can we do a list of jw things that go "beyond what is written?".....

by oompa 49 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

• 

  Homerovah the Almighty

  $elling and exploiting the words of the Gospel to cultivate illicit power and profit.

  Has to be the biggest and probably the most criminal action of the WTS. of the " Beyond what it is written "
• 

  watson

  The Faithful and Discreet Slave as an intity?
• 

  purplesofa

  Well, I would say the whole refusal for blood transfusions is beyond what is written.

  And then, if you are going to refuse blood, why do the fraction thing, that kinda goes beyond what they themselves writ!!!
• 

  Finally-Free

  Oompa, the law requires registration as a charitible organization if monies are to be collected without payment of taxes. Incorporation is not required. For example, the society is a collection of numerous corporations, each one a registered charity. My last congregation, while registered as a charity was not incorporated. The society's plethora of corporations is not required by law or by the scriptures. It is, however, fiscally advantageous. This way, rather than doing real charitible work, the money is "donated" from one of their corporations or registered "charities" to another in the form of rent, donations, etc. This satisfies the government requirement that a certain percentage of receiptable donations be spent each year, either in administrative costs, rent, or charitible work.

  But there really is nothing charitible about any of it, except on the part of the original giver. Ok, once in a while they'll buy flowers for a funeral. Come to think of it, they even sent me a box of cookies once just after my knee surgery.

  I should get people to start worshipping my bird, Rocco. I can register as a charity, accept donations, and claim my mortgage payments are to cover the cost of his temple.

  Anyone wanna be recruited?

  W
• 

  halcyon

  Requiring a chaperone while dating.

  Requiring people to stay out of bars or other establishments because of "how it looks."

  The whole requirement to consider how something "looks" rather than what's actually going on. "Stay away from it if someone might think you're doing bad," rather than "don't do bad." (parallel: removing God's name from the bible "just in case someone uses it in vain." Oh, that was a horrible Jewish practice that of course True Christians realize was bad. But hey, don't sit in a car with someone of the opposite sex alone, or someone might think you've done bad things together.)

  Restrictions on which movies are allowed. Removal of privileges for going to a movie with a certain rating given by a motion picture association.
• 

  KAYTEE

  Here in England, before being given the "privilege" to carry the microphones or being used on the "STAGE", You had to wear a suit (jacket and trousers the same material" )

  Yet the Glorious ones could get away with not wearing a suit!!!! Often it would be a sports jacket and trousers (different material, different colour) This was probably a "Local" rule. Did anyone else come across this nonsense?

  Women not allowed to wear trouser suits.

  This list could go on for EVER.

  KT
• 

  dinah

  Outlaw, thanks for the laugh....when Jesus was on tour nobody had to pay extra to park their donkey......I'm dying!
• 

  oompa

  ok my comments are after the........and i will add the ones to the numbered list that i feel go beyond what is written....i am not claiming to be god on the issue so feel free to reply as to how your deleted item should make the list....

  OOMPA BULLITEN HERE.....after going through fjtoth, mine, and others posts here....i now realize that there may be difference between "going beyond what is written" and "going beyond what is NOT written"........but is there really a difference?

  fjtoth: 10. Christianity (through one) organization instead of a way of life...............that passes for me

  11. Salvation is dependent upon belonging to the JW denomination.....................ditto

  12. The Watchtower organization speaks for and is controlled by Jehovah, (thereby equating the organization with God himself)........first half only

  Authority over individual Christians is centered in an organization instead of letting Christ be the head of each Christian........this wont pass

  13.The "faithful and discreet slave" is an "anointed class" (rather than each individual Christian who shows himself or herself to be responsible and obedient to Christ.).........ditto and a big one on the first half only......see the second part can not be proven by bible either...only mentioned once
  
  14. The early Christians were led by a governing body....VERY good one.....WT position here from Sightyourass book:

  ***

  15. Organization----oops..this did not print...but this is the heading is under Congregation

  16. Jesus appointed the "anointed remnant" as his true church in 1919..................................................ditto, not provable by bible alone
  
  (17.) The so-called "anointed" class (actually, the governing body) is God's channel and prophet.........I think this passes but not sure...scriptures?
  
  18. The Bible cannot be correctly understood without the aid of WT literature and programs.................true, beyond scriptural proof

  19. Jesus returned in 1914....................(i split this one in two) big one too....since no dates are in bible....this can not be proven using only bible

  20.and is "invisibly present" since then................ditto, but god is hard to prove too since invisible...some could argue his return is visible from bible

  (21.) Individual JWs must not read Bible-related publications produced by non-WT sources.....................................i think so, any scripture even close?...i suppose there were warnings about foreign gods/practices though

  22. Arrogantly promoting the pretense that the JWs maintain higher standards than any other religion and proclaiming publicly that all other churches are members of Babylon the Great..................................passes but barely cause.....well their standard are proven to be pretty darn high...but even IDENTYFYING Babylon TG as false religion can not be proven from the bible, much less that all other religions are part of it

  Forbidding attendance and participation at other churches.......based on OT scriptures, this one may not pass, but i am open...it may not be a bible issue

  Promoting class distinctions such as "governing body," "anointed remnant," "great crowd of other sheep," "publishers," "auxiliary pioneers," "regular pioneers," "special pioneers," "circuit overseers," "district overseers," "zone overseers," "Bethelites," "Gileadites," "Nethinim (Given Ones)," etc................................nope.....promoting class distinctions can not be proven, and terms of differentiation were used in bible....so this may not be a bible issue

  22. Organizationally requiring no blood transfusions instead of letting it be a matter of conscience, thereby cruelly informing all members that they will be shunned by the organization if they accept a transfusion that might restore health following a life-threatening accident or illness..............................ditto....either it must be a matter of conscience for medical reasons.....or it must be poured on ground....the only option

  23.The "congregation" of Matthew 18:17 is "the body of elders." (Matthew 18:17)17 If he does not listen to them, speak to the congregation. If he does not listen even to the congregation, let him be to you just as a man of the nations and as a tax collector. footnote Or, "to the ecclesia (assembly)." Gr., teiek·kle·si´ai;....................big ditto....how can you go from congregation/assembly to "body of elders"?..................way beyond.....

  Apostasy trials and disciplinary hearings must be in secrecy from the rest of the congregation.................borderline?....it seems the older men did meet in private over circumcision...but i know that was more a rule to be made.....so more opinions please

  During a judicial hearing, information that would be helpful to a person accused of wrongdoing may properly be withheld by the elders..........not sure this is even provable by either side.....more of a hesaid shesaid thing......not a bible issue

  Apostasy trials may be conducted of persons who have doubts or who think differently than other members.....first tell me when you have ever seen an apostasy trial....i wish they had trials congo could be jury on........not a bible issue

  "Apostasy" is defined as against the organization more than as against God..............neither one is the definition of apostasy

  Encouraging of elders to be quick to disfellowship instead of making efforts to restore persons who have done something wrong.............cant be proven either way....and there are elders who will do just about anything to avoid a DF.... not a bible issue

  Unnecessarily and abusively shunning members even for minor infractions such as smoking or not complying with the whimsical directives of elders, thereby causing personal and family turmoil that often results in immense guilt, shame, fear, depression, bitterness, hatred, murder and suicide................."unnecessarily" means that sometimes it MAY be necessary, therefore is subject to elder opinions........sorry, rephrase maybe?

  Prohibiting fellowship with disassociated persons who show no inclination toward causing dissension...................the argument could be made that the "ACT" of DA is in itself cause for dissension......DA makes one an apostate by def. and there are scriptures about their treatment

  Showing favoritism by advising innocent victims to "leave it to Jehovah" instead of the elders taking decisive action to deal with some members (usually wealthy or well-educated or leadership members) who have been accused of harmful wrongdoing..................again, this is a "thing" that can not be proven by either side, biblicly or congregationally.....it is too much of an opinion thingy and not a bible issue

  Ignoring or minimizing clear evidence of child molestation and other abuses simply because only one witness is available to testify against the member accused of such serious wrongdoing............................unfortunately, and it hard to believe with all the dozens of sex rules in the bible, but child molestation is not specifically mentioned, although it does fit pornea doesn't it?.......the two witness rule is in the bible, but they have acted like pharisees in its application on this one.........plus, not all congos have done this and this is not a specific bible issue

  Employing so-called "Theocratic war strategy" by covering over and hiding damaging facts about the JW organization, even to the point of lying and distorting the facts............................nothing to prove on either side again by using the Bible alone....not a bible issue

  Blatantly lying to the public by declaring to news media that members may leave the organization at any time, of their own free will and without any repercussions from the organization..........................show me something that says they can leave "without any repercussions", but this still may not be a biblical issue

  In many cases, neglecting the care of their own sick and elderly members who no longer have the strength and energy to attend all the meetings and to be regular in "field service" as they did for most of their lives.............too subjective, some may feel they have not been neglectful

  So my list is up to 23.......oompa
• 

  WTWizard

  Having to wear a WHITE dress shirt.
• 

  oompa

  list up to 23........ Wizzard: Having to wear a WHITE dress shirt.............wiz....not even close.....that was not WT or Bible (white robes?)...just crazy elders asilentstone:

  asilentstone: it is okay to lie to others as long as they are not JW. .............not actually, you can be df for lying to non jw's.....esp, irs and employers.................they do make some exceptions about lying though, and i believe there is bible precedent for it

  finallyfree: 24. Not "partaking" at the "memorial".....me...DITTO!....if you mean that not all can partake...in bible all in attendance partook, and passed in order to partake.....however everyone desiring everlasting life is to eat jesus bod and drink his blud (ick).....so the whole thing is messed up 25.Secret kangaroo courts..........not mentioned in bible or WT!.........but, Ditto! if you mean that three man judicial committee's not biblical for judging and punishing the sheep....there may be precedent with elders in jerusalem meeting to make a rule....but no precedent for "judicial committee"