If JWs Were Allowed to Vote............For Elders.

by xjw_b12 18 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

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  xjw_b12

  This is a thought I've had for a few years, and was prompted to post it after reading JC MacHislopps thread of a few weeks ago, about the history of the early congregations.

  " If JWs Were Allowed to Vote............For Elders.

  I am envisaging a program where the R&F could vote for the Congregation Overseer, who would in turn, pick his "cabinet".

  The Congregation Overseers would in turn, vote for Circuit Overseers, who would vote for District Overseers, etc up the line, right to the Governing Body.

  I know the logistics of it would be some work and time to implement, but hey, other religions do it, why not the JWs?

  My reason for stating so, would be to introduce real change into the religion, starting at a grass roots level. Would the R&F tend to vote for elders, who had an open mind, were less authoritarian. The "kinder, gentler" version. Men and Women who had the "real spirit of Christ"

  And if so could this movement not funnel upwards, to the point where "real men and women" were at the governing stage, where wholesale changes in policy could be made, that would actually reflect the views and feelings of the "majority" of the R&F ?

  I know it's a "pipe dream", But do you think it could work.

  Comments anyone?
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  Stacy Smith

  It's an old pipe dream. Lots of congregations voted for elders many many years ago.
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  iiz2cool

  If the current overseers and governing body were more interested in religion than power it might work, but I don't think that'll ever happen.

  Walter
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  blondie

  Yes, they voted in congregations many years ago and JFR axed that idea because he wanted all the power. Quite a few of the elders were from Russell's day. It is interesting that the name was changed from Bible Students to Jehovah's Witnesses in 1931 and that the elective elder arrangement was axed in 1932. 3/4 of the members of the Bible Students left after JFR's shenanigans.

  Blondie
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  ScoobySnax

  Whats the point of all that "envisaging" if you no longer care, and have moved on? .... What are you saying, you'd go back to the KH if they adopted this new way? Are you really concerned about the R&F, or maybe you are just hypothetically thinking...... If "real change" did happen as you say, I'll be looking out for you x-jw....
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  xjw_b12

  Scooby. Geez I dunno, maybe I'm still living in the 80's !!!
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  blondie

  I was just thinking the same thing, xjw_b12. Maybe if we put the posts to music....from the 80's.

  Blondie
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  ScoobySnax

  what a fantastic thought, switch over to the 80's thread!
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  freedom96

  It certainly would seem more fair. However, we need to be working on ending the organization, not finding what would make it better.
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  greven

  The borg would turn from an autocratic form into a more democratic one and that is the last thing the GB wants. Trust me. It would require quite some reform to get there but once it is reached it will create an avalance of reform on all basic doctrines, all the things the majority hates or suffers from will be changed or completely tossed! Think about it! No more blood doctrine! No more harsh DF's! No more pesky controls on holidays etc! No more mindboggling chronology! It would turn mainstream quickly!

  It would devastate everything that currently holds the entire religion together: Control, Fear, and Guilt.

  It's a happy, happy dream.

  Greven