Posted by Urgent Request! [Bibleman] on November 08, 1999 at 14:54:24 {Nq8EnQ8RVAMRXA6xmpscslyACFuF8c}:
Attention: Norm, AF, LE, Friend, Kent and others so inclined:
My Dear Brilliant Ones,
The Tower is definitely falling and fast! They are actually trying to reclaim their weakened public reputation totally demolished via the internet. Of particular note on their new "Public Relations" website is their defense of "charitable" works to the general public. So they definitely are sensitive if not vulnerable in this area.
So when I saw the "revision" they made as noted in the quote below, I thought it was high time the great writers and logisticians among you (I'm excluding myself, this is not my forte...) should at least come up with a ready-made, already written outline for a revision or several actual sample revision statements based upon the WTS' style when they have to revise something.
This is good.
The Blood Movement should be able to do more than just accuse the WTS of a poor blood policy and put forth arguments in that regard. There has to be a clear-cut bridge from what the WTS has taught, what the witnesses believe and what the Bible actually teaches on this point. Let's face it, if those in the reform movement can't write the revision statement how on earth will the Tower do it?
So my challenge is, let's do it! Let's get it on! Show them actually how to change their blood policy.
My recommendation is that it would be ideally handled as a mock "Questions From Readers" as in the sample below, just so that the main issues are dealt with. This will at lest be an outline for the WTS, who would then be perfectly capable of the two-part feature Watchtower study article on the topic during which they can salvage their former position on this and bow out gracefully. But it would also show the clarity of the issues for the blood movement. Because, quite frankly, unless you can establish a clear, concise understanding of the Bible's blood policy, one that can be understood by the masses, then it will always be a matter of debate.
So let's do it. Let's take it one step further and get involved with the actual reform by actually writing a "Question to Readers" revision of the blood transfusion policy. We've done everything else. Let's do this. Help THEM change their own policy. Show them the way...literally.
And actually, I think it is an obligation at this point for the blood reform movement. If we can't write the policy revision, how can we expect them to? We're far more focussed on the issues, right? Right.
So this is a just suggestion that those talented writers who have their hearts at the center of this issue provide as many outlines and/or variations on the actual revision statement of the blood policy, the revision statements written as we might expect it to appear in the Watchtower itself, focussing on what critical points are at the heart of the issue.
Perhaps after several samples are put forth a formal ratification by those involved can be forwarded to the Society, along with samples as below of where they have freely revised other beliefs when it became obvious there was a need to do so.
I also think this will help focus on what the Biblical "revision" will actually be based upon. As I see it, the true force of arguments against the blood policy now has to do with the hypocrisy of the WTS in allowing blood derivatives on one hand and no whole blood on the other. But that doesn't dismiss their doctrinal base for disallowing blood transfusions of whole blood. After all, all we are now basically showing is that their blood policy is hypocritical and thus, if they ban whole blood, they should ban the derivatives. Though that is not the goal. The goal is to focus on the contextual nature of the ban for the Hebrews based primarily upon their weak consciences and to emphasize that out of that context blood was not a matter of conscience at all.
This would be a good exercise anyway just to see how clear these issues can be expressed for those who are willing to accept a more liberal blood policy.
So how about it? They are listening, now. Why not make it incredibly easy for them to change this policy and save the next innocent life? Haven't we done everything else? Let's go all the way and quickly! It would be nice to see both an outline and an actual statement, or whatever you think.
Below is a "model" of how the WTS revises a former belief in the shortened form of a "Questions to Readers". This format is great because it is concise.
So, how about coming up with several or let's come up with one. Moi? Sorry, "concise" is not my expertise. Every word I write has three footnotes only I leave them in the text right? Am I right? (smile) (Actually I will have to write one since this is my suggestion, and I hope we all do. But certainly the talented writers among us and those close to the reform movement. They know what they really want.)
Thanks, EVERYONE. Remember, this is a good exercise regardless, don't you think? Isn't this a good idea? I think so. Right?
In summary: If we can't write the revision statement in this format, how can they? Let's help them move toward the inevitable. Especially Norm, AF, Liberal Elder... some of the extremely talented articulators among us for sure.
Anyway, here's a sample of how they have done it in the past. This is their style for a revision:
*** w83 10/1 31 Questions From Readers *** Questions From Readers • Does Jesus’ promise of everlasting life, as given at John 11:25, 26, apply only to the anointed, or do these words embrace also the “great crowd,” who look forward to life in the Paradise earth? At certain times in the past The Watchtower has suggested that the application of this scripture is limited to those Christians who gain heavenly life. Evidently this view was taken because Jesus was there speaking to persons who later would be given that hope. But a careful examination of these scriptures shows that Jesus was not making such a limitation. As the articles for study in this issue of The Watchtower confirm, our viewpoint on John 11:25, 26 must be the broader one that includes those persons whose hope is to live forever in the Paradise earth. Why do we make this statement? Note what Martha says about the dead Lazarus at John 11:24: “I know he will rise in the resurrection on the last day.” Which resurrection did she there have in mind? Why, the resurrection that Abraham, and other integrity-keeping Jews looked forward to in faith—an earthly resurrection! How, then, would Jesus’ following words appeal to Martha? They would convey to her the situation with regard to the earthly resurrection. It is certainly true of the anointed, as stated in ÞJoh 11 Üverse 26, that they will “never die at all” after being resurrected. They then ‘see God just as he is,’ so that they are no longer “walking by faith.” (1 John 3:2; 2 Corinthians 5:7) So when Jesus says, “Everyone that is living and exercises faith in me,” he introduces a factor that is especially significant with regard to those today whose hope is to attain to everlasting life on earth. Righteousness is already imputed to the “great crowd” because “they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” They are already living in the flesh with the hope of surviving the great tribulation, and their lives are considered righteous lives, like that of Abraham of old. They, together with resurrected mankind, must continue to exercise faith during Christ’s millennial reign in order to attain to everlasting life in human perfection.—Revelation 7:9, 10, 14, 15; 21:3, 4. Actually, this is not an entirely new viewpoint. From time to time through the years, the Watch Tower Society’s publications have suggested a broader application of John 11:24-26. For example, The Watchtower of June 1, 1959, page 337, said of the witnesses of Jehovah gathered out of all nations: “Those who expect to live on this earth hope also to survive the end of this world, and to live on into the new world without ever dying.” It cited Hebrews 11:1, 6 and John 11:26 in support. And The Watchtower of April 15, 1976, page 243, likewise included resurrected mankind along with the “great crowd” of Armageddon survivors in those same words of Jesus: “Everyone that is living and exercises faith in me will never die at all. Do you believe this?” Do you? |
Cheers,
Bibleman