Posted by Luis [followthelamb] on November 16, 1999 at 11:48:57 {pRztWiaeukQr78U8rp0YTco2oJsp5U}:
The Watchtower, January 1, 2000, pp. 30-31 has an article titled, "We Need Jehovah's Organization." Articles like this one seem to be a response to the hard fact that a growing number of JWs are leaving the organization. In this article points are made concerning the benefits Christians derive by being organized. When Christians are organized they can accomplish a common goal and receive the benefit of association, encouragement and instruction. Besides Jehovah's Witnesses, other religions can be considered very organized, such as Mormons. Organization in itself serves only as a useful tool and shouldn't be the object of worship or the instrument of salvation. The determining factor should be not how organized a religion may be, but if their teachings are true. This criteria is used by JWs to judge other religions. But the same can be said about theirs. No one organization has a monopoly on Truth, so other views that are sincerely held by Christians should also be respected. Unity in spirit and in love, not necessarily uniformity in all beliefs, should characterize Christians. Christianity existed before any of these religious organizations, be it JWs or Mormons, started setting themselves up as the true religion. Any religion, especially those with constantly changing beliefs, that sets themselves up as the truth by condemning others with different views no matter how sincere or well-founded leaves little to be desired. Not being a part of a certain organization does not in itself erase the fact that we are Christians. Jesus says, "I am the way and the truth and the life." "For where there are two or three gathered together in my name, there I am in their midst." (John 14:6; Matthew 18:20)