Pledge Of Allegiance On Regular Pioneer Letter

[Alburt]

Hello Ms.Doxsey.   My wife was a regular pioneer as a Jehovahs Witness several years ago. I read your Experience in your profile. I was looking for a Expert to answer a question and your profile seems you can answer it. But I asked her about a Pledge of Allegiance on the back of the letter she signed when she became a Regular Pioneer. I think she might not remember, so I want to ask you.

ANSWER: Hello Charles,

I had been hoping to get another copy of the application so that I could give you a word for word quote of the statement that one must sign. I don't trust my memory that much. But the applications are not distributed freely. The atmosphere of the elders/leaders in the Congregations has become suspicious and controlling, so I am not able to request another application. To do so would raise suspicion and provoke another formal inquiry, because being a pioneer myself, I do not need the application.    (Sidepoint: When I realized that accepting this unscriptural title of "pioneer" caused "class distinction" and therefore, displeases God(due to Bible verses I read), I requested removal from the rank. I no longer report all my volunteered hours, in order to facilitate disqualification. Still, the elders will not remove me.)

So I will have to do the best I can to remember the "pledge" from memory, to forward the statement to you. I will also include the rationale behind my reasoning that this statement is in reality, a "pledge of allegiance". It will help my explaination, if we first cover the meaning of allegiance, and the meaning of signature...

From Dictionary.com:

al·le·giance? ?[uh-lee-juhns] noun

1.

the loyalty of a citizen to his or her government or of a subject to his or her sovereign.

2.

loyalty or devotion to some person, group, cause, or the like.

From Meriam Webster:

Definition of ALLEGIANCE

1

a : the obligation of a feudal vassal to his liege lord

b(1) : the fidelity owed by a subject or citizen to a sovereign or government(2) : the obligation of an alien to the government under which the alien resides

2

:devotion or loyalty to a person, group, or cause

Some statements from Wikipedia's definition: "A legal obedience, where a particular law requires the taking of an oath of allegiance by subject or alien alike."

Main article: Oath of allegiance

The oath of allegiance is an oath of fidelity to the sovereign taken by all persons holding important public office and as a condition of naturalization.

This was thought to favour the doctrine of absolute non-resistance, and accordingly the convention parliament enacted the form that has been in use since that time – "I do sincerely promise and swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty ..."

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It will also help our discussion, to cover the meaning of "signature", according to Wikipedia:

Function and types of signatures:

The traditional function of a signature is evidential: it is to give evidence of:

The provenance of the document(identity)

The intention(will) of an individual with regard to that document

For example, the role of a signature in many consumer contracts is not solely to provide evidence of the identity of the contracting party, but also to provide evidence of deliberation and informed consent."

I would like to highlight these clarifications about the definitions of "signature"....

"to give evidence of" "the intention(will) of an individual with regard to that document" "to provide evidence of deliberation and informed consent."

Does not giving one's signature convey "intention", "deliberation" and "consent"?

Would you agree that giving one's signature, is evidence of a pledge?

Hopefully you concur with me, by also perceiving that a signature constitutes a voluntary binding intention, or, a pledge.

To my best recollection, the statement on the back of the Pioneer application states:

"I AM IN HARMONY WITH ALL THE TEACHINGS COMING FROM THE 'FAITHFUL AND DISCREET SLAVE'".

One is expected to complete the application, by signing their name under this statement.

Although there are many things wrong with this expectation, I will narrow those down to your point of interest...the fact that this constitutes a "pledge of allegiance".

"I AM IN HARMONY WITH..."

I will compare this segment with the definitions given for "allegiance"...

"the loyalty of a citizen to his or her government"

"devotion or loyalty to a person, group, or cause"

"the fidelity owed by a subject or citizen to a sovereign or government"

"an oath of fidelity to the sovereign taken by all persons holding important public office"

"absolute non-resistance" "promise and swear that I will be faithful"

To be in "harmony" denotes full compliance and alignment.....allegiance, yes?

"ALL THE TEACHINGS"

Here is where the subject of allegiance is stated. One must pledge that they are in full accord("non-resistance") with whatever instruction, interpretation, or direction that comes from this entity.

"COMING FROM THE "FAITHFUL AND DISCREET SLAVE"

This fulfills the source and identity of one's compliance...according the definition of allegiance:

"government", "person, group, or cause", "sovereign".

We see that the statement on the back of the application is one of allegiance.

To sign one's name below it, is to take that pledge. Do you not agree?

Although Jehovah's Witnesses are aware of the Bible's directive that God's worshipers are forbidden to give a pledge of "devotion(or loyalty to a person, group, or cause") to anyone or anything other than Jehovah God; they lose sight of this divine requirement when it comes to the organization that they believe represents God. Yet God never made allowance or concession for there to be any substitute or representative of him, when it comes to the "allegiance", EXCLUSIVE devotion, or obedience that He alone is owed. The so-called "faithful and discreet slave", simply stated, IS NOT JEHOVAH GOD.

For those loyal to God and the guidance found in his Word, no pledge of allegiance to men is necessary. For these men to require a devotion to themselves in excess to one's baptism to God, is forbidden by the first commandment, and constitutes idolatry.

How shocking and regrettable, that the very application which represents increased service to God, is the very means and act of rejecting Him, in favor of devotion to men. Men, who through their pressing this very requirement, prove themselves apostate.

Seeing through this cleverly disguised subterfuge, I refused to sign that statement. My allegiance belongs to none other than God...whether governing men in power serve him, or not. Such men do not rightly share in the worship due God's station.

Of course, the statement is not even POSSIBLE to comply with in reality. How so? "all the teachings coming from the 'faithful and discreet slave'" are not even in harmony with themselves. Many of these "teachings" conflict!

Also, can anyone honestly claim that they even KNOW "all the teachings" in order to pledge harmony with them all?

No. The actuality of this pledge, is not that one examines, weighs, agrees with, and complies to all previously published printed material....

It is a pledge that one complies unquestioningly, with one's entire life. This present and future compliance is unconditional and assumed.

Men are imperfect and subject to unfaithfulness. To pledge one's Faith and Obedience unconditionally to men, is to reject the supremacy and authority of God and the Bible. For a true Christian, God's Word is peerless and supreme. For those loyal to God, no doctrines of men are permitted equal authority with that of the Bible.

No loyal Christian Leader would press such an abominable requirement, in order to serve God more fully. He would only value that a representative of God be in harmony with God's Word and it's moral standards.

Yet the reality is, that no pledge of allegiance to men, nor an application, nor a signature, nor a title,

is found in the scriptures,

in order to preach the truth of the Bible fully. In fact, such things are disapproved of in the scriptures.

When we subject ourselves to this corruption of truth, who are we serving?....God?...or men?

Although I never signed the pledge, my application was approved after much deliberation and dissension among the elders. Despite my loyalty to this test, I have decided to cast off the unscriptural title of pioneer. I have made this decision based upon many scriptural commands and requirements for Christians, so I have done what I could to correct this sin of mine. That sin now rests with the elders, who refuse to remove me from that public designation.

Thank you for your question. I hope I gave a satisfactory answer.

If it is deficient(or if you desire the actual scriptures upon which my conviction is founded), please follow up with an additional question.

Best regards,

pearl

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

Aren't the Faithful and Discrete Slave also part of the Anointed? My wife says they are. If so, don't you owe great respect to them since they work with Holy Spirit of God? What other things do your elders/leaders ask you to do that you disagree to? Was the Apostle John one of the anointed? John says of Diotrephes at 3rd John 9-11 "I wrote something to the congregation, but Diotrephes, who likes to have the first place among them, does not receive anything from us with respect. That is why, if I come, I will call to remembrance his works which he goes on doing, chattering about us with wicked words. Also, not being content with these things, neither does he himself receive the brothers with respect,and those who are wanting to receive them he tries to hinder and to throw out of the congregation." Please also read 2nd Peter Chapter 3(especially verses 14-18).   Is this what you say the elders/leaders are doing to you? Or Is this what you are trying to do to me with your answer you apply to 'filling out a Regular Pioneer Form'? Charles

ANSWER: Hello again Charles,

Yes, the Governing Body claims to be anointed. But none of the anointed have the right to refer to themselves as "the faithful and discreet slave", because Jesus spoke of identifying these ones, after he returns...(which he has not yet done)(1Cor.11:26; Luke17:10). In reference to the scriptures you sent me.....

As to whether an anointed one "works with Holy Spirit of God" or not, is evident by the signs Jesus gave us in order to distinguish these.(http://pearl-finetrees.blogspot.com/)

Many anointed who are trying to be found faithful BY CHRIST, write letters to the men who have taken the lead above the other anointed.(1John2:20,27) The anointed body of Christ is dependant upon all it's members. The parts are supposed to work together in order to please God.(1Cor.12:20,21)

Nothing these anointed write and send to the steward in charge, is received with respect by those in power. These men at the top, most especially and certainly, "have first place among them". There is abundant unfounded slander in the Congregations, or, "chattering about us with wicked words", against any anointed who do not worship the ones with power. Those NOT at the top certainly can not "hinder" or "throw out of the Congregation" a Governing Body member. But every day, the anointed who are trying to stick to the truth of God's Word above allegiance to these leaders, are themselves thrown out....cut off from their families and friends because of their loyalty to Truth.

Remember, Jesus said that "only one is your Leader, the Christ." The Bible makes clear that the anointed are to be as brothers...with none of them "lording it over" another.(see Matt.23:10; Mark10:42-45)

(see http://holyspiritorgoverningbody-obadiah.blogspot.com/)

Since these leaders violate the teachings of Christ flagrantly, why is it you assume that they "work with holy Spirit of God"? Just because they have more power, does not make them more faithful or more like Christ. Jesus refused to accept such power in this world.

One thing Jesus taught his followers, is that respect is earned. Take a look at how He himself spoke to the religious leaders of his day, for their similar acts of disloyalty to God.(Matthew, chapter 23)

I'm sorry, but I don't understand your last comment...

"Is this what you say the elders/leaders are doing to you? Or Is this what you are trying to do to me with your answer you apply to 'filling out a Regular Pioneer Form'? Charles

I'm not sure what you say I am "trying to do to you" because of my answer I "apply to filling out the pioneer form".

Perhaps I could answer this if you clarify what you mean.

If you are interested in what JESUS taught about how to recognize the true faithful anointed, from the ones he said would prove false; you are welcome to read an article about it. It is full of scriptures that contain Jesus' words.

(http://pearl-finetrees.blogspot.com)

Those truly working with Holy Spirit, are doing the will of God and not their own. Neither do they try to prevent other anointed from being faithful to God's will.

We can consult the Bible's words of Christ, or we can assume that consulting proud powerful men, is better. This is the choice facing all today, who claim to worship God in spirit and truth.(John4:24)

This is the period of test, prophesied to occur in the time of the end...the Great Tribulation. Few, will pass it.

Best Regards,

pearl

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

Hello Pearl.     My last three questions. What congregation are you a member of ? and, Is what you are trying to convince me of only an act of apostate teaching? Why are you doing this? Whoever reads your ramblings here are only looking to do the same as you. Hope you learn and return to the teachings Jesus Christ began and the avenue HE uses today. Nothing more to say. Charles