Blind Allegiance to G.B. supported by scripture?

by honorsthesis 47 Replies latest watchtower bible

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  Band on the Run

  I don't believe this is trolling but HonorsThesis has invented several personalities with different names but the identical writing style to make it look as though he is admired on this site. It doesn't hurt anyone but it does seem silly.

  Perhaps the cumulative effect is trolling. How many active Witnesses would last five minutes challenging JW authority, particularly at a local hall?. I don't want to come across as though I am pursuing him. Other posters have remarked on his credibility. It is not my personal, crazy crusade. I don't argue with his point but are we being played? Someone else, not me, googled him. HonorsThesis, Curtains, Listener are simultaneously a treasurer of their local Republican club at college. Would any congregation on the face of this earth or any other planet endorse such actions? He must be lying to not be escorted out. I have more respect for honest Witnesses than someone surreptiously plotting against them.

  Notice that Listener orders debate as though he were a high school teacher giving out an assignment.

  All his personalities are welcome, IMO. I just feel a necessity to add disclaimers. For some reason, he thinks I am confined to one thread. What stumps me, though, is the purpose of this charade. I wonder if we have a mental patient, not that it is bad to be a mental patient or mental health consumer. Does he return to his congregation and boast how we are wasting valuable time bogged down on his questions?. I will publicly declare that I am a Blue Dog Democrat. Once, I was a flaming liberal but times changed me. I received professional campaign training at a special workshop. Extending arguments with the person going door to door canvassing is a time honored tactic. While the volunteer or staff talk with opposing party's person, they miss many doors where they needed to get in touch with voters for Election Day get out the vote efforts.

  Maybe I am playing into his hands. He may be the one with the wits. Imagine someone devoted to politicis, it is not a mad leap.

  Please if his mind was truly that the Witnesses are not following Jesus, why would he continue to be a Witness? People have been disfellowshipped and lost family and friends for much less.
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  Finally-Free

  Blind Allegiance to G.B. supported by scripture?

  I haven't read the entire thread because I'm only on my second coffee, so I'll address only the subject line:

  I believe it's unwise to give blind allegiance to anyone or anything, regardless of whether it's "supported" by scripture or anything else. My personal life, happiness, and well being is the only thing that has my allegiance.

  W
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  Quendi

  I didn't know anything about "Honorsthesis" history, but I wanted to contribute to this thread anyway in the hopes that what I shared would have a positive impact for anyone who read it.

  Quendi
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  honorsthesis

  @wontleave

  "I refuse to share the blood guilt and will not preach things I know to be questionable or false"

  This is EXACTLY how I feel. Thank you for your thoughts.

  Thanks everyone else too for your insight! The best way to "debate" with the brothers though is to back it up with scripture. So the more suggested scriptures the better!

  For those who suggest I simply leave the organization, everyone here must know it is much more difficult than that. In addition, when I am not in discussion/debate with brothers and sisters about the aspects of "the truth" that I find questionable, I do feel "good" being around them, and I know their intentions are good.

  Also, many of the JW's foundational beliefs I DO agree with (..or maybe it's just because I have done more research on the topics?) such as the trinity falsehood and a paradise earth and the lack of a fiery hell.

  My main issue with JW's is the one I have begun this thread about (authority of the GB)...and 1914, and maybe the blood issue.
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  honorsthesis

  @Band

  Your paranoia is no longer amusing...just annoying.

  And I sent you that PM asking you not to comment on my threads because all you do is side-track the topic with the same old rhetoric questioning who I am...EVERYTIME!

  I understand you have taken a personal vendetta against me since I will not give you the password to my research survey which has my listed credentials, but really...give it a break...it is getting old.

  This is getting to be borderline harrassment.
• 

  VampireDCLXV

  @honorsthesis,

  You need to "Grow a Pear" [sic]...

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rH8Wg_3NOJQ

  V665
• 

  honorsthesis

  Some on this site have been a pleasure and very helpful and provided insightful feedback..

  ..others seem motivated simply to instigate and stir up trouble..

  why? ugh.
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  Spade

  Every successful organization has an administrative position to keep the organization centered and united.

  it-1 pp. 128-129 Apostle
  
  Administrative position. In the formation, organization, and subsequent direction of the Christian congregation, the apostles occupied a primary position. (1Co 12:28; Eph 4:11) Although they were joined by others of the “older men” in such supervision, they formed a principal part of the governing body of the expanding Christian congregation, and this body was recognized by the early Christians everywhere as the channel of communication used by God to render decisions and direct the affairs of the congregation throughout the earth. (Ac 2:42; 8:14-17; 11:22; 15:1, 2, 6-31; 16:4, 5) This was possible for these men only because of the fulfillment of the promises about guidance by God’s holy spirit. (Joh 15:26, 27) Such help enabled them to recall Jesus’ instructions and teachings, to clarify points of doctrine, and to be progressively guided “into all the truth” revealed through them at that apostolic period. (Joh 14:26; 16:13-15; compare Joh 2:22; 12:16.) They made appointments to positions of service within the congregation and also designated areas in which certain ones would engage in missionary activity.—Ac 6:2, 3; Ga 2:8, 9.
  
  je p. 26 Shepherding God’s Flock in Unity
  
  The Governing Body consists of a group of anointed Christian men (13 in 1986), including 7 serving on the board of directors of the Watch Tower Society. These preside over the worldwide activities of Jehovah’s Witnesses. They are not inspired by God and hence are not infallible, but they rely on God’s infallible Word as the highest authority on earth, and have a lifetime of experience in submitting to God’s will. Each has a record of more than 40 years in the full-time ministry with Jehovah’s Witnesses.
  
  There's no “blind allegiance,” as Jehovah's Witnesses and the Governing Body adhere to God's Word as the highest authority on earth, as was just explained. Some former members have an unhealthy obsession with their former brothers as explained in Mathew 24: 48, 49.
  w94 7/1 p. 11 par. 10 At Which Table Are You Feeding?
  
  Consider, for example, the food dispensed by the evil slave class and the apostates. It does not nourish or build up; it is not wholesome. It cannot be, for the apostates have stopped feeding at Jehovah’s table. As a result, whatever they had developed of the new personality is gone. What motivates them is, not holy spirit, but vitriolic bitterness. They are obsessed with only one aim—beating their former fellow slaves, as Jesus foretold.—Matthew 24:48, 49.

  It's this obsession that populates the majority of this forum with activity.
• 

  Ding

  then they usually parallel the situation to scriptures in the Bible about how when Moses was appointed by God to lead the people to the promised land, he erred, but if those following had abandoned him because of Moses error and followed their own individual lead, they wouldn't have made it to the promised land

  Any demogogue can make the same argument.

  Who are they to compare themselves to Moses?

  When the GB successfully calls down 10 supernatural plagues, parts the Red Sea, has Jehovah appear at Bethel in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, and gets Him to carve a page of the WT into the side of Mount Sinai, we can begin to take the analogy to Moses seriously.

  The claim that we have to follow the WTS because they are directed by Jesus leads to the obvious question: Where's the proof??? Not some undetectable "invisible parousia," the date of which can be changed from 1874 to 1914 by the Society by simply saying so, but real proof like Exodus says Jehovah presented to the Israelites and to Pharaoh to authenticate His appointment of Moses.

  Put the WTS to the test Moses himself related in Deuteronomy 18:21-22: "You may say to yourselves, "How can we know when a message has not been spoken by Jehovah?" If what a prophet proclaims in the name of Jehovah does not take place or come true, that is a message Jehovah has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him." 1914, 1918, 1925, Beth Sarim, 1941, 1975...

  Ask the JW to give you a similar list of failed prophecies given by Moses.
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  honorsthesis

  Excellent scriptual reference, Ding! (Duet. 18:21-22)

  I am def. writing that one in at the back of my Bible. That is exaclty the type of analysis I was looking for. I hope to one day be as knowledgable about the Bible as many here.