Posted by Lion [Guest] on November 01, 1999 at 14:02:18 {2gTL9dbN6kzuxwteNNicni6QXcPL8M}:
Liberty
If you were serving for a specific date, irregardless of when you were associated with the JWs, you would not have been a balanced Christian. More than likely if you were serving for a date, you left in early 1976.
However, if you openly questioned a key date, yes you most likely would have been called into the library.
In my time, I have heard many spiritual people make a statement similar to the following:
Serve Jehovah as if the time is very short. However, make business decisions as if you will be forced to live with them for 25 or more years. I heard this come from Elders, MS and many others. Balance has always been an important message in the publications and meetings of JWs. Sad to say many brothers and sisters even now fail to exercise balance in their lives.
To Ros and GB
Ros’ GB member has caused quite uproar on this board. Only time will tell what the final outcome will be. As I stated to Liberal Elder a long time ago in a previous post, Reform Will Come. It will take longer than we would like it to take. The date issue of Liberty and others has never been that big of an issue to me. So to reform our dates would be like rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic. But, if they wanted to reform them; the first thing they could do is to force the boys in writing to stop making reference to the date 1914. In a couple of years who would care?
Now for a couple of questions / comments for GB and Ros!
I have not seen any comments to confirm that anyone has addressed or forwarded his letters to the Governing Body at Bethel. Why?
My guesses are:
1) No one at Bethel cares about H20 and do not monitor the board.
2) They think it is a hoax, in which case the people you must prove yourself to is them, not the people on this board.
3) Something has happened at Bethel that has caused those posters from Bethel to refrain from making post here. Take your pick.
Everyone has stated their important issues they would like to have reformed. Here is my observation as to what the most critical issue is.
We all know that Jesus said that wolves would enter into the congregation. Many may state that this happened after the last apostle died. I believe it is ongoing. And the biggest problem is that these wolves think that they are sheep. It has become a common theme at CO visits and assemblies that they stress that the Body of Elders must have harmony. So the true sheep give way to the wolves in sheep clothing.
I like many Elders have stepped down. From what I hear this is becoming a real problem in the organization. Elders that have compassion for the flock, find that they can not continue in good conscious to take part in some of the activities that are being done in congregations throughout the world. If the GB member is interested in true lasting reform, he should make it a point to visit ex-elders who are still attending meetings. He should seek to find out why they decided to step down, not just the reason given on the COs letter at the end of his visit. He would find out many deep problems within the organization. He would also find many willing people who under would like to be part of the solution.
Soap Box
Who are the wolves? I have noticed the trend for DOs and COs to dress much better than the normal witnesses do. Have any of the rest of you noticed the French Cuffs, the ties and silk handkerchiefs that match, and the initials on their fine tailored shirts? I know they get money from the brothers in their travels, some may even have money of their own. But, how can they talk about the brothers and sisters and the temptation of money, when it is obvious that it is very important to them. I am not saying that this is the problem, however it is a symptom of being a wolf and not knowing that you are one. Think about the religious leaders Jesus’ day. How did they dress compared to the masses. Yet, that was not their crime. Their crime was they placed loads on the backs of the people, that they would not carry themselves. Take every main issue discussed on this board. Is not the root cause that many of the leaders no longer care about the people that call themselves JWs. Many go to meetings and come away depressed because instead of encouragement they get lectures on what they should be doing. If they wanted to be shepherds in the manner of Jesus they would seek to encourage instead of discourage.
I used to post on this board as E. Someone has taken that name, so if I post again it will be as lion.