Special Mercy Provided to Adulterous Husbands 'if' Elders

by HiddenPimo 15 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

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  HiddenPimo

  So here is something else that helped me wake up -

  The Elders Manual - Shepherd the Flock of God contains a special caveat for Elders who have committed adultery some time ago (Not sure how many years, 'some time ago' is, but probably based on a complex formula of donations and # of assembly parts given.)

  But basically, they can just get a talking to by 2 brothers and then they can keep on keeping on.

  That's the is short of it.

  So this is definitely a good old boys club rule to protect the club. If you are doing other things then it's the judicial ax for you.

  Click here to read great article on this

  Funny in the below capture - where is the scriptural support for this ?

  
  

  TL/DR - If you are going to cheat on your wife, make sure you are appointed and don't tell anyone once you do cheat for at least a few years. This tricks the Holy Spirit into not revealing the matter.
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  StephaneLaliberte

  The funny thing is that rules like this are actually closer to being a real christian than the rules JWs generally uphold. In the scenario mentioned above, the sinner did not keep on sinning, did not make a practice out of it. It was a mistake, a sin, and over came it. Did not have to confess as he had it under control. He stopped. Even if he did it more than once, it would have been over a short period of time.

  On the other hand, where JWs completely fail is that they expect everyone to confess when they do something bad and immediately jump to punishing.

  For instance, I had a friend who was seen smoking in school. Was his first cigarette. They took his privileges away. He was seen again: They marked him. And the third time: Disfellowshipped. All within the span of 2 months! That is draconian!
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  HiddenPimo

  Great point SL, this is so true.
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  Vidiot

  @ Stephane...

  Clearly, they wanted to be rid of him no matter what.
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  Incognito

  Stephane, what you say is true regarding Christian mercy and forgiveness.

  Unfortunately, in an identical situation as outlined in the OT except involving a non-elder, rank and file JW, that person would probably not be shown any mercy and would be forced to endure a judicial committee review and likely disfellowshipping.
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  blondie

  incognito,

  Like King David, he was not put to death for adultery and murder although that was the Law. No exception like this for other Jews.
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  Finkelstein

  Just to play devil's advocate, what if a non elder (publisher) did the same thing where he admitted a transgression to something he did 10 years a go?

  Would he be punished or have his privileges taken away ?
  
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  blondie

  Finkelstein, yes, unless he had family on the elder body.
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  HiddenPimo

  I was removed for far less sins - and it was due to the recency of it, despite my continued exemplary conduct and field service meeting attendance. So yes Blondie is correct.
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  waton

  for wt, It also has to with "notoriety" if nobody knows about it, it can be hushed up for an elder, control maintained. perhaps not hushed up for a publisher, keeping him controlled.