By their own standards, they are no longer "Jehovah's Witnesses”
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I finally got a hold of the "OD Book" (Organized to Do Jehovah's Will), the book that replaced the other "Organized" book for field service and congregational arrangements. I was reading through this and noticed an irony starting on page 155. This section deals with "Disassociation"... (I'm sure others have already seen or discussed this, but I've been running behind lately).
"a person might renounce his place in the Christian congregation by his actions, such as by becoming part of a secular organization that has objectives contrary to the Bible and, hence, is under judgment by Jehovah God. (Isa. 2:4; Rev. 19:17-21) If a person who is a Christian chooses to join those who are disapproved by God, a brief announcement is made to the congregation, stating: '[Name of person] is no longer one of Jehovah's Witnesses.' Such a person is treated in the same way as a disfellowshipped person."
The irony I see in this is the Society's connection with the U.N., which they have consistently said is basically a part of Satan's organization.
By their own standards, they are no longer "Jehovah's Witnesses."
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Another related quote:
"If an individual takes a course contrary to the neutral position of the Christian congregation, the congregation is compelled to view him as one who has chosen to separate from us. (Isa. 2:4 ; John 15:17-19) A brief announcement should be made to notify the congregation that this individual, by his chosen course, no longer desires to be one of Jehovah's Witnesses." (Pay Attention to Yourselves and All the Flock 1991, page 101, elder's handbook)
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The irony is so thick, you can smell it in the air....
"God, who is himself 'the God of truth' and who hates lies, will not look with favor on persons who cling to organizations that teach falsehood. (Psalm 31:5; Proverbs 6:16-19; Revelation 21:8) And, really, would you want to be even associated with a religion that had not been honest with you?" (Is This Life All There Is? 1974, page 46, "What Is This Thing Called 'Soul'?")
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"The continued attempt to suppress criticism has become unacceptable to more persons....Reasonable persons agree that the only fair method is to examine the evidence on both sides, both for and against a disputed theory. That is how one arrives at the truth...Truly it is 'intellectually dishonest' not to want any opposing views heard" –Awake!, October 22, 1973, page 6. (article related to topic of evolution but equally fitting to the thread, imo)
"Stop and think. If a person doubts your word, doubts its truthfulness, is this not an insult to your integrity? If a person misrepresents your word or advocates things contrary to it while pretending to accept it, is this not treachery, a hypocrisy that you find disgusting? Then, if, with regard to God's Word, Christendom's churches are guilty of either of these courses, do you believe that God is pleased with those churches? Will he be pleased with you if you associate with and support such churches? Or should you now be looking for and associating with those who firmly and honestly support, teach and live by God's Word, the Bible?" - Watchtower November 15, 1971, page 677.
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In the 1953 edition of the "Make Sure of All Things" book on page 217 under the title of "Jews' Return to Palestine" one of the subheadings gives passages such as Deut. 7:2; Judg. 2:1,2; Isa. 52:11; 31:1; 30:1 and Jas. 4:4.
The subtitle was to give the publisher Scriptural ammunition in case a householder asked a question such as "Aren't the Jews God's chosen people?" The response, among others provided in the book, would go something like this: "No, that's not possible because the modern Israeli government has made a league with the world governments contrary to God's commandments." When the householder would ask what this means the publisher would usually say, "Well, any nation, organization, religious group, or group of people in general who have any connection with the League of Nations (the U.N.) are aligning themselves with Satan the devil and his organization and such persons can not be referred to as God's chosen people." The fact that Israel had anything to do with the League of Nations/U.N. was proof enough for the Society that Jehovah rejected the Jews and no longer considered them "a people for his name."
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From the Reasoning book...(page 273 under "Neutrality", relation to political involvement)
"Why is the matter so serious? Because, as 1 John 5:19 says, 'the whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one.' At John 14:30, Jesus referred to Satan as being the 'ruler of the world.' So, no matter what worldly faction a person might support, under whose control would he really come?"