Posted by WorldlyWitness [WW] on October 30, 1999 at 15:03:10 {G0PnT/qYmkTmM4Bt2duQm1EPSMpKF.}:
In Reply to: *LoyalorHypocrite?: Friend posted by Gedanken on October 30, 1999 at 10:39:14:
Gendanken,
>Anyone who has been a JW is guilty to some degree of the things that you charge Friend with. After all, what was our excuse for selling literature when we did it? All of us, at one time or other, have exiled to the dungeons of our minds the
many little contradictions that we knew existed.
I knew of NONE up until I was in my thirties. Even '75 didn't faze me!
>Were we too cowardly and hypocritical to deal with them at the time? All of us who were JWs have engaged in what you call "hair splitting" in our attempts to preserve our core belief that "the Society speaks for God." All that differentiates us from Friend is the length of time over which we did it.
An overwhelming amount of time and denial, is it not? You are making many excuses here, brother.
>Then again, we have the internet and the present senior generation of JWs did not when they were in their prime years. Years which, for many,
coincided with 1975.
When I got baptized, I believed with my whole mind and heart that I was serving in God's organisation. I was taught this from a young age, not by my parents but grandparents.
We were never able to attend any church while I grew up except the Hall with my grandparents.
Even when I got df (in my thirties, for refusing to 'give up' another elder's alleged infractions) I 'knew I deserved it'. I got back in despite doubts, got convinced again, got reinstated. I preached again with a clear conscience.
I found the 'net, found out about the falsehoods, ran away for a month or so. I then got back on and started posting here and had many an argument, still do!
I quit using any mags first in service, just the Bible. That lasted for about two months of service. Then that was it. I will no longer help enslave any fellow human beings.
NIV 1 Corinthians 4:3-5
3. I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself.
4. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me.
5. Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.
I know only 'Christ crucified' and that's all of the Gospel that needs to be preached....
WW