Hello everyone,
Through what I have learned from reading Bro. Russell's writings about the ransom for all, coupled with the blood issue, I feel the need to let my friends know that I am making a stand for truth. I could have lost my wife to the blood issue during pregnancy. I have a JW friend with a pregnant wife and simply cannot stay quiet. My conscience is crying out.
Here is the letter I have drafted. Let me know your thoughts. I am trying to keep it sweet and simple.
Dear
Friends,
I
am writing this post to inform everyone that I have not attended the
religious services of Jehovah's Witnesses since last summer, and will
not be returning to those services.
******* and I are happily married. I have not been involved in any “serious
sin”. I make it my goal, every day, to serve Jehovah God by seeking
truth and righteousness. My love for Biblical truth is why I have
made this serious decision.
If
any of you would like to understand more why I have made this
decision, I will be available, by phone or in person, to answer your
questions.
I
would like to leave with you two thoughts for consideration:
1)
At one time, the Watchtower stated that ALL mankind benefited from
the ransom of Jesus Christ. It also stated that Armageddon was a time
when Christ would remove the governments of this world and not a time
for destruction of "unbelievers". However, the long held
belief of the modern “Governing Body” is that a person must be
baptized as a Jehovah's Witness to be benefited by the ransom.
"There
is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the Man Christ
Jesus, who gave Himself a Ransom for all, to be testified in due
time." – 1 Tim. 2:5,6 (ESV).
2)
The Watchtower, at one time, made the following comments regarding
Acts 15:29 (the scripture that is used by the modern “Governing
Body” to enforce that having a Blood Transfusion is a "serious
sin"):
"He
further suggested writing to them merely that they abstain from
pollutions of idols, i.e., from meats offered to idols (verse 29),
and from things strangled and from blood - as by eating such things
they might become stumbling blocks to their Jewish brethren (See 1
Cor. 8:4-13)- and from fornication. ... It will be noticed that
nothing is said about keeping the Ten Commandments, nor any part of
the Jewish law. It was evidently taken for granted that having
received the spirit of Christ the new law of love would be a general
regulation for them. The things mentioned were merely to guard
against stumbling themselves or becoming-stumbling blocks to others."
Watch Tower 1892 Nov 15 pp.350-351
Please
be assured of my brotherly love toward ALL of you. I hope to continue
my friendship with each and every one of you.
May
Jehovah bless you,