Some Points to Ponder:
This came up recently in another thread and the subject is so important that I thought it warranted its own thread.
The modern judicial hearing procedures of Jehovah's Witnesses are based on a Bible account.
It's a fairly familiar account. You'll recognize it immediately:
An individual is required to appear before numerous judges against his will. He is not allowed any representation or even anyone to accompany him simply for moral support. He is not told the charges prior to the hearing, nor is he informed what the evidence is against him or who the witnesses will be. He is outnumbered by both his accusers and the judges. No outside, independent observers are allowed to insure that his civil rights are not violated nor are there any formal, public records kept of the judicial proceedings. He stands alone.
Do you recognize this account? Does it sound familiar? As a model for modern day Judicial Hearings of Jehovah's Witnesses, who does the individual represent? Who do the judges represent? Do you think the results of that Biblical judicial proceeding were just or not? Why or why not?
Which side would you have wanted to be on in the Biblical account? Which side, if any, do you find yourself on today?