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Here's an email we received about whether the 141 Rules are correct or not.
Question: 'I've been taken to task by 3 JWs for writing that these rules exist in the JW faith. Can you offer any help for my response; such as where they are found, how severely they are enforced, etc.'
Answer: This is a very good question and one we've been asked many times.
Please understand that the 141 rules were compiled by former Jehovah's Witnesses based on decades of experience. It's not an organizational document. We have more rules we could add to the list and of course we could condense the rules to make the list shorter.
A problem can arise when people quickly read the 141 rules without considering the rest of the article.
If only it was that easy to say, 'here are 141 rules'. Everyone who breaks these rules will receive exactly the same punishment. The real world of Jehovah's Witnesses is much more complex. It takes time to understand their beliefs.
Criticism Of The 141 Rules.
Most Jehovah's Witness who are happy with their religion don't feel they're being forced to follow any rules whatsoever. From their perspective, ... read more
Are Jehovah's People Honest?
'So in time of spiritual warfare it is proper to misdirect the enemy by hiding the truth. ... God’s servants are sent forth as sheep among wolves and therefore need to exercise the extreme caution of serpents so as to protect properly the interests of God’s kingdom committed to them.
At all times they must be very careful not to divulge any information to the enemy that he could use to hamper the preaching work.' Watchtower May 1, 1957 Page 285 - 286.'
Secret Information
Without any disrespect, JW's don't have access to how the organization operates unless they've been appointed to the position of Elder or higher. The real rules and what can happen ... read more
Loyalty.
The most important rule in the JW faith is loyalty to the organization and those 'taking the lead'. The 141 Rules says that, 'The rules are not quite as important as loyalty to the organization.' That being said, some of the 141 rules must not be broken. Some rules must be kept. Other rules are not as serious. Elders may decide to look the other way and say nothing at all, as long as a Witness has a healthy attitude about the organization.
On the other hand if a Witness is rebellious and refuses to obey, they could be excommunicated for virtually any reason, regardless of how trivial the matter is.
Take a look at the 2010 Elder's Manual, Shepherd the Flock of God. As you do that, compare the organization's reasons for disfellowshipping with what Paul says in 1 Cor 5 about expelling 'the wicked man'. Are they acting in harmony with what the Bible says?
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