Posted by Kristin [Kristin] on April 05, 1999 at 15:03:36 {6.uz.4vynMctB9oBIfGcoe7EI.M9QY}:
In Reply to: ***Dear Covert posted by Covert on April 05, 1999 at 02:16:35:
G'day Covert! Your points are well taken, and your scriptural support is in Biblical context. Maybe you can give me an honest opinion. Have I gone overboard with the new topic on Russell's gravesite to pave the way for showing the discrepancy between them allowing supernatural symbolism displayed publicly but refusing a simple funeral service if the diseased is in an "unapproved state"? And the necessity of reforming this hypocrisy? Cygnus feels my post is totally irrelevant and others are ignoring it. Is everything about Russell's gravesite, the pyramid, the cross and spiritistic symbolism "cool" with you? Am I out of line in believing that if they allow this display but refuse to allow a simple Christmas tree as being "vile idolatry," there's no contradiction? That it is alright to have idolatrous images as a monument on a gravesite to a highly idolised leader, Russell, but not alright for the rank and file to display a mere piece of antique artwork in their homes with a cross? (One woman offered her home as a bookstudy but the Govrerning Body through our C.O. ruled that idolatrous image of a cross, even though in valuable artwork of the 17th century, means her home is "unacceptable place to conduct a weekly book study."
Do you see absolutely no contradiction between that, and displaying a pyramid, cross and other idolatrous symbols of spiritism on Watchtower Society real estate?
Please do me a favour. Could you possibly either post to Cygnus in his reply to my post, and elaborate further on why my topic is way off-topic to reform? Everyone seems to agree, nobody is responding. Is the gravesite issue that minor and unrelated to the GB's claimed hatred of all images relating to spiritism, the cross, and idolatry of respected individuals? Or if you disagree with Cygnus, please articulate why you feel that reformists must come to grips with these seemingly "minor" issues to weed out hypocrisy and contradictions in the organisation? I would really like to hear your thoughts, young genius, even if you feel I was off topic for the interests of reform.
Kristin