> It’s not necessary to know the congregation. A knowledge of what, if anything, is being taught is all that is required.
So your answer to my question is “No, you do not know the congregation first hand.”
A follow-up question then, based on your answer:
Do you have a first-hand knowledge of what, if anything, is being taught to this congregation?
> This is not a judgment of people. It’s a judgment of doctrine and theology.
Unfortunately for all, the one becomes the other, and is inseparable.
Yes.
I am a New Zealander. Auckland is my home town. I go back there from time to time and have many friends there.
Back in the '80s, there was talk of closing St. Matthew's. In fact, I'm not sure that it didn't actually close for a while. Now that I think about it, I'm pretty sure it did. It was a dead zone. As an inner city Anglican parish, it's numbers had dwindled and nothing was happening. Then it took a sharp left turn and reopened as a with-it, church-in the-now.
This is not the first time they have caused controversy. There have been other incidents. In fact, I'd go so far as to say it was all part of the marketing drive to get people to come. At times they went for the "shock" factor and apparently still do.
Unfortunately for all, the one becomes the other, and is inseparable.
Entirely wrong.
I can say that the Jehovah's Witness credo is not Christian without having to judge a soul. Any sect which denies the divinity of Christ is not "Christianizing" anyone. It follows logically from this that I wouldn't attend a JW service, nor would I advise anyone else to do so.
Am I being too judgmental or should I just say "yeah......go along and check it out for yourself."?