Jehovah Witnesses: Why do you only think some things are a "conscience matter"?

Question

Aren't we each responsible for our own actions?

Isn't EVERY matter a conscience matter?

How come it's a matter of conscience (IE= frowned upon but not specifically forbidden) to do certain things yet outright disfellowshipping for others?

I mean aren't ALL your sins YOUR personal responsibility?

LineDancer - "bigotry and hatred"? if ANYONE is displaying bigotry and hatred.. it's YOU. Would you like me to link to all the wonderful comments you have been leaving me? Not very Christian, and certainly not inspired by the Holy Spirit, are they?(Oh and with the condescending questions on your profile, you should be the last person calling me out on my intentions. I do not hate JWs. Some of the most important people in my life are JWs. I am trying to HELP. I want you to be able to see where I'm coming from. There are people that know the truth about what is going on with JWs. The root of the cause is in Brooklyn. We believe they are misleading you.

Please stop accusing me of hate and slander. Because by saying those things, you are actually slandering someone who cares very much and is not slandering you at all. When have I ever said a lie? Where's this hatred?

PS - How are Stealing, Lying, and Fornication NOT a matter of conscience? I must have missed that part. Explain it to me, than I won't have to ask.

LineDancer - "some sick mission to demean, belittle, and distort what we believe in".... now that's exactly what I feel YOU do to the trinity! What have I distorted, demeaned, and belittled?

Ok... back to the question at hand here... I appreciate the explanation... so if I understand you correctly, you are saying that basically the biblical commandments are grounds for disfellowshipping, and not a conscience matter, correct? So then based on that assumption, JWs could get disfellowshipped for saying "oh my god", coveting the neighbor's wife (merely just THINKING about her is adultry, ya know?) ....

My point is that our conscience has got to control all actions. Either we make decision in the Spirit or in the flesh. I cannot for the life of me understand how the Watchtower doesn't see the major contradiction there - they only allow 8,000 of you to have the Spirit... yet expect the other 6billion not to walk in the flesh? I don't get it.

Jude 1:14-19
Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men: "See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones to judge everyone, and to convict all the ungodly of all the ungodly acts they have done in the ungodly way, and of all the harsh words ungodly sinners have spoken against him." These men are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage. But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. They said to you, "In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires." These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.

Answer 1

WHY aren't you people checking your very own WT library CDs before you show your ignorance of your own religion?

Try this:
Search on: "Vote" and "Conscience"

Answer 2

This so-called "question" seems to be worded in an intentionally argumentative manner. That is sad, and unworthy of any self-described "Christian" questioner.

(Philippians 2:14-15) Keep doing all things free from murmurings and arguments


The bible is so crystal clear on this matter that it is shocking to hear any so-called "Christian" argue this point...

NO! Every matter is certainly NOT a "conscience matter", and the bible plainly teaches otherwise.

No human should suppose that the dictates of his own conscience outweigh the plain instruction of the Scriptures. A person with an ungodly conscience may sincerely believe that serious sins such as fornication and thievery are acceptable in some circumstances, but the bible plainly contradicts that human view. A person who believed or insisted otherwise is simply "misled".

(1 Corinthians 6:9-10) Do not be misled. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men kept for unnatural purposes, nor men who lie with men, nor thieves, nor greedy persons, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit God’s kingdom.


The problem is that humans are imperfect, and most consciences have not been trained according to the bible. A human conscience is most useful when it has been intentionally trained by its owner to closely reflect God's will. At times, the Christian congregation must "train" a specific member by means of "discipline" (especially regarding serious sin), but a mature Christian can and must also discipline himself.

(Hebrews 5:14) Solid food belongs to mature people, to those who through use have their perceptive powers trained to distinguish both right and wrong.

(Hebrews 12:11) True, no discipline seems for the present to be joyous, but grievous; yet afterward to those who have been trained by it it yields peaceable fruit, namely, righteousness.


In conclusion, consider one obvious example of why the bible must be the only authority for right and wrong, and why no person should suppose that 'every matter is a "conscience matter"':

(John 16:2) the hour is coming when everyone that kills you will imagine he has rendered a sacred service to God.


Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/e/20041201/article_02.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/20050515a/article_01.htm

Answer 3

Nice try, but some sins are just done because were imperfect and can't help it. Can YOU go all day without sinning? And remember, lying is a sin!

Also, many, many things are borderline issues. Such as when the police stop you for going to slow (and you WERE GOING THE SPEED LIMIT!), so what do you do, speed? Do you "stay up with traffic" or risk getting stopped again for just going the limit?

Also, what about those things Jesus said, "render unto Ceasar (the governments) what is Ceasar's (the governments), and unto God's what is God's." So, many people believe that going to war is okay, some don't. Since Jehovah's Witnesses believe that no earthly government, anywhere in the world, will ever be able to completely lead mankind to God. Only Christ Jesus, through ruling his Fathers Kingdom; they choose to follow Christ Jesus and through him, Jehovah God. This means, that maybe while proud to be 'fortunate' enough to be born American with all the rights that entails, they know that America is not 'perfect' and no earthly kingdom ever will be under an imperfect human ruler. By waiting for Jehovah's Kingdom (and therefore) taking no part in this Earth's wars, they prove to Christ Jesus and Jehovah God that they are THEIR servants and not mans.

They don't vote because no man will be ABLE TO KEEP HIS PROMISES LIKE GOD CAN!

There are many things that scratch at the conscience like this. Each one must be dealt on an individual basis, and as an individual. So, where one Witness may give in and speed, another would follow the 'letter of the law' and still go slower.

Answer 4

Generalized questions and answers can be produced to prove almost anything you want.

General statement.

Worshipping Jehovah is a matter of choice. Jehovah doesn't force anyone to serve him.

General statement.

How we worship Jehovah is a matter of choice.

Specific statement.

Acceptable worship of Jehovah is NOT a matter of choice.

For worship to be acceptable we have to worship Jehovah the way He says.

Jehovah as provided 'few' commandments or laws christians are required to obey.

Most of the guidelines Jehovah provides are based on principles.

Such as Love, the command is to love Jehovah, and our neighbor, even being willing to die for them.

Paul said you can have a clean conscience, and yet you may still be doing wickedness.

Yes we have to carry our own load, (a principle)

But we have to consider others and their conscience also. (another principle)

We may do something 'legal' for Christians, yet if we stumble our brother, we have sinned. (another principle)

James said if we claim to be christian we become obligated to walk as Christ walked.

Obligations are not a matter of conscience.

Obedience is not a matter of conscience.

Jesus said 'NOT everybody calling him Lord will inherit the kingdom.

ONLY THOSE DOING THE WILL OF HIS FATHER WILL.

This is not a matter of conscience, this is a command.

Ignoring Paul's command to remove the wicked man from among you, based on 'LOVE' doesn't win God's approval.

Ignoring Jesus command to treat unrepentant sinners like tax collectors based on 'LOVE' doesn't win God's approval.

Satan told Eve, 'she could choose for herself what is right and wrong'

Jesus said those who hears his words AND DOES THEM is liken to a person building his house on a rock mass.

Obedience is a command.


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Answer 5

Rather than have a truly long answer, whatever is not specifically forbidden by the Bible or ordered to do is open to the guiding principles of the Bible. How closely or loosely those principles are followed is up to one's Bible trained conscience.

If you work in a store that sells cigarettes, not illegal,but frowned on by the Bible. Are you contributing to the death of people by selling cancer? On the other hand, did you force anyone to buy cigarettes? How is your conscience?

In any event, all our actions are our personal responsibility. We will be judged by our heart conditions, how we truly are. Fortunately, man will not be doing the judging.

Answer 6

Why do you think Jehovah created us with a conscience?
He wanted us to use it and if we apply Bible principles in all aspects of our lives, then we will have a Bible trained conscience that will protect us from breaking Jehovah's laws and help us to uphold righteous standards.
I am so thankful that I found the one faith that protects us from immorality, drug addiction and all the other things Satan uses to draw us away from true worship.
LOBT

Answer 7

Stealing is not a conscience matter. Choosing the best form of medical procedure is a matter of conscience.

Lying is not a conscience matter. What color shoes you wear to work is a conscience matter.

Fornication is not a conscience matter. What size hamster you want as a pet is a conscience.

As I said before, stealing, lying, and fornication are not matters of conscience. The Bible out right condemns such practices. However, other things are not right or wrong. Our conscience should guide us. For instance, Paul displayed the attitude that we all need: “If food [or anything else] makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat flesh at all.” If, on a matter that is up to our conscience, and we therefore have freedom to act, we ignore the conscience of others and thus ‘ruin our brothers for whom Christ died,’ we could lose our good standing with God. Paul asked: “Why should it be that my freedom is judged by another person’s conscience?” (1 Corinthians 8:3, 11-13; 10:29) Even though an individual feels it is a ‘personal matter of conscience,’ if it damages others it can lead to his receiving Jehovah’s adverse judgment. This shows how deceptive it can be to think ‘if it is up to my conscience, it is all right.’

Some things are a matter of conscience, some things aren't. Either way, we are all responsible for our own actions.

Questions like yours just bring out the religious bigotry and hatred for Jehovah's Witnesses like Suzanne below me. Why do you, Lysdexic Princess, Suzanne, and others hate us so much? Your questions about us are not for the purpose of gathering information to get to know us better. To the contrary, you and others are on some sick mission to demean, belittle, and distort what we believe in. And you are hoping to pollute the minds of those who do not know us. Why do you make us the focus of your attacks?

It is very clear that you and others have banded together in your assaults on Jehovah's Witnesses. You either question our beliefs or you seek out questions about Jehovah's Witnesses so you can leave your poisonous remarks. How good are you at regularly posting negative remarks about Hindus or Jews? Don't you want to "help" them too? I disagree with many of the things I read in this forum, but I don't attack anyone. I read Suzanne's profile (for some reason, you keep yours hidden) and I found MANY hatefull things she said about Jehovah's Witnesses. Don't you guys have better things to do with your time? If you want to "help" someone to see the light, do what we do--knock on doors.

I distort the trinity? I have already pointed out to you that the Bible does not support the trinity. Even religious encyclopedias will tell you that, but you refuse to listen.

Answer 8

I had no idea they did this, but I really get the feeling that just about anything can have a verse from the bible slapped upon it, supporting or condemning a particular practice. And of course from then on "the Bible clearly states..." comes out to give the words a blessing from Heaven, and everyone is wrong but you.

Do you think you're going to find dialogue here?

Answer 9

The Holy Spirit within becomes a "conscience" for Christians who are born again.

If you don't have the Holy Spirit within, how can you benefit from His guidance? The answer is: you can't! So you only have your own untrustworthy, human conscience to rely on.

Answer 10

Anna...I have never seen a situation where the WBTS did not have a firm opinion on what a "thinking christian" or a "true believer in Christ" or one of "Jehovah's Christian Witnesses"should be thinking, doing, or deciding...Nothing....from the length of your dress, to chaperone's to whether you should accept life saving blood for your Kids....Total and complete control over thought word or deed.

And if you dint fall in total step with their dogma, you are out and not only out, but any member caught associating with you is out as well.......But as they claim, this is not a cult.


EDIT...line dancer...If you look at my answers and profile, this cult almost caused me to lose my soul and my life...definitely my family is gone....it is an organization directed by Satan...i will do anything i can to expose the lies and the false prophecy, and i will not stop...Maybe, just maybe, someone will think twice before going blindly into this particular false religion...there are few things that I am passionate about, but this is one of them......Hopefully God will open the eyes of those who just can not see the real TRUTH.

You are attacking the wrong person...Anna has been kind and gentle in pionting out the fraud of the WBTS...i am not so kind to them.


Edit...Who said that the only use for this dialog is to gather information and to get to know you better?...The WBTS is a spritual freight train out of control that needs to be slowed down if not stopped because people can and will die.

Answer 11

Jesus said only TWO commandments now (1) Love God (2) Love thy neighbor.

In contrast Watchtower cult followers are bound by endless man made rules and regulations.It's like living under the old Moses kosher law with them.

Rules for Christian Living (Faith vs. Works) http://www.freeminds.org/doctrine/rules.htm