WT Nov 4 Study Article - Damage Control??

Tish

Thank you for taking the time to type this out.

I think that the wagons are definitely circled and that they are "nervous". I also love how everyone "lies" about the WTS but they themselves never lie.

Tish,

I am anxiously awaiting to read my Nov. WT.    It sure sounds like they are doing some damage control.

They don't mention that perhaps these seeds of doubt can be substantiated and have some merit.  Nor do they allude to the fact that it is not their faith that we often question but their policies.  And somehow they also forget to mention that many of the changes that have come to the Society have been the result of those who 'sow seeds of doubt' and 'subvert the faith'.

Salud!

Thanks for posting this Tish. I knew there was a reason I haven't read their magazines in 16 years!

In a twisted way, I have to give them credit. Without coming out and saying anything against us 'big mouth victims', they cleverly weave their doubts about us. As though our tales of being misunderstood, mistreated are concocted to hide our secret devilish agenda! How ridiculous. I don't target Witnesses. I'm trying to help victims period. And those that help them.

I'm not saying there aren't some with a hate-filled agenda. I'm only responsible for my actions, my choices.

Tish - I think you are right.  The October 1 article, "Jehovah Blesses and Protects Those Who Are Obedient" is along the same lines, but less blatant.  I noted the following:

This gives me a disheartening picture of mindless creatures running to the only security they have ever known - the organization - just as horses will run in to a burning barn in their confusion and fear.  Jehovah does not require us to run mindlessly, in fear, in a time of crisis.

I looked up all references to obedience in the greek scriptures, and found that obedience is closely connected to listening. You hear the truth, and chose to follow.  Not once is there direction to obey an organization, elder, or the "faithful and discreet slave".

Tish,

This is typical Watchtower rhetoric.  Imputed motives without any proof, unnamed critics, unnamed "lies," and unnamed "evidence" for these lies.

They are afraid to address specific evidence levied against them.  It's always safest to generalize, while making their loyal readers think they are saying something important.  They aren't.

Farkel

ridicule
n.
speech or action intended to cause contemptuous laughter at a person or thing; derision.
v.t.
to deride; make fun of.

Note the clever wording. Saying they ridicule the Bible is a subtle but effective way of dismissing the arguments of "Higher critics". As opposed to saying "Higher critics study, analyze and research the Bible and its history, and argue against its inspiration." which might lead one to wonder what the arguments are. But reducing it to mere 'ridicule' is a subtle shift toward something with less merit than a argument based on many man years of collective research.

Thanks for posting this Tish.

I'm always interested in seeing the latest manipulation coming out of dubdom. Isn't it amazing just how transparent such tactics are when you're actually awake and not mindlessly parroting?

Makes you wonder why any of us did, and many still do, fall for anything the WT says. But I guess if you really want to believe something, you'll find a way to believe it!

-Josh

WHY do they keep insisting that if you leave this organization that you can no longer worship God? My mom tries to use that on me all the time, and I tell her that I still love God I just dont think I can serve him as a jw.

Silly people

Damn!!!!

Look at 'em squirm!

As Farkel mentioned, once again no specific issues are addressed. We get only generalizations.

julien makes an excellent point too, concerning the use of the word "ridicule".

So little action is needed on our part when we see that a dangerous condition exists in the organization.  Ultimately, our instruction is just to wait on Jehovah.

No wonder Jehovah has no time to see to curing deadly diseases or feeding the thousands of starving children around the world.  He is too concerned about what is happening in this religious cult known as Jehovah's Witnesses.

What mostly baffles me, is: If they have the "truth", doesn't "truth" always stand up to scrutiny?

What are they so afraid of?

Wasn't there a scripture somewhere that said, "there is no stumbling block for the righteous" or something similar?

Lisa

(PS_ echoing Biggs words, yes thanks for typing it out.  Did you get this in the mail or at the hall?)

They are just trying to keep them all blind.  Hey LDH, are you hosting the XJW meetup?  Where is that place?

Bleeuuggghhh!
The most stomach turning thing about these sort of articles for me is not the way that the GB/Writing dept uses clever rhetoric and emotive language - it is how smoothly the rank and file JW swallows it all down.  I can picture my ma and pa taking it all in, and I know I would have too a few years ago.

Sad sad sad

Leolaia

Thanx for all of your replies.  I get the WT from a little old sister who does the business territory, and she brings them into me regularly, I can see the excitement in her eyes, that I always say that yes I have read them and yes please bring me more.  If she knew I was D/F it would stop. 

I haven't got a scanner but it is from the September 15 WT with the cover about Saints.  If someone else can do it that would be great.

Funny enough she wants my views, now where do I start?

Tish

Re:  paragraph 12 about the Beroeans - HELLO!!! Has anyone else noticed that the Beroeans were NOT questioning the Bible but were questioning the apostles, the Governing Body of their day, and using the scriptures to prove whether or not they were correct.  Now, however, it seems to be a disfellowshipping offense to question ANYTHING the GB dishes out, and they are misapplying this scripture to say we shouldn't question the RHOOF (Right Holy Order of Old Farts) in Brooklyn, not the Bible.

Nina the Outraged

 Notice how they conveniently insert  their  statement between two scriptures to make it appear as if it's Bible-based. Yes, Paul was warning that apostates were using the media  to spread distorted information ! what total morons........

I can never get past the first paragraph of any of their nonsensical writings without tossing their ramblings aside. btw, in my RSV Bible, not one of quoted scriptures even has the word "apostate" in it.

edited to add: who in the hell do they think they are to print and distribute magazines stating that anyone who chooses to leave their organization spreads "outright lies?" Isn't that slander ?

that's funny Nina, I have to check that out!

Edited by - deddaisy on 4 September 2002 13:21:4