It’s strange now how I find such a huge contrast between the words of the Gospel accounts of Jesus and the interpretation of those words by the WTS. To me it seems there is little of the Gospel Jesus in the WTS attitude to sinning and to sinners.
I recently reread Luke’s account of when Jesus went to the home of the Pharisee, Simon. During the meal a woman of the city, a sinner, bathed Jesus’ feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. When Simon objected to the known sinner touching him, Jesus related an illustration of the creditor who forgave two debtors their debts of 50 and 500 denarii respectively. Jesus asked, “which one of the debtors would love the man more?” When Simon responded, “the one in greater debt”, Jesus compared this to the woman saying she showed greater love to Jesus than Simon did because her greater sins were forgiven. (See Luke 7:36-50)
Many times Jesus compared sins and showed that regardless of the extent of sin all would be forgiven and in reality all mankind is under the same condemnation regardless of how the degree of sin is perceived.
I looked up the WTS comments on this account and noted quite a twist to the words.
Jesus preached to sinners of all kinds and helped them. (Luke 7:34-47) But he did not join in unscriptural conduct.What if someone in the Christian congregation unwisely lost control of himself as a result of alcohol or some other stimulant? That would be a rare thing. But if it did happen, possibly that one could be lovingly helped to regain the right way, the way that would have God's approval. (Gal. 6:1) If, though, a person made a practice of it, bringing reproach on himself, his family and the congregation, then he would be disfellowshiped from the Christian congregation so as to maintain the moral purity of God's people.-1 Cor. 5:11-13.
Watchtower 1/15/68 Page 64 (Questions from Readers)
Would Jesus have taken that attitude? I am sure that “the woman of the city” made a practice of it. Maybe earned a living from it. I don’t think she lost control once and was lovingly being helped to the right way as a result of this one-off occurrence.
In the Watchtower’s example, often a case of alcoholism, which could be one way a person (however rare) could be practicing drunkenness, isn’t this a sign that a person needs help? Is disfellowshipping someone (often after a single act of sin) who has serious personal problems an act of love? Wouldn’t the loving thing be to find that person the real help they need? Would not showing a forgiving attitude cause greater love and appreciation to be shown for the ones showing forgiveness and offering help and thus prompt the person to accept the help offered?
In the next quote, who do you think shows the pharisaical attitude?
By his not extending mercy and love to other sinners, his sins proved to be greater. Jesus told the woman: "Your faith has saved you; go your way in peace." There is no record that Jesus told the Pharisee that his faith had saved him.-Luke 7:50.The loveless world today is like the Pharisees. Its cold, merciless course has shattered the lives of billions of people. It has sown hate. It cannot reap love. Shortly, Jehovah will withdraw the mercy he has extended to it for over 4,000 years, since the flood of Noah's day. At the universal war of Armageddon he will execute in righteousness the loveless and merciless ones. That will be a period of unequaled trouble for this friction-filled world. Those who have proved their love by being merciful and forgiving will be spared and ushered into a new world, where, under God's loving hand, men will be gradually brought back to perfection.
Watchtower 12/1/60 Page 712
Compared to the previous Watchtower quotation who would you think proves to be cold and merciless and thus liable for execution.
By their own words they stand condemned.
Thirdson
'To avoid criticism, say nothing, do nothing, be nothing'