Nathan Natas astutely provided us with the following:
(red and notes mine)
Apostasy. Apostasy is a standing away from, a falling away, defec-
tion, rebellion, abandonment; it involves teaching false
doctrines, supporting or promoting false religion and its
holidays or interfaith activities. (Deut. 13:13, 15; Josh.
22:22, ftn.; Acts 21:21, ftn.; 2 Cor. 6:14, 15, 17, 18;
2. John 7, 9, 10; Rev. 18:4)
Those with sincere doubts (note: how conveniently open to "interpretation" is this?)should be helped, dealt with
mercifully. (Repeat note!) (Jude 22, 23; w82 9/1 pp. 20-1;w80 8/1
pp. 21-2)
Apostasy includes action taken against true worship of
Jehovah or his established order (OMG, like their scriptural references below have any application or validity in establishing what "established order" actually IS..) among his dedicated people. (Jer. 17:13; 23:15; 28:15, 16; 2 Thess. 2:9, 10)
Persons who deliberately spread (stubbornly hold to and
speak about) teachings contrary to
Bible truth as taught
by Jehovah's Witnesses
are apostates. There it is, their legal disclaimer: a circular logic/nonsense liscense and legal instrument to irrationally self-govern and be exempt from any "civil" (sarcasm intended) laws - laws which were established to protect individuals from harm resulting from irrational despotism
If it is learned that a person has taken up association with
another religious organization, the matter should be inves-
tigated, and if verified, a committee should be formed. If it is clearly established that the person has joined
another religion and intends to remain with it, the
elders would make a brief announcement to the congre-
gation that such- one has disassociated himself. (w86
10/15 p. 31 )
Working secularly for a false religious organization could
put one in a position similar to that of one preaching false
doctrine. (2 Cor. 6:14-16)
Celebrating a false religious holiday would be similar to
performing any other act of false worship. (Jer. 7:16-19)
After reading these "principles and guidelines," it appears sadly obvious to me that disfellowshiping policies regarding "apostasy" were designed to be intentionally vague; obfuscation is a weapon they wield with impunity and there is no escape for anyone who gets ensnared in some legal heavy's agenda.
I'm having a little difficulty with their legal right to be freaks of nature as defined by the constitutional laws concerning "Freedom of Religious Expression" right about now. They harbor criminals, perpetrate crime, murder people (their own "definition" of expulsion is tantamount to murder; see Insight book, pg 787 under headings Jehovah's Action; Under the Mosaic Law; The Sanhedrin and synagogues).
I'm having much difficulty knowing that six million people staunchly adhere to the belief that they worship God in "spirit and in truth" as members of the WTBTS...................
This fiasco gets more stunningly absurd by the day.
