Fading, Faking and Lying as an Unbelieving Jehovah’s Witness: A Moral Criticism

[JaniceM]

7 hours ago, Ann O'Maly said:

No, that's not it. As I posted before,

"...  he concludes that there is a disconnect between the Organization's doctrines, with its claims about itself, and the Bible and known facts. Therefore, the Organization doesn't have a special relationship with God after all, and is just another Christian-based group among many with their various strengths and weaknesses. Subsequently, there is no reason to regard the Organization's human leaders in any higher esteem than one would a clergyman. This person would also be praying to God for strength to endure the situation he was in and to find a way through. "

For a believer, absolutely. Organizations come and go and can become corrupt. God's word and Jesus are the Truth.

A child can be pressured or coerced to become baptized as was shown in the other thread.

As already explained, a dissenting JW is presented with a dreadful dilemma - keep the status quo along with his family and friends, or voice his disagreement, leave (or get kicked out), and face losing everyone he holds dear to his heart. I know it's hard to imagine how agonizing it is if you haven't been through it.

The scenario Jesus presents in Matt. 10 is where a family is ripped apart because some wanted to follow Jesus whereas others didn't. He was addressing an audience of Jews, remember? However, why should families be ripped apart when everyone is following Jesus according to their Bible-trained consciences and beliefs? Jesus wasn't talking about Christian family members becoming enemies of other Christian family members. I'm sure he'd be horrified.

And again, if a dissenting JW concludes that Jesus is long dead, following someone that doesn't exist would not figure in his available choices, nor would he ask for a mythical diety's help in making his choice. Nevertheless, the basic choice is the same: keep the status quo along with his family and friends, or voice his disagreement, leave (or get kicked out), and face losing everyone he holds dear to his heart.

Hi Ann,

Families should not have to be ripped apart but it's a fact of life. 

(Matthew 10:21-23)  Further, brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise up against parents and will have them put to death.  And YOU will be objects of hatred by all people on account of my name; but he that has endured to the end is the one that will be saved. When they persecute YOU in one city, flee to another; for truly I say to YOU, YOU will by no means complete the

 

The first man, Adam, was ripped from the close relationship he had with his Heavenly Father and thrown out of his paradise home; he along with his children.

 

Jesus said "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?”  And extending his hand toward his disciples, he said: “Look! My mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father who is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.” (Matt 12:48-50)

 

I believe Jesus was also speaking as regards his brothers and sisters of faith.  Familial ties can be broken or ripped apart whether it applies to our birth family or inside the church or congregation.  Examples would be Judas Iscariot or Satan the Devil, or those who were once sons of God.

       
Being born into a family doesn't mean they will love us or even like us, so sometimes we have to make our own family or find a spiritual family that accepts and loves us.  For the dissenting, they must choose between living a lie or remaining faithful to their own beliefs or principles.  I perceive living a lie does not bring true happiness, neither does not standing by one's beliefs or principles.

 

To the contrary, I know exactly what it feels like to agonize whether to leave or stay.  Anyone can have differences of opinion even among the elders as we were told they don't always agree.  It may be a matter of spiritual maturity.  If someone hurts my feelings or calls me an brother* because I have a different opinion, I can't continue to hold a grudge or continue in sadness.  These persons cannot give me life, but only Jehovah by means of Christ. 

 

For those that have pronounced issues of conflict or conscience, I can see their agony whether to leave or stay.  They have been given the tools to help them make decisions and that is God's holy spirit in prayer to direct their path, which is minus those that have decided there is no God or not sure and decide to stay just to keep up close ties or relationships.

 

I like the title: "Fading, Faking and Lying as an Unbelieving Jehovah's Witness".

I remember Peter lying and cursing saying he didn't know Christ.  Apparently he was forgiven, but he could not continue to 'trample upon the Son of God' or esteem as ordinary value the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified'. (Heb 10:26-31)

 

I had some major problems when I first started reading and studying the Bible in its entirety.  These problems plagued me for many years before I got baptized and for many years afterward.  I was quite disturbed at God choosing prophets that had said and did such horrible things.  It disturbed me and caused me great agony and I was shaken, yet I continued on though very weak in faith.  The only thing that kept me from completely turning my back on God was his promises of what he wanted to do for us and the earth he created and the sacrifice of Jesus.  Somehow, I thought I could not turn my back on someone that was willing to give up his life for me.

 

What helped was reading the Bible over several times until I made the connection.  Those persons were faithful in doing what God wanted them to do and they were forgiven by God for their trespasses because of their repentance or God saw the good in them.  He did not continue to look at what they said or did wrong, but what they did right and the potential to continue in his work.  I saw these persons as having that 'special relationship with God', putting them upon a "perfect" pedestal where they did not belong in my mind.  They were just imperfect as any other men on the face of the earth.  It was God that held them in high esteem because they were following his direction, work, and commandments despite their fallacies or incorrect beliefs or judgment.  (Ex. Jonah)  Therefore, if we put them upon a pedestal, it is because God holds them blameless in doing his will, even though they are sinners.  This is what finally registered and corrected my thinking whereas I was able to stop being judgmental of God and his prophets or being overly disappointed when others aren't doing or saying the right things as well as myself.  Keeping focus on God's work and the commandments of Jesus is what's important.

 

The best we can hope for is to align ourselves with others that help us carry out our ministry or preaching work as designated by Christ.  Within that framework, we should be able to find friends and family doing the same even if we lose other close friends or relationships. 

 

(Psalm 37:25) A young man I used to be, I have also grown old, And yet I have not seen anyone righteous left entirely, Nor his offspring looking for bread.