Thanks, Codeblue. Most JWs just regurgitate what is in the paragraphs. No independent thinking allowed.
Hi, VM
Also, didn't the article mention the use of wine during the Memorial?
I couldn?t find any mention of it. It would bring up a problem though for an anointed member who is an alcoholic. Even a taste is enough to push some "off the wagon." I remember a discussion on JWD where an anointed brother was forced to drink wine at the memorial. I?ll try to find that experience.
I?m sure the alcohol issues at the KH are not due to people drinking once a year at the memorial though.
As to the 1 Timothy 4:23, it wasn?t used this time, but I have heard it used emphasizing "a little wine." I live in a state where too many people drink too much, as college students and at sporting events, particularly. I think people find it hard in general to know that they don?t have to drink to the point of stupidity. That would be like eating till your so full you vomit.
Hey, Gary,
I remember this quote:
"A report from one European country indicates that at times
some brothers and sisters arrive at the Kingdom Hall with a
strong smell of alcohol on their breath."
(The Watchtower Dec. 15, 1996, p. 29)
I was told by one European sister that many JWs routinely drink wine with their meals even before the meeting and she didn?t see anything wrong with that?..
I asked if people would show up at their job smelling of alcohol?she said of course not. When I asked her why not, she said because they have to be alert to do their job?.
It illustrates how hard it is to know how to handle alcohol, or how it handles you.
Hello, Goldminer,
the wife is working so I'm staying home.
Is your wife a JW? She works on Sunday and misses the meeting?
Hey cybersis,
At the time I thought they were just under pressure like everyone else in this "old system of things." I am not opposed to these medications for anyone who may need to use them at difficult times in their lives, but the percentages of use in JW land is way off the charts. If it is this way with medications I wonder what the percentages are with alcohol and JWs.
I think that the meds give some JWs personal permission to ease off. So many are under stress handling all the problems non-JWs do plus 5 meetings a week, the push to go in the field ministry, pre-study, and more. Alcohol is cheaper and you don?t need a prescription.
The worst problem drinkers have been elders and their families who are under the most pressure.
Good point, jgnat
Sometimes it is not in what the WTBTS says, it is what they leave out.
The WTS is guilty of the sin of omission very often. That is how they bury their doctrinal and prophetical errors.
Now, every time they fail to show enough self-discipline to walk away from a drink, they will be filled with ever more self-loathing, convinced they are neither worthy of service or a future paradise.
Don?t you know, jgnat, that the individual JW is always made to feel they are the cause of their problems. If someone is not talking to you at the KH, they say, "What did you say to them to make them do that?"
Heathen and Czar,
They have got to be kidding with the alcohol leads to homosexuality assumption
I interpreted that to mean that people can let down their guard when under the influence. But I do think they chose the "homosexual" angle because it is more scary to some people. There has been a problem with homosexual activity at Bethel over the years and the last time I heard of it was in the mid 80?s and alcohol was tied to it.
Bluesbrothers,
The WT comment only says to be careful of any type of treatment, and that is true for all of us. Of course, opinions vary and I do not doubt that some have been put off teatment at some time..
I?m glad that in your area not all elders discourage going to treatment. The problem is when even one elder expresses it, it can discourage the person who is at a difficult time in their life.
I have seen elders get up on the platform and flatly state that no JW needs to go outside the congregation for help regarding alcohol. I heard one say that these groups are religiously based?.making people think they would be DF?d if they participated in them. Remember I said that I have helped JWs for the last 20 years get help, trusting their doctor, examining these groups and seeing they are not religiously based. Don?t underestimate the damage one misinformed elder or ?mature? sister can do. It interesting to note that all the examples of people handling alcohol problems in the publications in the last 5 to 6 years, never mention treatment centers as an option. The person is always presented as having done it exclusively through prayer, study, meeting attendance, and field service. The non-JW alcoholic treatment groups I work, emphasize the need for a spiritual life but never, never tell you where or how to find it.
Blondie
