Orthodox Bible believers believe that after the death of Jesus his apostles continued their Master’s legacy by continuing to fight His spiritual fight, going head to head with those who threatened to rob Christians of their newfound freedom.
Ex-Governing Body member, Ray Franz (who left the Watchtower Organization), commented in his book, ‘In Search of Christian Freedom’, that,
“The Greek word (barys) here rendered “oppressive” has the basic meaning of “heavy” and is the same word used at Matthew 23:4 with regard to the Pharisees laying “heavy burdens” on the people with their legalistic traditionalism.” (In Search of Christian Freedom, Ray Franz, p.11.)
(Raymond Franz was the nephew of Fred Franz, fourth President of the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society of Jehovah's Witnesses.)
Many former Jehovah’s Witnesses, like Ray Franz (and myself), report from their own personal experience that the “legalistic traditionalism” of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society was simply too much 'Phariseeism' for them to bear; much too oppressive and impossible to carry out.
It is not a list of impossible rules that should be the focus.
Contrast this to what the author of Galatians wrote: “When Christ freed us, he meant us to remain free…what matters is faith that makes its power felt through love.”(Galatians 5:1,6.)
Let me ask you this: How can one really demonstrate faith, powerfully, “felt through love”, if one is always fearful, at every moment of his life, that his God may strike him down for overlooking some minute detail of religious observance?
That is not faith “felt through love”. It is lack of faith felt through fear.
Shouldn’t freedom of worship ideally include at its very core the freedom from the fear of everlasting punishment for breaking some stupid man-made rule?
(I'll be talking more about this oppressive 'Phariseeism' in a later chapter.)
The point is that the religious practice established by the Governing Body for Jehovah’s Witnesses worldwide is an example of “faith that makes its power felt through…” fear.
At bottom, Jehovah's Witnesses place their faith in the Governing Body, which immerses them in a life filled with the constant dread of losing favour with God. They fear that if they are found guilty for whatever infraction - major or minor - on the Day of Judgment, then they will be destroyed - annihilated forever with no chance of redemption.
Consequently, there’s no peace for Jehovah’s Witnesses.
They never know for sure if they’ll make it through Armageddon, because it’s impossible for them to live up to the standards set by the Governing Body.
That’s no way to live life!
Life, in the secret places of their souls, is a dark dread for all of Jehovah’s Witnesses - whether they recognize it or repress it.
THE APOSTATE
Find More Cracks in the Walls of the Watchtower - Table of Contents - i
it is not only the Jehovah’s Witnesses that have heavy rules but most of the world's religions .
That is the way to keep people in line and in support of religion . Everyone was given the freedom of not being under the law and yet here they are right back under one
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I wonder why people are so ready to give up their freedom and turn their brains off?
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"How can one really demonstrate faith, powerfully, “felt through love”, if one is always fearful, at every moment of his life, that his God may strike him down for overlooking some minute detail of religious observance?"
That's what I've always gleaned from it, even at an early age. It is fear, the opposite of love.
Thank you for your insightful writings!
Much love,
Leslie
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Thank you for your kindness and thoughtfulness!
See you on @hoaxwars ;)
Goose
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