Posts by Faithful Witness

22

Alzheimer's hallucinations are demons?

by Once Blind in

my father has been suffering from alzheimer's for a couple of years now.

my mother keeps referring to his hallucinations as demons.

i haven't been to the hall in a while, i've been fading for 20 years now, but i find this amazing!

Faithful Witness

wasblind: Thank you for pointing that out to me. I will remember it.

68

Why do Jehovah's Witnesses keep track of field service hours?

by Faithful Witness in

i understand that they claim to have the responsibility to preach to every corner of the earth, so they can encourage armageddon to come quickly.

(matthew 24:14 "and this good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

what rationale do they have, for keeping track of their hours and literature placements?

Faithful Witness

SFPW: You are finally getting closer to answering my original question.

Matthew 6:1-4

Jesus warns us about practicing righteousness in order to be recognized by men.

A field service report is turned in each month, for review by a body of men, who then determine your spiritual health. I don't see how this practice is following Christ's command. These are rules set forth by men.

What if you still did your service, but kept it between you and Jehovah? He sees it all, and only rewards the good deeds you do NOT report.

I guess I'm stuck. I can't understand why you need a body of men or a circuit overseer to evaluate your spiritual well-being.

10

Bible Study to Service: How Long?

by Cold Steel in

someone agrees to a bible study and it goes very well.

the investigator answers all the questions correctly and shows a great interest in the message.

how long does it usually take before he/she is urged to do field work?

Faithful Witness

I was about to take the next step in my bible study, and "ride along" in field service, so I will answer with my experience. We were almost at the end of the "Bible Teach" book, when I began to become interested in observing the preaching work. I was a slow study.

They use the verse Matthew 24:14 (the good news will be preached to every corner of the earth, and then the end will come) most frequently, when asked why they preach door-to-door. I was recently referred to 2 Timothy 4:2-4 (keep working, even through tough times), and James 2:14 (faith without works is dead).

To become a member, you have to pass an 80 question exam, that qualifies you for baptism. Once you are baptized, you are considered a member of the Jehovah's Witness Organization, and then you are subject to their rules. They are very strict, and you are expected to follow every guideline. Worldly associations are discouraged. "Bad associations spoil good habits." Hobbies and worldly pursuits, such as sports and travel are also frowned upon. Members are expected to spend every Saturday morning, Sunday afternoon and any other free time they have from their jobs, out in the field service ministry. You record every hour in service, and every piece of literature you "place." These time sheets are turned in each month. They are required, from my understanding. The more efforts you can prove with your score card, the more "privileges" you get in the congregation. You can move up to higher positions, based on your service and popularity. Elders have power as "shepherds" over the congregation. There are overseers over them, at different levels.

The entire organization (they claim to have over 7 million members) is under the leadership of the "Faithful and Discreet Slave," also known as the Governing Body. The GB consists of 8 men at the Watchtower Society headquarters. They make all the rules, and change their doctrines when they realize they made some error in the past. All communication comes down from the Watchtower, through the chain of command, until it is announced to the congregation, where all members are expected to accept and obey everything they are told.

The "skits" are performed at big circuit assemblies, and are the highlight of the event. They are the only part of the assembly that is remotely entertaining, and they contain "real life" scenarios that JW's face. They attempt to help them deal with the world, as they follow the guidance of the "Slave." They are usually adults.

I know a JW who has a beard, but I don't think he has any privileges in his congregation. We never heard about the beard rule, but know many JW men who have mustaches. The women dress in a very worldly fashion, with spike heels, short skirts and flashy jewelry. Lots of makeup, expensive shoes and hairstyles.

You can attend meetings, and you will not be held to the same standard as a baptized member. Their primary goal is to get you baptized into the organization, so they can help you control your life. They will love-bomb you and make you think you have a loving family at the Kingdom Hall.

As soon as you ask too many questions about the organization itself, they will start to panic. Our experience might be different, but the questions we raised were never addressed. They were always put off for "another time." When we asked direct questions that were not in the "teach" book, they were dodged and avoided. JW's are skilled at changing the subject and diverting your attention to a topic they like to talk about.

Our bible study and meeting attendance finally ceased, when the elder who was teaching us, asked my husband, "Are you going to make some progress here? You are sentencing your entire family to death at Armageddon." Death threats? Really? At that point, we decided it was time to stop lying to our "friends."

Funny thing... those people who "loved" us so much? The "friends" we made at the Kingdom Hall meetings we attended for close to 2 years? They never came around, after we stopped going to meetings. Conditional love is what you will get, and from what I hear, it does not get better after they convince you to get baptized. They have the strangest brand of "love" I've ever encourntered.

Anyway, I'm sure someone will correct some of my statements. I was never a JW, so I only know what they told me. They are actually trained to lie to people who don't deserve to hear the facts.

68

Why do Jehovah's Witnesses keep track of field service hours?

by Faithful Witness in

i understand that they claim to have the responsibility to preach to every corner of the earth, so they can encourage armageddon to come quickly.

(matthew 24:14 "and this good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

what rationale do they have, for keeping track of their hours and literature placements?

Faithful Witness

SFPW: Another thought-provoking response. Thanks for taking the time to give scriptural references. This leads me to another question.

You said, "A Christian's spiritual health is maintained through theocratic activities."

I'm still confused about what you mean by "spiritual health."

Is your spirtual health a score that is calculated from a record of your time and literature placements? I find this very confusing! I don't see what one has to do with the other.

You are saying that your efforts need to be examined by someone higher up in the organization, so they can determine your spiritual health for you? Is that true?

Again, what is spiritual health? Does your health determine your status with Jehovah somehow? Sorry for repeating myself. I really am curious, and appreciate your feedback. I have a hard time being concise.

68

Why do Jehovah's Witnesses keep track of field service hours?

by Faithful Witness in

i understand that they claim to have the responsibility to preach to every corner of the earth, so they can encourage armageddon to come quickly.

(matthew 24:14 "and this good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

what rationale do they have, for keeping track of their hours and literature placements?

Faithful Witness

Stand For Pure Worship:

Thank you for your reply. Your answer is interesting. Can you explain to me what you mean by "spiritual health?"

68

Why do Jehovah's Witnesses keep track of field service hours?

by Faithful Witness in

i understand that they claim to have the responsibility to preach to every corner of the earth, so they can encourage armageddon to come quickly.

(matthew 24:14 "and this good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

what rationale do they have, for keeping track of their hours and literature placements?

Faithful Witness

So, the reporting requirement was created by the society. It has no scriptural basis?

68

Why do Jehovah's Witnesses keep track of field service hours?

by Faithful Witness in

i understand that they claim to have the responsibility to preach to every corner of the earth, so they can encourage armageddon to come quickly.

(matthew 24:14 "and this good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

what rationale do they have, for keeping track of their hours and literature placements?

Faithful Witness

I understand why the organization requires it. What reason to JW's tell themselve and others, for reporting their time?

What answer will I get from my father, when I ask him why he turns in a time card each month?

68

Why do Jehovah's Witnesses keep track of field service hours?

by Faithful Witness in

i understand that they claim to have the responsibility to preach to every corner of the earth, so they can encourage armageddon to come quickly.

(matthew 24:14 "and this good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

what rationale do they have, for keeping track of their hours and literature placements?

Faithful Witness

I plan to ask this question of my father, but am hoping to get a preview of what his answer might be. Thanks for any thoughts, from anyone who has turned in a time card!

68

Why do Jehovah's Witnesses keep track of field service hours?

by Faithful Witness in

i understand that they claim to have the responsibility to preach to every corner of the earth, so they can encourage armageddon to come quickly.

(matthew 24:14 "and this good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

what rationale do they have, for keeping track of their hours and literature placements?

Faithful Witness

I understand that they claim to have the responsibility to preach to every corner of the earth, so they can encourage Armageddon to come quickly. (Matthew 24:14 "And this good news of the Kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.")

What rationale do they have, for keeping track of their hours and literature placements? Is there a biblical basis for this recordkeeping and reporting to an organization?

It directly opposes what I understand to be the meaning of the teachings in the sermon on the mount.

Matthew 6:1-5

“Take care not to practice your righteousness in front of men to be noticed by them; otherwise you will have no reward with your Father who is in the heavens. 2 So when you make gifts of mercy, do not blow a trumpet ahead of you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be glorified by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 3 But you, when making gifts of mercy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your gifts of mercy may be in secret. Then your Father who looks on in secret will repay you."

From my understanding, a certain number of reported hours are required to maintain the different levels in the congregation hierarchy.

I've heard comments like, "It's like scoring points with Jehovah." Is this really what they think they're getting?

22

Alzheimer's hallucinations are demons?

by Once Blind in

my father has been suffering from alzheimer's for a couple of years now.

my mother keeps referring to his hallucinations as demons.

i haven't been to the hall in a while, i've been fading for 20 years now, but i find this amazing!

Faithful Witness

Once Blind:

I am an outsider, but wanted to respond to this question, in light of some comments made by our Baptist preacher a couple of weeks ago.

He suggested that there was a direct connection between our physical health, and our spiritual health. He made a statement close to, "If you are suffering from some physical ailment, pain or sickness, you have some sins that need to repent."

I would like to note that we go to a very small church, and his sermon was heard by a congregation that is about 70% senior citizens, many of whom have chronic pain and physical ailments that often go along with getting older. I was sitting there thinking, why don't I have these ailments? I'm a sinner...

- I have a personal observation that I made this week, in Matthew 9. There is the story of the paralytic that was brought by his friends for healing. It took four men to carry him. The crowd was so great, and the faith and perseverance of his friends was so strong, they took drastic measures to get to Jesus. They cut a hole in the roof, and lowered the man down in his bed. When Jesus saw them, he said, "Your sins are forgiven." That was probably not what they expected to hear (haha). The message here? What is more important? Forgiveness of sins or healing?"

As far as the "demons" of alzheimer's disease?? ... I would explain to your mother that this there is actually a chemical change in your father's brain. It has to be very difficult for her to live and watch her husband go through these confusing times. I am sorry to hear that your family is going through this. People get older, bodies fail. It is good that you are there to help them both through this process.

My parents are new JW's, and I will tell you that my mother's health has actually taken a turn for the worse since she was baptized. The stress that the JW's are under right now, is manifesting itself physically within the congregation. She has a rash that appears at random on her face or body, along with the exaserbation of existing medical conditions she has suffered for years.

Meeting attendance and field service are NOT going to improve your father's physical or mental health. From what I understand, Alzheimer's is a degenerative disease.