Which do you consider to be more important, personal integrity or organisational unity?
It is better, of course, to be united but behind what? We are all imperfect and our understanding of the scriptures differs.
If, in my way of understanding, a Bible passage should differ from the Society’s definition, why should I subjugate my conscience to them? Because they are Jehovah’s organisation?
For the sake of this discussion, let us assume that without any doubt, the WTB&TS are indeed the unique organisation that Jehovah God is using at this time and that the remnant, represented by the Governing Body, are the ‘faithful and discreet slave class’, the channel used by God to give us our food at the proper time.
Even so, their authority would still be inferior to that of the Bible itself, the actual written Word of God.
As an example, consider the account of David, Joab and Uriah.
After committing adultery, King David, Jehovah’s anointed representative of His earthly organisation, twice instructed Uriah to go to his own home (an attempt to disguise Bath-Sheba’s pregnancy).
Twice Uriah disobeyed Jehovah’s earthly representative, but on reading the Bible account [cited below], we would all approve of his actions.
Joab on the other hand followed meticulously the instructions from the head of Jehovah’s organisation, this resulting in Uriah’s death, and he is universally and rightly condemned for his obedience.
The disobedient man is praised, the obedient man disowned.
Why?
Because Uriah was obedient to principles that were higher than the instructions from the King and Joab proved disobedient to principles that were also higher than organisational directives.
We MUST follow our conscience, even if we do believe in the mandate the Society claims for itself.
Respectfully,
Nic'
*** Rbi8 2 Samuel 11:2-18 ***
2 And it came about at the time of evening that David proceeded to rise from his bed and walk about on the rooftop of the king’s house; and from the rooftop he caught sight of a woman bathing herself, and the woman was very good in appearance. 3 Then David sent and inquired about the woman and someone said: “Is this not Bath-she'ba the daughter of E·li'am the wife of U·ri'ah the Hit'tite?” 4 After that David sent messengers that he might take her. So she came in to him and he lay down with her, while she was sanctifying herself from her uncleanness. Later she returned to her house.
5 And the woman became pregnant. Consequently she sent and told David and said: “I am pregnant.” 6 At this David sent to Jo'ab, saying: “Send to me U·ri'ah the Hit'tite.” So Jo'ab sent U·ri'ah to David. 7 When U·ri'ah came to him, David began to ask how Jo'ab was getting along and how the people were getting along and how the war was getting along. 8 Finally David said to U·ri'ah: “Go down to your house and bathe your feet.” Accordingly U·ri'ah went out from the king’s house, and the king’s courtesy gift went out following him. 9 However, U·ri'ah lay down at the entrance of the king’s house with all the other servants of his lord, and he did not go down to his own house. 10 So they told David, saying: “U·ri'ah did not go down to his own house.” Upon that David said to U·ri'ah: “It is from a journey that you have come in, is it not? Why have you not gone down to your own house?” 11 At this U·ri'ah said to David: “The Ark and Israel and Judah are dwelling in booths, and my lord Jo'ab and the servants of my lord are camping on the face of the field, and I—shall I go into my own house to eat and drink and to lie down with my wife? As you are living and as your soul is living, I shall not do this thing!”
12 Then David said to U·ri'ah: “Dwell here also today, and tomorrow I shall send you away.” Therefore U·ri'ah kept dwelling in Jerusalem on that day and the day following. 13 Further, David called him that he might eat before him and drink. So he got him drunk. Nevertheless, he went out in the evening to lie down on his bed with the servants of his lord, and to his own house he did not go down.
14 And it came about in the morning that David proceeded to write a letter to Jo'ab and send it by the hand of U·ri'ah. 15 So he wrote in the letter, saying: “PUT U·ri'ah in front of the heaviest battle charges, and YOU men must retreat from behind him, and he must be struck down and die.”
16 And it came about that while Jo'ab was keeping guard over the city he kept U·ri'ah put in the place where he knew that there were valiant men. 17 When the men of the city came on out and went fighting against Jo'ab, then some of the people, the servants of David, fell and U·ri'ah the Hit'tite also died.