JW reformation or revolution
Please consider the following. A lot of us are seeing all the untruth of the Borg. All the nonsense of the chronology and existents of a religious authorities like the FDS/GB. Meanwhile most of us seems to choose the revolution way. We want to break down all what we see as wrong doctrines and doings. The shadows of those things are so big that it almost hides us so we just react against it and hits back. Many have bad experiences and anger and fighting back is what we do to survive. We try to break down the JW shadow to get a look at the light. Maybe it was easier just to move on and walk after light instead of staying at the same place and fight the shadows of our JW background because we think the light is only behind the JW. Breaking down the JW seems to some to be the only way to find light. That’s a hard way of living and maybe even impossible. Breaking down doesn’t automatic means that something better will turn up from the ruins. So we risk fighting all our life never finding peace and love and for sure no balance in life and trust of other human being.
I don’t think that kind of revolution is a good way. And if we are telling the revolution story to a normal JW he/she will almost reject the talk and story. Breaking down as a main goal is only leaving people naked and confused about “What so to believe or do? I think I know this kind of reaction, because I’m still inside and active as elder. My family needs more time.
Back in Europe – my home – we did almost 500 year ago had what we called “The Reformation”. Maybe you in USA don’t know much of that history. In a large scale the situation at that time was similar to the JW of today. The Pope and the head of the Catholic Church was almost in the same role or position as the GB we know all to well. The head of the Catholic Church was saying it was the channel and the month of God and the only one to tell others about the word of God and to interpret The Bible. They were the authorities and if people was asking or saying anything else they was facing a punishment fast and with no mercy. So you see - if you look at the JW system - history repeats.
Martin Luther was the beginning of new way of thinking back in the first part of 1500 century. All Christians was equal and Jesus was the head of every man. No channel was necessary. Salvation was a matter of the work of Jesus. No mans work was enough to get salvation. All men were sinners to God no matter his good works. Salvation was a gift to believers of Christ.
The intension was good but times went on and the history repeats. All what Luther was against - about a religious leadership between man and God - was build up again only with new cloches. We know from the reformation that also much more radical movement began to act. They were named The Dreamers or The Rebaptisers. Later on many of those went to the new world USA and were later on organized as Baptisers, Advertisers and many more churches of USA nearly 200 years ago. They were also the sources of JW.
Even the history of the Reformation in many ways just repeat the same falls the main purpose was positive. Maybe we could learn a little from that history. Go and read a little about the reformation in Europe and discover the similar situation to the Borg of today.
Even we are little angry (sometimes very angry) I think keeping the idea of reformation is better than revolution and destroying. That doesn’t meant we should stop talking about what is wrong. But it must never take the whole picture. If we want other people to listen we must also – and ever more – tell about the right things.
If we want to reach the heart of “ordinary” JWs we must tell good things and point out good human values. Then they will be able with own eyes to see all the wrong things about the blind thinking of the normal JW live. We must act as good people with real concerns about other people and the situation they are facing. When I take a look around in my own congregation and try to look behind all the faces I see a lot of people really needing care and understanding. If I just go and tell them about all the lies and in a rush try to break down all beliefs they have had for a whole life it will do no good (and I will face serious problems my self). They will either don’t listen or they will be very sad, confused and naked. It will only leave them without internal power to change their own situation. I don’t think I have the right to do that. I can only try to show them another way of living. More clarity and more respect to each other. I try to convince the brothers and sisters that they do count as individual. I try to build up personal power in the brothers and sister to be more independent of human systems (read JW organisation/GB). If I am able to get them feel strong enough to start thinking that’s at good start.
But they will only start thinking if they fell strong to stand a little alone and be able to say as Luther said in front of all the religious authorities back in Worms in Germany in 1521 “I don’t consider the Pope and the church organisation as a legal religious authority or channel between man and God. They have many times prove them self to be wrong and false. You must convince me with the word of God or with logic - elsewhere I will stay on my ground. “Ich kann nicht anders” - so help me God, Amen”.
If you change word “Pope” with “GB” and “church organisation” with “Jehovah’s visible organisation” it’s almost the same here 500 year later even it’s in a smaller scalar.
I do know that I’m unable to change the JW as a hole. But I hope a least people close to me will open their eyes. As long being an elder that’s the way I try to live and act. I do know that’s a little naive in the long run. I hope my family, wife and children, in near future are ready to make some decisions, buts that not the situation right now. I have patience to wait a little longer.
So revolution is telling what is WRONG. Reformation is telling what is RIGHT as well. Paul was telling the same in Romans 12:21 “Conquering the evil with the good” So please think about building up went you are breaking down. Lets find a balance.
Beroea
Europe, August 2001