# Jaracz

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Posted by Farkel [Keflar] on October 27, 1999 at 10:26:22 {dPkPwxsNJEjc7.1TE24IvhKqcjatLo}:

The governing body was faced with dealing with the issue of alternative military service in the late 1970's. They had received a number of letters from individuals questioning their policy and asking for solid Biblical proof justifying it. A worldwide survey was made and ninety branch offices responded. A sizeable number of people had problems with that policy. Indeed, it was a serious issue: thousands of Jehovah's Witnesses in different countries went to prison in order to conform to the society's "policy." The alternative was to be disassociated, which carried with it the same sanctions as being disfellowshiped, and more importantly, facing destruction at the hand of God and eternal death thereafter.

The governing body met a number of times to discuss this issue. In one of the meetings, Ted Jaracz acknowledged that the existing policy might work a "measure of hardship" on some individual in the particular situation being discussed. Then he said, "It is not that we don't feel for them in the matters, but have to always keep in mind that we are not dealing with just TWO OR THREE PERSONS (read: THOUSANDS of living breathing human beings who have, are or will soon face suffering because of a Corporate policy) -- we have a large, worldwide organization to keep in view and we have to think of the EFFECT ON THAT WORLDWIDE ORGANIZATION."

"They bind up heavy loads and put them upon the shoulders of men, but they themselves are not willing to budge them with their finger." Matthew 23:4

"If a certain man comes to have a hundred sheep and one of them gets strayed, will he not leave the ninety-nine upon the mountains and setout on a search for the one that is straying? And if he happens to find it, I certainly tell you, he rejoices more over it than over the ninety-nine that have not strayed. Like it is not a desirable thing with my Father who is in heaven for one of these little ones to perish." Matthew 18:13,14

Let it be noted that the principal here in the verses above is compassion, and NOT ORGANIZATION.

Let it be noted that this policy continued for many years because one man, Lloyd Barry changed his mind and voted to keep the policy as it was. Thousands more went to prison as a result. All because they didn't want to have a negative EFFECT ON THAT WORLDWIDE ORGANIZATION. Barry croaked while giving the talk "Fighters Against God Will Not Prevail." How appropriate.

Farkel, one of the many victims of that policy

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