Wt Study For Jan.04,2009

[James]

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WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY
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[Nash]

Thanks for posting this article James.

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Frankly, Watchtower, I believe that this article you've written is doing a serious disservice to Jehovah's Witnesses who are both inactive and active. While gathering those who have strayed is a biblical command and is noble, I'd like to comment on three of the paragraphs in particular.

You continue your dysfunctional posture by not admitting the truth and by using arguments which really make no sense.

Paragraph two says: "Sadly, some who seemed to appreciate Jesus sacrifice and made a dedication to God no longer associate with the Christian congregation."

These are very damaging words. You arrogantly assume too much.

Watchtower, are you saying that those who are inactive fail to appreciate Jesus' sacrifice? If so, then you are placing an incorrect idea in the minds of those who are listening to you. Who are you to say that inactive, disassociated, or disfellowshipped individuals fail to appreciate the sacrifice Jesus made? How arrogant! Sure, you mention that discouragement may be a factor, but why are they discouraged? Are you afraid to talk about the real problems in the open, tarnishing your followers' image of your illusory spiritual paradise?

Paragraph two continues: "Those in the flock of God lack nothing in a spiritual way, but that is not the happy lot of sheep who have strayed."

Oh really, now? Watchtower, with the recent 'generation' change last year, and in prior years as well, your adultery with the United Nations, congregational politics, and constant changing of prophetic interpretation which is confusing at best, how can you say that those attending the meetings "lack nothing in a spiritual way"? Further, Watchtower, how can you assume that all of the inactive sheep are lacking spirituality and spiritual nourishment? You should not be putting this idea into the minds of your followers. How do you think that some inactive ones will feel when they are told that they must not be happy or are starving spiritually because the Watchtower said so?

Paragraph six says: "Satan takes advantage of fleshly weaknesses and uses the world in an attempt to lead Jehovah's sheep into sinful activities. Inactive ones are particularly vulnerable and therefore need assistance in order to apply the admonition to 'walk by spirit.'"

Watchtower, how many are leading double lives in the congregations? How many victims are you silencing? How many victims are you blaming? Why do you keep blaming Satan and his world for all of your problems? Sure, he tempts us. No doubt about that. But it seems like there are many wolves in sheep's clothing within the Kingdom Halls who are controlled by Satan. Why don't you write in your pages that there are many false brothers and sisters who have created the issues for many of those who are inactive, disassociated, or disfellowshipped? Watchtower, if you would handle congregational matters properly and admit your mistakes and your faults, you may not have so many inactive people.

Paragraph fourteen says: "Quite likely, it will be beneficial to remind the inactive one of some of the blessings he once enjoyed as a result of close association with the congregation."

Watchtower, are you attempting to appeal to our emotions, or are you trying to emotionally blackmail us? Some prefer it more open and more honest. What if the inactive individual is inactive because of the discouragement received in the congregation? Will you still be willing to listen to your brother and sister and take the steps needed to correct the situation, even if that means doing things which may not look good for you? Perhaps you will have to correct mistakes you have made and correct the damage you have done. Or will you simply shrug the supposed 'negative comments' off and ignore the biblical counsel that you so enjoy misapplying? Will you shrug the problems and issues under the rug, or will you look for real solutions to the very real problems which you yourself created?

Will you be meeting the inactive ones half-way rather than quarter-way? Will you really do what is needed?

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Nash B)

[diamondiiz]

Nash you bring out excellent points.

Watchtower like many others uses programming of the flock. They appeal to what you would like and what you would enjoy and after you focus on these things they tell you that the only way is by being obedient to the Watchtower. It's somewhat like Erickson's Hypnosis. The truth appeals to your understanding and while you focus on that your subconscious is fed fear of leaving the so called safety zone.

When on the inside we don't see the lies that are poisoning us because we become desensitizes to these. As we do what we are told by the leaders we are told we are doing great and our reward is just ahead of us. This continued reassurance makes us believe that we're pleasing God and that anyone that has views different to our understanding are on the outside and we subconsciously feel sorry for them thus we imagine that they need to do something to gain salvation as we have. The outsiders are the losers from our stand point thus the article just reassures us that we're not the ones with the problem but the ones that don't associate themselves with the congregation.

Once the blinders are lifted we see things in a total different light. It is hard to show those on the inside the poison they are fed when they are so conditioned in believing that there is no hope on the outside and that the GB doesn't lie and is the FDS who dispenses only beneficial food for the believers and that anyone questioning or bringing to light anything besides what they're told from the top are deceivers, wolves in sheeps clothing and so forth. That's why it's so difficult to point anything out to those in the congregation if one is df or da. If one is still on the inside and reveals anything about WTS he is basically labeled an apostate.

[James]

Hey all,

I kinda goofed on posting this study article.

First of all, the title has the wrong date. ( It should have been 'Wt Study For Jan.11, 2009.)

Secondly, the last page didn't upload.

Thirdly, it wouldn't allow me the edit feature on my post to add the last page????

Sorry all,
James
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[Nash]

Hi Diamondiiz,

I'm not too familiar with Erikson's Hypnosis, but I think you're on the money here. Many become used to what is said 'from the platform' and what the elders say to such a degree that their higher reasoning skills fall into disuse. It's sad really.

Once in a while on my way to work I will bump into a sister from my congregation. As I don't attend meetings anymore, she will often give the usual 'encouragement.' Sometimes I just 'go with the flow.' However, sometimes I will mention the issues which were blatantly mishandled in the congregation, and her mind completely shuts down. It's like she can't handle it.

This is very common. I would venture to say that the vast majority of Watchtower apologists on the internet make fools of themselves trying to defend the Watchtower not simply because their comments are silly and childish, but because their arguments make absolutely no sense. Of course, it makes sense to the apologists, because they haven't taken off the rose-coloured glasses, and are reinforced by those with the same view.

I will admit that when I would say the truth and someone has a complete mental shutdown because I've exposed the skeletons in the closet, the 'shutdown' reaction (or the 'justifying' action, or the 'blaming' action, etc.) bothered me. Over time however, I have had to face the fact that it really isn't their fault. Many have invested years in the Watchtower; many have lots of family in the organization; there are many situations. Emotionally and psychologically, it's not easy to suddenly change deeply ingrained viewpoints, especially when such a transition would intially seem wrong or terrifying, and especially when one believed (and had told others) the things believed.

The article says that next week's article will explain why some leave the flock. Although I don't have next week's article, it will be interesting to see what the reasons given will be. I can't help but think that the Watchtower will continue its tradition of blaming victims. Perhaps I am wrong, but I guess I'll have to wait and see.

Nash