Heroes of the Bible

by Oubliette 7 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

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  Oubliette

  The thing that first attracted me to a study of the Bible was what I got from reading the Gospel accounts of Jesus. I was a teenager at the time attending a private religious school. (I was going there for sports, not religious reasons).

  In our Religion 101 class, we were required to read all the Gospels. I was surprised both by what was IN the accounts as well as by what was NOT. Raised by two parents that were lapsed from the Christianity of their childhood, my impressions of Jesus were largely formed by secular society, in particular by the celebration of annual holidays such as Christmas and Easter as portrayed in television shows and shopping mall decorations.

  There are many things about the Gospel Jesus that drew me to him, but the one I want to focus on in this thread is this: He took a stand for what he believed to be right in opposition to the established status quo leadership. He was kind and compassionate to anyone in need of either comfort or understanding. He was also unafraid to publicly denounce the hypocrisy of the religious leaders. He paid for this stand with his life. His example (whether real of fictional) has inspired countless millions, probably billions, since.

  There are also many other such heroes of the Bible. Men and women that stood up against injustice, particularly on the part of their own present leadership! One on-going theme of the Bible is the absolute condemnation of hypocrisy, particularly of the religious variety.

  So no wonder that many of us are so enraged when we discover the hypocrisy of the leadership of the WTBTS. We trusted them and they have betrayed us, again and again and again.

  It is a tragic irony that as "Bible Students" we were at once encouraged to follow the footsteps of our Exemplar, Christ Jesus, (1 Peter 2:21) while simultaneously rebuked for even questioning anything written in the pages of the Watchtower publications or uttered by its leaders, from the local elders all the way up to the top: the Governing Body.

  - "At that time, the life-saving direction that we receive from Jehovah’s organization may not appear practical from a human standpoint. All of us must be ready to obey any instructions we may receive, whether these appear sound from a strategic or human standpoint or not." - w2013 11/15, p. 20, para. 17 - [Emphasis added]

  - "We need to obey the faithful and discreet slave to have Jehovah’s approval." Watchtower 2011 Jul 15 p.24 Simplified English Edition

  Indeed, many faithful Jehovah's Witnesses in the congregations around the world ARE aware of the hypocrisy and injustice on the part of the WT leaders, but are afraid to speak up because of fear of sanctions from those same leaders; They are afraid to be disfellowshipped and shunned. They are afraid of being cut off from their family members and loved ones. This fear is real. It is completely understandable. It is also a complete failure to follow the example of Jesus.

  When one is aware of the hypocrisy and injustices perpertrated by the Governing Body (which trickles down all the way to the local elders) but fails to speak out, then that person has become like the parents of the blind man which Jesus healed:

  - "His parents said these things because they were in fear of the Jews, for the Jews had already come to an agreement that, if anyone confessed him as Christ, he should get expelled from the synagogue." - John 9:22

  I'm not condemning someone for being cowed by the authority of elders. It hurts to be thrown out of the congregation and lose all communication with your family and friends. I know. I've been there.

  I am however condemning the whole of the WT/JW heirarchy which has clearly taken on the role of the Pharisees as described in this familiar Bible account.

  The writing is on the wall. The religion of Jehovah's Witnesses has become that which it publicly condemns. It hypocritically squashes any dissent with a brutal hand.

  If Jesus and the Prophets were the heroes of the Bible, then the religious leaders that silenced them are clearly the villains.

  It is also clear that the WTBTS has assumed the garments of the Pharisees and are now their modern counterparts, the present day religious villains.

  What is your role in this modern drama?
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  Apognophos

  Indeed, and where is our modern-day Jesus to counter them? Is there any man that can call out these guys in a public way on their hypocrisy? It doesn't seem that anyone is capable of doing so.

  Though, for that matter, it's possible that there was no Jesus either, and he simply represents a dissenting movement within Judaism, as a sort of rhetorical model for reformed Judaism. So in that case, we don't have the right to expect a modern-day Jesus to drive the credit-card changers out of the conventions. We should instead expect a splinter group like Pauline Christianity or the Gnostics to show up on the scene.
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  Oubliette

  - Apognophos: Indeed, and where is our modern-day Jesus to counter them?

  Of course there are many that speak out about the hypocrisy and injustice of the WTBTS. They are summarily expelled from the congregation and shunned. Fortunately the WTBTS does not have the authority to have dissenters put to death or I'm sure they would do that too.

  My point is that Jesus is supposedly held up as an example for us to follow, but isn't really true. The GB members have become just like the Pharisees and cannot tolerate disagreement or being questioned.

  No wonder that Jesus isn't mentioned a single time in the WTBTS's latest video about their Warwick project.
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  Apognophos

  Yes, I agree. I've come to the conclusion over time that JWs should probably be considered a branch of Judaism, if you go by what they actually do (the focus on rituals, sacrifices, expulsion, blame, guilt, following the letter of a written law and making oral laws), not the ideals they claim to espouse (Christian love, etc.).
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  Londo111

  Excellent OP.
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  Oubliette

  Thanks Londo, I'm glad you approve!
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  Cold Steel

  “At that time, the life-saving direction that we receive from Jehovah’s organization may not appear practical from a human standpoint. All of us must be ready to obey any instructions we may receive, whether these appear sound from a strategic or human standpoint or not.” - w2013 11/15, p. 20, para. 17

  The Governing Body would have a point if they actually received revelation. For example, the ancient apostles, knowing that Jerusalem was going to be destroyed, directed the saints to leave the city and gather at Pella and other places where they would be safe. The problem, however, is, does the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses receive such revelation from God? Based on their miserable prophecies over the past several decades, the answer is doubtful.

  If the Governing Body members believe in their own divine callings, yes, I can see where they would feel competent to make such a statement. But to me they’re false prophets—men who are self-appointed and part of a manmade organization. None of them has had a vision; nor have any of them entertained angels, seen God or received any guidance (that we can tell) from God. They are what they accuse other sects of being, and I always feel like choking when any of them refer to any other sect as being “manmade.” In the scriptures, when God called men to the ministry, it was a holy calling done through revelation and with two or more witnesses.

  “We need to obey the faithful and discreet slave to have Jehovah’s approval.” Watchtower 2011 Jul 15 p.24

  Again, bold statement and all based on but one verse in Matthew 24.

  Obliette: The writing is on the wall. The religion of Jehovah's Witnesses has become that which it publicly condemns. It hypocritically squashes any dissent with a brutal hand.

  In the PBS series I, Claudius, an orator tells an actor who says that the theater isn’t what it was: “And I’ll tell you something else,” he said. “It never was what it was!”

  Of course you understand why it has to squash dissent with a brutal hand; it’s a matter of survival. Today, society, government and religion are primarily built up to acquire power and gain. Even true religion and good government must survive and avoid subversion. But in the case of the Jehovah's Witnesses, the publishers greet people at the door with the observation that wickedness and natural disasters are on the rise and that the world has fallen prey to manmade religion and self appointed religious leaders. But how have they ever shown they were any different? Who appointed and ordained the Governing Body? And who set them up as the faithful and wise servant who must provide spiritual meat to the Lord’s domestics in his absence? Just where did they get their ministerial authority and the aforementioned keys of the kingdom?

  In short, though the “slave’s” identity has morphed over the years, they never were what they were. How are they not manmade and self-appointed? They never say! What utter effrontery, too! It’s like showing up at the White House and informing Security that you’re the new President. To which they will say, as the Lord will say, “I never knew you,” or in short, “Your name’s not on the list!”

  Obliette: If Jesus and the Prophets were the heroes of the Bible, then the religious leaders that silenced them are clearly the villains.

  Yes, and they’re the ones who have usurped the authority of God and have polluted his word.

  Apognophos: Indeed, and where is our modern-day Jesus to counter them? Is there any man that can call out these guys in a public way on their hypocrisy? It doesn't seem that anyone is capable of doing so.

  Of course there are many here who are calling these people out on their outrageous claims! What the slave must do, though, is cut the telegraph wires, or in other words, find a way to keep the opposition from being heard. And this happens when they threaten to disfellowship people who might otherwise listen to friends or well wishers. It’s not uncommon, in fact, for Jehovah's Witnesses to throw away unopened letters or refuse to return phone calls or even speak to those who can break the spell.

  
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  Oubliette

  Cold Steel, thanks for your comments, very powerfully stated!