Just some random thoughts here... Theme scripture is Matt.5: 33 . We already had a thread explaining that Jesus added a "but" after those words. However, few would argue against the principle of keeping one's word. Par 2 describes :
2 As used in the Bible, a vow is a solemn promise that is made to God. A person promises to perform some act, to offer some gift, to enter some type of service, or to abstain from certain things. Vows are made voluntarily, of one’s own free will. Nevertheless, they are sacred and binding in God’s eyes because they carry the force of an oath
O K then ... We have Biblical examples of vow keepers , starting with Jepthah. He swore that
“If you give the Ammonites into my hand, then whoever comes out of the door of my house to meet me when I return in peace from the Ammonites will become Jehovah’s.”
At least that what it says in para 5 . The NWT scripture (Judges 11.31) adds the words " and I must offer that one up as a burnt offering" .. I guess this article did not want to go into that , so it left it out of the soundbite quote. Anyway his daughter did not die but had to serve at the Tabernacle the rest of her days, poor girl.
We get to the main part where they want to teach modern dubs about their own lives so first they discuss "Dedication " Para 10
To use Jesus’ words, a person thus ‘disowns himself,’ gives up all rights to himself, and vows to put God’s will above everything else in his life. (Matt. 16:24) From that day forward, ‘he belongs to Jehovah.
Can you really expect that level of commitment from a pre pubescent child? as they seem to advocate nowadays..The Bible describes adult baptism.
Next is marriage..a lifetime commitment . I noticed though that they mentioned grounds for separation . This differs from divorce although it still breaks the agreement. It seems the worst of both worlds. They say . Para 16:
However, some married Christians have viewed certain situations as a reason for separation, such as the extreme endangerment of one’s life or spirituality by an abusive or apostate spouse. *
Hmmm , food for thought on the part of a few sisters with UBMs...
Finally there is something that some, I know, had not heard of before Para 19
Currently, there are some 67,000 members of the Worldwide Order of Special Full-Time Servants of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Some perform Bethel service, {other duties were listed} ......They are all bound by a “Vow of Obedience and Poverty,” with which they agree to do whatever is assigned to them in the advancement of Kingdom interests, to live a simple lifestyle, and to abstain from secular employment without permission.
To those who asked me, I surmised that it was a way for the WTS to get around employment laws for Bethelites and the like. Please correct me if you know better.
So there is a vow from the Bethelite, but the WTS will still dismiss them at will . It only works one way.....c'est la vie in Watchtowerland ......