Flip-flops: Should we blindly obey?

by Splash 7 Replies latest watchtower bible

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  Splash

  Just reviewed the CD-ROM to get the historical view on blind obedience.
  Suprisingly, the WT has had some flip-flopping ideas on this.

  SHOULD WE 'BLINDLY OBEY'?

  NO - w63 2/1 p. 73 par. 3 Conduct "Worthy of the Good News"
  And as we consider these commands of God, it is not just blind obedience that is required but, rather, seeking with 'our whole mind and heart' to understand and appreciate why God tells us to do this or that, or not to do a certain thing, so that we may serve him with understanding

  NO - g90 10/22 p. 25 Part 6—Blackshirts and Swastikas
  By their very nature, all governments must exercise authority. But Fascist states are designed to exercise it to the utmost, demanding blind obedience. Viewing humans as little more than slaves of the State, Treitschke said: "It does not matter what you think, so long as you obey." Typically, Fascism replaced the cry, "Liberty, equality, fraternity," heard during the French Revolution, with the Italian slogan, "To believe, to obey, to fight."

  (Note: Is this similar to "Listen, Obey and be blessed!"?)

  NO - jv (1993) chap. 29 p. 668 "Objects of Hatred by All the Nations"
  All such religious leaders feared that their people might learn things that would free them from superstitious beliefs and a life of blind obedience.

  NO - w94 8/1 p. 14 par. 19 Jehovah Is Reasonable!
  He never requires blind obedience of his creatures, but usually he provides sufficient information to guide them and puts the choice before them

  NO - w04 7/1 p. 9 par. 6 'Go and Make Disciples'
  Clearly, Jesus did not require blind obedience. He gave the men a convincing reason why they should obey him.

  YES - w07 12/15 p. 19 par. 15 "Stand Firm and See the Salvation of Jehovah"
  we must obey Jehovah no matter what he asks us to do. ... Today, it is so important that we follow the guidance that comes to us through "the faithful and discreet slave"! We have to listen very carefully to God's word behind us, saying: "'This is the way. Walk in it, you people,' in case you people should go to the right or in case you should go to the left." As we get nearer to the outbreak of the great tribulation, we may well receive some detailed instructions. Our safe journey through those troublesome days will depend on our keeping in step with other loyal servants of Jehovah.

  NO - g 2/2010 p. 20 From SS Officer to Servant of the True God
  I also see clearly the vast difference between serving tyrannical regimes, such as Hitler's, and serving Jehovah. The former demand blind obedience, whereas Jehovah wants us to serve him out of love based on an accurate knowledge of his personality and purposes as revealed in the Bible.

  YES - w13 11/15 p. 20 par. 17 Seven Shepherds, Eight Dukes—What They Mean for Us Today
  All of us must be ready to obey any instructions we may receive, whether these appear sound from a strategic or human standpoint or not.

  Splash
• 

  Ocean1111

  The point is "All of us must be ready to obey any instructions we may receive, whether these appear sound from a strategic or human standpoint or not" and so we need to stick together as a herd for FEMA by command of your local Pied Piper elders in the congregations, from command of the main Pied Vipers at Bethel in the Governing Body—so stick together when you do obey the seemingly insane, crazy and ludicrous commands to come down the pike "at that time" - don't forget to also bring your Bible study and their family if they want to come along:

  ""THEY STUCK TOGETHER

  5 In the past, Jehovah was pleased to protect his people when they unitedly helped one another to face distressing times.

  UNITE AS JEHOVAH’S DAY APPROACHES

  10 One of the darkest periods in human history nears. The prophet Joel describes it as “a day of darkness and gloom.” (Joel 2:1, 2; Zeph. 1:14) For God’s people, it will be a time for unity. Recall Jesus’ words: “Every kingdom divided against itself comes to ruin.”

  12 Nevertheless, is it reasonable to think that those who have not maintained unity as part of God’s flock—those who have strayed off on their own—will be saved?

  22 Young and old who now learn to strive for unity are actually preparing to survive the end of this wicked, disunited world. As in times past, our God will deliver his people. (Isa. 52:9, 10) Bear constantly in mind that you can be among the delivered ones if you work at being part of God’s united people.

  (WT 12/15/2014 Facing the End of This Old World Together)
• 

  punkofnice

  XLNT thanks for the refs........

  Some familiar ones here too......

  INDEPENDENT THINKING

  Is Bad - w52 8/15 p. 501 Individual Bible study, certainly! Independent Bible study, beware!

  Is Good - w57 8/1 p.469 par.7 "Moreover, people today are developing an aversion to thinking. Their thinking must be channelled for them, ready-made by propagandists. This suits Satan’s purpose."

  Is Good - w58 8/1 p.460 "Irish people do very little independent thinking. They are victims of the clergy and fear"

  Is Bad - w60 2/15 p.106 par.6 "it follows that one should reject the goal of independent thinking"

  Is Good - w72 3/15 P.170 par.7 "independent thinking ... is why you are capable of exercising the fine qualities of love and loyalty, of devotion and integrity. That is why you are also capable of understanding what God has revealed in his Word "

  Is Bad - w77 10/1 p.605 "Adam’s selfish thinking and action distorted his way. He set out his own independent course, becoming an enemy of God, and brought his own way and that of his family “to ruin.” Yes, with sin and imperfection ruling, and with each going his independent way, no one knows what may befall him,"

  Is Good - Awake! 78 8/22 p.4 " Proverbs 14:15 states: “A simple man believes every word he hears; a clever man understands the need for proof.” (The New English Bible) So each individual must choose what he will feed his mind. Whatever you read or watch or listen to, test whether it is propaganda or whether it is the truth. Will you let others think for you, or will you do your own thinking? Do your own, and “thinking ability itself will keep guard over you.”"

  Is Bad - w79 2/15 p.20 par.18 " Jehovah’s people need to be stable, full-grown Christians. Their position must be steadfast, not shifting quickly because of independent thinking "

  Is Good - Awake! 80 1/8 p.13 " The person most easily brainwashed is the “normal,” average individual. Such a one is already conditioned to accept opinions of others rather than to form strong convictions of his own. On the other hand, those hardest to brainwash are ones with unconventional ideas and strong convictions and who are not afraid of what others think."

  Is Bad - w83 p.27 section heading "Fight Against Independent Thinking" par.22 says it's "demonic"

  Is Good - KM 3/95 p.6 par.17 "it is highly valuable to learn how to think. The Bible commends thinking ability and practical wisdom. (Prov. 1:4; 3:21) Learning how to think and retain information enables you to acquire knowledge and skills that will be useful to you and to Jehovah’s worldwide organization. "

  Is Bad - w98 5/15 p.26 "Perhaps we are overly sensitive. We may be nursing a grievance, or we may be placing too much emphasis on independence. Thus, our Christian progress may be limited."

  Is Good - Awake! 99 1/8 p.11 "The magazine UNESCO Courier suggests that instead of fostering rejection of religious movements, “education for tolerance should aim at countering influences that lead to fear and exclusion of others, and should help young people to develop capacities for independent judgement, critical thinking and ethical reasoning.”"

  Is Bad - w06 7/15 P.22 Par.14 "Pride may play a role, and some fall into the trap of independent thinking"

  RESURRECTED ONES CAN MARRY?

  YES - 1943 “The Truth Shall Make You Free” p.362 - 364
  [Evil ones] will not come forth [in the resurrection] to take part in the divine mandate [filing the earth], because that will have been completed by the Lord's "other sheep".

  NO - w50 10/15 p. 381 “Be Fruitful, Multiply, Fill the Earth”
  Nor will the resurrected multitudes be privileged to do so, for Jesus plainly stated that such will not marry nor be given in marriage

  Even survivors won't marry - w54 9/15 p. 575 Questions From Readers
  After that final test there will definitely be no marrying or being given in marriage then by those counted worthy of the new world and having the right to eternal life, just as angels have that right

  YES - w54 9/15 p. 575 Questions From Readers
  It is even reasonable and allowable to entertain the comforting thought that those of the other sheep who now die faithful will have an early resurrection and live during the time when the procreation mandate is being fulfilled and when paradise conditions are being spread earth-wide and that they will share in this divinely given service.

  NO - w61 11/15 p. 704 Questions From Readers
  for dead ones with spiritual, heavenly hopes and for dead ones with earthly Paradisaic hopes the rule enunciated by Jesus Christ stands unaltered: “In the resurrection neither do men marry nor are women given in marriage

  NO - w67 10/15 p. 638 Questions From Readers
  Jesus’ words apply to the earthly resurrection, and they indicate that those resurrected will not marry or be reunited in a marriage relationship with former mates.

  YES / MAYBE - w14 8/1 page 29+30, questions from readers
  "Could Jesus be referring only to the heavenly resurrection?" "It is possible"
• 

  OnTheWayOut

  Blind obedience- In the past, Watchtower has wanted members to read their version of the Bible and their literature so that the members felt that they thoroughly researched whatever Watchtower told them to do and that their doing as commanded did not feel like blind obedience. As time marched forward, some of Watchtower's commands and doctrines became so glaringly questionable that they had to tell members just to "listen, obey, and be blessed with a warning that instructions might not seem "sound." And to make sure it was even more difficult to research it, Watchtower came out with a dumbed down version of the Bible.
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  DATA-DOG

  What OTWO said!!!!

  DD
• 

  gingerbread

  This is why we are told to attend EVERY meeting.

  Complete control of a person's thought patterns are achieved through repetition. Over time flip-flops are expected ... and actually looked forward to with great anticipation.

  "What NEW light will we receive at the convention (or annual meeting) this year???"
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  cha ching

  "Independent Thinking"..... how often was I warned of that! ?

  YAY!
• 

  tresdecu

  OMG...Thank god...I thought they made a rule / "reccomendation" about not wearing Flip flops (sandals, thongs, zorries). They'd alienate a lot of So Californians and Hawaiians with that one. lol. Read your topic all wrong.

  sorry temporary hi-jack.

  I am using the flip flopping of doctrine to slowly show my wife what once was "truth" is no longer "truth" ... If that's the case what else is wrong , dun, dun, dun....