Expert: Brenton Hepburn - 10/30/2005

Question
Brenton,

I sent this message to Andrew and would like to see a JW answer on this as well as an ex JW answer.
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Andrew

I have read the other answers you have given and am I correct in thinking that JWs are not allowed to think for themselves?

Just what do you mean by not thinking for themselves. Doses that mean that everything they do comes form their leaders? DO they have choice in clothing, food, movies, music or are these controlled as well?

You said that they can not use the internet. Is that realy so?

What happens if a JW does not understand some theolgical concept that their leaders print? DO they have to accept everything that is told them

Gordon  

Answer
Hello Gordon,

Thank you for the questions and I would like to congratulate you for wanting to get both sides of the matter.

As to the first part of your question  are JWs allowed to think for themselves? The answer is YES.  They have freedom to think for them selves.  

Unfortunately there are those that maintain that the JW   "leaders" use mind control techniques to keep the rank and file in line.  This is NOT true, unless you consider the   laws and principle of the Bible "Å“mind control".  The only laws JW's have are found in the Bible such as not stealing, lying, killing, fornicating, etc.  The rest of their lives are governed by Bible principles, and it is up to each JW's conscience as to how these principles are applied. There is a lot of material to this and it is beyond the scope of this sort of forum to print it all.  I am however, preparing a web page on this subject to discuss this in dtail.

The following is only a brief overview to the other  questions you raise.  If you want detailed information or to see the relevant JW publications that discuss theses things please let me know.  

CLOTHING

there are many styles of clothing around the world with many different customs.  JW's are free (with the guidelines of Bible principles) to choice the style and custom of clothing that they want depending on where they live.  The guidelines that they follow is to be modest and not offensive to others.  This is based on the following principles  (All texts from the Revised Standard version)

1 Tim 2:9 "also that women should adorn themselves modestly and sensibly in seemly apparel, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly attire"

Keeping in mind the audience that Paul was writing to. and the customs of the day, when an excess of jewelry and hair styles would draw attention to the person, we do not see the reference here to not braiding the hair and wearing jewelry as a probation against such attire but to be modest in what we wear.

We also are taught to follow these principles

1 Corintians 10:24 "Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor."

1 Corinthians 13:5 "... Love does not insist on its own way; "

Phill 2:4 "Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others."

JW"s are free to decide what sort of clothing they will wear. If someone wears immodest or inappropriate clothing they will be spoken to and but not kicked out of the congregation

FOOD

There are a great variety of foods that we can chose from. We adhere to this principle as found in  Matthew  15:11 "not what goes into the mouth defiles a man,."  The only restriction is anything that is not bled properly or has blood added to it Act 15 :29   "that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols and from blood and from what is strangledâ€"

However if someone is known to be a habitual glutton, they will be counseled, and helped to curd their gluttonous ways.

MOVIES and MUSIC

JWs are allowed to watch movies and listen to music There are no rules saying we must not watch certain programs.  The choice is personal.  However, they rely on Bible principles in making an informed choice.

Ps 97:10 "The LORD loves those who hate evil; he preserves the lives of his saints; he delivers them from the hand of the wicked"

Philippians 4:8,9   "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 9  Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you."

So we are trained to use the above principles in deciding what movies, TV programs or music to watch or listen too. That does mean for most JWs their conscience restricts the sort of entertainment that they will enjoy.  Just think about the secular world. They have ratings on songs and movies that are considered sutable for different age groups.  Some age groups are banned from entering a theater where a movie is being shown with a X rating (here in Australia it is R restricted to 18 and above). So every day people relies that there are certain contents of movies that are not suitable.

If a JW went to an X or R rated movie he would not be put out of the congregation. IF he had a position of responsibility he might lose this because he would not be following the Bibles guidelines for setting a good example.


Generaly most JWs do their best to addhear to the Bible council when it comes to our conduct in food, clothing, entertainment and way of life.  Our way of life and conduct is guided by what Pail wrote to the Ephesians in chapter 5 verses 1-5   "Therefore, become imitators of God, as beloved children, 2 and go on walking in love, just as the Christ also loved YOU and delivered himself up for YOU as an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling odor.
3 Let fornication and uncleanness of every sort or greediness not even be mentioned among YOU, just as it befits holy people; 4 neither shameful conduct nor foolish talking nor obscene jesting, things which are not becoming, but rather the giving of thanks. 5 For YOU know this, recognizing it for yourselves, that no fornicator or unclean person or greedy person�which means being an idolater�has any inheritance in the kingdom of the Christ and of God."

If that is seen as being under the influence of minc control, then may I suggest that those that feel that way are not trying to follow the Bible or do not not even belive the Bible, in those casses I can understand why they object.

Please note also 1 Peter 2:11,12 "11 Beloved, I exhort YOU as aliens and temporary residents to keep abstaining from fleshly desires, which are the very ones that carry on a conflict against the soul. 12 Maintain YOUR conduct fine among the nations, that, in the thing in which they are speaking against YOU as evildoers, they may as a result of YOUR fine works of which they are eyewitnesses glorify God in the day for [his] inspection"

The main principle that we try to adhere to is love for our fellow man so that God will not be spoken of abusively and to maintain our conduct fine among the nations


INTERNET

The same principles apply to the internet, as it does to movies and music.  Our personal conscience comes into play here.  Please note the advise given about not judging others decisions to use or not use the internet.


Here is a direct quote from one of our magazines

  "THE Internet certainly has potential for educational use and day-to-day communication. Yet, stripped of its high-tech gloss, the Internet is beset with some of the same problems that have long afflicted television, telephones, newspapers, and libraries. Thus, an appropriate question may be, Is the content of the Internet suitable for my family and me?.....
  Some of the material and many of the services found on the Internet have educational value and can serve a useful purpose. Growing numbers of corporations are storing internal documentation on their internal networks, or intranets. Emerging Internet-based video and audio conferencing have the potential for permanently changing our travel and business-meeting patterns. Companies use the Internet to distribute their computer software, thus reducing costs. Many services that currently use personnel to handle business transactions, such as travel and stock-brokerage services, will likely be affected as users of the Internet are empowered to handle some or all of their own arrangements. Yes, the effect of the Internet has been profound, and it will likely continue as an important medium for sharing information, conducting business, and communicating.
   Like most tools, the Internet has beneficial uses. Yet, there exists the potential for misuse. Some may choose to explore the positive aspects of the Internet further, while others may not. A Christian is not authorized to judge another's decisions on personal matters.(Romans 14:4.)
  Using the Internet can be like traveling to a new country, with many new things to see and hear. Travel requires that you display good manners and take sensible precautions. No less is needed if you should decide to get on the Internet the information superhighway."......

I see the above as a balanced view. The internet is a very useful tool.  At the school where my children go there have been seminars about the dangers of the internet by the police, so it is not just a JW thing to be careful of where we go on the internet.

NOT UNDERSTAND SOME THEOLOGICAL CONCEPT.

There are many opposes of JWs that will say we must accept everything that the "leaders" say or be disfellowshiped  (excommunicated) for apostasy.  This is not true.   It is not a requirement that JWs must understand everything that is taught.

If there is a point of view that we can not see or understand no sanctions will be taken, even if after asking for clarification by an elder and we still do not grasp the reasons why a certain conclusion has been reached we are not sanctioned as some opposes of JW's will try to tell you.  Our private thoughts are not monitored in any way even if we express them to others

The people that are disfellowshiped for "apostasy" are not those that do not understand some theological concept but those that teach or try to teach something different to what is published.  Instead of just giving my own ideas on this matter, I will cut and past direct from some Watchtower articles.  The quotes will demonstrate that the "leaders" are aware that there are things that some will not understand the reasoning behind a particular thought. (Each paragraph is a different quote)  

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 "Likely, in your reading of the Bible, you will find things that you do not understand. (2 Peter 3:16) An event recorded in the Bible book of Acts shows that this should be expected. Soon after the death of Jesus, an Ethiopian was reading from the prophecies of the Bible book of Isaiah. The Christian evangelist Philip met up with the man and asked: "Do you actually know what you are reading?" The Ethiopian did not, so he invited Philip to help him understand.(Acts 8:30, 31.)

 "Spiritual discernment helps us to remain loyal to God and his people. Paul told Christians in Philippi: "This is what I continue praying, that your love may abound yet more and more with accurate knowledge and full discernment; that you may make sure of the more important things, so that you may be flawless and not be stumbling others up to the day of Christ." (Philippians 1:9, 10) To reason properly, we need "accurate knowledge and full discernment." The Greek word here rendered "discernment" denotes "sensitive moral perception." When we learn something, we want to perceive its relationship to God and Christ and to meditate on how it magnifies Jehovah's personality and provisions. This enhances our discernment and our appreciation for what Jehovah God and Jesus Christ have done for us. If we do not fully understand something, discernment will help us to realize that we must not cast aside our faith in all the important things we have learned about God, Christ, and the divine purpose."

 "Such receptiveness differentiates Jehovah's people from other students. Among those who lack godly devotion, it is fashionable to doubt and challenge what is written. But that is not our attitude. We trust Jehovah. (Prov. 3:5-7) If we do not understand something, we do not presumptuously conclude that it must be in error. While searching and digging for the answers, we wait on Jehovah. (Mic. 7:7) Like Ezra, we have the goal of acting on and teaching what we learn. With this inclination of heart, we are in line to reap rich rewards from our study."

 "You may encounter points that you do not readily understand or that you would like to explore more thoroughly. Instead of letting them sidetrack you, make a note to give these further consideration later. Points are often clarified as you make your way through the material. If not, you can do additional research. What things might be noted for such attention? Perhaps there is a scripture quoted that you do not understand clearly. Or you may not readily see how it applies to the subject being discussed. Perhaps you feel that you understand a certain idea in the material but not well enough to explain it to someone else. Rather than simply passing these by, it may be wise to do research on them after you have finished what you started to study."

 "So there is much that can be done to make your reading of the Bible productive. Read to understand. Get the over-all view. When advisable dig out background material to enhance appreciation. Consider prophetic import. Isolate principles that are a guide to your daily living and scriptures that will aid you in your ministry. Ask questions as you read, and let association help you answer them. If you do not understand some material do not pass it over as if it were unimportant. God has not recorded material in the Bible that is dispensable. What is provided is for our instruction to guide us in making decisions and living according to the divine will. Do not show disrespect for God by passing over material you do not understand. Do research, going to an index in one of the Watch Tower publications. Take time to read the Bible with understanding"

 "Remember, too, that Jehovah never tries anyone with evil things. (James 1:13) God, who is the very epitome of love, does good, especially for those loving him. (1 John 4:8) Though we do not always understand divine dealings, we can be confident that Jehovah God will never fail to do what is best for his servants. As Peter said: "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time; while you throw all your anxiety upon him, because he cares for you." (1 Peter 5:6, 7) Yes, Jehovah really cares for his people.(Psalm 94:14.)

 "When questions arise, it is good to talk to the responsible ones in the congregation, who are spiritually "older men" and who have understanding. (Acts 20:28; 1 Pet. 5:1-4) Even then, if, at the time, we do not fully understand, are we willing to go on with God's congregation and accept Jehovah's leading, with the assurance that he will enlighten us in his due time?"

 "Second, we love the organization that has taught us the precious truths that so plainly separate us from Babylon the Great. At the same time, we recognize that our knowledge of God's purpose is not perfect; our understanding has undergone adjustments over the years. Loyal Christians are content to wait on Jehovah for all such refinements. (Proverbs 4:18) Meanwhile, we will not abandon the organization that God is pleased to use, for we see the clear evidence of his blessing upon it.(Acts 6:7; 1 Corinthians 3:6.)"
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Those are an example of what is written about understanding the theological concepts of JW's . There will be and are many JW's that find particular aspects of JW teaching that they find hard to understand. There were those in the first century congregations that did not grasp all that were taught.  We believe that in Gods due time he will set matters straight and that he slowly releases understanding (Prov 4:8 "But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day.")


I hope that in this brief discussion I have been able to answer you concerns.

Please feel free to ask any more questions.

said in peace

Brenton