OK, so I was going to give a paragraph by paragraph reply but since they all follow a general principle of thought, I will reply to all in one.
Please tell me how different is the organisations enforcing of principles different from the Pharisees? I would like to get your viewpoint on that. Since they also expanded principles and made doctrine out of them.
My biggest problem about when you say that you guys follow Bible principles is how open to interpretation and enforcement those principles are. All doctrine that has now been abrogated due to New Light was said to be based on sound Bible principles. Once just has to read the history of the organisation's doctrine to see that. My reply on the organ transplant issue is a case in point. So which interpretation of Bible principles was the correct interpretation? And how do you know that what you believe now about the principles is true?
The fact the principles are so open to interpretation is the main reason I disagree with imposing these guidelines on others. They also lead to inconsistencies. For instance one cannot celebrate various holidays because of pagan origins. Yet when it comes to marriage, one of the most important institutions to God, one can wear a wedding rig, which is very much steeped in pagan symbolism:
Wedding ring - Wikipedia
{Excerpt} "It is commonly believed that the first examples of wedding rings were found in
ancient Egypt.
Relics dating to 6,000 years ago, including
papyrus scrolls, are evidence of the exchange of braided rings of
hemp or
reeds between spouses.
Ancient Egypt considered the circle to be a symbol of eternity, and the ring served to signify the perpetual love of the spouses. This was also the origin of the custom of wearing the wedding ring on the ring finger of the left hand, because the ancient Egyptians believed that this finger enclosed a special
vein that was connected directly to the heart,
[4] denominated in
Latin the "
Vena amoris"."
So yes, many of the doctrines are man made because of inconsistencies, back and forth understanding, and New Light. The implication of "New Light" is that old understandings were not from God, therefore they could only be from man, therefore man made. You are probably following many man mad doctrines now because there will be New Light in the future.
Upholding bible principles is not burdensome necessarily, but they are if a person doesn't agree with how another interprets them, yet they must follow that interpretation. Expanding principles into laws has a high chance of limiting self expression which can make one depressed. Rules based on principles such as no blood transfusions and no organ transplants have lead to death of family members and children which obviously takes a heavy toll on the family which is a heavy burden. Shunning of family members because they are disfellowshipped also obviously is very burdensome to all involved. So yeah, lots of burdens.
No servant of God was ever free to give in to imperfect flesh without guidelines....not in the ancient past and not now. God does not change his standards to suit the whims of sinful humans. Those looking for excuses to indulge their own desires will not stay among Jehovah's people....he will show them the door....but the funny thing is, they walk out thinking that its their own idea....
The patriarchs never had guidelines. Also read Romans 2 about how those without law are a law to themselves. They had no guidelines but because they are made in the image of God they did what was right in many cases. It seems like people have intrinsic morality.
Well, the Organisation has changed its standards as is evidenced by "New Light". The patriarchs did not have guidelines in many cases but reflected what is mentioned in Romans 2 which is that there are those who are a law to themselves. Also, God has an ultimate goal which will end up with all his followers reaching his ultimate standard. While man is sinful though, he changes the standard that he holds them to. Abraham had a different standard to Israel's Law and that Law is different to Christian standards. If he didn't change his standards for them then all would have to die. Jesus died so that the deficit could be accounted for. Grace and undeserved kindness.
When you say "looking for excuses to indulge their own desires", I agree with that statement when people contravene explicit rules such as no sexual immorality, stealing etc. But when it comes to explicit interpretation of conscience issues then that is another story.
"Those looking for excuses to indulge their own desires will not stay among Jehovah's people....he will show them the door....but the funny thing is, they walk out thinking that its their own idea...."
Reminds me of Romans 1. I left because of disagreement with doctrine not to indulge in sin. In fact I immediately went to a friends reformed church which has a heavy emphasis on morality. I sincerely prayed to God for help and he pointed the direction for me to go.
Also, I pretty much know for a fact that the Witnesses are a false religion because I study the doctrine, the history of that doctrine, the history of the organisation, I see that they hide information from their followers and that they lie to their followers and others with the use of misquotes etc. Truth stands up for itself, nobody needs to lie for it.
"There are always two sides to every story'
I 100% agree. Too bad that the organisation discourages that viewpoint. Which is why they would frown upon you communicating with apostates like me. Which is why you have a black and white view of apostates.
