Paradise Cafe Discussions - A Place For Bible Research And Christian Encouragement

Approved Association by Commonly Assumed Beliefs


One of the things some have noticed about JW culture (and there is a very unique culture in the organization, even though many JW's do not acknowledge it), is that, there is a body of assumed beliefs that are a prerequisite for “approved association”.

Note:

Watchtower 4/1/86 Question from the readers:

Obviously, a basis for approved fellowship with Jehovah’s Witnesses cannot rest merely on a belief in God, in the Bible, in Jesus Christ, and so forth. The Roman Catholic pope, as well as the Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury, professes such beliefs, yet their church memberships are exclusive of each other. Likewise, simply professing to have such beliefs would not authorize one to be known as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Approved association with Jehovah’s Witnesses requires accepting the entire range of the true teachings of the Bible, including those Scriptural beliefs that are unique to Jehovah’s Witnesses. What do such beliefs include?

That there is a “faithful and discreet slave” upon earth today ‘entrusted with all of Jesus’ earthly interests,’ which slave is associated with the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses. (Matthew 24:45-47) That 1914 marked the end of the Gentile Times and the establishment of the Kingdom of God in the heavens, as well as the time for Christ’s foretold presence. (Luke 21:7-24; Revelation 11:15–12:10) That only 144,000 Christians will receive the heavenly reward....

(Bold and italics added)


Lets use an example of how this works in real-life.

You are a baptised Witness and you attend a meeting at the Kingdom Hall. Brother “nice-guy” offers you a kind smile, friendly greeting, and reaches out to shake your hand.

Question: Would he do this if he knew that you did not believe the above doctrines, and had mentally rejected and repudiated the teaching of the “faithful slave” as described above?

No, he most certainly would not.

Truth be told, you very well may hold the entire “slave” teaching and all associated with it, as an inspired utterance of Satan himself, yet because Brother “nice-guy” lacks reliable clarivoyant mindreading capabilities, he doesn't know this. As a result, he feels obligated to afford you the normal niceties and courtesy's.

Why?

Because of your very prescence at the Kingdom Hall as a baptised Witness in “good standing” with the congregation (which really means the elders have not said anything negative about you, publicly or privately), it is a foregone conclusion on his part that you do believe all the teachings as presented by the Watchtower as “truth” from “God's Organization”.

Lets say, however, that you are a baptised Witness who is “spiritually weak” by organizational standards, that is, you do not attend meetings or assemblies. Lets also say that you have family members (parents, siblings, etc.) who are “spiritually strong” by Watchtower standards, that is, they regularly attend meeting/assemblies and continually affirm the teachings of the Watchtower as “truth” as if it were from God himself.

Now, when you associate with these family members, why do they spend time with you? Because there is an assumptionon their part that you still believe as they do, but that you are just “weak”. It may also be, that they believe that by their association with you they can 'help' you become more “spiritual” (by Watchtower standards, of course). Some families and close friends may adopt a “don't ask, don't tell” policy towards “spiritually weak” ones. Basically saying, “Lets not talk about it, but assume they still believe everything we do.”

So, in reality, Witness association is because of commonly assumed mutal beliefs.

Of course, the institutionized process by which the illusory “truth” of the Watchtower is internaly maintained and association by assumption of belief is perpetuated, is by the legalistic practice of disfellowshipping for 'apostasy' (by Watchtower definition) or by 'dissasociation by action'. After this occurs, and word is spread is spread amoung the congregation(s), by whichever means the Elder Body has been so instructed by the decision makers of the organization, then the assumption of common belief is no longer operating. The wonderful smile, and coutesies, and handshake from Brother “nice-guy” is not only no longer offered, but he will not even make eye contact with you any longer, and even turn away from you and walk away.

In my view, this is why taking a stand is essential, if not outright required. By so soing, you state publicly, before God and men, that there is no longer this “Assumption of Belief”. In fact, you will experience a freedom that you did not realize was possible. The “baggage” that you feel as you speak with ones still in the Watchtower, and that same baggage gets heavier as you go on under these “assumptions” will dissapate.

The feeling thereafter is fantastic.

Please see this link, and consider:

http://www.paradisecafediscussions.net/s...p?tid=1808

pm

Good post, Prop. I find it very sad that this sort of system actually encourages and cultivates a bad general personality trait: don't be friends with someone who disagrees with you. And they make it seem like it's a virtue! This is something I would never want to teach my children. And yet my parents, by taking me to the Kingdom Hall, taught it to me.

I certainly agree that this is a part of what happens to us as we come into a new discernment of how we have been living and what we have been doing but feel it is only a Part of it. I found the information in Spiritual Carthysis and also Cognative Dissonance invaluable to help one along to come into a feeling of understanding of this internal process. For those who have been in for years it can be a long process coming out. There are alot of wonderful things to read also which are very helpful. Francis mentioned a list of books she read that aided her and Martin. At one time my family was deeply into the center of my local congregation and considered a part of its strength. I have always felt like I had a long way to fall and this is beautifully described in a poem Isomam wrote in Spiritual Carthysis--I think most Everyone would relate to it. Most everyone goes through a really tough period that lasts as long as it lasts as I also believe it is individual. A friend wrote me a letter just yesterday asking me if I felt my years inside the organization had been ''wasted.''--and so the Spiritual Carthysis begins for my friend--I know for me I spent alot of time feeling as well as telling people they Had to come into the Organization. I am going to be extraordinarily careful not to start telling them they Have to leave or to criticize them for not doing things on a certain time-table. I wouldn't feel that was very loving nor very understanding on my part. It is a very complicated process and one which I have deep respect for. It takes alot of courage and alot of strength. My view is that we are all making our long walk home and there is nothing finer we could be doing than assisting another along the way and extending ourselves with patience and in love---.....:grouphug:

Wow, sis wolfie. :giverose:You are blessing us all with one magnificent post after another. I will post the poem you referenced; and the links to the two threads you mentioned.

Spiritual Catharsis: A Brave and Solitary Sojourn.

She rehearses and rehearses in her heart. Her stomach lurches.
She tells herself, 'I did find out things not found in most churches.'
She tells herself, 'I thought I did, "make sure of what is fine." '
And, now, she tells herself, 'I'd only learned to "toe the line." '

Abdicating her responsibility to verify things.
A 'Channel,' told her they were so 'Discreet,' and did decry things.
'You only need assimilate the "food," which we will give you.'
'Authenticate it for yourself? A crime! We'll not forgive you!'

She asks herself, 'Where will I go?' But, wait. That's the wrong question.
Not, "Where?" But, "To WHOM?" would one go??? (It's merely a suggestion.)
To, Jesus? Could it be so simple? He, of 'kindly yoke'?
The one who promised a 'light load,' assuring, it's no joke?

'Religion,' has accustomed her to running on a treadmill.
With, 'Guilt,' and, 'Fear,' and, 'Shame,' -- she simply overflows with, 'Dread,' still.
A hamster on a wheel that never slows and never stops.
Conditioned, well, with, 'Terror,' of those Watchtower 'shunning,' chops.

'Catharsis,' takes her forward for a step or two, but, then, ...
She panics, feeling in free-fall, and slips right back, again.
'Catharsis,' -- spiritual, -- is a process which takes time.
And, yet, it's leading her to 'peace of God,' truly sublime.

Spiritual Catharsis
http://www.paradisecafediscussions.net/s...php?tid=30

Mixed Messages, (Cognitive) Dissonance, and Resonance
http://www.paradisecafediscussions.net/s...php?tid=49

:help: :heartbeat: :eat: :grouphug: :coffeeread: :) :hibye:

"It is a very complicated process and one which I have deep respect for. It takes alot of courage and alot of strength. My view is that we are all making our long walk home and there is nothing finer we could be doing than assisting another along the way "

Very cool words Wolf!
Those who have taken this walk or are making it, will leed the WAY.

:heartbeat:Hello all,

Having recently been "disassociated by actions" from the WT and really understanding that my life long relationships are viewed as based on approved status in a religion, It has been a wake up call. All my friends from childhood to adult (whom as a good JW were all witnesses) and My family, have cast me out with the bathwater. Why? Because I no longer can agree with their man made doctrine. So they feel that extending love to me would be a sin. How sad. How unlike Jesus and the Father.

I feel we must be careful not to do the same with others. As a former JW, I was quick to reject others because of their religious affilication. If they were not from the same background as I, I felt they could not identify with my faith more less help build it. What a mistake! Is there not ones who are part of other religions and backgrounds, who can enrich our lives with knowledge and truth? Or do we have a monopoly on it because of our previous religious background? If they were not a Wt, than they could not possibly know as much? To be honest, I learned more about Jesus from a converstation with a Baptist, than I had my entire life as a JW.

Love Lynn:heartbeat:

PC Site Admin Team Note:
Quote removed due to behind-the-scenes controversy.


Note to Admin.. Please pm me next time you edit one of my posts, I am sure if there is something contriversal about it, you would want to address it with me.:thumbsup:

For continuity on the board the post you were quoting had been removed due to the original post being inaccurate.

Warmly,

PC Site Admin Team

I guess accuracy is obviously in the eye of the beholder.:D

Well, to finish my thought,

And this is quite engrained isn't it? If someone disagrees with you, than they must be wrong or should be silenced. Why? Because perhaps we may be wrong? Are we that fearful of looking in the wrong that we will not entertain other viewpoints?

Paul became all things to all people. He understood that our common basis is not background, or similar likes and dislikes, but our faith and relationships should be founded on Love of our Master Jesus. On living the New Covenant.

Our worship should not be complex. We worship in spirit and truth. Our foundation stone is Jesus. On him we build our house. And there are many beautiful people out there searching for others worshiping in the same way. Whether they be JW, EX JW, Pentecostal, Baptist, Catholic.. and on and on..

We should want all to feel welcome here.

Love to all my brothers and Sisters
Lynn:grouphug:

Thank you dear Wolfie. You are a blessing to the board with your fine-tuned discernment.

I've seen too many "fatal accidents" involving those who rushed out of the org on someone else's timetable or who didn't realize that the whole 'spiritual catharsis' thing is a process; that it is as individual as can be and cannot be rushed.

Have you ever wondered why so many who leave the WTS adopt unscriptural beliefs like hellfire or the trinity or even lose their faith in God completely? They seem to have rushed out of one box and into another without even realizing it. Far better to take your time, make sure you have adequate support and as much information as you need to understand the process.

It is much like discovering that you have a serious illness and must become proactive in informing yourself so that you can do yourself the most good instead of leaving your health completely in the hands of whatever medical professional you happen to have on hand.

Is it possible to post a list of those books that Francis and Martin found helpful. Perhaps others might like to read them as well.

Thanks again, dear sis!:cheekkiss:

Love, Rez:giverose:

PS...I know of someone close to me who is just heading into this process and who's marriage mate, children and grandchildren as well as many friends are all still unaware members of the congregation. This dear person must plan very carefully indeed so as not to stumble and destroy lives. I would not dream of suggesting any other course for them.

yes indeedy Res--I can get a list of some of Francis's books. She mentions them often as being of such value to her and to Martin----I Be Bak :love:

Allot of this is predicated on the idea that one has "figured out" that the WT is one big wack-job while they are still in it, and they have the ability to choose how their exit happens, that is, upon what terms. Sometimes, like with uninformed and savvy, the reality of WT evil isn't realized until they have actually been tossed out. I think in these instances it is much more difficult to maintain a balanced spiritual outlook, and I have nothing but the highest respect for both uninformed and savvy for having done just that; maintained a love for God, Jesus, and truth in the face of a religions evil bluntness.

I think I went through a "God has left me" stage while I was in the WT, and am just now starting to get something back. I'd say Im at about 5% strength.

:thumbup:


prop---can a brother get an "amen!" from the BIG nosed Sheep?---min