I think I figured out what this talk about a resolution amounts to.
Some Rehoboam- style (beat them harder) extremists in the organization want to eliminate people drifting out of the 'truth' by threatening them with being disassociated. The problem with this is that it contradicts the real legal purpose of DA'ing which is to get the person to agree, in writing, to disassociation - thereby getting the Society off the hook. This is probably why some elders want a signed letter.
So, could they issue a resolution saying, in effect, "anybody that's inactive is now considered DA'd!" (cheers from empty headed Witlesses follow).??
They could do this but I don't think it works legally if that is part of their overall purpose. It doesn't involve the agreement of existing individuals - only future ones - if even that.
Perhaps this is wishful thinking from the more agressive Pharisees...
Two years ago I was told (after nearly three years of inactivity) that either I was a JW or I wasn't. If I no longer considered myself a JW, I should disassociate. In writing. If not in writing then at least verbally before two elders. All that because I was seen shooting billiards with a DF'd friend.
It has been a few weeks since Stafford's book came out. Anyone know if he's been approached yet to DA himself? ;)
PFFFFFT, those people who "passed" the resolution by clapping in the Assembly Hall had about as much choice about clapping as the SS soldiers had a choice saluting Hitler when he drove past in his campaign car when they were marching!!!!!!
"Until they become conscious, they will never rebel. Until they rebel, they will never become conscious." - George Orwell
Another aspect of this sick idea worth a laugh is what it might do to the memorial.
Imagine that large numbers of memorial attenders can't be welcomed or greeted - because they've been DA'd!
In addition, I recall an elder in an inner city congregation who couldn't remember who was df'd or not because there were so many in the area, he couldn't keep track - result: dilution of DF'ing effect.
Finally, such a move might hurt them in court - or in political struggles in places like Europe. They're not getting more popular with human rights officials by acting this way.
I see where you're going with this but I'm not sure that local congregations voting on such a measure would have any legal force on individuals - if they want to preserve that aspect of DA'ing.
I enthusiastically applaud any mistakes or missteps they get entangled in - this move would hurt them, so I'm for it!
OT somebody more legal than I needs to look closely at the whole idea of DF'ing a person in all congregations at once. I think an examination of this subject could bear bitter fruit for the Watchtower - as it ties them into local decisions that could result in lawsuits. Why else do they warn not to make any written reference to them in documents about DF'ing?
This resolution idea doesn't make any sense to me.
Inactive Witnesses are a large part of the organization's "prospect list". By putting intense pressure on these ones to either reactivate or get out, yes, some will reactivate. But those who don't, will be gone for good. This move would increase their count for one year, then it would drop even more dramatically, since many of these reactivations would't last and their prospect list is now diminished.
In addition, the list of shunned people would grow dramatically. Once the number of shunned persons reaches critical mass, then shunning doesn't work any more. Borderline persons may find that they have more shunned friends and relatives, than non-shunned ones.
I think someone just made up this resolution idea to put the apostate community into a tizzy.
Sorry if I baffled you. I know something big is coming down the pike, and I was wondering how they could get everyone to agree to something at once.
The resolution idea was mine, which seemed to make a lot of sense. I suppose there are other methods, this is just one I wanted to kick around and see if it made sense.
Oh, boy! Something big. I can hardly wait. Don't tell me what it is.
As for getting all Witnesses to agree, that shouldn't be too hard. If the society issued the word to lick the gutter in front of their houses, the dubs would trip over themselves on the way out. Agreement is automatic.
