Jehovah's Witnesses. I recenlty came across something that is troubling me. Sometimes there may be a discuss

Question

I recenlty came across something that is troubling me. Sometimes there may be a discussion about a particular subject that the Governing Body has made a decision on. And... sometimes there may be an individual who is finding it hard to accept or understand the decision that's been made. While it is the intention of this individual to make sure to wait on Jehovah for further clarification on this subject and continue to be obedient to the direction and decision of the Governing Body... can this individual still be viewed as an apostate, or need to meet with a judicial committee and be disfellowshipped... simply for finding it hard to accept the decision, even though they are not trying to go against or promote their views? Can this be... even if their intentions are to be obedient and wait on Jehovah?

I am not an apostate... I'm looking for answers.

This was something I came across on the internet... scary.

Answer 1

No, an individual cannot be viewed as an apostate merely for having an idea which differs from the official beliefs of his religion. When there is reason to believe that serious sin has occurred, it is possible for a Jehovah's Witness to be disfellowshipped even if he refuses to meet with a committee of elders (the bible gives the congregation the authority to initiate such discussions).
...(Galatians 6:1) Brothers, even though a man takes some false step before he is aware of it, you who have spiritual qualifications try to readjust such a man in a spirit of mildness

Yet, simply by meeting with such a committee and assuring them that one has no intention of advocating one's disagreement (if any existed), a Witness who has come to lack conviction would reflect the kind of patience and godly humility made famous by the apostle Peter.
...(John 6:60,61,66-68) Therefore many of his disciples, when they heard this, said: “This speech is shocking; who can listen to it?” But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were murmuring about this, said to them: “Does this stumble you?...Owing to this many of his disciples went off to the things behind and would no longer walk with him. Therefore Jesus said to the twelve: “You do not want to go also, do you?” Simon Peter answered him: “Lord, whom shall we go away to? You have sayings of everlasting life


Partly to avoid such confusion, Jehovah's Witnesses make every conceivable effort to assure and ascertain that their students know what Jehovah's Witnesses teach from the bible and what Jehovah's Witnesses expect from baptized members. The process that must be followed before one can become baptized as a Jehovah's Witness requires many many hours and lots of hard work, and a typical minimum of six months.

A person is *NOT* expelled from Jehovah's Witnesses for personal misgivings or confusion regarding some teaching. In the matter of doctrine, it is only those who ADVOCATE unscriptural teachings who disqualify themselves from continuous spiritual fellowship with the congregation.

Jehovah's Witnesses actually encourage a student to resign from any false religious organization rather than to begin a campaign targeting one particular former religion. Jehovah's Witnesses encourage those who learn bible truth to join in preaching Kingdom "good news" and not to indulge in the human work of vindictive retribution.

Jehovah's Witnesses do practice the Scriptural practice of disfellowshipping for unrepentance of such serious sins as fornication, drug abuse, stealing, and apostasy. Baptized Witnesses who join the military or publicly engage in worship with another religion are considered to have disassociated themselves from Jehovah's Witnesses.

Contrary to the misinformation of anti-Witnesses, it is quite possible to become inactive in the JW religion without becoming disfellowshipped. As long as one's lifestyle does not bring reproach upon the congregation, and as long as one does not advocate one's disagreements with the religion, the congregation has no interest in "investigating", exposing, and disfellowshipping an inactive former Jehovah's Witness.

For those who are disfellowshipped or disassociated, a primary goal is to shock the person into recognizing the serious of their wrong so that they rejoin the congregation in pure worship. Since the primary bonds that are broken involve friendship and spiritual fellowship, it is well understood that family bonds remain intact. Parents, siblings, and grown children of disfellowshipped and disassociated ones sometimes choose to limit what they may feel is discouraging or "bad association" but that is a personal decision and is not required by their religion.

Former Witnesses who are disfellowshipped or disassociated are typically treated in accord with the Scriptural pattern explained in these Scriptures:

(1 Corinthians 5:11-13) Quit mixing in company with anyone called a brother that is a fornicator or a greedy person or an idolater or a reviler or a drunkard or an extortioner, not even eating with such a man. ...Remove the wicked man from among yourselves.

(Titus 3:10) As for a man that promotes a sect, reject him after a first and a second admonition

(Romans 16:17) Now I exhort you, brothers, to keep your eye on those who cause divisions and occasions for stumbling contrary to the teaching that you have learned, and avoid them.

(2 Thessalonians 3:6) Now we are giving you orders, brothers, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, to withdraw from every brother walking disorderly and not according to the tradition you received from us.

(2 Thessalonians 3:14) But if anyone is not obedient to our word through this letter, keep this one marked, stop associating with him, that he may become ashamed.

(2 John 10) If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, never receive him into your homes or say a greeting to him.

(Matthew 18:17) If he does not listen to them, speak to the congregation. If he does not listen even to the congregation, let him be to you just as a man of the nations

Becoming baptized as a Jehovah's Witnesses is not a trivial step. At a minimum, a student must demonstrate months of regular meeting attendance and public ministry, then must himself express the desire to be baptized. The candidate then spends hours answering hundreds of bible questions wherein he expresses both a clear understanding and personal conviction regarding Jehovah's Witness teachings in at least three separate interviews with three different elders. The candidate must vocally agree to be baptized in front of hundreds or thousands of eyewitnesses, and must be publicly immersed in water. This is not a momentary emotional decision by an unreasoning child. Dedication as a Witness required hard work and determination at the time.

Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/e/19880415/article_01.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/19970101/article_01.htm

Answer 2

The individual is in your example waiting on Jehovah. He is not actively inciting himself or others to go against the Governing Body.

As such, there would be no cause for a Judicial Committee. Brothers and Sisters are not hunted down over this type of thing!

We all at times have issues we wonder about and they are usually always clarified. There is a true clarity in the Truth of the Bible's Teachings, and I am thankful for this clarity.

Answer 3

I have not read any of the other replies, so I do not know what people have said.

No thte individual is NOT viewed as apostate for simply finding it hard to undersdtand a particualr point the GB has said.

One becomes apostate when they start preaching or teaching or trying to persude others that the GB is incorect and that thier view is correct. The GB recognise that at times individuals will find some ideas hard to understand. Bellow are some examples of what they have said
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*** w04 6/15 p. 19 par. 3 Be Guided by the Living God ***

3 God’s interest in our life gives us reason to trust his guidance. (Psalm 147:8; Matthew 5:45) Some may react otherwise if they find a Bible directive that they do not understand or that seems restrictive. Still, trusting Jehovah’s guidance has proved to be wise. To illustrate: Even if an Israelite did not understand the law against touching a dead body, he benefited by obeying it. First, his obedience would draw him closer to the living God; second, it would help him to avoid diseases.—Leviticus 5:2; 11:24.

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*** w99 6/1 pp. 16-17 pars. 11-12 Appreciating the “Gifts in Men” ***

11 We can demonstrate our appreciation for the “gifts in men” by being quick to heed their Bible-based counsel and decisions. The Bible advises us: “Be obedient to those who are taking the lead among you and be submissive, for they are keeping watch over your souls as those who will render an account; that they may do this with joy and not with sighing, for this would be damaging to you.” (Hebrews 13:17) Notice that we must not only “be obedient” but also “be submissive” to those taking the lead. The Greek word for “be submissive” literally means “be you yielding under.” Commenting on the expressions “be obedient” and “be submissive,” Bible scholar R. C. H. Lenski says: “One obeys when one agrees with what he is told to do, is persuaded of its correctness and profitableness; one yields . . . when he has a contrary opinion.” When we understand and agree with the direction of those taking the lead, obedience may come readily. But what if we do not understand the reason behind a particular decision?

12 Here is where we may need to be submissive, or yielding. Why? For one thing, we need to trust that these spiritually qualified men have our best interests at heart. After all, they well know that they must render an account to Jehovah for the sheep committed to their care. (James 3:1) In addition, we do well to remember that we may not know all the confidential facts that led them to an informed decision.—Proverbs 18:13.

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*** w99 9/1 pp. 23-24 Make Your Life Successful! ***

The Benefits of Bible Reading

15 The psalmist also observed that the successful man takes delight in reading God’s law “in an undertone day and night.” (Psalm 1:1, 2) Granted, the Bible is not light reading, and in it are “some things hard to understand.” (2 Peter 3:16) But Bible reading need not be drudgery. It is possible to “form a longing for the unadulterated milk” of God’s Word. (1 Peter 2:2) Try reading just a little each day. If there are points that you do not understand, do some research. Afterward, think about what you have read. (Psalm 77:11, 12) If you have trouble concentrating, try reading out loud “in an undertone.” In time, your love of Bible reading is sure to grow. One young sister in Brazil recalls: “Jehovah always seemed distant to me. But for some months now, I have been improving my personal study and Bible reading. Now I feel that my relationship with Jehovah is stronger. He is more real to me.”

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*** w96 3/15 pp. 16-17 Meeting the Challenge of Loyalty ***

Loyalty to Jehovah’s Organization

9 We now come to the matter of being loyal to Jehovah’s visible organization. Certainly, we owe loyalty to it, including “the faithful and discreet slave,” through which the Christian congregation is fed spiritually. (Matthew 24:45-47) Suppose that something appears in Watch Tower publications that we do not understand or agree with at the moment. What will we do? Take offense and leave the organization? That is what some did when The Watch Tower, many years ago, applied the new covenant to the Millennium. Others took offense at what The Watchtower once said on the issue of neutrality. If those who stumbled over these matters had been loyal to the organization and to their brothers, they would have waited on Jehovah to clarify these matters, which he did in his due time. Thus, loyalty includes waiting patiently until further understanding is published by the faithful and discreet slave.
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REMEMBER....Even the apostles did not always understand things that Jesus said and taught.

Answer 4

To answer your question there are teaching that if you question them you will be disfellowshiped no matter how innocent your question is...
It is a Very Interesting Question, What if a bible student of Jehovah's Witnesses, comes across research that proves something taught by Jehovah's Witnesses is wrong or incorrect? And they punish him or her with disfellowshiping. If bible truths come from Jehovah's spirit. Then that body of elders or the organization may actually be sinning against the holy sprit in a very serious way. Then who would prove to be the apostate the person or the governing body? What if it is a pattern of teachings? One thing that bothers me in this subject is this...There are bible subjects that if you question you will be removed...why because they are wrong and they know it is the best logical answer. Maybe because the truth being known they would lose power over the masses. Even if being sure of all things is a scriptural idea so you are not mislead.
I guess the other is since when did it become acceptable for Jehovah's Witnesses to believe in saints or elevated ones, glorious ones over their personal worship of Jehovah God and your own understanding of the bible? Do you believe anyway because they are a person of note in the organization? Then you worship men not God don't you? Then you are just like allot of other religions of the world worshipping men not God. What If you don't understand it or you don't agree with it and you teach it anyway wouldn't that make you apostate in your own relationship with God. What if they are clearly wrong would that mean that you are in an apostatized organization? Allot of religions start out with good intentions and go astray by it’s leadership...what do you think?

Answer 5

An apostate- in the eyes of the congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses- is anyone who leads others away from the congregation by bad-mouthing, lying, ridicule.
If, for example, a Sister simply state: "Boy, I don't think it's fair that only brothers can give the Bible reading." She isn't being an apostate. She is stating an opinion. Others, at that point, can show her- using the Bible- why the Sisters don't give the reading.
Now if that Sister, after reading for herself, studying, meditating and praying etc., still thinks it's unfair, she still isn't an apostate.
But the second she goes around to other people and tries to explain why hers is the correct view and how people need to take sides with her instead of the congregation- then she is an apostate.
If anyone has a disagreement and they cannot find a suitable explanation, then they need to keep quiet and wait on Jehovah. It's a prideful fault that some people seem to need to be right or have the last word with issues. It's humility to accept the views of another- when such views are NOT violating God's Word.

**Edit**
I take back some of my words with an apology.
The best way to find answers is by asking the Elders.

Answer 6

No, one would not routinely need to meet with anyone just because they don't understand something or they don't accept something.

As long as they do not promote their own ideas as being correct and any other view as wrong there really isn't any problem.

So no, that person would not be an apostate.

So where did you come across this idea at?

Answer 7

I was a Jehovah's Witness for 22 years before I became a TRUE Christian. The turning point for me was the book, "Crisis of Conscience" by Raymond Franz. You need to read it! It is all about so called "apostacy"! Of course, you would be considered an apostate IF they "found out" that you read this book. But know this-- no where in the bible does Jehovah God tell us that we cannot use our own brain to research His Word. In fact, He tells us (1 Thessalonians 5:22) that we NEED to think for ourselves especially when it comes to the scriptures. Wouldn't you think that God is so angry with people like the "governing body" of JW's who are controlling the minds of the members by not allowing them to "think for themselves"? God gave us EACH our OWN body, a brain, a heart, a mind, and a conscience. No one has a God given or scriptural right to control another's mind. If so, then why did God give us our own mind. How can we possibly have a "personal" relationship" with God, when their is someone other than Jesus Christ interceding for us? Jehovah God does not want His people to "blindly" believe another's teaching. Just imagine if we taught our own "flesh and blood" children to "blindly" believe what anyone taught them in school. Example: Drugs are good, premarital sex is okay, 2+2=5, north is down, south is up. Imagine if we said, "now don't even think to calculate or research this, just take my word for it!"


http://www.freeminds.org/sales/most_burned.htm

Answer 8

I see no conflict, this person's intentions are good, and they are troubled about a decision. So they are waiting for clarification. Many times people have questions about something that needs clarification. Questions are not bad or something to avoid.

Take the example of Jesus's apostles concerning the "Sower of seeds" in Matthew 13:1-9; Mark 4:1-9; Luke 8:1-8
After Jesus talked to the crowds his disciples came to him with questions asking for clarity and Jesus gave them answers....

My point is why would anyone think having questions, is an act of apostasy, or grounds for removal...

So the answer is no, especially if their heart is toward Jehovah.

I hope I've been helpful...
Ask and you shall receive...
Keep on asking, keep on seeking...

Journey Well...

Answer 9

Psalm 119 v 105. "Your word is a lamp to my foot and a light to my roadway".
There are times when many things do not seem to be as clear as we would like, but this is when you have to wait on Jehovah. In line with the quoted scripture, Jehovah sends us the light on matters when it is needed.
We are imperfect humans and it is easy for us to put our own interpretation on things, but this is not the way. Jehovah has given us the F & D slave class, to give us our food at the proper time.
To be an apostate is to have known Jehovah and deliberately go against him and to try and turn others against him. This is how Satan works.

Answer 10

No.
An apostate is one who refuses to ask for help in understanding a concept, makes it known that they do not agree and then try to make others join their cause, thus causing confusion.

If you sincerely do not understand and ask for help from mature ones and pray to Jehovah, then no, that is not apostasy.

I have had many things I did not understand and thought they were unnecessary, now when I look back I realise I was either being childish or just not viewing the bigger picture. I am glad I waited to understand.

Answer 11

It's called NOT RUNNING AHEAD OF THE ORGANIZATION.
And YES, you can be called on the carpet for it.

Alot of it is determined on a few things:
The set of elders within the congregation that the person is in
The reputation or the status of the individual publisher
How much ruckus and rumor milling is started by his/her comments.

I found it very difficult to swallow alot of the "new light" that the GB sent out and how we were just suppose to accept it as inspired of God through His Faithful and Discreet Slave Class. The problem I had (and still do) is that the GB is simply a group of men trying to interpret God's will and categorizing any and everything into neat little compartments and hold only certain populations to their edicts.
I found that while congregations here in the US were held to stricter rules than those in undeveloped countries and even the rules were different within different undeveloped countries.

I was told 'do not be running ahead of the organization' by my body of elders for sharing an understanding of some of the signs in Matthew.

I do not hold to the belief that ONLY certain people can understand the scriptures and others have to wait to be "fed" the current understanding and then unlearn and relearn "new light"

Christ promised all Christians the Holy Spirit as a helper.

Keep questioning....I DID. and found real truth.

I know I'll get tons of thumbs down from the labeling group here on YA, but my answer is correct.

I know I'll probably have my answer reported. But it does not mean that what I've said isn't true and accurate.

People in the dark love the dark and hate to see light shed upon the darkness.