A Return to the Basics - Part I

 Every so often we get so stuck with specifics and the latest WT scandals or doctrinal nuances that it's good to get back to the basics.  That is the purpose of this thread.

I cannot count the times that, when dubs arguments are demolished with quotes from their own literature and practices, they resort to this statement in sheer desperation:  Well, at least weve got the basics right.  No trinity, no hellfire and no immortal soul.

The problem with this is that those are NOT the basics.  Not even close.  And not a single one of that trinity of basics has a single thing to do with the quality of one's life or how one deals with life, family and others.  In fact, there are as many sound arguments for those beliefs as there are against them.  If God considered those basic beliefs as the real basics, he would have made darn sure the Bible would have been written in such a way that his position on the matter was crystal clear.  He didn't, so they arent.

Well, what ARE the basics, then?  More importantly, do Jehovahs Witnesses live up to ALL the basics, or do they live up to ANY of the basics?

Since Jehovah's Witnesses not only claim to be Christians, but the ONLY human Christians in the entire Universe, we can use the words of Christ to define those  basics.  I think the Bible is pretty clear when it discusses what Christ said about the basics.  In fact, Jesus was crystal clear about what HE considered to be the most important basics.

Jesus said that with his coming, the old Jewish law was fulfilled and therefore abolished.  On the other hand, the WTS considers parts of the law to be so important to their religion, that they've made POLICY and RULES on what they call important principles in that law.  But Jesus didn't say he wasn't relieving Christians from the principles of the law.  He said he was relieving Christians from the law itself.  Period.  Not some of it. Not most of it.  But ALL of it.   One therefore has to ask why the WT has made RULES and POLICIES out of Jewish law and enforced those rules with spiritual execution.  Principles are fine and dandy, but to FORCE an interpretation of these interpretations as LAW is exactly the opposite of what Jesus said and did and exactly what the leaders of Jehovah's Witnesses have done.  By doing so, they are saying Jesus was a LIAR.  It can be no other way, despite how they try to explain their actions away.

Simple case in point:  the Jews used to stone people to death (including children)  who were consistently wicked.  The WT magazine in an early 1950's article spoke rather fondly of that practice and regretted that the laws of the land in modern times prevented them from stoning their own children who were rebellious.   I would like to point out that with those words the Watchtower Leaders regretted the very words of Jesus in abolishing that provision.  How could the only True Christian faith dare REGRET the laws established by Jesus Christ himself?  They were sad they wished Jesus hadn't done what he had done and wished the laws of modern society actually agreed with what Jesus had abolished for Christians.  And they're his followers?  His faithful slave?  HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!  How many slaves do you know can get away with calling their masters a liar and still be favored by their masters?

THATS' what I mean about talking about the basics.  In fact, Jesus himself said the entire law could be summed up into two basic and simple things:  love God and love your neighbor.  It doesn't get more basic than that, folks.

Well, the Watchtower religion thinks differently.  It has to play with what it thought Jesus really meant when he was talking about loving your neighbor.  To a simple schmuck like me, loving your neighbor means without making this too complicated, "loving your neighbor."  That looks really dang basic to me!

To the Watchtower Religion, however, it means not loving your neighbor, but loving your fellow JW.  So if a neighbor is not a JW, he must not be a neighbor, even if he just happens to be an actual neighbor.  HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!   Or, when cornered on that one, they say that they do love all of their neighbors and they show that love to non-believers by selling them books and converting them. 

So, in sticking with the basics, how did Jesus explain to us to show love to our neighbors?  He told us the story about the Good Samaritan.  The Samaritans were a group of people HATED by the Jews, yet Jesus showed believers that the Jews were not following his teachings because none of them helped out the poor man who was hurt and robbed by bandits.  They just kept walking on by him, showing their hate and prejudice.  It took an evil Samaritan to show the kind of help for neighbors he was talking about.  That Samaritan didn't sell the guy any books or even give him any books, and that Samaritan didnt offer to study with the victim to show his love and compassion for him.  NO!  He ignored their differences and helped the guy out with what he really needed at the moment: wounds that needed healing and money to get him going again.

It doesn't get more obvious and more basic than that, yet JWs are taught to do exactly the OPPOSITE of what that Samaritan did.  Once again, by their actions they are calling Jesus a LIAR once again.   This is really simple stuff, folks.  No arguments over doctrine.  The Good Samaritan story is so simple a 4-year-old child would get it.  The Watchtower Religion doesn't get it.  I'll put my trust in a 4-year-old child.

With regards to their claims that they DO show love for each other in their own religion (even if they dont for people in other religions), they still have RULES and POLICIES about that!  The WT and Proclaimers book specifically state that for the congregation as an entity to help out one of their own in need the following POLICIES must be observed:

1)     The person in need must first have asked all his/her relatives for help and been refused any help.

2)     The person in need must have had a LONG record of service in the Watchtower religion.

3)     The person in need must have also had not just a long record of service, but a long record of FAITHFUL service in the Watchtower religion.

Otherwise, that person is screwed and the congregation is not allowed to help.  This is in print, folks.  I didn't make this up.  I've posted the references before. Does she have long years of service, but not always faithful service in all those long years?  No? She screwed.  Does she have short years of service, but all of those short years were indeed years of faithful service?  No?  Shes still screwed.  The congregation will not help her.

Love your God and love your neighbor.  Simple words.  The basics. The words of Pharisees trying to make rules out of the basics and in fact, invalidate them.  Jesus is a liar once again in WatchtowerLand.

Would any JW care to explain to us how the Watchtower Religion can make RULES about the congregation helping others that aren't even close to following the example Jesus gave to illustrate his point?  Moreover, we arent talking about total strangers who are also non-believes (like the Samaritan and the Jew), but to JW brothers and sisters in need.

In Part II, I'll discuss even more examples of the basics that most other Christian religions have figured out and that the Watchtower hasn't.  I'm only going to deal with the really, really, really EASY stuff. The stuff that is so easy, it cannot be debated with a straight face; the stuff toddlers can understand and apply, but for some strange reason, seems to totally escape the leaders of Jehovahs Witnesses.  And a good percentage of the 6,000,000 people who worship their words.

Despite what they say, they don't even have the basics right.  Not even the simple stuff.

Farkel

 

Edited by - Farkel on 12 August 2002 22:8:30

Excellent Post Farkel. Thanks For The Info. The Lord Bless And Keep You.

FARKEL, WHEN YOU ARE ON, NOBODY IS BETTER!

Very fine work Farelmeister. One I would like to add. A man helps an injured person on the Sabbath. Jesus points out that the critics would do the same thing for one of their sheep, but consider it is wrong to break the Sabbath law to save a man's life. Jesus thereby clearly pointed out that some laws are more important than others. This, I think, is analogous of the Witnesses blood law is above the sanctity of saving a human life.

Thanks, Farkel.  Great as usual.

Sam

Wow, Farkel!       Thank you for this info, and I'll look forward to reading more of your post.

Excellent Farkel.  I found myself clapping my hands and squealing like a leetle grrrrrl several times as I read this.

Farkel,

An excellent Part 1. This caught my eye :

This is so true. The WTS has wandered so far from basics that creativity and initiative, the building blocks of modern civilization, are actually viewed as crimes. If Christ were the artist, the WTS would be his main critic.

Thanks Farkel - HS

Edited by - hillary_step on 13 August 2002 0:34:31

"

"With regards to their claims that they DO show love for each other in their own religion (even if they dont for people in other religions), they still have RULES and POLICIES about that!  The WT and Proclaimers book specifically state that forthe congregation as an entity to help out one of their own in need the following POLICIES must be observed: 1)     The person in need must first have asked all his/her relatives for heland been refused any help.

2)     The person in need must have had a LONG record of service in the Watchtower religion.

3)     The person in need must have also had not just a long record of service, but a long record of FAITHFUL service in the Watchtower religion.

Otherwise, that person is screwed and the congregation is not allowed to help.  This is in print, folks.  I didn't make this up. "

They say that "truth is stranger than fiction"...and no, you didn't make this up cuz nobody would believe you! (And we ALL know that MANY won't believe this anyway!)

It's a life of bow and scrape, and then hope you are considered "worthy" of the "kindness of the Brothers in the faith" when needed.

It would seem that "certain ones" have not only become "ambassadors for Christ", but have also decided that they are his equal and are in a position to judge their brothers.

 

Annie

 

six...........

you squeal like a little girl when you see hedge  hogs.......

 

(not saying anything about how much I love Farkels post class)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

An article of great impact.  I have felt this for a long time, but have never found the right words.

A great artical Farkel have you nolticed why people including christians of other denominations respect the Salvation Army so much , its because of there unconditional love for there fellow man.
Barry

I don't know anything about this. However it does make some sort of sense, my own mother has been approved for residence in one of the Jah-Jireh homes when she finds that she can't cope any longer. She tells me that the approval is based on her years of service. Please can someone quote the Proclaimers book exactly in this thread?

Many Thanks,

Englishman.

Englishman,

Here are the relevant Proclaimer quotes, and a few of my modest comments:

: *** jv 304-10  19 Growing Together in Love ***

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

"Do Jehovah's Witnesses in modern times engage in works that demonstrate such concern for the well-being of others? "

Not really.

"If so, are these performed by only a few scattered individuals,..."

Yes.

: "... or does the organization as a whole encourage and support such efforts?"

No.

"Loving Help in Local Congregations

"Among Jehovah's Witnesses, care for orphans and widows in the congregation, as well as for any faithful ones who experience severe adversity, is viewed as part of their worship. (Jas. 1:27; 2:15-17; 1 John 3:17, 18)

Well, it's not exactly viewed part of their worship.  Dubs are FIRST encouraged to suck off the government where at all possible, because as the following clearly states, the PRIMARY responsibility of all dubs is to SELL BOOKS:

"Secular governments generally make provision for hospitals, housing for the elderly, and welfare arrangements for unemployed people in the community at large, and Jehovah's Witnesses support those arrangements by conscientiously paying their taxes. However, recognizing that only God's Kingdom can lastingly solve the problems of humankind, Jehovah's Witnesses devote themselves and their resources primarily to teaching others about that. This is a vital service that no human government provides.

"In the more than 69,000 congregations of Jehovah's Witnesses worldwide, special needs that arise because of advanced age and infirmity of individuals are usually cared for on a personal basis."

In otherwords, "it's not the considered to be the responsibility of the Watchtower Organization."

"As shown at 1 Timothy 5:4, 8, the responsibility rests primarily upon each Christian to care for his own household. Children, grandchildren, or other close relatives display Christian love by providing assistance to elderly and infirm ones according to their needs. Congregations of Jehovah's Witnesses do not weaken this sense of responsibility by taking over family obligations. However, if there are no close family members, or if those who have the responsibility simply cannot carry the load by themselves, others in the congregation lovingly come to their aid. Where necessary, the congregation as a whole may make provision for some assistance to a needy brother or sister who has a long record of faithful service.-1 Tim. 5:3-10."

As I've said, they've qualified helping to the needy to the point that even if the person in need DOES have the requisite "long record of faithful service," even then the congregation only MAY step forward for "some" assistance.

In WatchtowerWorld their ever-so-conditional charity is about "deeds," not "needs."

The Watchtower would re-write Jesus words this way:

Samaritan to injured man on the road:  "Do you have a long record of faithful service?"

Injured man:  "Well, no, I don't."

Sarmaritan:  "Tough cookies for you, then.  Have a nice day."

Farkel

Edited by - Farkel on 13 August 2002 12:2:18

Farkel,

Your post is such a good one.  Full of insight and good common sense.  You are so right about getting stuck--just like the U2 song "Stuck In The Moment"........which I listened to the other evening so intently, as the words were really hitting home with me.

We need the help and support that your wisdom provides here on this Forum. 

Your closing words ...."despite what they say, they don't even have the basics right" really hits home.

If we have selective and conditional love, what good is it, if it separates family and friends in the name of religious dogma?  If we have to have rules for every single thing in our life, dictated by a man made authority, what good is a conscience?

When a person is down the most, that's when they need help the most.  They don't need to be shunned, disowned, rejected, labled, disfellowshipped.  Yet, this is what JW's do when a person is at their lowest place.  They push them down even further and they trample them.  Where is the love I ask?

Certainly, not within the WTBTS. 

Sentinel

 Excellent points, Farkel.

 I've always been bothered by the WTS's rules about helping others. I felt as if I was disobeying God if I wanted to help in a soup kitchen, or give to the United Way or Red Cross. Oh no, shoving a WT rag in some poor starving man's face was what God wanted me to do. LOL!

 Once while in street work, I actually snuck this poor freezing, tattered man with a broken leg into a coffee shop. He asked for nothing when I saw him, but I felt he would collapse at any moment. I bought him coffee and donuts, then left him in the warm shop. I told no other 'hovahs what I did.

TR

Fark,

I'll bet you gave great talks, too bad you couldn't have written your own material back then. There is a simple answer why the JW leaders do not preach the basics. How many NEW books and magazines could you sell that said the same simple basic things over and over again?

The JW religion is a billion dollar corporation, that level of finical success cannot be achieved by contributions alone, it needs a product to sell. As in any product there are many "me too" type products being sold by competitors. Any money making corporation needs to constantly update and improve their product line to keep up with their sales projections. I have yet to hear of a large district convention held during the summer that didn't introduce new products "books" to their eager customers. You have millions of JW's attending the conventions and you have millions of products sold during those conventions and for several months following.

The JW's have always argued that the publications or "products" are sold at a very low cost. Well,...being a business owner and owning a manufacturing company previously myself I know that the cost of goods have many factors to consider to set it's retail price. The JW corporation being nonprofit can escape these costs. They pay their factory workers peanuts, they have no distributor or reseller that has to make a profit and they avoid paying taxes. When this is done your costs can stay very minimal.

To simply state the basic truth over and over again wouldn't be profitable. They need to make up new stuff all the time to sell their books and magazines. The only basics the JW's practice is simply business practices of supply and demand. Being a religion and having all their followers duped they create the demand by creating a need. They create the need by using fear. Fear sells almost as well as sex. The simple truth and basic concepts you speak of simply do not sell well.

Dave

Farkel,

Many thanks.

Englishman.

Do you have a long record of faithful service..No..Tough cookies for you?..LOL...OUTLAW

I noticed they never learned the basic principle of "Judge others as you expect to be Judged" . In other words .. they don't want to and refuse to be judged with the same yardstick they use for others.  And if this is pointed out then it's "persecution" of course.  For example:  Singing a song about a Christmas Tree or standing for the national anthem at a baseball game is defined as worshipping the Tree or the Country .. but singing a song about Jesus in the meeting is not considered worship.  They don't think its relevant to bring up past errors in the Literature and failed predictions, but yet the Inquisitions and other past ancient history of Christendom is always brought up to compare with themselves to downplay the mistakes.  Or even the latest with the Child molesting..  "elders are just imperfect" but Catholics are downright sinister and Evil for doing the very same things the Watchtower is now being exposed for.  That is a basic I feel the Watchtower skipped right over.