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The Rules of Jehovah's Witnesses.
Rules In The 2010 Publication For Elders, "Shepherd The Flock Of God" - 1 Peter 5:2
The handbook "Shepherd the Flock Of God' deals with the structure, organization, and rules of the Jehovah's Witnesses. Loyalty to the organization is ultimately the most important factor in the Jehovah's Witness faith. See Salvation. The Best Religion.
Individuals demonstrate their allegiance to Jehovah by obeying 'the faithful and discreet slave' Matthew 24:45, by speaking in agreement, attending meetings, participating, volunteering at Kingdom Halls, and reporting 'field service' activity, - i.e. going door to door preaching the 'good news'. Anyone who doesn't do these things is considered a 'spiritually weak' person.
Preoccupation is outward appearances is evident throughout this 143 page publication. Matthew 23:27. In many cases, wrong doing can be forgiven and swept under the carpet. This is especially true if a Witness of Jehovah is repentant and has a healthy attitude towards the organization. However if wrong doing is public knowledge, or rumors are being spread, the punishment can be more severe.
Obedience and loyalty is expected of all Jehovah's Witnesses. The rules are written in such a way that any inactive Jehovah's Witness who has a negative influence on the organization can become a target for excommunication. Faithful Jehovah's Witnesses are expected to be actively involved, doing as much as they can for Jehovah's organization.
Summary of the Rules.
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page 48. Elders are to act 'decisively' when they detect symptoms of 'spiritual unsteadiness' and 'fatigue'. This includes such things as, 'lack of self-control in eating
drinking, and pursuit of pleasure; a complacent spirit;
loss of enthusiasm for the truth, including daily
Bible reading and personal study; harboring serious
and lingering doubts; neglecting association at congregation
meetings; and becoming overly critical of elders and the organization.-w861/15 pp. 18-19'
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page 50. Elders also give private counsel in the 'sensitive' areas of 'dress and grooming and entertainment'. ... 'before bad trends progress too far'.
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page 53. Being legally divorced doesn't mean JW's can remarry. They must be 'scripturally free' according to he Watchtower's interpretation of the Bible. They cannot get remarried unless their former spouse commits adultery first.
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page 53. Separation or divorce may disqualify a publisher 'from receiving special privileges'
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pp. 54-55. Witnesses can seek professional help for emotional distress. However they are cautioned against the 'revealing of confidential facts about other members' and therapies that may conflict with Watchtower doctrines. (w88 10/15 pp. 28-29; w82 6/15 pp. 25-29; w75 pp. 255-256)
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page 59. Manslaughter deliberate or unintentional due to carelessness. Elders are instructed to 'investigate and if warranted appoint a judicial committee to hear the matter'.
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page 59. Attempted suicide. 'In most cases a judicial hearing is not required.'
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page 59. Porneia is not allowed.
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page 60. Brazen and loose conduct is not allowed. This includes but is not limited to unbridled lust, outrageousness, shamelessness, insolence, something that violates conduct that is socially acceptable, disrespect, disregard, contempt for 'divine' standards, laws, and authority.
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page 60. Willful, continued, and unnecessary association with disfellowshipped non relatives is said to be brazen conduct.
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page 61. Child sexual abuse is considered brazen conduct. [1]
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page 61. Cannot date a person who is not legally or scripturally free to marry.
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page 63. Gross uncleanness and/or with greediness 'could lead to one's being disqualified from God's Kingdom'. 2 Cor. 12:21; Gal. 5:19-21; Eph. 4:19;
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page 63. Gross uncleanness may include heavy petting and sexually arousing activities between unmarried persons.
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pp. 63-64. Casual dating without the intention of getting married is said to be gross uncleanness.
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page 64. Immoral conversations by telephone, internet, email, chat rooms, etc is considered 'unclean'.
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page 64. Viewing pornography that is sexually degrading is unclean.
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page 64. Misuse of tobacco.
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page 65. Extreme physical uncleanness brings 'reproach upon Jehovah's name and his people'. This can lead to disfellowshipping.
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page 65. Misuse of addictive drugs.
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pp. 65-71. Apostasy, defection, falling away, rebellion, Celebrating 'false religious holidays', participating in interfaith activities, saying things 'contrary to Bible truth as taught by Jehovah's Witnesses', ... 'disrupting the unity of the congregation', employment that makes one an accomplice or promoter of false religion, spiritualism, idolatry, drunkenness, gluttony, stealing, malicious lying, bearing false witness, fraud, slander, insulting or obscene speech (oral, written including chat rooms, phone sex, email, greed, gambling, extortion, refusing to provide materially for one's family, fits of anger, violence, professional boxing.
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page 116. Association with disfellowshipped or disassociated relatives is not allowed. If a person does not listen to the Elders, they might not qualify for 'congregation privileges'. Judicial committees would not be involved unless 'there is persistent spiritual association' or if persons openly criticize the disfellowshipping decision.
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pp. 124-125. Persons who display a flagrant disregard for theocratic order are 'marked'. e.g. a person might be grossly lazy, critical, or getting involved with matters that don't concern them. If the behavior is generally unknown and poses no threat to the spiritual well being of others, Elders should talk with the individual. If the person continues to be an 'unwholesome influence', a warning talk may be given to the congregation.
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page 125. Dating an unbeliever or an unbaptized JW can lead to a person being 'marked' by the entire congregation.
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page 126. An Elder should not marry people who are not 'seriously involved in the activities of Jehovah's Witnesses'. p. 126
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page 126. An Elder should not marry a baptized JW to an unbaptized, disassociated, or disfellowshipped person.
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page 126. An Elder should not remarry a couple who was married years ago as this would imply the first wedding was not valid.
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page 126. Before performing a marriage an Elder should inquire about the couple's conduct during courtship.
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page 127. Use of a Kingdom Hall for marriage ceremonies. Persons in the wedding party do not have to baptized but their lifestyle should not grossly conflict with Bible principles as taught by JW's. Only music from Kingdom Melodies or their songbook may be used.
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pp. 127-128. Elders are not to tell humorous stories, read poems, entertain, or amuse the audience during a marriage talk.
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page 134. Generally speaking JW's are not allowed to take another JW to legal courts outside of the organization. That would include a corporation owned by JW's. Exceptions would include getting a divorce, child custody and support, alimony, insurance compensation lawsuits, .... counter suits, ... etc.
Disassociation.
Disassociation is similar to disfellowshipping. Persons who disassociate themselves are shunned and treated as apostates.
When a Jehovah's Witness does one of the following, it is assumed by the Elders that the person has disassociated themselves.
When this happens, no judicial committee investigation is required. Disassociated individuals are treated in the same way as disfellowshipped ones.
An announcement is made to local congregations that the person 'is no longer one of Jehovah's Witnesses'. pp. 110-112
A Jehovah's Witness disassociates themselves by doing one of the following:
- Orally or in writing resigns from the JW's.
- Joins another religious organization.
- Willingly has a blood transfusion and/or is unrepentant afterwards. See Are Jehovah's Witnesses A Cult?
- Takes a course contrary to the neutral position of Jehovah's Witnesses. e.g. Joining an organization that is not neutral or taking employment that makes a person a party to non neutral activities. A person should be given a period of time up to six months to make an adjustment. If he does not, he has disassociated himself. pp. 110-112
Comments.
1. Sexual child abuse is said to be 'brazen conduct'. Victims can report abuse to police. However the JW's believe that in cases of wrong doing there must be two or three eyewitnesses. p. 71
2. How important are women within the organization? Do they have the same rights as men? Is there inequality? See Equality
3. See 141 Things Jehovah's Witnesses Can't Do
4. How is it possible for millions of Jehovah's Witnesses to believe in exactly the same things with no disagreement? Jw's are proud that they 'speak in agreement' and and there is complete unity with no dissension whatsoever. Some JW's have told us this proves they have the truth because in other religions 'you can't get ten people to agree on anything'. They are absolutely correct. Critics say no disagreement within a group of seven million people is not normal behavior in any free society. See Mind Control
5. Why are some Jehovah's Witnesses leaving their religion?
6. What is the difference between Christian baptism and being baptized as a Jehovah's Witness? Examine what JW's believe about baptism
7. Critics say most of the rules of Jehovah's Witnesses come from a misunderstanding of God and the Devil. Both are feared. Find out Who Is Jehovah. And what about the Devil? Is Satan real? Is he the God of this world? Is he the reason for wickedness in the world? Who is The Devil
8. The Watchtower says there are two opposing organizations, - Jehovah's and Satan's. WT Jan 15, 2001, Article: 'Keep in Step With Jehovah's Organization'. Either you're on Jehovah's side or or you're on the devil's side. JW's don't see that this as a false assumption. They believe it is true. That's why they support the organization 100%, - even if they have nagging doubts and see that their religion is imperfect just like any other. They believe the only other alternative is for them to leave and join Satan's organization (which would include every single religious sect in the world today). Certainly good people don't want to leave God for Satan. If you've never been involved with the JW's, certainly you see the fallacy behind this mental programming and way of thinking. There are endless possibilities beyond only two organizations to belong to. For an in depth discussion about this false assumption and others, see the Two Choices fallacy.
9. Here's a good video that exposes the religious trap Jehovah's Witnesses find themselves in, - - What Rainbows Can Teach Us?
10. This book is fascinating information if you're a JW or are interested in what they believe. The book was made available to Elders only in 2010. Why does the organization keep the Elder's manual hidden from everyone other than Elders? See Jehovah's Witness Rules
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