How do they love the 'unbelievers'? Worship Book (chap 2)

ozziepost

At the last District Convention, the book "Worship the Only True God" was released intended to be used along with the "Knowledge" book on home Bible studies. Both books are to be studied before baptism.

So, what are the 'new recruits' learning?

This is the second in a series of posts selecting "highlights" from each chapter.

So, today it's chapter 2. The question on paragraph 11 states "For whom else should we show love, and how?" How does the paragraph 'answer' this very apt question? With these words:

This involves sharing the good news of God's incoming paradisaic new world with those who are not yet our fellow Christians.

The paragraph is full of references to the usual texts on love, but clearly the new recruit is being instructed that the love for neighbour is to be shown by witnessing, and even then it's clearly with a purpose in view i.e. "not yet our fellow Christians".

Is this what Jesus meant when he gave the command to love our neighbour? Presumably if he did, he would have said so. But he didn't, so any presumption is just that, conjecture.

BTW other conjecture is found in those above-quoted words. The writer(s) introduce the thought of "paradisaic new world" without ever having supported that in this book. Presumably (that word again!), they are relying on the reader remembering what is stated in the "Knowledge" book.

Clearly love and charity don't go together, according to the Borg!

Cheers, Ozzie

minimus

oz, can't you give a little more meat to your analysis? Where's Blondie???

ozziepost

Not an analysis at all, Min, but simply raising points that lurkers, Dubs and all, can 'take up'.

Now, what's the next question?

minimus

If you want to disect this book, why not see if you can find some better material????????????? And where's Blondie?

ozziepost

dissect

minimus

discept: to dispute or debate-------that's what I meant, you smartoz.............and where is Blondie?

ozziepost

Dunno......but to get back on topic, love or charity? What does the Borg teach new recruits? Or neither? Perhaps a sense of duty? Yet that same chapter attempts to 'cover the bases' by having a section on it not being "duty".

minimus

I think that the WT. pubs always center upon assumptions that are unprovable and not believable. Regarding this book as well as all others, they slowly and gently introduce ideas that a person wouldn't normally make an issue over. If they can get you to accept their premise, everything else is easy.

Bona Dea

My husband and I began studying with witnesses about 5 years ago. It was very informal at first, and basically just us asking them what they really believed and why. We live in the bible belt (down in Georgia - or Georgie, as most locals pronounce it) and no one ever talks to the witnesses around here...and there were several tales circulating regarding what witnesses believe. So, the first year was mostly just separating fact from fiction. We live right beside Franklin County, which is one of the few territories in the US that they haven't covered. There are constantly folks coming in from other congregations to help cover it. My husband and I are probably some of the fortunate few in these parts who've been introduced to "the truth" (lucky us, huh?)

Anyway, back to what I was saying...I went way off subject there. Eventually we began the Knowledge book and then the Worship book. We also covered the trinity brochure and the "what does god require of us" brochure. I never even noticed the things to which you are referring, but then again, I probably wouldn't have. I would now, though. I never even noticed the constant references to the FDS and the inability to understand the bible apart from them, until I had stopped attending the meetings then went back to hear one of my husbands talks. That same night, a brother gave a talk and likened helping charities to running back into a town to save victims when a volcano is erupting. He more or less said they should warn them and run like hell...but do not go back in to try save anyone. Their doom is imminent and you will go down with them!! It completely shocked me. I wondered how long I had been hearing things like that and never even realized it. Anyhow...yeah...they studied both books with us. First the Knowledge and then the worship. We were pretty much putty in their hands by the time we began the worship book....

Sadie

BLISSISIGNORANCE

ozzie...........new recruits are learning hypocracy and technique. lip service and appearences, love-bombing new ones and then forming cliques with favourite ones, excluding all others. hugging and kissing after assemblies, then ignoring for the rest of the year. going to all the meetings and in field-service when the co visits, then not seen again for 6 months. etc, etc, etc.

actually, why do they need to use any books to teach those sorts of lessons? oh, that's right, books=money for the wts.

cheers, bliss.

How do they love the 'unbelievers'? Worship Book (chap 2)

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