stevep@cadence.com (Steve Peterson) (01/09/91)
This discussion started on the alt.atheism net. The question began in how to get rid of JW's when they came to your door. I explained that JW's are not purposely trying to bother others, but that we want everyone to have the chance to hear about God's Kingdom and have the chance make an informed decision on whether it is real, what it is, and where we each stand on the issue of a worldwide government by God. >> Steve Peterson explains what JW's want to advertise to the world. >> *****The message that we want >> everyone to have the chance to hear and take a stand on is this: The >> God of the Bible will set up a worldwide government to rule the >> earth. This government will solve the problems that mankind has never >> been able to resolve. Death, war, crime, violence, sickness, famine, >> etc. will be things of the past. This will be done when it is firmly >> established that mankind is unable to succesfully govern themselves >> and bring peace and security to all individuals. (Math 6:10; >> Rev 21:1-4; Dan 2:44; Isa. 2:4; Psa. 37:10,11; Isa. 25:8; Dan 7:13,14; >> Rev 5:9,10) > > I have a really silly question to ask....why is God (pick one, any one) >going to set up a worldwide government? Doesn't "he" say something about >free will? Part of my free will is absence of control over my life. There >is no such thing as "complete" free will, but what little power that I have >over my own life, I wish to keep. If "he" intends to do something like this >then I have a few choice words for him regarding false free will, >using sentient beings as guinea pigs, etc, etc, etc. I certainly understand your position on this. Many persons would agree with you. Does the idea of Jehovah setting up a worldwide government conflict with our free will? The fundamental point that JW's advertise is the need for good management of the earth. Good management is not at the expense of freedom. In fact, good management actually enhances our enjoyment of life and benifits the many. Good management can make or break a company, it can make or break a country, it can also make or break the earth. Does the fact that that men's governments develop rules and regulations infringe on our freedom? Sometimes, but when these regulations come from good management they produce the greatest benifit for all. There are many good things that come from governments. Think of the anarchy that would occur if their were no traffic lights, or no laws to protect the personal rights of each of us. Does the fact that your government has the Police Dept. to protect you from the criminal element infringe on your freedom? If you are acriminal, perhaps yes. Good management not only protects us from negative things, but can lead to more productive enjoyment of positive things. Ever worked for a good manager? Or a company that had excellent management? I have and it's my view that this didn't encroach on my personal freedom. It actually made working much more pleasurable and productive than working for a bad manager. Some persons immediate equate the idea of any management over them as bad, a loss of freedom, a violation of free will. A good manager breeds respect among persons who decide to willing follow his lead. JW's are simply pointing out that effectively managing the earth is beyond the capabilities of men. They have been trying for thousands of years, and while there have been and are small areas of success, by and large, the world is a mess. Most people go about their daily business and don't give much attention to all of the problems that mankind face. We almost get used to it, since its all we have known. Would you feel that your freedom or free will was being violated by a well managed world government that: Free mankind from all threat of war (Ps. 46:8,9; Isa 2:4) Free the earth of corrupt rulers and oppression ( Ps 110:5; Ps 72:12-14) Provide an abudance of food for all mankind (Psa 72:16; Isa 25:6) Remove sickness and disabilities of all kinds (Luk 7:22; 9:11) Provide suitable homes for everyone (Isa 65:21,22) Assure satisfying employment for all (Isa 65:23) Guarantee security, freedom from danger to one's person or property(Mic. 4:4; Psa 37:10,11) Cause righteousness and justice to prevail (2Pet. 3:13; Isa 11:3-5) Resurrect the dead(John 5:28,29; Rev 20:12) Remove all pain, sickness, and death (Isa 25:8; Rev 21:4) Whether you agree with me about the truthfulness of these Scriptures is not the point of this discussion. I am simply trying to help others understand the reason why JW's are willing to sacrifice our time and personal comfort to do this unpopular preaching work. If you firmly believed that the above mentioned Kingdom was real and would solve these problems, would you hide this information from your neighbors? JW's just can't in good conscience hide this. Whether we are right or wrong in our interpretaion of whether Jehovah exists and whether this Kingdom is real, is another discussion. I am just trying to explain the motivation. > Most proponents of a religion espouse a view which is clearly not well >thought out. The view you have stated is one of those. If "peace >and security" are to be paid for by loss of freedom, then I'd rather >be dead. (Slight alteration of "Give me liberty or give me death.") >Government has a tendency towards corruption, and the bigger the government >the more corruption there is. Of course, if god is going to be the tyrannical >ruler, then I'm all for it. :) Its not that other peoples ideas are not well thought out, it's just that because of our "free will" we can differ in our views and interpretation of evidence. Since this is the atheist net, the prevailing thought is that "religionists" are incorrect. Over on the religious nets, the thought is the reverse. I don't want to get into a debate over the existence of God, as that has been discussed ad-naseum. Yes, I agree with you that men's governments tend toward corruption and the bigger the government the more corruption. But, that is the whole point of our message. Mankind is unable to effectly govern himself without corruption and mismanagement setting in. We need something better. We need Jehovah's Kingdom Government. Best regards... Steve Peterson ---- stevep@cadence.com or ...!uunet!cadence!stevep Dan 2:44 "In the days of those kings, the God of the heavens will set up a kingdom that will never be brought to ruin. And the kingdom itself will not be passed on to any other people. It will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, and it itself will stand to time-indefinite."