Hello!
Is it possible to criticize wt concerning questions of consience for a witness? For instant concerning education?
Love Healthworker
What is WTS official apostasy definition?
by Healthworker 34 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
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Kojack57
According to the official secret ELDERS MANUAL 2010 Apostasy is a standing away from true worship, a falling away, defection, rebellion, abandonment. It includes the following: celebrating false holidays, participation in interfaith activities,deliberately spreading teachings contrary to bible truth as taught by jehovahs witnesses, causing divisions and promoting sects, continuing in employment that makes one an accomplice to or a promoter off false worship, spiritism, idolatry, drunkenness, gluttony, stealing, thievery, deliberate, malicious lying, bearing false witness, fraud, slander, reviling, obscene speech, greed gambling, extortion,refusal of taking care of ones family,fits of anger, violence, professional boxing.
Kojack
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00DAD
But in practice, it means believing or questioning anything the organization currently teaches (which is subject to change of course, but only by them, not by you).
- If you believed in the PAST what they believe NOW, but BEFORE they taught it, you are an APOSTATE.
- On the other hand, if you still believe NOW something that they taught in the PAST, but they teach something different NOW, you are an APOSTATE.
Try to have a nice day!
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Healthworker
Would it be considered rebellion to disagree with some of wt's view on education?
For instant to say that some of wt's advice concerning education may be considered unbalanced?
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Healthworker
Any difference between "doctrine" and questions of consience regarding apostasy?
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00DAD
There was a recent letter to all BOEs on that. As I recall anyone pursuing Higher Education (HE) would be considered "not-exemplary" and would not "qualify" for any privileges (Elder, MS, Pioneer, etc.)
It wouldn't be apostasy unless you went around promoting it, which could be considered "causing divisions".
Why do you care? Want to get a degree? Get one. Just keep it to yourself. It's nobody else's business anyway!
They only have any authority over you if you give it to them.
00DAD
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00DAD
Healthworker: Any difference between "doctrine" and questions of consience regarding apostasy?
There are no "questions of conscience". The GB has made all those decisions for you. I thought you knew.
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Healthworker
So, I could disagree, just keep my mouth shut. What if those I opend my heart to, spread the word in the congo?
Seems to be a pretty unfair game. I got my education, I just disagree with GB in comparing education with the "bullet operation"
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00DAD
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Christian Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses
2821 Route 22, Patterson, NY 12563-2237Phone: (845) 306-1100
March 6, 2012
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Pursue divine education: Some of our brothers are pursuing higher education, feeling that they can acquire a measure of financial security. As you are aware, the educational system varies from country to country. In the United States, for example, public schools offer 12 years of basic education. Thereafter, students may choose to attend university for four or more years, leading to a bachelor’s degree or to postgraduate studies for careers in medicine, law, engineering, and so forth. Such university education is what we mean when the term “higher education” is used.—w05 10/1 pp. 26-31.
Of course, education is an essential part of Christian life, and we highly value it. Education equips us to care for our responsibilities, both material and spiritual. (1 Tim. 5:8) However, Satan, the master of deception, has made the pursuit of higher education dangerous for a Christian. (2 Cor. 11:14) Many of our young people have been misled from the faith or have become involved in immorality as a result of pursuing higher education. The “fight for the faith” is especially challenging when one leaves the good influence of his home and congregation and places himself in the university environment. (Jude 3) Besides involving bad associations, higher education often erodes faith in Jehovah God and in the Bible. All must weigh carefully the disadvantages and any perceived advantages of pursuing higher education before determining what they will do. Christians must remember that the purpose of any supplementary education should be to praise Jehovah and serve him as much and as effectively as possible, while providing for material needs.—Eccl. 12:13.
Appointed men must be exemplary in heeding the warnings given by the faithful slave and its Governing Body when it comes to education. (Matt. 24:45-47) Would an elder, a ministerial servant, or a pioneer continue to qualify to serve as such if he, his wife, or his children pursue higher education? Much depends on the circumstances and how he is viewed. When such a situation arises, the body of elders should consider the following questions and scriptures:
- Does he show that he puts Kingdom interests first? (Matt. 6:33)
- Does he teach his family to put Kingdom interests first?
- Does he respect what has been published by the faithful slave on the dangers of higher education? (3 John 9)
- Do his speech and conduct reveal that he is a spiritual person? (Ps. 1:2, 3; 1 Cor. 2:13-16)
- How is he viewed by the congregation?
- Why is he or his family pursuing higher education?
- Does the family have theocratic goals? (Phil. 3:8)
- Does the pursuit of higher education interfere with regular meeting attendance, meaningful participation in field service, or other theocratic activities?
As the body of elders prayerfully and carefully considers the matter, it may be readily apparent that the brother has a positive attitude about what the organization has published regarding higher education and still retains the respect of others in the congregation. They may also observe that he and his family are keeping Kingdom interests first if the education does not interfere with meetings and the ministry. In such a case, the elders may determine that he could continue serving.—1 Tim. 3:2, 4-6; Heb. 13:7.
On the other hand, if an elder or a ministerial servant is promoting higher education to others for the material advantages or the status it may bring, he is calling into question his qualifications to serve the congregation because of the effect on his and his fellow appointed brothers’ freeness of speech. (1 Tim. 3:13; Titus 1:9) The body of elders may therefore determine that the brother no longer qualifies to serve. In most cases, however, such a determination should be made in conjunction with the visit of the circuit overseer. If the brother does not agree with the decision, he may be invited to express his reasons in writing, and this should be sent along with the circuit overseer’s report.
If a person is serving as a regular pioneer only and the body of elders determines that he no longer qualifies to serve because of decisions he has made with regard to higher education, the person, the congregation, and the branch office should be informed of the deletion in the usual manner.
In view of the foregoing, each elder should make the following notation next to the subheading “Situations That May Raise Questions About an Appointed Man’s Qualifications” before paragraph 15, chapter 3, in the Shepherding textbook: “See letter dated March 6, 2012, to all bodies of elders for direction on considering the qualifications of appointed men in connection with higher education.”
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Keep in mind that this is a "Confidential" (Read: SECRET) letter sent to Elders only. The R&F only vaguely know the specifics of this current policy from the GB and, as is obvious by the very existence of this letter, is subject to change at the whim of the GB at any time.
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Kojack57
Healthworker: Getting an education by going to college is not Apostacy, it is common sense. Of course it is frowned upon by the BORG but that would be our own personal decision to do so. The society deems it a waste of time for rank and file members because as they believe the end is right around the corner. What they don't tell you is that they send select ones who are to become lawyers to college, so that they can defend the WB&TS in various legal cases. Follow your dreams and forget about the hypocrites at the top.
Kojack