Posted by morloc [morloc] on November 27, 1999 at 17:45:28 {nwG7wj0NI.hsQyEhx3O6LcBL1s11Cg}:
In Reply to: ***Question For Witnesses posted by Alan on November 27, 1999 at 15:00:40:
Your (albeit quick) response is again appreciated, Alan, but it begs more questions than it serves to answer.
For example, to say that "the reason to stay is" my "love of Jehovah" does absolutely nothing toward helping me determine whether to continue running in what appears to be a low sink of debauchery on the part of the organization. A person CANNOT judge another's love for Jehovah BASED ON THEIR ASSOCIATION WITH AN ORGANIZATION.
Case in point: Are you prepared to say that any humble-hearted ones out in the world that aren't (yet) one of Jehovah's Witnesses does not love Jehovah because they do not belong to the organization? If so, then why the Witnesses' ministry to find such ones? As I understand it, then, love for Jehovah is SEPARATE from one's belonging to an organization, not an indication of that love. My love toward Jehovah is not comparable to my association with an organization, just as my dedication to Jehovah is not tied to any organization (even though the words I recited at the 2-day assembly say different).
For you to say that the reason I should stay is because I love Jehovah is not coherent: the two are separate issues, not one and the same. Certainly I love Jehovah! I cannot say the same about the organization that I belong to but doctrinally disagree with.
The Society talks to us regularly about "bad association." Put succintly, if we "hang out" with people who are practicing things that we disapprove of or disagree with, then we are, in effect, APPROVING of it. And we are guilty by association, are we not. Therefore, if the Society is promoting a teaching that we do not agree with, one that we feel is unscriptural according to our own understanding... does not the same standard hold true. Do we go along with what we personally feel is wrong, and thus scar or "sear" our conscience... or do we take a stand and say "this is wrong and I will not participate in it!"??? My conscience is being sharpened by Jehovah, I presume, as I continue in the things learned. How does it demonstrate my love for Jehovah to not act on that conscience's proddings?
Also, my appreciation for what Christ has done goes far beyond simply that he died for me (and the rest of mankind.) His example in how he dealt with the Pharisees, for example (who were part of an organization who thought that they, too, were God's organization), gives me courage in facing up to the challenge of soon sitting down with the local elders to discuss my concerns. Also, the fact that he was willing to heal people who did not become his followers because of his acts of mercy and unconditional love helps me to understand that I should never expect repayment or action on the part of the person I assist, but that God will reward me... something that I recently have been reminded of as being amiss especially in the local congregation when the elders show up and ask me if I'm enjoying the house that a Witness helped my family rent, as if I'm failing to appreciate the gesture because I'm missing meetings (which is due to doctrinal differences, not a lack of appreciation). A lack of appreciation would be to refuse to help another person in like manner, or to turn my back on someone in need. It has nothing to do with my meeting attendance, but rather my HEART CONDITION, unless I missed something in the parable of the good Samaritan. But THAT is a topic for another time.
Suffice it to say, that your suggested answer doesn't offer me sufficient reason to remain. Abraham left his city (organization) behind, did he not? Noah left his friends and village (organizations) behind, did he not? We will not be judged according to the organization we belong to, but rather how we respond to the mercy of Jehovah (Christ's sacrifice, for example). We will be judged individually. According to the Society, not every person will have heard the preaching of the Witnesses before the end comes in order to fulfill the prophecy of "this good news will be preached..." As such, then, I am convinced in my heart that membership and/or association with the organization is not the deciding factor... or else those who are not belonging to Jehovah's Witnesses will be destroyed, however righteously inclined they may be toward God's Truth (and were not yet reached by Witnesses, as an example.) Do you disagree?
Submitted for your perusal,
morloc