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joyful · Joined: 30 Aug 2007 Posts: 1376 Location: texas

I have associated and attended with their congregation and I know those people very well.

They seem very timid about criticizing about their organiztion . I never heard them talk about their organization or congregation negatively. Of course it is discouraged to do it in any Christian organization. But it is just plain being dishonest because we are all imperfect and have many imperfect functions. If we don't think we have any negative part we are fooling ourselves and will not improve at all. I can always find something negative in my family and myself. We should learn to be completely honest ourselves. Honesty is a perfect form of humility. Without it we will not have improvement and think otherwise is fooling ourselves.

hitomi

freyd · Joined: 14 Sep 2008 Posts: 52

I was a jw for 15 years. They are a conglomeration religion that broke away from the teachings of their founder. I read something the other day about how when a train goes onto another track, the tracks may run parallel for a while but then head in opposite directions. That is essentially what happened with them when their new head Joe Rutherford began new theology that is a combination of Br Russell(their original founder), The Bible and his own speculations that now bear little resemblance to their roots as Bible Students. The result has had mixed results as they have done some good and much not good, like all religion that deviates from Truth. But you're right, they aren't allowed to criticize or publically disagree with any of the teachings of their organization as they will face certain and complete social ostracization. And leaving is not allowed without the organization doing something to malign your character. So there is much fear that's disguised as loyalty. Very highly controlled. But that's not all bad, because that control allows for considerable learning that can never happen in any churches that I know of. What the jw's do to keep everyone in check though, along with the fear, is convince everyone that their Bible Student roots no longer exist - which is a blatant lie. But that's how the adversary operates. Get people to believe he's not real so people won't think too much about him. They also all but prohibit being active on the internet - demonizing the whole thing - so that people won't find out the whole truth. And the elders have total control as they are appointed by the mother corporation, rather than the congregations. And it is the elders who have the power to ostracize. And at least 99% of the time their decisions are backed up by the corporation. What a surprise.
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joyful · Joined: 30 Aug 2007 Posts: 1376 Location: texas

I agree with your assessment; at first they seemed to have had a good operation but somehow it got derailed badly. Their pride is showing by not changing back to their original attitude. But you have to remember most mainstream organizations try to control their members with their denominations likings. That's the evil of the organizational system. That's why Jesus tells us to come out of her.

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