Compassion and forgiveness are important qualities for all of us - but that said, this is not the time to 'let up' or start showing mercy to
the Watchtower. Why? Let's consider three ways in which they hurt people:
First, they injure or wreck families.
Second, they hurt young people.
Third, they continue to enforce the ban on blood - with fatal consequences.
Have they changed or reformed in any of these areas? Emphatically no! As to the first, their foolish renewed rejection of birthdays and
holidays tends to wreck extended families - as relatives don't get cards - or visits on 'pagan' holidays - and often, are simply ignored.
This is not a small matter if you are old, disadvantaged and on the receiving end of such legalistic coldness.
As to the second matter, the practise of baptising and then df'ing teenagers is repulsive. Kids will make mistakes and don't need
abandonment at a vunerable time in their lives. Most will turn out to be responsible adults without Watchtower 'punishments' and
certainly without Watchtower induced attempts to avoid higher education. You can add to this the unneeded guilt generated by
emphasis on masturbation ( two chapters in the Youth Book are not "answers", they are sickness!) that can make kids feel
worthless.
And then there's blood! What more need be said about this - except that their enforcement of this idiocy is unnecessary.
Let me say this firmly: Enforced martyrdom is morally repellent. Even the famed Kamikaze pilots objected to being required to
sacrifice their lives! The Watchtower stand on this issue is disgusting, together with Hospital Liaison Committees and "Visitors"
who can monitor compliance!
Show me some change in these areas! Keep chipping away!
metatron