Posted by Friend more... [Friend] on November 17, 1999 at 14:41:24 {xx2d.1sWpQePXjHnUl.IOgnjR4Br/g}:
In Reply to: ***AP and AF posted by JF on November 17, 1999 at 13:11:29:
JF
I am sorry, unintentionally I overlooked giving a respectful reply to this question:
But what do you say about cases like Carl Jonsson, where he gave the Society irrefutable proof that its 1914 chronology was wrong? What was the result? Not only was he told to keep his mouth shut about it, he was DF'ed to make sure he couldn't share his finding with any of the other JWs.This type of thing has happened over and over again, not just to Alan and Carl, but to lots of other people.
I do not believe your husband was disfellowshipped as was Carl. That evidences that just sharing contrary views does not automatically result in one being disfellowshipped.
Regarding Carl, I agree that his conclusions are valid about the 1914 chronology. However, regarding honesty (or not) it is noteworthy that shortly after Carl presented his findings to the Society that admissions were made in Society literature that secular chronologist do not agree with the Society. The Society honestly admitted that accepting secular findings would mean accepting a view contrary to its own. At that point the question became what do you want to believe rather than one of honesty. IN spite of secular evidence the Society explained its position was to continue with its past chronology. I contend that that explanation is as weak as a wet napkin (if that) but still they explained that continued support of their chronological position had to do with their beliefs contrary to secular findings.
As for Carl being disfellowshipped, as I understand it, that happened because his actions were inevitably leading to division of fellow believers from their aspirations, or at least that is the way his fellow JWs saw it. I do not believe that Carl thinks he was disfellowshipped just because he held a divergent view. Carl’s beef probably has more to do with his freedom of expression amongst fellow JWs being inappropriately hampered. On that issue he and I likely hold some views in common.
The Society knows of some quite serious areas where I hold divergent views, yet as I am able they continue using me. How do you explain that?
Friend