Lurkers, doubters, faders, apostates and df?d and da?d JW?s, here is some interesting stuff for you to consider.
According to the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society, the following is what constitutes apostasy:
" . . . to be disfellowshiped, an apostate does not hay to be a promoter of apostate views . . . 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 rejects what he has been provided through the 'slave class, then appropriate judicial action should be taken . . . "After all these years in the organization, I read the following Scripture for the first time.
"Welcome the [man] having weaknesses in [his] faith, but not to make decisions on inward questionings." (Romans 14:1 NWT)The New World Translation makes the point rather obscure by its wording. Here is what The Kingdom Interlinear Translation says:
"The but one being weak to the faith be you receiving toward yourselves, NOT into discriminations of reasonings."The New American Standard Bible reads this way:
"Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgement on his opinions."You see, according to the Bible, it is fine and acceptable to God that we exercise critical thinking, express doubt, and yes, even question what we are taught and form our own opinions! Compare 2 Corinthians 13:5
As for celebrating the Holidays, well, there is not one instance in the Bible where it is forbidden to celebrate or observe certain days. The mental gymnastics of the WTBTS?s doctrines only draws the presumptive conclusion that is wrong to celebrate the holidays.
Romans 14:2-6 clearly shows that such observances are a matter of conscience and not an act deserving of destruction by God.
2 One [man] has faith to eat everything, but the [man] who is weak eats vegetables. 3 Let the one eating not look down on the one not eating, and let the one not eating not judge the one eating, for God has welcomed that one. 4 Who are you to judge the house servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for Jehovah can make him stand. 5 One [man] judges one day as above another; another [man] judges one day as all others; let each [man] be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who observes the day observes it to Jehovah. Also, he who eats, eats to Jehovah, for he gives thanks to God; and he who does not eat does not eat to Jehovah, and yet gives thanks to God.The above Scripture, in my opinion, really holds the true meaning of Christian freedom.
The Corvins will indeed be celebrating Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas this year with a clean conscience (ty lb).
Corvin