Posted by Rick [Rick] on November 01, 1999 at 19:55:33 {2gTL9dbN6k7ajbiu2wnkFMFBt36Xyc}:
In Reply to: To H2O Readers From 'GB' posted by ros4GB on November 01, 1999 at 18:53:51:
I don't see why you should stop posting upbuilding suggestions for reforming the organization. Obviously the demographics of this site's visitors represents the demographics of the internet; and less than 1/10th of 1 percent on the internet are Jehovah's Witnesses. You need to consider that many who want to see the organization destroyed, and frequent this site, are here on a technicality. They are taking advantage of our hospitality, knowing that if we muzzle them that we become like the world. Therefore we can only hold them to standards of "etiquette" generally held in discussion forums -- that they remain "on-topic," they don't use abusive speach or personal attacks, they don't violate copyright laws or libel laws, and everything else in our Forum Participation Policy. Provided they are within these guidelines then we cannot sanction them from this site simply for being atheist or haters of the Watchtower.
Jesus didn't decide whether to preach based on if the majority in the public places where he went were amicable to his presence. He likely was more interested if he was benefitting the minority of those who really wanted the peaceful righteous world that God had originally intended.
The paradox of the internet is that if we banish "apostates" then we alienate people who might have been testing us, to see if we are really of God. Those of God don't fear any challenges to their faith because their beliefs are rock solid and defensible. Paradoxically, many who "test" JWs in this way might later learn that such tests are not ethical, but it's too late by then; they already learned what they sought to know. They know whether JWs are elitists who stick to their own kind, or really preachers who are willing to accept verbal persecution to slowly win over the hearts of those who doubt. Winning the heart and trust of an abused animal means getting bitten, and in this sad world many humans are no exception to this rule. Those most hateful and abusive individuals often prove our allies in our darkest hour.
Then again, if you're a true GB member from the "old school" that I'm from, from the administration of the 70's and before, you understand all of what I'm saying. That is how ultimately I will "see" the real you, without ever compromising your identity or knowing which GB member you are.
Rick