I recall seeing a statement in the Watchtower that those who personally disagree with major WT doctrines, even if they are not promoting their personal viewpoints, are apostates and liable to disfellowshiping. I'm searching the WTLib, however, and I can't find it. Does anyone remember where it is?
Article needed: d/fing of those who hold personal views
by Euphemism 10 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
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Gopher
Euphemism, maybe this is it:
It's from the quotes site: http://quotes.jehovahswitnesses.com/verify_not.htm
*** Watchtower 1986 April 1 p.31 Questions From Readers ***
Approved association with Jehovah's Witnesses requires accepting the entire range of the true teachings of the Bible, including those Scriptural beliefs that are unique to Jehovah's Witnesses . What do such beliefs include? That the great issue before humankind is the rightfulness of Jehovah's sovereignty, which is why he has allowed wickedness so long. (Ezekiel 25:17) That Jesus Christ had a prehuman existence and is subordinate to his heavenly Father. (John 14:28) That there is a "faithful and discreet slave" upon earth today 'entrusted with all of Jesus' earthly interests,' which slave is associated with the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses . (Matthew 24:45-47) That 1914 marked the end of the Gentile Times and the establishment of the Kingdom of God in the heavens, as well as the time for Christ's foretold presence. (Luke 21:7-24; Revelation 11:15-12:10) That only 144,000 Christians will receive the heavenly reward . (Revelation 14:1, 3) That Armageddon, referring to the battle of the great day of God the Almighty, is near. (Revelation 16:14, 16; 19:11-21) That it will be followed by Christ's Millennial Reign, which will restore an earth-wide paradise. That the first to enjoy it will be the present "great crowd" of Jesus' "other sheep."-John 10:16; Revelation 7:9-17; 21:3, 4.
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Elsewhere
Watchtower Augest 1, 2001, p. 14, par. 8:
First, since "oneness" is to be observed, a mature Christian must be in unity and full harmony with fellow believers as far as faith and knowledge are concerned. He does not advocate or insist on personal opinions or harbor private ideas when it comes to Bible understanding. Rater, he has complete confidence in the truth as it is revealed by Jehovah God through his Son, Jesus Christ, and "the faithful and discreet slave." By regularly taking in the spiritual food provided "at the proper time" -- through Christian publications, meetings, assemblies, and conventions -- we can be sure that we maintain "oneness" with fellow Christians in faith and knowledge. -- Matthew 24:45.The Truth is not part of our life, it is our life. Everything else revolves around it." - Our Kingdom Ministry, December, 1998, p.3
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Respond to the direction of this organization as you would the voice of God. - WT 6/15/57 p. 370
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Jehovah's organization should influence our every decision. - WT 3/15/69 p. 172
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Failure to respond to the direction of the organization indicates a rejection of Divine rulership. - WT 2/15/76 p. 124
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The Watchtower January 15th 1983 Issue, Page 22:
"Avoid Independent Thinking"
"Avoid.... questioning the counsel that is provided by God's visible organization."
"How is such independent thinking manifested? A common way is by questioning the counsel that is provided by God's visible organization."
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The Watchtower January 15th 1983 Issue, Page 27:
"....some who point out that the organization has had to make some adjustments before, and so they argue: "This shows that we have to make up our own mind on what to believe." This is independent thinking. Why is it so dangerous?"
"Fight against independent thinking."
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The Watchtower September 15th 1989 Issue, Page 23:
"In the world, there is a tendency to reject leadership. As one lecturer said: ;'The rising education level has improved the talent pool such that followers have become so critical that they are almost impossible to lead.' But a spirit of independent thinking does not prevail in God's organization, and we have sound reasons for confidence in the men taking the lead among us."
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The Watchtower March 15th 1986 Issue, Page 17:
"Beware of those who try to put forward their own contrary opinions."
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The Watchtower July 1st 1994 Issue, Pages 12-13:
"As loyal servants of Jehovah, why would we even want to peek at the propaganda put out by rejecters of Jehovah's table...."
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The Watchtower August 1st 1960 Issue, Page 474:
"Jehovah's witnesses, though international, are 'one heart and soul,' of the 'same mind' and the 'same line of though.'"
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The Watchtower June 1st 1967 Issue, Page 338:
"....in Jehovah's organization it is not necessary to spend a lot of time and energy in research, for there are brothers in the organization who are assigned to that very thing...."
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The Watchtower August 1st 1972 Issue, Page 458:
"....the Watchtower study conductor, who presides over this meeting, has an important responsibility. This study enables all to be united in the same line of thought."
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The Watchtower August 1st 1980 Issue, Page 19:
"Thus, the one who doubts to the point of becoming an apostate sets himself up as a judge. He thinks he knows better than his fellow Christians, better also than the 'faithful and discreet slave,' through whom he has learned the best part, if not all that he knows about Jehovah God and his purposes."
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The Watchtower March 15th 1986 Issue, Page 12:
"Do you wisely destroy apostate material?"
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The Watchtower March 15th 1986 Issue, Page 14:
"Why is reading apostate publications similar to reading pornographic literature?"
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The Watchtower, February 1st 1987 Issue, Page 19:
"First of all, there is the matter of being obedient and ready to respond to encouragement. When direction and encouragement come from the proper source, it is only right that we should respond readily." "We also remember that one feature of 'the wisdom from above' is being 'ready to obey.' (James 3:17) These are qualities that all Christians are encouraged to put on. Due to background and upbringing, some may be more given to independent thinking and self-will than others. Perhaps this is an area where we need to discipline ourselves and 'make our mind over' so that we can perceive more clearly what the 'will of God' is. Romans 12:2." -
garybuss
You might be thinking of a BOE letter reproduced in COC. Page 293 in the Second Edition. GaryB -
Euphemism
Thanks a lot everyone! All the material is helpful, but I suspect that the letter Gary is referring to is what I have in mind. My copy of CoC is on loan to Piph, so I can't check it right now.
Pity they didn't actually print it in the public WT. But of course, they know better than that, don't they?
Still, there's plenty of publicly printed material there to hang them. Thanks, guys!
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blondie
p 341 Fourth Edition
Keep in mind that to be disfellowshiped, an apostate does not have to be a promoter of apostate views. As mentioned in paragraph two, page 17 of the August 1, 1980, Watchtower, The word 'apostasy' comes from a Greek term that means 'a standing away from,' 'a falling away, defection,' 'rebellion, abandonment. Therefore, if a baptized Christian abandons the teachings of Jehovah, as presented by the faithful and discreet slave, and persists in believing other doctrine despite Scriptural reproof, then he is apostatizing. Extended, kindly efforts should be put forth to readjust his thinking. However, if, after such extended efforts have been put forth to readjust his thinking, he continues to believe the apostate ideas and reflects what he has been provided through the 'slave class' then appropriate judicial action should be taken.
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Euphemism
Thanks a lot, blondie!
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Elsewhere
I looked around in my COC book and I think I found the letter you are looking for. I have the third edition so it was not on page 293, instead it was on page 330 and 331. Because the image in the book was grainy, I made a scan that greatly magnified the print. This way it can easily be read, and shrunk down if needed.
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Euphemism
Good stuff, Elsewhere!
It's funny how they create a dichotomy between "a trouble-making apostate" and "a Christian who becomes weak in his faith and has doubts." There's no in-between allowed for "a Christian who has strong faith, disagrees with the Society, but doesn't cause trouble."
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Nic
Well I was df'd for not agreeing with the elders. I was seeing a married but getting divorced worldly man, with whom I did not engage in sexual activity. I broke up with him so many times but the elders would drag me into the elder's room at every single meeting and question me on where I'd been, who I'd been with and even reported things to me what their spies had seen (a lot of it was lies - by a "brother" who was one of the elders best mates and who was diverting the attention from his own affair with my sister). I wasn't with this man but was in love with him and although we weren't seeing each other, we were both local and if I did happen to see him then I wouldn't ignore him even they wanted me to.
I said to them, if you can show me anywhere in the Bible that speaking to a worldly person or even dating a getting divorced man is a df'ing offence, then I will agree with you. As far as I was concerned, there were major things that warranted df'ing - smoking, getting drunk, sex before marriage, drugs, etc etc. I made sure I wasn't doing any of these things.
They showed me some obscure scripture in Job which had nothing to do with it, but which they twisted to say, you must do what the elders say. I said, "so does that mean that if I don't agree with what you say or do what you want, even though you have no scriptural back up, then you can DF me?" They said YES. I said, "but you could tell me anything and I have to go along with it?" They said YES. At my judicial, it was like being in court. I wasn't allowed my mum and dad there because I was 19 and baptised. 5 elders sat around me in a semi circle and fired question after question, calling me a liar and shouting at me. I was df'd. My mum and dad had a meeting with the elders about it. It got very heated and mum ended up shouting at them and walked out. They then wrote to the Society to see if there was anything they could do. The Society backed up the elders without even looking into it. Mum and Dad were reproved for writing to the society and banned from everything for 2 years. And yet they are still in it!
This was the turning point for me. If they could change my whole life, accuse me of all sorts and force me to believe and do whatever they want without any scriptural back up then there was no way I ever wanted to be part of that. I have never looked back.
