according to the elder's rulebook, there is this addendum in the chapter on the grounds for judicial committee and the section: "misuse of addictive drugs":.
please note: the use of addictive drugs under medical supervision, such as for pain management, would not necessarily require judicial review.
when questions arise, consult with the branch office.. .
I should say my opening post was not a criticism of medications or those who get addicted to strong drugs, often starting out taking them for good medical reasons. It is a problem many have struggled with no matter the religion.
But my intention is discussing how a JW can be apparently can be “in good standing” while addicted to strong drugs, and not subject to a judicial committee.
Of course, the interference of elders in a person’s life can only make the problem worse.
oldskool wrote on another post that "the 'truth' is an experience, and the 'beliefs' are designed to get you to behave as a member of the experience.
" i've read a lot here about the many changes to the wtbts in recent years.
but this got me thinking about the practices or, for the most part, non-practices that make someone a jw.
I believe wind-chimes are now "okay". I remember my parents discussing this growing up. It may be that at one time, they were not.
according to the elder's rulebook, there is this addendum in the chapter on the grounds for judicial committee and the section: "misuse of addictive drugs":.
please note: the use of addictive drugs under medical supervision, such as for pain management, would not necessarily require judicial review.
when questions arise, consult with the branch office.. .
here's a link to a brief but good, four-minute piece on jehovah's witnesses.
wdiv in detroit filmed it.
there's a place for comments so please add helpful info.
The priest being interviewed about shunning seems to be tapped as their resident expert, but he doesn't seem to know the extent of shunning former JWs experience.
i had a random thought this morning about clapping.
growing up in the wt culture i learned the proper protocol for clapping.
before the assembly speaker gave his talk, but not after.
Is it my imagination, can aren’t some people assigned at the conventions to clap to seed audience clapping during talks? Has anyone heard this or am I misremembering?
so after almost a year of complete inactivity and non attendance, i ran into a nice brother from the local congregation.. after some nice chit-chat, he says "we really miss you and your family...etc...you were always the kind and supportive one, the approachable and encouraging one in the congregation.
your absence has confused so many".
i thanked him and said "oh no, no individual has stumbled us.
The term unconditional/conditional is usually meant in the relative, rather than absolute sense. Obviously, if a friend or family member turns out to be a serial killer, a rapist, or child molester that goes beyond the bounds of the relative sense of the term. Unfortunately, in a cult like this one, the love is so conditional that it takes one sentence to end the friendship or even a family relationship.
There is much positive in life and that is found outside a toxic Watchtower organization, as well as other high control groups. Since the topic on this forum is about the Watchtower organization, the negative topics will naturally outweigh the positive.
This is the positive about life I've found outside JW.org:
https://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/5697223337705472/even-if-this-wasnt-truth-need-structure
so after almost a year of complete inactivity and non attendance, i ran into a nice brother from the local congregation.. after some nice chit-chat, he says "we really miss you and your family...etc...you were always the kind and supportive one, the approachable and encouraging one in the congregation.
your absence has confused so many".
i thanked him and said "oh no, no individual has stumbled us.
Anyone who has found out about the Watchtower’s flaws, but thinks the good outweighs the bad has stopped researching.
If it were only a group composed of imperfect humans…
The friendships found within are conditional at best, but most often purely illusory. It’s like finding fool’s gold or Monopoly money and declaring oneself rich.
whether the average jw appreciates it or not (i certainly do not), the wtbts sure is helping in the environmentalists' movement of creating as much a paperless society as possible in order to preserve trees and create other favorable situations for humanity, such as avoiding so much trash and chemical waste involved in the printing/shipping process.. in order to help me adjust to this new phase within the org, i've reasoned it all this way.
anybody else recognizes that this going all out electronic/computerized is, of course, first a most profitable effort, but also has a secondary benefit of helping out to preserve the environment.......?!.
dy.
Until they drop harmful practices such as shunning, the blood ban, ect... those affected will not cut them a break. Be it in print or electronic, the message is toxic.
so after almost a year of complete inactivity and non attendance, i ran into a nice brother from the local congregation.. after some nice chit-chat, he says "we really miss you and your family...etc...you were always the kind and supportive one, the approachable and encouraging one in the congregation.
your absence has confused so many".
i thanked him and said "oh no, no individual has stumbled us.
That sums it up: "Finding out things will only cause you to lose faith."
I remember having a Pentecostal tell me about the Trinity, "You JWs think too much. Don't think, just believe." In reality, JWs give lip service to thinking and research, but basically by their actions do the exact opposite.
a few sources in brussels (where i born) confirmed me that one legal representative of the european parliament has required a few copies at the street booths in town.
.
copies were requested in french, dutch and english....
Since the Awake is geared toward outsiders, maybe what they need is study editions of the Watchtower on the same subject...
