And I remember the days when the JWs warned about the Catholics and their "Index" of books, movies, and plays that were denied to Catholics as being "dangerous" to their faith. That is to say, they were revelatory of the actual truth of a matter and the Roman Church did not want these truths spreading throughout the faithful. Now the Witnesses are up to it to.

Have you read 1984? Is it now common fare in high school? God how I hope so. It's the story of Winston Smith and his journey toward actual truth about The Party. You see, it's his job to "correct" the past. Daily he "corrects the past" so that it comports more precisely with the present, so that the future can be thus controlled.

In reading this book, I felt as if I were reading a contemporary history of the JWs as they put together their bound volumes and their CDs - both heavily edited, complete with their 18 and 1/2 minutes of missing information - just like Nixon. There is so much information missing from these republications, so much information changed, and some added that was never there in the first place. Their republications are, of course, a hoax.

They also have their daily "Two Minutes Hate" and their annual "Hate Week" (very like an an assembly)

I recommend that you all read, or re-read, George Orwell's 1984, to see how far we've come - especially in the organization of Jehovah's Witnesses of fulfilling each and all of his deadly prophecies of the future from his vantage point in 1949. I do know one or two things. He's written a great book of prophecy himself (much of which has already been fulfilled, unlike the JWs, ALL of which has gone unfulfilled), and he's written a book which though is dark in its presentation is nonetheless enjoyable and essential for all, especially JWs today. This is especially true if you'd like to gaze upon the grisly spectre of what JWs are headed for as fast as they can go, and it's not a pretty picture at all.

Frank Tyrrell

Hi Frank, I always enjoy reading your posts. Always very well thought out, and thought provoking. If you enjoyed 1984, you have to get your hands on  a copy of 'The Orwellian world of Jehovahs witnesses. The "double speak", and  "Thought crime, are so familiar with our favourite ex cult, its surreal. Geddy.

There was a time that JW's were convinced that George O had added a generation (70 years) onto 1914 so as to get to 1984.

Englishman.,

I was in high school less than a decade ago and I read "1984" then. I'm not sure if it's read at every high school. We didn't read "Animal Farm". I reread "1984" maybe a couple of years ago. Both times, I was looking for similarities in the governments of the world. However, I can definitely see the parallels in the JW, especially along the lines of doublespeak and thought control or thought police. I always enjoy reading that book, and I am sure I will pick it up again.

Enjoyed your post Francois!

Because of that, I'm going to pick up a copy of 1984 from the library on my next visit... Haven't read it yet...

I read it in the past as part of my eye-opener program. It describes a totalitarian society, very similar to the WTs. Now, that I've DA myself, I know what it means to be death for those that were your friends, like the book.

_heianderen_

Yes, a definite 'must read' for all JWs and Ex JWs. I'm surprised that the WBTS hasn't found a pretense for 'suggesting' that it is a book Christians should not want to read. I suppose they don't want to draw attention to it.

'Thoughtcrime does not entail death: thoughtcrime IS death.'

I read it for the first time last year and I was astonished at how close were the parallels to the JW religion. One example is how they get relatives to turn each other in, even children turn in their parents. I also like the way that reports would come in of, for example, an excellent quota of shoes produced - but there were never any more in the shops. Kinda remainds me of the field service reports.

Good thread. From time to time, we all see mention of 1984 in various threads here. Less for Animal Farm, but it's good to see that book mentioned too.

WS, thanks for the summary of some of 1984. Your post wasn't long at all - excellent job of overview.

I first read 1984 when I was 13 and I saw many of the similarities to the witnesses then. Unfortunately I didn't act on it until much later. I think that the similarities to the org. in the book just shows that they are as susceptable to the pitfalls of human nature as everyone else and all of the claims that they may make to being any different are just laughable. I just wish I could convince my family of that.