc. I wouldn't be surprised if a liberal EU country banned religions from DFing based on the problems it causes. That would be the first of the dominoes to fall. Such a scenario is not far-fetched and it almost certainly is something that the Dark Tower attorneys or the Dark Lords have considered.
Whatever they say will be PR BS designed to begin building as much plausible deniability around themselves as possible. They are evil men; they do not care about sheep or families, and whatever they say at the convention changes none of that.
allow me to begin with a clarification: when i say i am one of jehovah's witnesses, i don't mean that i am an advocate of the watchtower society or a devotee of some of its more controversial false teachings.
i mean that i am a christian, a disciple of jesus christ dedicated to jehovah god, and who remains in union with my brothers and sisters who make up the family of faith that globally refers to itself as jehovah's witnesses.
some totally understand the distinction between the family of brothers and sisters and the corporate organization known as the watchtower society (wts).
So to recap, Brother Jeramy has come on this site to provide encouragement to the Freedom Fighters, I mean the Resistance, I mean the Existers. Their numbers are myriad, according to Brother Jeremy, and they all loathe the Dark Lords but love the idea of petting pandas and living in paradise more than they hate the Dark Lords.
Brother Jeramy refers to these myriads of Existers as the Family, and they are bound together in love of a make believe god and a fairy tale future that will never occur. The Family won't join us evil apostates in the Fight or the Resistance because, even though they hate the Dark Lords as much as we do, we are those evil apostate thing-ies, you know, that the Dark Lords warned them about. Or because there is a panda out there with their name on it, and it is so close. Oh so close.
Ok. I finally get it. Kinda sad, really.
allow me to begin with a clarification: when i say i am one of jehovah's witnesses, i don't mean that i am an advocate of the watchtower society or a devotee of some of its more controversial false teachings.
i mean that i am a christian, a disciple of jesus christ dedicated to jehovah god, and who remains in union with my brothers and sisters who make up the family of faith that globally refers to itself as jehovah's witnesses.
some totally understand the distinction between the family of brothers and sisters and the corporate organization known as the watchtower society (wts).
JP,
Fair enough. You don't have to tell me; that was rhetorical. I question why everyone is on this site, especially newbies who preach.
Bro Jer has an enlightened view (yeah sure, share that with the Borg and see how enlightened it turns out to be). In my brief 2 year presence on this site, I've noted a few like BJ who support the Dark Tower but not the Dark Lords, or something to that effect. They have an enlightened view (one they can only share on sites like this).
The Dark Lords ARE the Dark Tower; you cannot separate them. Ever. Thinking that you are somehow different from the others and that you have an elevated or enlightened viewpoint is delusional. Coming on this or any other site like this and starting OPs and preaching is egoistic. He would be better off looking for the plans to the Death Star.
allow me to begin with a clarification: when i say i am one of jehovah's witnesses, i don't mean that i am an advocate of the watchtower society or a devotee of some of its more controversial false teachings.
i mean that i am a christian, a disciple of jesus christ dedicated to jehovah god, and who remains in union with my brothers and sisters who make up the family of faith that globally refers to itself as jehovah's witnesses.
some totally understand the distinction between the family of brothers and sisters and the corporate organization known as the watchtower society (wts).
jmorgan,
I know exactly why I came to this site 2 years ago. Why is BJ here? To change our minds? The evil, angry apostates?
His focus is on the Family still in - those who feel as he does, that the Dark Tower can be reformed. Biding his time, he is. Really? He is spewing as much hatred and anger towards the Dark Lords as we do. He refers to legions of those who feel just as he does. He knows this how?
They want to pet pandas and never die. We get that. We also got over that. So you tell me JP. Why Is He Here? I've read and re-read his posts, and the one thing that keeps popping up as a reason is narcissism and ego.
allow me to begin with a clarification: when i say i am one of jehovah's witnesses, i don't mean that i am an advocate of the watchtower society or a devotee of some of its more controversial false teachings.
i mean that i am a christian, a disciple of jesus christ dedicated to jehovah god, and who remains in union with my brothers and sisters who make up the family of faith that globally refers to itself as jehovah's witnesses.
some totally understand the distinction between the family of brothers and sisters and the corporate organization known as the watchtower society (wts).
Brother Jeramy,
“I don't mean that I am an advocate of the Watchtower Society or a devotee of some of its more controversial false teachings. . . .And so in a similar way I have chosen to remain with my brothers and sisters, in spite of the poison of the "religious leaders" (i.e., the Watchtower Society and the many elders who bow to it) . . . . the "poison" of hypocrisy and falsehood that has harmed the Family . . “
Aren’t you being hypocritical by referring to us as “those immersed in bitterness and negativity … “. That is exactly how the Dark Lords and the elders would describe you and your followers based on your statements.
Some of us thought as you do – that the Dark Tower was the ‘truth’ that happened to be operating as a cult, and that it was in some manner ‘reform-able.’ We were wrong. It is a cult – a very dangerous hate filled cult. It cannot be reformed.
If you shared your thoughts with anyone on the inside you would be immediately identified as an apostate and DFed. You have developed enough ‘followers’ blowing smoke up your ass that it has affected your brain. You are delusional. The Dark Tower cannot be reformed, and the Dark Lords will never change. And you aren’t the answer to their hopes, dreams and wishes.
This isn’t Hoth where you can seek refuge from the Dark Lords while you re-group, Luke; you won’t find any secret plans to destroy the Death Star here, Leah. And your “Family” (with a capital “F” no less) will turn against you as soon as they feel the Dark Lords' flames, Mr. Koresh.
allow me to begin with a clarification: when i say i am one of jehovah's witnesses, i don't mean that i am an advocate of the watchtower society or a devotee of some of its more controversial false teachings.
i mean that i am a christian, a disciple of jesus christ dedicated to jehovah god, and who remains in union with my brothers and sisters who make up the family of faith that globally refers to itself as jehovah's witnesses.
some totally understand the distinction between the family of brothers and sisters and the corporate organization known as the watchtower society (wts).
Alright DJS, you are violating one of your prime directives. STAY OUT of theist discussions. Oh well,
Introvert 2: " . . the Kingdom hope read as the main theme of the Bible. It's there from Gen to Rev. for everyone humble enough too see it. He has been an encouragement to some of us and I would hate to see him go on account of him being treated poorly here. Everyone benefits from hearing out all the options . . "
Let's see: You've been on the site for 11 days and Bro. Jeramy for 8 days. And yet you are finding soooo much encouragement from him. I see. After only a few posts. Damn, I need to get me some of that Brother Jeramy.
And you don't want us to be mean to him? I see. Now that's fair enough.
But you insult me and those like me by telling me I'm just not humble enough to see the light. Why thank you Uriah Heep. Then you insult me and those like me again by inferring that I/we haven't heard all the options.
You two are a team; you arrived to preach. After 8 or 11 days on this site I didn't know where the figurative bathroom was or how to get to the second floor break room. LisaRose and Rebel8 found me wandering the hallways, on several occasions, looking for the upload button. But you guys hit the ground running.
Now I will leave this OP for those who don't have prime directives about engaging in theist discussions.
ok again i would like to apologise as i did come across preachy.
i am not going to debate whether or not i am a bk as you have your opinions either way.
what i was trying to write though was my thoughts and feelings which i hope don't offend anyone on this forum.
Xanthippe: "So we agree, well apart from the girl parts thing."
Darn, almost the perfect girl.
ok again i would like to apologise as i did come across preachy.
i am not going to debate whether or not i am a bk as you have your opinions either way.
what i was trying to write though was my thoughts and feelings which i hope don't offend anyone on this forum.
Xanthippe: " . . many people are moved by their emotions to help others. However I was talking about enjoying art with all of our emotions. I hope you think that is compatible with rational living?"
Well stated. Of course. I agree completely with what you are saying. Art (and ex-girfriends) are the only things I collect. And wonderful memories. Nature, art, close friends and relationships, popcorn, coffee, wine and girl parts all make me feel strongly. Injustice and poverty cause the same. I just don't attribute any of these things to some personage or unseen thing-ey.