this is a thought i've had for a few years, and was prompted to post it after reading jc machislopps thread of a few weeks ago, about the history of the early congregations.
" if jws were allowed to vote............for elders.
i am envisaging a program where the r&f could vote for the congregation overseer, who would in turn, pick his "cabinet".. the congregation overseers would in turn, vote for circuit overseers, who would vote for district overseers, etc up the line, right to the governing body.. i know the logistics of it would be some work and time to implement, but hey, other religions do it, why not the jws?.
Blondie:
You are so right. I sat in "special" meetings where the elders and ministerial servants planned the strategy of a vote in the congregation. They even directed who would "second" a proposal set forth to the congregation. The members had little or no voice in these matters that involved the congregation's money. Also, fear prevented anyone who was opposed from speaking up or voting "nay." It was all a complete farce!
* quote from the year
quote from the year
* quote from the year
Mac:
I've been out of the organization for over 20 years now. But I was always amazed at how little the average JW knew about his own history. I remember discussing this very point with the PO in our congregation who was considered "very learned" in the "truth." But he knew nothing about the dates of 1874 and 1878 or in the significance in which the Watchtower held them.
In recent years. the Watchtower Society has acknowledged this date of Russell's. But it also seems to pass it off casually as beneficial to the organization in that they were anticipating Christ's presence prior to the perceived occurence in 1914. Of course, JWs can now conveniently use these few references to illustrate how "forthright" the Society is in admitting its past mistakes.
The 1914 date is now getting embarrassing for them to explain. But it remains crucial to its whole system of belief in the "faithful and discreet slave" class.
Many thanks for reminding us just how wrong the Society has been in the past...and the present.
.
click here:
http://eclectech.co.uk/poke-a-sheep.php
Most Bible commentators confirm that the "other sheep" that Jesus made reference to were the Gentile Christians that were added to the Jewish believers in the first century of the church. Jesus and the other Bible writers never hinted that there would be two classes of Christians: heavenly and earthly.
Russell taught that the "great multitude" of Revelation were a secondary heavenly class. It was Rutherford that came up with the idea that the "great multitude" and the "other sheep" were an earthly class of Christians. This was an attempt to explain away why the organization was still having an increase when the general calling for the "annointed" was believed to have passed by. Like so many "revelations" of Rutherford, it was an effort to try to cover over the obvious errors of Russell.
does anyone have any information on what occurred after the society dropped its suit in the bonham kingdom hall dispute?
the last i heard was the society built another kingdom hall.
what ever happened to those in the congregation that sued the society?
Does anyone have any information on what occurred after the Society dropped its suit in the Bonham Kingdom Hall dispute? The last I heard was the Society built another Kingdom Hall. What ever happened to those in the congregation that sued the Society?
.
since many decades, the jw religion didn't change much.
although they changed a few doctrines back and forth, generally speaking, they didn't evolve and follow modern times as much as they should have.. what changes or ajustements should they have made throughout the years in order to have more success?
JH:
Russell should have followed the example of William Miller. He should have apologized to his followers for his mistakes and begged their forgiveness for his errors. Then, he should have encouraged personal Bible study. The Watchtower should have become a magazine where his readers could share their research and debate the issues. He should have discouraged all the attempts to form a religious denomination as he originally intended. Had he done this, perhaps none of the events that followed would have happened.
i'm wondering, if jesus was on earth today, what would he be teaching, and would we believe it , or would we set up a website to discuss his thoughts?
Human nature hasn't changed all that much in 2000 years. Jesus would have the same message today as then. It is just the cast of characters that have changed. And guess who would be the new "scribes and Pharisees?"
i just got word through the grape vine that i am apostate now... i emailed everyone in my address book the vicki bower thingy and talk is that i'm apostate!.
please fully welcome me into your fold.
the truth sucks.
If you are considered an "apostate" for sharing the Vicki Boer story with others, I can't think of a better cause. The Watchtower Society should be ashamed and humiliated at its conduct with regard to this case. And the "brothers and sisters" of your congregation should be ashamed for their participation in the rejection and shunning of you.
You will find that Jehovah's Witnesses will be the ones to be embarrassed and awkward when you meet them in public. I think many of them feel that it is wrong to shun and ignore others who once were in association with them. But they have the rules and regulations of the organization to obey. Just remember it is not you who needs to be on the defensive in this matter. They have to answer for their own conduct.
well, the best thing about being a fader is that you can still talk to dubs you meet.
they think they can us the contact to upbuild you and you use it to plant the seeds of 'truth' which is what i did in this situation.. last week when i was at the markets i saw a sister shopping and although i normally avoid dubs, i didn't this time.
i said hello and she was very happy to speak to me.
Bliss:
This is the one area that is an "Achilles' heel" for Jehovah's Witnesses and the Watchtower Society. They may argue "til blue in the face" about doctrinal matters. But this scandal goes to the very root of the problem existing in the organization: its careless disregard for its most vulnerable members and its blatant effort to cover up its own "dirty secrets." I'm sure that you have made a deep impression on your friend that may bother her conscience and may cause her to question other things as well.
Thanks for sharing this experience.
ok, i am totally frustrated with these jehovah witnesses.
they drove me out of the limit today when they said that satan was not cast out of heaven and sent to earth until 1914. im like, "what the hell???
" what is their freaking problem.
OH:
You've learned a good "lesson in futility." Jehovah's Witnesses are no open to debate and argument. While you are presenting a point, all they are thinking of is how to overcome your argument. The statement that they will do further "research" only means they will go into the Watchtower publications to counter the points that you've made. It doesn't mean that they will seriously consider your point of view and change their minds.
Until a Jehovah's Witness begins to have some doubt in the credibility of the Watchtower Society itself, it is useless to argue with them.
jehovah's witnesses are known for their hypocrisy and double standards when it comes to how they treat others and how they want to be treated by others.
as to why heinze and paul were kicked off.. .
in the best interest of the club to remove paul and heinz from our .
I guess it proves the old expression of "what goes around, comes around." Jehovah's Witnesses are not the only ones trying to insulate themselves from the critics. Many fundamentalists have the same mind-set.
But in this case, I'm sure the two Jehovah's Witnesses felt that they were unfairly discriminated against for holding different views. And they probably protest the deletion of their names from the posting as unfair and unchristian. No matter that they do the same on their sites. Freedom of expression in the Watchtower Society only means that you are free to praise the organization. No criticism will be tolerated.
