(Completely fiction, but shows how anything can be manipulated into WTBST
reasoning)
By Dave
Many conscientious ones among Jehovah's people today have wondered if
Christians should own cats. The issue is of life-or-death importance since to
stumble a brother that Christ died for is tantamount to "putting a millstone
around the neck and being thrown into the sea". Clearly our eternal
salvation is involved. First let us consider what most scholars agree is the
original Greek for the English word cat. felos domesticus meaning literally
"a contemporary housecat with all of its beastly identifying characteristics
and behavior." Clearly the Bible by using this kind of Original Greek shows
beyond a doubt that the basic nature of cats is evil or "beastlike" much
like Satan the "Original Serpent" and "the Great Dragon". There are numerous
reasons why a Loyal Dedicated Servant of God should use their Bible-trained
conscience to arrive at a proper understanding of why Cats are not for
Christians. Consider the following facts with an open mind:
1) It was a common practice in ancient Egypt to worship cats as gods. As
Christians we are to "guard ourselves from idols" and "worship no other
gods". Such feline influence could lead to idolatry and thereby "grieve
Jehovah's spirit" with tragic consequences.
2) Cats were most likely present at Herod's birthday party when John the
Baptist was beheaded. Clearly then, as loyal Christians, why would we even
want to associate with animals that are without a doubt of such bad
influence remembering "bad associations spoil useful habits"? To invite cats
in our house may result in the same grave consequences as suffered by
John the Baptist. Clearly, God disapproved of this party. Should we not
then disapprove of cats the way God does? Surely!
3) Throughout history, particularly in the middle ages and reaching its
climax in the Salem Witch Trials of the 1600's, cats were recognized as
carriers if not direct incarnates of demons. Since cats were associated with
the devil could we as loyal and dedicated servants of God therefore associate
with cats and thereby associate with Satan himself the "God of this system of
things"? Would we want to be subject to such vile influence and possible
demonic attacks? Surely not!
4) Nowhere in the Bible are any type of cats spoken of in favorable terms.
In fact was it not lions of the first century who the Devil used to devour
faithful Christians? God himself "Stopped up the mouths of lions" in Daniel's
day. True, the small housecats of today are not lions, but being of the same
cursed animal family used by the Devil on numerous occasions throughout
history, would it be wise or appropriate to own one? In addition, by owning
any type of cat, would we not give an appearance of condoning their evil
deeds throughout recorded Bible and secular history. The Bible makes clear
that God's people are "no part of the world" and that we are "not to share
in the sins of others".
5) The scriptures clearly indicate that neither Abraham, Isaac,Jacob, Job,
the Apostles , or Jesus himself owned a cat. This was most likely because they
didn't want to be like the Pagan contemporaries of their day who showed no
regard for how God feels about owning cats. In harmony with the pattern
set by the faithful prophets of old, surely it would not be fitting for a
Christian today to own a cat.
6) Finally, cats are unclean animals. Some unclean practices indulged in by
cats include coughing up furballs,licking inappropriate body areas,urinating
on the floor, eating dead animals with their blood, sexual misconduct without
the benefit of marriage, abuse of catnip, and stealing food from the table,
just to name a few. Uncleanness is one of the "works of the flesh"
condemned by the apostle Paul. The Bible clearly shows that "neither
fornicators ..........or thieves will not inherit the Kingdom". In addition
Paul admonishes us to "quit mixing in company" with such unclean ones.
Although the Apostle Paul was speaking primarily about Christians who fell
into sin, there is no reason to conclude that this Inspired Biblical
principle can not be applied to association with cats. Uncleanness is
condemned by Jehovah and the fact that the Apostle Paul made no distinction
when it came to associating with housecats proves beyond a doubt that Loyal
Christians must avoid all association with such animals.
Are we not grateful for this new light coming from God's organization?
Sister Catless tells us that since getting rid of her cat she has not had to
be preoccupied with cleaning the litterbox and now has alot more time to go
pioneering. Brother Bobcat puts it this way, "I'm so grateful that God
freed me of the burden of owning a cat. I hope all of the brothers will
realize how the devil uses cats to corrupt us and distract from the preaching
work."(Matt 24:14) What fine examples of faithfulness! As loyal followers
of Christ's thinking on this matter, we can rejoice in the fact that in the
new system God will reward all of our efforts to maintain integrity by loyally
submitting to the leading of his spirit through the "Faithful and discreet
slave".
JanG
CAIC Website: http://caic.org.au/zjws.htm
Personal Webpage: http://uq.net.au/~zzjgroen/