Posted by Amazing [Anointed] on November 24, 1999 at 10:00:24 {BlpRHB6gpcgU8XyG8q46ASIIcexUto}:
In Reply to: Cong.'s may leave Org. posted by Elder-NOT-Judge on November 23, 1999 at 19:52:03:
The post called 'Answer' raised some good questions. Here are some clarifications that may be helpful.
1. The question was asked, if you do not disagree with the WT, why then push to leave it? I think what the Elder/Guest is saying is that their Cong accepts all the WT teachings except total shunning and medical use of blood. He says they regard these as matters of conscience.
2. The comment was made that he spent the rest of the post complaining about the WT, yet claims that they still accept its teachings. I looked a little closer and Elder/Guest was mostly quoting/summarizing what their CO told them.
3. The question was asked about the anointed, including GB, having any visible rule here on earth after Armageddon. The thought is that basic WT teaching is that they all rule from heaven. I think there is a little problem here with history and semantics. The Society once taught that the remaining anointed would all leave the earth immediately after Armageddon. They have modified this from time to time. One of the thoughts is that any anointed, especially GB, who survive Armageddon would naturally share in any formation of the visible government until such time they die and go to heaven to continue their rule there.
4. But I fail to see how any post-armageddon rule by the anointed has any bearing on your possible decision to declar independence now. If the WT were correct in their views, and if they were the F&DS as they interpret, then if they are the ones remaining after Armageddon, God help you if you declared your indepandence now! Obviously, if you reject any of their fundamental teachings now, you then must reject any fears of post-Armageddon rules by remaining GB/Anointed/F&DS personnel.
5. One post also asked about how the congregation made the decision. I totally agree with that comment. The whole congregation must take a vote. So, the question as to whether they all accept the motion for independance is vitally important. The elders may alrady know the pulse of the Cong, and may have exerted enough influence for this. But they need to move quickly before the Society finds out and sends in a Special Committee to remove them.
6. You state that the CO told you how the Society/GB would view this. Any experienced JW whether an elder or not already knows that to vote for independance mean being disfellowshipped from the Society. So I have to assume you were already aware of this and just quoting the CO for additional support.
7. In one post, Liberal Elder mentioned a Cong in Texas as a case example for gaining independance. He is right in a sense. The Bonham, Texas Cong went independant, at least the elders and majority of members. I believe that they actually disassociated from the Society. The lawsuit was not about thier independance, it was about who owned the real property including the building. If memory serves me correctly, the Society lost that suit. I have no idea how they may have remedied that with other Congs since then. I am not sure if they have. Your elder body needs to immediately hire an attorney, have him/her review the title / trust deed on your KHall to determine ownership. The attorney can advise you how to proceed from there.
Hope this is helpful. Simply Amazing