Cedars, thank you for making the video. Let the word spread far and wide!
Quote:
"...and it can result in tears and heartaches for years." (1:10)
Yes, he got that right! So why must the Watchower Society insist on it happening?
Quote:
"And this may be something that divides a family like nothing else." (1:25)
They know what pain they are causing, he admits it!
Quote:
"It may be one of our greatest tests of our loyalty." (1:30)
Behind only the suicide-by-blood-doctrine loyalty test!
Quote:
"We need comfort. We need help." (4:25)
So should the alienated family members be denied comfort, should they be denied help?
Quote:
"..one of the reasons they want to come back into Jehovah's organization...is to associate with their family." (5:01)
That is admitting to the use of emotional blackmail.
Quote:
"...don't play the blame game." (5:45)
The
Disfellowshipping Arrangement is a blame game. Its basic philosophy is to blame the persecuted pariah for actions of the organization and those who follow their commandments.
Quote:
"Leave the matter in Jehovah's hands" (6:44)
Yes, why don't they do that instead of deliberately tearing families asunder? Even if the disfellowshipped person does yield to the psychological abuse and returns to the organization, the scars will remain, the memories will never be completely erased.
Quote:
"..even if we could get involved in their life, which we cannot..." (6:50)
Why not? Only because the Watchtower Society says so!
Quote:
"We cannot do anything in comparison with what Jehovah can do. He knows their hearts. He knows their thinking. He knows what they need much more than we do, even more than a loving parent." (6:52)
Well said, the elders should take that advice and leave matters between the sinner and God.
"Never pay back evil with evil, but bear in mind the ideals that all regard with respect. As much as possible, and to the utmost of your ability, be at peace with everyone. Never try to get revenge: leave that, my dear friends, to the Retribution. As scripture says: 'Vengeance is mine -- I will pay them back', the Lord promises. And more: If your enemy is hungry, give him something to eat; if thirsty, something to drink. By this, you will be heaping red-hot coals on his head. Do not be mastered by evil, but master evil with good. " [Romans 12:18-21]
Quote:
"...and they walked up to us and said 'Why weren't you loyal to Jehovah when I was disfellowshipped?' That would cut us at our heart!" (7:19)
(1) This is an unlikely scenario. It is not a typical reaction to emotional pain.
(2) Loyal to whom: God, or the Governing Body?
(3) Was not their heart cut deeply, deliberately, by the people they loved most?
Quote:
"Well this has probably not been the most warm and fuzzy talk at the district convention this year" (7:47)
With the unspoken message "Let this be a warning to you,
Weak Ones"!
Quote:
"If we have more affection for anybody on this earth, whether it's a father, a mother, a son, or a daughter than we have for Christ Jesus, we are not worthy of Him." (8:43)
(1) ... a son, or a daughter
, or the Governing Body of the Watchtower Society ...
(2) Even if we don't, we still are not worthy of Him. Nobody is worthy of Him, we are saved through the gift of grace, a gift we could never match, a gift we could never deserve, a gift we can only thank Him for by emulating His kindness to all, even
"the least of these."Quote:
"So let us be resolved to follow Jesus steps closely..." (8:59)
Yes, follow Jesus' lead when dealing with the sinners in your midst:
"Now while he was at table in the house it happened that a number of tax collectors and sinners came to sit at the table with Jesus and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, 'Why does your master eat with tax collectors and sinners?' When he heard this he replied, 'It is not the healthy who need the doctor, but the sick. Go and learn the meaning of the words: Mercy is what pleases me, not sacrifice. And indeed I came to call not the upright, but sinners.' " [Matthew 9:10-13]
"Be compassionate just as your Father is compassionate. Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven." [Luke 6:36-37]
"As they persisted with their question, he straightened up and said, 'Let the one among you who is guiltless be the first to throw a stone at her. Then he bent down and continued writing on the ground. When they heard this they went away one by one, beginning with the eldest, until the last one had gone and Jesus was left alone with the woman, who remained in the middle. Jesus again straightened up and said, 'Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?' 'No one, sir,' she replied. 'Neither do I condemn you,' said Jesus. 'Go away, and from this moment sin no more.' " [John 8:7-11]