Posted by Observer [hendricks] on November 25, 1999 at 09:59:00 {yaNwUlwC5cKXEKSkVakwYYuWjGb576}:
In Reply to: The Greater Issue posted by AP on November 25, 1999 at 07:56:54:
I agree with many of your comments. I believe a number of us over the years have been advocates of the Society sticking to clearly articulated scriptural principles and/or injunctions as they relate to biblical, moral and "spiritual" issues.
Matters dealing with the exercise of a personal conscience in areas of employment, education, vacation, recreation, appropriate attire, et al, should be individualized.
As mentioned by AF, this will require a complete metamorphosis in thinking, attitude, ideology, and behaviour by the governing body and its various administrative and governing agencies.
Frankly, the Society needs to be strategic rather than reactionary in its thinking. A more recent reaction has been evident in its views reagarding the Internet. While many nations, peoples, and religions have seen and are harnessing the potentials of the information superhighway, the Society's policy has been restrictive. Obviously, many publishers will be harmed and unnecessarily consigned to the asheap of mediocrity with limited competitive skills in an increasingly technologically dynamic world. "Keep them dumb,stupid, childlike and dependent" is still the Society's mantra!
Observer