Interesting Thought

by silentlambs 17 Replies latest jw friends

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  silentlambs

  A friend sent this post to me and I thought it was was interesting.

  silentlambs

  Dear Barbara and Bill:
  
  Concerning the Watchtower's actions against you folks and the commendable letter from Barb's husband, Joe: Excellent points about Paul airing a congregation's faults btw.
  
  There is an article in the 2/15/2000 Watchtower profiling Cyril Lucaris, "a prominent religious figure of the 17th century." Lucaris was ecumenical patriarch of Constantinople, the head of the Orthodox Church. He was an activist for church reform, criticized the church leaders for suppressing education, which he believed promoted superstition, and openly opposed the spiritual authority of the church leaders. Lucaris advocated authority of the Scriptures alone and succeeded in getting a translation of the Bible into common Greek. His reform activities angered the Jesuits. Next thing you know Lucaris is found floating in the Sea of Marmara, strangled.
  
  What is particularly interesting about this article is that the Watchtower extols Lucaris for taking a brave stand against his church for truth and the courage to point out their errors. The last two paragraphs read:
  Lessons for Us

  "It should not be overlooked that one of [Lucaris'] primary aims was to enlighten and uplift the education level of his clergy and flock, which in the sixteenth and early seventeenth century had sunk to an extremely low point," states
  one scholar. ... They [the clergy] declared that the Scriptures 'should be read, not by just anyone, but only by the ones peering into the deep things of the spirit after having done appropriate research'--that is, only the supposedly educated clergymen. Once again, the ruling ecclesiastical class suppressed efforts to make God's Word available to their flock. They violently silenced a voice that pointed to some of the errors of their non-Biblical beliefs. They proved to be among
  the worst enemies of religious freedom and truth. Sadly, this is a stance that in various ways survives even to our day. It is a sobering reminder of what happens when clergy-instigated intrigues stand in the way of freedom of thought and expression.
  --WT 2/15/2000 p.29
  
  ------------------------------
  Can you believe they said that? (Things that make you go "Hmmmmm...")
  
  Blessings,
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  Gopher

  Can we believe they said that, and then acted the opposite way in 2001-02 when faced with the opportunity to reform their rules on reporting of sexual molestation???

  Anyone who's been a JW long enough (or been around them long enough) understands their arrogance. That means they apply "points for improvement" to every other religious organization but themselves!

  One can only hope this will change over time. Otherwise, change may be FORCED on the WT organization by the world.

  Naturally, the hard-core loyal JW's will not see the dichotomy between what they practice and what they preach, instead opting for a mind-numbing simple "my religion, right or wrong" mentality.

  Edited by - Gopher on 24 July 2002 2:12:54
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  plmkrzy

  What happens when clergy-instigated intrigues stand in the way of freedom of thought and expression?

  I think it would be interesting to send this as a question to the WTS and see what kind of response it would get.

  Without any reference as to Where it came from of course.
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  freeborg

  The WTS will always focus attention on everyone else, but forgeting its own double standards. The guys that write this stuff must realise that it is in fact the WTS that is hanging its self with their own words.
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  Flip

  It is a sobering reminder of what happens when clergy-instigated intrigues stand in the way of freedom of thought and expression.

  If outsiders (not familiar with the tactics of Jehovah's Witnesses) actually read this article, it would be understood immediately that Jehovah's Witnesses do not stand in the way of freedom of thought and expression. Outsiders would be left to assume that open freedom of thought and expression that challenges the conformity of the Jehovahs Witnesses brotherhood, is allowed without sanction.

  Also, this article could actually serve another purpose and be referenced during future arguments as written proof that the organization does not condone the suppression of freedom of thought and expression, even within the confines of its own members.

  However, the average or uninformed Jehovah's Witness would understand the article differently.

  For example, notice how the conclusion of the quote focuses on the term clergy and disregards mentioning the possibility of others, not clergy who might stand in the way of freedom of thought and expression as well.

  Since the average, uninformed, rather than disingenuous, member of Jehovah's Witnesses understands that they have no such thing as a 'clergy' and based on the worded conclusion of the article that implicates only clergy as manipulative, it would be difficult for uninformed Jehovah's Witnesses to comprehend that they actually do not support freedom of thought while actively allowing the organization to suppress, via disfellowshipping, freedom of thought and expression that conflicts with current corporate policy.
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  Cygnus

  : Once again, the ruling ecclesiastical class suppressed efforts to make God's Word available to their flock. They violently silenced a voice that pointed to some of the errors of their non-Biblical beliefs.

  Bill, or anyone else, can you show me where, biblically, the WTS' policy is in error? Can you or anybody else detail the non-Biblical errors of the manner in which the WTS handles child molestation issues?
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  JosephMalik

  Cygnus,

  I already did this in a thread about the two witnesses. This was about a week or two ago. But it is buried in the mass of threads that have taken place since. In effect they are avoiding Christ's arrangement for justice which supercedes this two or three witness rule that does not apply to crimes over which such governments have such authority. This is what is behind this verse:

  Col. 1:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

  So they are avoiding the very powers that were created by Christ to deal with such matters, which powers belong to Him by the way and are permitted to exist to maintain such order until His Kingdom replaces them when He returns.

  Joseph
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  minimus

  The Society has always talked against the clergy and the scribes and Pharisees and authority figures. The Greatest Man book constantly bashed these types. The incredible thing is that the GB and the whole Society do WORSE.
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  Dismembered

  Touche Minimus
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  Cappuccino OC

  Why can't the WTS accept critisism in order for them to make changes for the better?

  Why can't they fess up & accept reality? Their policies are outdated & need to be changed for the protection of the children. What better time than now?