by happy man 32 Replies latest jw friends
What about if they say something who take your life, and later change this.
They already have done this.
Thousands have ALREADY died fro WRONG DOCTRINE. Never has an apology been given to the deceased person family or to the Organisation these false ideas came from.
The GB is bloodguily ....plain and simple
Dear Happy Man:
It is to Our Heavenly Father that we should exult:
ISAIAH:61:(10):" Without fail I shall exult in Jehovah. My soul will be joyful in my God. For he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; with the sleeveless coat of righteousness he has enwrapped me, like the bridegroom who, in a priestly way, puts on a headdress, and like the bride who decks herself with her ornamental things." (11): For as the earth itself brings forth its sprout, and as the garden itself makes the things that are sown in it sprout, in like manner the Sovereign Lord Jehovah will cause the sprouting of righteousness and of praise in front of all the nations."
ISAIAH:" 26:13:" O Jehovah our God, other masters besides you have acted as owners of us. By you only shall we make mention of your name."
JEREMIAH:7:4:" Do not put YOUR trust in fallacious words saying,: The temple of Jehovah, the temple of Jehovah, the temple of Jehovah they are."
JEREMIAH 17:5:" This is what Jehovah has said: " Cursed is the able-bodied man who puts his trust in earthling man and actually makes flesh his arms, and whose heart turns away from Jehovah himself".
JAMES 1:17,18: (17): " Every good gift and every perfect present is from above for it comes down from the Father of celestial lights and with him there is not a variation of the turning of a shadow. (18): "Because he willed it, he brought us forth by the word of truth, for us to be certain firstfruits of his creatures."
ISAIAH: 26:20: " Go, my people, enter into your interior rooms, and shut your doors behind you. Hide yourself for but a moment until the denunciation passes over.
ISAIAH:65,13:"Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord Jehovah has said: " Look my own servants will eat, but you yourselves will go hungry. Look! My own servants will drink, but you yourselves will go thirsty. Look! My own servants will rejoice,but you yourselves will suffer shame.
Christian Love,
AwakenedAndFree
Edited by - AwakenedAndFree on 18 October 2002 15:56:37
HM, your responder opined:
For example. Just because the decision may be questionable in that EXTREME situation, does that mean all the OTHER directions received from the GB should be questioned?
Let's allow the GB to speak for themselves, shall we?
Excerpted
for his and your consideration. In every instance wherein reference is made to "Catholic Church," "Catholics," and "eating meat on Friday," feel free to substitute "the Governing Body," "Jehovah's Witnesses," and "organ transplants"/ "blood fractions transfusions"/"alternative military service" respectively:FOR centuries Catholics abstained from eating meat on Fridays. It was a Church law. Many sincerely believed it was a law of Almighty God. But now this has changed.
The fact is that the meatless-Friday rule was made an obligation only some 1,100 years ago. Pope Nicholas I (858-867) was the one who put it into effect. And how vital was it considered that Catholics abide by this rule?
A publication that bears the Catholic imprimatur, indicating approval, states: The Catholic Church says that it is a mortal sin for a Catholicto eat meat on Friday knowingly and wilfully, without a sufficiently grave and excusing reason. It adds: The Church says that if a man dies in unrepented mortal sin, he will go to hell. R adio Replies, Rumble and Carty (1938)
Thus the devout carefully avoided eating meat on Fridays. They sincerely believed that failure to obey could lead to their eternal punishment in a fiery hell.
But then, early in 1966, Pope Paul VI authorized local Church officials to modify this abstinence requirement in their countries as they saw fit. The pope was acting in line with recommendations made at the recently completed Second Vatican Council. Thus, in one country after another, meatless Fridays were virtually abolishedin France, Canada, Italy, Mexico, the United States, and so on.
...
The effect upon many devout Catholics has been devastating. All these years I thought it was a sin to eat meat, explained a housewife in the midwestern United States. Now I suddenly find out it isnt a sin. Thats hard to understand.
If you are a Catholic, can you understand how a practice that was considered by the Church a mortal sin can suddenly be approved? if it was a sin five years ago, why is it not today? Many Catholics cannot understand. When a woman in Canada was asked how she felt about the changes in her church, she replied: I dont know. Maybe you can tell me. What are they going to do with all those people sent to hell for eating meat on Friday? Not just a few Catholics have asked such questions.The change in teaching has shaken their confidence in the Church. Would you not feel the same way if what you had always been taught to be vital for salvation was suddenly considered unnecessary? Would you not be inclined to question other teachings of your church also? (emphasis mine) "Should Meat Be Eaten on Friday?" Awake, April 22, 1970, pgs. 8-9(excerpted)
Tell me, he asked, how can I have confidence in anything? How can I believe in the Bible, in God, or have faith? Just ten years ago we Catholics had the absolute truth, we put all our faith in this. Now the pope and our priests are telling us this is not the way to believe any more, but we are to believe new things. How do I know the new things will be the truth in five years?"Changes That Disturb People," Awake, April 22, 1970, pgs. 8-9
Edited by - AMNESIAN on 18 October 2002 16:22:54
Should you stop preaching because the GB made a wrong decision about some matter many years ago regarding a tenet that has since been corrected?
Happy man, stop preaching what?
I agree we should preach Christ (Love) everyday; I suppose even if sometimes we have to use words.
But why would you help enslave humans - " the end is near, we must heed people in Brooklyn who God talks to - they're not always right, but I know they must be the troof - they say so - we will give you the new rules as they transmit them to us " What, are you kidding?
People already know the commandments, and they know that they should share and give - it's a God given gift.
So how do you remind people that God fore-gives - you can be like God and give to them as well - if you need to use words, tell them that God forgives, and repentance is good - people are suprising, they already have new years resolutions.
Keep preaching - just don't be a devil.
paduan
Dear Happy,
You are free to park you brain in the basement and let the GB do all the thinking for you. Of course, you are still responsible to God for your choices. The GB will not be there to answer for your behavior when you kill your children, preach insanity to your neighbors, harbor pediphiles and fail society in your dubious citizenship. You are definately rendering unto Satan what is satan's, your hypocracy.
caveman
In the Watchtower Quotes below, you will see that, according to the Watchtower Society's Teachings, it is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT for ALL JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES to know the WHOLE TRUTH about the Watchtower Society's Policies and Teachings because of COMMUNITY BLOODGUILT BEFORE ALMIGHTY GOD JEHOVAH:
Quotes from Watchtower Publications:
The Watchtower June 1st 2002 Issue, Page 25:
Certain incidents in particular shocked me....Another time, the principal of the Baptist school attempted to abuse me sexually. I learned afterward that he was a homosexual and had abused others. I pondered these things, wondering to myself, 'Does God approve of religions whose members and even whose leaders are not held accountable for gross sins'.
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You Can Live Forever On A Paradise Earth Book, Pages 187-188:
"If church members who gamble, get drunk or do other wrongs are permitted to remain in good standing within their church, what does this show? It is evidence that their religious organization is not approved by God. (1st Corinthians 5:11-13)"
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"God's Kingdom of a Thousand Years Has Approached" Book, Pages 380-381, Paragraph 18:
(After the Watchtower links the Clergy to the "man of lawlessness" they state the following):
Of course, what one prominent member of this clerical "man" does attaches blame to all the other members of the clergy class for their agreeing with what is done or not protesting against it or for acquiescing [accepting, complying, or submitting tacitly or passively] in it and remaining with the clergy organization.
They all share a community responsibility and culpability for what a member of the clergy class does in a representative way as when speaking or acting for the whole group.
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"United in Worship of the Only True God" Book (1983), Page 155:
The Scriptures show that if we are part of any organization that is bloodguilty before God, we must sever our ties with it if we do not want to share in its sins. (Revelation 18:4, 24: Micah 4:3)
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Awake! September 8th 1987 Issue, Pages 10 and 11:
If Your Church Fails to Act, Will You?
If, after making an honest investigation, you are less than pleased with what you see, do more than just complain.
A journalist, while commenting on Karl Barth's statement that a church is its members, logically concluded: 'Church members ... are responsible for what the church says and does.'
So ask yourself: Am I willing to share responsibility for everything my church says and does?
Can I really be proud of having all its members as spiritual brothers?
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The Watchtower June 1st 1952 Issue, Pages 344-345:
"The people must accept responsibility for the nation's acts .. Nations operate according to the principle of community responsibility. Rulers may start wars, but the people fight them. It is upon the people generally, young and old, male and female, that the enemy nation rains destruction, and not upon the wicked rulers. The nations in their wars sow death on the basis of community responsibility .. If the people either actively or passively support what is corrupt and immoral and murderous, do they not bear some responsibility therefore?"
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The Watchtower June 15th 1965 Issue, Pages 366 and 369:
"For one thing, Pharaoh alone could not have oppressed the nation of Israel or defied Jehovah. That took a mighty organization; and so all who supported Pharaoh in his God-defying and oppressive measures became parties to his crimes.. The common people of Egypt, who, as Pharaoh's willing supporters, had a community responsibility, picture those of humankind today who willingly support Satan's visible organization."
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The Watchtower September 15th 1966 Issue, Page 550:
"Some have not willfully and deliberately done so, but share community responsibility for supporting the spilling of blood in wars."
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Awake! October 22nd 1970 Issue, Page 28:
"Another way in which a person can unwittingly become bloodguilty is by reason of the principle of community responsibility. If one belongs to a religious organization that has shed blood in times past, or that may bless those who do shed innocent blood, then by reason of association he would share in its bloodguilt."
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The Watchtower November 1st 1971 Issue, Page 647:
"We personally may not desire to show disrespect for God's name, but, if we have any religious connection, the question for us to ask ourselves is: Do I belong to a religious denomination that disrespects and defames God's name in these and other ways? Suppose that any of us do. Well, then, we should know the course for us to take if we respect God's name. What? This, namely, to disengage ourselves from sharing in the community responsibility of such a religious denomination before the Bible God"
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The Watchtower November 15th 1973 Issue, Page 693:
"They want no share in the community responsibility for the sins and corruption of politics. They know that the ones who keep clean from such worldly defilements will be the ones whom God will preserve into His new order."
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The Watchtower November 15th 1985 Issue, Pages 21-22:
Do Not Share in the Sins of Others
Elders must also be alert not to protect one another or ministerial servants if one of them has committed a serious sin that could result in disfellowshipping. They should follow the principle outlined by Paul, who wrote: Never lay your hands hastily upon any man; neither be a sharer in the sins of others; preserve yourself chaste.1st Timothy 5:22.
Watchtower June 15th 1978 Issue, Page 75:
Avoid bloodguilt from..... sharing in bloodguilty organizations....
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"Life Everlasting in Freedom of the Sons of God" Book (1966), Page 342:
Do you want to stand bloodguilty before God and deserve denunciation and execution at his hands?
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Man's Salvation Out Of World Distress At Hand (1975), Pages 114 and 187-188:
"In similar fashion, the modern-day remnant of spiritual Israel had to do some reforming as to their way and thoughts as World War I ended on November 11, 1918, and they entered still alive on earth into the postwar period. Their exile from God's full favor in Babylon the Great's realm was about to end, and it became the proper time for they to think about their failings and shortcomings with regard to God's worship and service. They had come under a community responsibility because of the bloodshed and violence of World War I. They needed to search for Jehovah and to call upon His name in prayer .. During World War I of 1914-1918 B.C.E., some of the remnant of spiritual Israel accepted non-combatant service in the fighting armies, and thus they came under bloodguilt because of their sharing in community responsibility for the blood spilled in war. However, in 1939, the year in which World War II erupted, all the remnant of spiritual Israel and also those of the 'great crowd' of sheeplike companions declared themselved in favor of absolute neutrality toward all worldly conflicts, regardless of nationality. The publication of the article 'Neutrality' in the issue of November 1, 1939, of The Watchtower set forth their position."
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The Watchtower August 1st 1979 Issue, Page 16:
"Why Will Christendom Not Survive? .. bloodguilty Christendom of today, with her pagan customs, man-made traditions, and mixture of heathen philosophies with Bible teachings, will fare no better than her ancient prototype. She will not escape sharing in the fulfillment of Jehovah's prophecy: 'A great tempest itself will be roused up from the remotest parts of the earth. And those slain by Jehovah will certainly come to be in that day from one end of the earth clear to the other end of the earth. They will not be bewailed, neither will they be gathered up or be buried. As manure on the surface of the ground they will become.' (Jer. 25:32, 33) No! Christendom will not survive the impending 'great tribulation.' (Matt. 24:1, 2, 21, 22) Moreover, all the rest of the world empire of false religion will closely follow her into destruction!"
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Awake! June 22nd 1986 Issue:
"According to the Bible, when we deliberately put someone's life unnecessarily in danger, we could become bloodguilty. (Compare 1 Chronicles 11:17-19.)"
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Insight Book Volume 1 Pages, 346-347:
"bloodguilt .. Truly such bloodguilty ones are not worthy of living half their lives, as David said. (Ps 55:23)"
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Revelation - It's Grand Climax At Hand (1988), Pages 101-102 and 272:
"It is Satan's earthly organization, his earthly seed. Prominent therein is Babylon the Great, the world empire of false religion.. What a load of bloodguiltiness! As long as Babylon the Great exists, the blood of her victims will cry out for justice.. By the fourth century C.E., that old Serpent, Satan the Devil, had brought forth his masterpiece of deception, the apostate religion of Christendom - a Babylonish system hidden under a 'Christian' veneer. It is the principal part of the seed of the serpent and has developed into a multitude of conflicting sects. Like unfaithful Judah of old, Christendom carries a heavy bloodguilt.. For thousands of years, Babylon the Great has been bloodguilty, and she is a gross fornicatrix.. But her major sins, 'massing together clear up to heaven', are her shocking acts of spiritual fornication - this latter in teaching falsehoods and allying herself with corrupt politicians."
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The Watchtower November 15th 1995 Issue, Page 15:
"Yes, there is such a thing as joint, or community, bloodguilt.. Therefore, the adherents of false religion as well as the supporters and participants in human warfare are bloodguilty before God."
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The Watchtower, February 15th 1988 Issue, Page 20
If any do become guilty of gross wrongdoing but cover it up, they will clearly lose Jehovah's approval and "the peace of God" that they had. They will also lose their own peace of mind. (Compare 2 Samuel 24:10; Matthew 6:22, 23.)
You can see, then, why it is imperative that any Christian who has fallen into serious sin confess that to Jehovah and to loving elders, who can promote spiritual healing. (Isaiah 1:18, 19; 32:1, 2; James 5:14, 15) When a person who has lost spiritual balance on the slippery path of sin seeks help from mature brothers, he will not continue to have a troubled conscience or be without godly peace.
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The Watchtower, September 1st 1987 Issue, Pages 12-15:
Mary is a hypothetical person facing a situation that some Christians have faced. The way she handles the situation represents how some have applied Bible principles in similar circumstances.
In their Commentary on the Old Testament, Keil and Delitzsch state that a person would be guilty of error or sin if he knew of anothers crime, whether he had seen it, or had come to the certain knowledge of it in any other way, and was therefore qualified to appear in court as a witness for the conviction of the criminal, neglected to do so, and did not state what he had seen or learned, when he heard the solemn adjuration of the judge at the public investigation of the crime, by which all persons present, who knew anything of the matter, were urged to come forward as witnesses.
It is the right and loving course to encourage an erring Witness to speak with the elders, confident that they will handle the problem in a kind and understanding way
One day Mary faced a dilemma. In processing medical records, she came upon information indicating that a patient, a fellow Christian, had submitted to an abortion. Did she have a Scriptural responsibility to expose this information to elders in the congregation, even though it might lead to her losing her job, to her being sued, or to her employer's having legal problems? Or would Proverbs 11:13 justify her keeping the matter concealed? This reads: "The one walking about as a slanderer is uncovering confidential talk, but the one faithful in spirit is covering over a matter."Compare Proverbs 25:9, 10.
...This command from the Highest Level of authority in the universe put the responsibility upon each Israelite to report to the judges any serious wrongdoing that he observed so that the matter might be handled. While Christians are not strictly under the Mosaic Law, its principles still apply in the Christian congregation. Hence, there may be times when a Christian is obligated to bring a matter to the attention of the elders. True, it is illegal in many countries to disclose to unauthorized ones what is found in private records. But if a Christian feels, after prayerful consideration, that he is facing a situation where the law of God required him to report what he knew despite the demands of lesser authorities, then that is a responsibility he accepts before Jehovah. There are times when a Christian "must obey God as ruler rather than men."Acts 5:29.
While oaths or solemn promises should never be taken lightly, there may be times when promises required by men are in conflict with the requirement that we render exclusive devotion to our God.
...Anticipating the problem, some brothers who are lawyers, doctors, accountants, and so forth, have prepared guidelines in writing and have asked brothers who may consult them to read these over before revealing anything confidential. Thus an understanding is required in advance that if serious wrongdoing comes to light, the wrongdoer would be encouraged to go to the elders in his congregation about the matter. It would be understood that if he did not do so, the counselor would feel an obligation to go to the elders himself.
There may be occasions when a faithful servant of God is motivated by his personal convictions, based on his knowledge of God's Word, to strain or even breach the requirements of confidentiality because of the superior demands of divine law. Courage and discretion would be needed. The objective would not be to spy on another's freedom but to help erring ones and to keep the Christian congregation clean. Minor transgressions due to sin should be overlooked. Here, "love covers a multitude of sins," and we should forgive "up to seventy-seven times." (Matthew 18:21,22) This is the "time to keep quiet." But when there is an attempt to conceal major sins, this may be the "time to speak."
(MY COMMENT: Compare the above Quote to the statement by "Ted" Jaracz, Governing Body Leader, who told the Panorama Reporter that the Society has to stick with their "Privacy Laws" ahead of protecting children!)
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The Watchtower August 15th 1997 Issue:
Why Report What Is Bad?
HE WHO brings a matter out in the open becomes an enemy of the people, some say in West Africa. That was what happened to Olu when he accused his older brother of committing incest with his sister. You are a liar! screamed the brother. He then viciously beat Olu, drove him from the family house, and burned all Olus clothes. The villagers supported the brother. No longer welcome in the village, Olu had to leave. Only after the girl was observed to be pregnant did the people realize that Olu had told the truth. The brother confessed, and Olu was restored to favor. Things could have turned out quite differently. Olu could have been killed.
(MY COMMENT: Sounds familiar, doesn't it?)
Clearly, those who have no love for Jehovah are not likely to appreciate having their error brought to light. The sinful human tendency is to resist reproof and resent whoever gives it. (Compare John 7:7) Little wonder that many are as silent as stones when it comes to revealing the wrongs of others to those who have the authority to correct them.
Appreciating the Value of Reproof
Among Jehovah's people, however, there is a different attitude toward reproof. Godly men and women deeply appreciate the arrangement Jehovah has made to help erring ones inside the Christian congregation. They recognize such discipline as an expression of his loving-kindness. Hebrews 12:6-11.
(MY COMMENT: Just look at the silentlambs and compare to the above Paragraph!)This may be illustrated with an incident in the life of King David. Although he was a righteous man from his youth on, there came a time when he fell into serious wrongdoing. First, he committed adultery. Then, in an attempt to cover up his wrong, he arranged to have the womans husband killed. But Jehovah revealed Davids sin to Nathan the prophet, who courageously confronted David about the matter. Using a powerful illustration, Nathan asked David what should be done to a rich man who had many sheep but took and slaughtered the only lamb, a treasured pet, of a poor man to entertain his friend. David, a former shepherd, was roused to indignation and anger. He said: The man doing this deserves to die! Nathan then applied the illustration to David, saying: You yourself are the man! 2 Samuel 12:1-7.
David did not become angry with Nathan; neither did he try to defend himself nor did he resort to recriminations. Instead, Nathan's rebuke deeply moved his conscience. Cut to the heart, David confessed: I have sinned against Jehovah. 2 Samuel 12:13.
Nathan's exposure of David's sin, followed by godly reproof, bore good results. Though David was not shielded from the consequences of his wrong, he repented and became reconciled to Jehovah. How did David feel about such reproof? He wrote: Should the righteous one strike me, it would be a loving-kindness; and should he reprove me, it would be oil upon the head, which my head would not want to refuse. Psalm 141:5.
In our day too, Jehovah's servants can become involved in serious wrongdoing, even those who have been faithful for many years. Recognizing that the elders can assist, most take the initiative to approach them for help. (James 5:13-16) But sometimes a wrongdoer may try to cover up his sin, as did King David. What should we do if we come to know about serious wrongdoing in the congregation?
Whose Responsibility Is It?
When elders learn about serious wrongdoing, they approach the individual involved to give needed help and correction. It is the elders' responsibility to judge such ones inside the Christian congregation. Keeping a close watch on its spiritual condition, they assist and admonish anyone who is taking an unwise or wrong step.1 Corinthians 5:12, 13; 2 Timothy 4:2; 1 Peter 5:1, 2.
But what if you are not an elder and you come to know about some serious wrongdoing on the part of another Christian? Guidelines are found in the Law that Jehovah gave to the nation of Israel. The Law stated that if a person was a witness to apostate acts, sedition, murder, or certain other serious crimes, it was his responsibility to report it and to testify to what he knew. Leviticus 5:1 states: Now in case a soul sins in that he has heard public cursing and he is a witness or he has seen it or has come to know of it, if he does not report it, then he must answer for his error. Compare Deuteronomy 13:6-8; Esther 6:2; Proverbs 29:24.
Though not under the Mosaic Law, Christians today can be guided by the principles behind it. (Psalm 19:7, 8) So if you learn about the serious wrongdoing of a fellow Christian, what should you do?
Handling the Matter
First of all, it is important that there is valid reason to believe that serious wrongdoing has really occurred. Do not become a witness against your fellowman without grounds, stated the wise man. Then you would have to be foolish with your lips. Proverbs 24:28.
You may decide to go directly to the elders. It is not wrong to do so. Usually, however, the most loving course is to approach the person involved. Perhaps the facts are not as they appear to be. Or perhaps the situation is already being handled by the elders. Calmly discuss the matter with the person. If there remains reason to believe that a serious wrong has been committed, encourage him or her to approach the elders for help, and explain the wisdom of doing so. Do not talk to others about the matter, for that would be gossip.
If the person does not report to the elders within a reasonable period of time, then you should. One or two elders will then discuss the matter with the accused. The elders need to search and investigate and inquire thoroughly to see if wrong has been done. If it has, they will handle the case according to Scriptural guidelines. Deuteronomy 13:12-14.
At least two witnesses are required to establish a charge of wrongdoing. (John 8:17; Hebrews 10:28) If the person denies the charge and your testimony is the only one, the matter will be left in Jehovah's hands. (1 Timothy 5:19, 24, 25) This is done in the knowledge that all things are openly exposed to Jehovah and that if the person is guilty, eventually his sins will catch up with him. Hebrews 4:13; Numbers 32:23.
But suppose the person does deny the charge and you are the only witness against him. Could you now be open to a countercharge of slander? No, not unless you have gossiped to those not involved in the matter. It is not slanderous to report conditions affecting a congregation to those having authority and responsibility to oversee and correct matters. It is, in fact, in line with our desire always to do what is correct and loyal. Compare Luke 1:74, 75.
Maintaining Holiness in the Congregation
One reason for reporting wrongdoing is that it works to preserve the cleanness of the congregation. Jehovah is a clean God, a holy God. He requires all those who worship him to be spiritually and morally clean. His inspired Word admonishes: As obedient children, quit being fashioned according to the desires you formerly had in your ignorance, but, in accord with the Holy One who called you, do you also become holy yourselves in all your conduct, because it is written: You must be holy, because I am holy. (1 Peter 1:14-16) Individuals who practice uncleanness or wrongdoing can bring defilement and Jehovahs disfavor upon an entire congregation unless action is taken to correct or remove them. Compare Joshua, chapter 7.
The apostle Paul's letters to the Christian congregation at Corinth show how the reporting of wrongdoing worked toward the cleansing of God's people there. In his first letter, Paul wrote: Actually fornication is reported among you, and such fornication as is not even among the nations, that a wife a certain man has of his father. 1 Corinthians 5:1.
The Bible does not tell us from whom the apostle received this report. It may be that Paul learned about the situation from Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, who had traveled from Corinth to Ephesus where Paul was staying. Paul had also received a letter of inquiry from the Christian congregation in Corinth. Whatever the source, once the situation had been reported to Paul by reliable witnesses, he was then able to give direction on the matter. Remove the wicked man from among yourselves, he wrote. The man was expelled from the congregation. 1 Corinthians 5:13; 16:17, 18.
Did Paul's instruction bring good results? Indeed it did! Evidently, the wrongdoer came to his senses. In his second letter to the Corinthians, Paul urged that the congregation kindly forgive and comfort the repentant man. (2 Corinthians 2:6-8) Thus the reporting of wrongdoing led to action that resulted in cleansing the congregation and restoring to Gods favor a person who had damaged his relationship with God.
We find another example in Paul's first letter to the Christian congregation at Corinth. This time the apostle names the witnesses who reported the matter. He wrote: The disclosure was made to me about you, my brothers, by those of the house of Chloe, that dissensions exist among you. (1 Corinthians 1:11) Paul knew that this dissension, along with giving undue honor to men, had created a sectarian attitude that threatened to destroy the congregations unity. Hence, out of deep regard for the spiritual welfare of his fellow believers there, Paul acted quickly and wrote corrective counsel to the congregation.
Today, the vast majority of brothers and sisters in congregations throughout the earth work hard to preserve the spiritual cleanness of the congregation by individually maintaining an approved standing before God. Some suffer to do so; others have even died in order to keep integrity. Surely to condone or cover up wrongdoing would show a lack of appreciation for these efforts.
Help for Erring Ones
Why do some who have fallen into gross sin hold back from approaching the congregation elders? Often it is because they are not aware of the benefits of going to the elders. Some incorrectly believe that if they confess, their sin will be exposed to the entire congregation. Others delude themselves as to the gravity of their course. Still others think they can readjust themselves without the aid of the elders.
But such wrongdoers need loving help from the congregation elders. James wrote: Is there anyone sick among you? Let him call the older men of the congregation to him, and let them pray over him, greasing him with oil in the name of Jehovah. And the prayer of faith will make the indisposed one well, and Jehovah will raise him up. Also, if he has committed sins, it will be forgiven him.James 5:14, 15.
What a wonderful provision to help erring ones to restore their spirituality! By applying soothing counsel from God's Word and by praying in their behalf, the elders can help the spiritually ailing ones to recover from their erroneous ways. Thus, rather than feeling condemned, repentant ones often feel refreshed and relieved when they meet with loving elders. A young West African man had committed fornication and had covered his sin for some months. After his sin became manifest, he said to the elders: How I wish someone would have asked about my involvement with that girl! It's such a relief to bring this thing into the open. Compare Psalm 32:3-5.
An Act of Principled Love
Baptized servants of God have passed over from death to life. (1 John 3:14) But if they commit serious sin, they have turned back to the way of death. If they are not helped, they may become hardened in wrongdoing, not desiring to repent and return to the worship of the true God. Hebrews 10:26-29.
The reporting of wrongdoing is an act of genuine concern for the wrongdoer. James wrote: My brothers, if anyone among you is misled from the truth and another turns him back, know that he who turns a sinner back from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. James 5:19, 20.
So, then, why report what is bad? Because it works what is good. Really, to report wrongdoing is an act of Christian principled love shown toward God, toward the congregation, and toward the wrongdoer. As each member of the congregation loyally upholds Gods righteous standards, Jehovah will richly bless the congregation as a whole. Wrote the apostle Paul: He [Jehovah] will also make you firm to the end, that you may be open to no accusation in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 1:8.
It shows love to encourage an erring Witness to speak with the elders.
Elders help restore erring ones to God's favor.
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Insight Book Volume 1 Page 788:
Expelling
Some of the offenses that could merit disfellowshipping from the Christian congregation are fornication, adultery, homosexuality, greed, extortion, thievery, lying, drunkenness, reviling, spiritism, murder, idolatry, apostasy, and the causing of divisions in the congregation. (1Co 5:9-13; 6:9, 10; Tit 3:10, 11; Re 21:8) Mercifully, one promoting a sect is warned a first and a second time before such disfellowshipping action is taken against him. In the Christian congregation, the principle enunciated in the Law applies, namely, that two or three witnesses must establish evidence against the accused one. (1Ti 5:19) Those who have been convicted of a practice of sin are reproved Scripturally before the onlookers, for example, those who testified concerning the sinful conduct, so that they too may all have a healthy fear of such sin. 1Ti 5:20; see REPROOF.
The Christian congregation is also admonished by Scripture to stop socializing with those who are disorderly and not walking correctly but who are not deemed deserving of complete expulsion. Paul wrote the Thessalonian congregation concerning such: Stop associating with him, that he may become ashamed. And yet do not be considering him as an enemy, but continue admonishing him as a brother. 2Th 3:6, 11, 13-15.
(MY COMMENT: Funny, I didn't see Whistle-Blowing or Protecting Children listed in the Insight Book as an "Expellling Offense", maybe they should make an Update!)
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Insight Book Volume 2, Page 234
Legal Case
Evidence. If a person was a witness to apostate acts, sedition, murder, which defiled the land, or certain other serious crimes, he was under obligation to report it and to testify to what he knew, or he would be subject to divine curse, publicly proclaimed. (Le 5:1; De 13:8; compare Pr 29:24; Es 6:2.) One witness was not enough to establish a matter, however. Two or more were required. (Nu 35:30; De 17:6; 19:15; compare Joh 8:17, 18; 1Ti 5:19; Heb 10:28.) Witnesses were commanded by the Law to speak the truth (Ex 20:16; 23:7), and were, in some cases, put under oath. (Mt 26:63) This would especially be so when the one on whom suspicion fell was the only witness to the matter. (Ex 22:10, 11) Since those in a legal case before the judges or at the sanctuary for judgment of a matter were regarded as standing before Jehovah, witnesses were to recognize that they were accountable to God. (Ex 22:8; De 1:17; 19:17) A witness was not to accept a bribe, allow anyone wicked to persuade him to speak untruthfully, or scheme violence. (Ex 23:1, 8) He was not to let his testimony be swayed by pressure of a crowd or by the wealth or poverty of those involved in the case. (Ex 23:2, 3) Even the closest family relationship was not to hold one back from testifying against a wicked violator of the law, such as an apostate or rebellious one.De 13:6-11; 21:18-21; Zec 13:3.
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"Insight on the Scriptures" Book Volume 1:
Bloodguilt
The Christian Greek Scriptures outline three distinct ways in which a Christian could become bloodguilty before God: (1) by bloodshed, murder - this would include those actively or tacitly supporting the activities of a bloodguilty organization (such as Babylon the Great [Revelation 17:6; 18:2, 4] or other organizations that have shed much innocent blood [Revelation 16:5, 6; compare Isaiah 26:20, 21])
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Scriptures from the Bible (some of which were mentioned in the Publications above):
(Revelation 18:4-8):And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, My people, that YOU shall not be partakers of her sins, and that YOU shall not receive of her plagues.
Hello
hello U
i think you have make a vrey bigg work to find evry smaler o bigger wrong thing in Jw religon, however when i read this as you have said in a forme topic.
#I believe that when they die, everyone who rejects Jesus Christ will end up spending Eternity separated from Jesus Christ in Hell (whether Hell is a Fiery Place of Torment or not, I'm not sure, but I know I don't want to be there no matter what it is.#
I bee very disturbed, hade you never think about this dont look at the small things widh your fellow man when you have a bigg stock in your one eyes.
If you belive in hell, this is a very bigg sinn, belife that Jehova will torture evry man on earth who not are a beliver, is a much more and bigger sinn then all these things you count upp fore JW, i must say shame on you, and not in anger but in love, and I hope you never more look on this smal things like change some word here and ther, when you in the same time say, thet your fellow mman must suffer fore ever when you are walking on streets of gold in heaven , this peopel who critisise us, fore smaler things and later tell thet they belife in this hellfire, are hyocrites, thats my wuie.
so i realy hope you cange your mind, before it is to late.
wid love from HM
Insight on the Scriptures" Book Volume 1:
Bloodguilt
The Christian Greek Scriptures outline three distinct ways in which a Christian could become bloodguilty before God: (1) by bloodshed, murder - this would include those actively or tacitly supporting the activities of a bloodguilty organization ...or other organizations that have shed much innocent blood
Has any blood been SHED, ... by the GB's rules?
It would be intresting to have SOME KIND of facts regarding how many have died within the borg from erronious teachings on their part. We'll never know
Edited by - Gumby on 19 October 2002 8:5:53
gumby.
i find it very difficult to understand that if some peopel say they dont want blood it is a very biff issu, ofcourse it is problem widh chldren, myselt will never sacrifce my child fore this, so there you one of JW and what i think.
But you foregt something, why are you never talk about thes religions who realy have blood gulit, this who send out millions of peoepl to kill each other i war, blessd by ther priest, this is the most bigg sckndal in modern history, and nowan say nothing, understand if i be littel disturbd when so much peopel here shouting about this who died beaucause the blood issu. Some lives is also saved, think about all disises as the blood can give, I can teel you that my dcktor who say he never want blood for him self, so try to put this in the place it belongs to, and dont try to overdo it.
If i shall be unest i never hird of someone who died of this, and I have been JW 50 year.
So even if it happend it is radher unusual.
