LET'S HELP JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES TO LOVE APOSTATES

by Terry 12 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

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  Terry

  Simple application of logic to scripture interpretation:

  If two terms mean the same thing it should not change the meaning to exchange one word for the other.

  First, Jesus lays the foundation for us. Let us read.

  Luke 6:27-37 "But I say to YOU who are listening, Continue to love your enemies , to do good to those hating YOU, to bless those cursing you, to pray for those who are insulting YOU. To him that strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also, and from him that takes away your outer garment, do not withhold even the undergarment.Give to everyone asking you, and from the one taking your things away do not ask [them] back. Also, just as YOU want men to do to YOU, do the same way to them. And if YOU love those loving YOU, of what credit is it to YOU? For even the sinners love those loving them.And if YOU do good to those doing good to YOU, really of what credit is it to YOU? Even the sinners do the same.Also, if YOU lend [without interest] to those from whom YOU hope to receive, of what credit is it to YOU? Even sinners lend [without interest] to sinners that they may get back as much. To the contrary, continue to love YOUR enemies and to do good and to lend [without interest], not hoping for anything back; and YOUR reward will be great, and YOU will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind toward the unthankful and wicked. Continue becoming merciful , just as YOUR Father is merciful. Moreover, stop judging , and YOU will by no means be judged; and stop condemning , and YOU will by no means be condemned."

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  Now, let's agree the Governing Body regards former members, DF'd members and apostates as their ENEMY. Right?

  Let's take a look what happens when we substitute APOSTATE, etc. in place of the above terms . . .

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  Luke 6:27-37 "But I say to YOU who are listening, Continue to love APOSTATES , to do good to those APOSTATES , to bless those APOSTATES , to pray for those (APOSTATES) who are insulting YOU. To APOSTATES that strike you on the one cheek, offer the other also, and from him DISFELLOWSHIPPED PERSONS that take away your outer garment, do not withhold even the undergarment. Give to everyone asking you, and from the one taking your things away do not ask [them] back. Also, just as YOU want men to do to YOU, do the same way to them. And if YOU love those loving YOU, of what credit is it to YOU? For even the DF'd love those loving them.And if YOU do good to those doing good to YOU, really of what credit is it to YOU? Even the Ex-JW's do the same. Also, if YOU lend [without interest] to those from whom YOU hope to receive, of what credit is it to YOU? Even faders lend [without interest] to DF'd ones that they may get back as much. To the contrary, continue to love YOUR DISFELLOWSHIPED and to do good and to lend [without interest], not hoping for anything back; and YOUR reward will be great, and YOU will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind toward the unthankful and wicked. Continue becoming merciful , just as YOUR Father is merciful. Moreover, stop judging , and YOU will by no means be judged, and stop condemning , and YOU will by no means be condemned."

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  Do you see anything illogical about the above?

  What do you think the chances are any JW would read it that way. . . EVER?
• 

  AndDontCallMeShirley

  What do you think the chances are any JW would read it that way. . . EVER?

  1. it's in the Bible, so it's unlikely a JW will actually read it.

  2. the GB will never, ever tell JWs to read it that way so JWs will never, ever see it that way.

  3. JWs have had this scripture available to them as long as they've existed. If they haven't seen it up to now, they won't with more time.

  4.

  Obstacle #1 for JWs: Continue becoming merciful

  Obstacle #2 for JWs: stop judging

  Obstacle #3 for JWs: stop condemning

  Without these foundational tenets, what reason does a person have to be a Jehovah's Witness?

  Going through life without being able to condemn and judge others would simply be: no fun. Provincialism is the last bastion of the weak...and without it JWs lose their entire identity.

  --

  Other than that, you make a great point, Terry.
• 

  Terry

  DCMS:

  Ahhhh, I see. . . I see. . .
• 

  Londo111
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  Separation of Powers

  Good points Terry, but I have to disagree with the premise that apostates hate, curse and insult witnesses. Most of us like them so I wouldnt really consider us enemies....I think the scripture better applies in the reverse.
• 

  sparky1

  "The second is this, 'You must love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.' " - Mark 12:31 NWT Revised 2013

  Maybe someone needs to teach each Jehovahs Witness to have real, honest, pure and unhypocritical love for themselves as human beings and not the self loathing, false humility that they are taught by the Governing Body. If Jehovahs Witnesses really loved themselves as people they would find it second nature to love others.
• 

  Terry

  HERE IS A THOUGHT:

  What if every time the Watchtower was about to print the word APOSTATE, instead they printed STRAY SHEEP?
• 

  AndDontCallMeShirley

  What if every time the Watchtower was about to print the word APOSTATE, instead they printed STRAY SHEEP?

  Or, simply: fellow human being.

  It's best to take religious/Bible references completely out of it. That way a JW might be able to think straight.

  Of course, now we've stepped way over the line into The Twilight Zone, right??

  Your point is well taken, though, Terry. The constant terminology JWs are hammered with colors their world and shapes their thinking in how they view people. Simple changes would make a huge difference...but said changes run counter to the agenda of WT, Inc. WT isn't in the love and, "can't we all just get along?" business.
• 

  mouthy

  They already call me the BLACK SHEEP(my daughter who is still in bondage
• 

  Theredeemer

  Witnesses find it hard to truly love other witnesses. They are busy judging and marking each other.