Witnesses instructed not to harbor private ideas

by cyberguy 33 Replies latest jw friends

  • cyberguy
    cyberguy

    Today's Watchtower lesson instructs Witnesses not to think for themselves when it comes to Bible understanding:

    Augest 1, 2001, p. 14, par. 8:

    First, since "oneness" is to be observed, a mature Christian must be in unity and full harmony with fellow believers as far as faith and knowledge are concerned. He does not advocate or insist on personal opinions or harbor private ideas when it comes to Bible understanding. Rater, he has complete confidence in the truth as it is revealed by Jehovah God through his Son, Jesus Christ, and "the faithful and discreet slave." By regularly taking in the spiritual food provided "at the proper time" -- through Christian publications, meetings, assemblies, and conventions -- we can be sure that we maintain "oneness" with fellow Christians in faith and knowledge. -- Matthew 24:45.

  • Tatiana
    Tatiana

    Classic cult indoctrination...

    April

    "Love never dies." Voivodul Vlad Draculea (from Bram Stoker's Dracula-1992)

  • dmouse
    dmouse

    That's You-know buggered then.

  • MacHislopp
    MacHislopp

    Hello Cyberguy,

    thanks for the post. I must add you've

    anticipating my posting of the same paragraph.

    Few comments about it:

    "He does not advocate or insist on personal opinions..."

    But of course the WTS can and has advocate peronal
    opinion/opinion given as "spiritual food, coming
    from Jehovah" or "new light, coming from Jehovah's
    organisation" for decades!!!

    ".. or harbor private ideas when it comes to Bible understanding."

    Of course with the exception of the WTS particular teachings,
    that I'll not list for lack of ...space, just one :

    " ..the return of the princes is a fundamental teaching of the
    Scriptures. It is as certain as the truth of God's Word. "
    (Consolation May 27, 1942 )

    When other harbor private ideas when it come to Bible's
    understanding i.e. 1914, they become -apostates -!

    "Rather, he has complete confidence in the truth as it is revealed by Jehovah God through his Son, Jesus Christ, and "the faithful and discreet slave."

    We would like to see a Bible text that speaks of Jehovah,
    passing revelation of truths " ..through his Son Jesus Christ ..."
    to somebody's else beside the Apostle John (Revelation)!

    And then go around and publish that the WTS " never claimed to
    be "inspired " to "speak in the name of God" or to be "a prophet"!

    Thanks, also to remind to evyone on this forum that
    all these ,words have been written by the WTS
    not in the 30', 40' 50's but in the year 2001!!!

    Greetings, J.C. MacHislopp

  • logical
    logical

    Theres some solid proof that JW's are followers of MEN and not Christ.

  • somebody
    somebody
    He does not advocate or insist on personal opinions or harbor private ideas when it comes to Bible understanding.

    I don't understand that sentence. If a person doesn't advocate his ideas or opionions, then the person is harboring them. Right? The sentence is telling people not to do either. Don't advocate and don't harbour. I guess it's saying not to have any opinions or ideas period,regarding Bible undertanding. That's messed up.

    peace,
    somebody

  • Fredhall
    Fredhall

    And the King of the North is Canada.

  • cyberguy
    cyberguy

    The Collins Cobuild English Dictionary defines "harbour" (harbor in American English) as:

    (2) If you harbour an emotion, thought, or secret, you have it in your mind over a long period of time.

    So, JW's are encourged not to even "think" on their own, other than the "revealed truth" through "the faithful and discreet slave." I wonder if this explaination will be used by elders against the few remaining thinkers left in the organization?

  • MacHislopp
    MacHislopp

    Hello everyone,

    From Cyberguy: an excellent deduction!

    "So, JW's are encourged not to even "think" on their own, other than the "revealed truth" through "the faithful and discreet slave." I wonder if this explanation will be used by elders against the few thinkers left in the organization?"

    Of course they will...that's why the WTS wrote this reminder!

    from Somebody:

    "I don't understand that sentence. If a person doesn't advocate his ideas or opionions, then the person is harboring them. Right? The sentence is telling people not to do either. Don't advocate and don't harbour. I guess it's saying not to have any opinions or ideas period,regarding Bible undertanding. "

    as the rest of the paragraph " leads into it ", to be a

    "mature Christian "....one

    "..as complete confidence in the truth as it is revealed by Jehovah God through his Son, Jesus Christ, and "the faithful and discreet slave." By regularly taking in the spiritual food provided "at the proper time" -- through Christian publications, meetings, assemblies, and conventions -- we can be sure that we maintain "oneness" with fellow Christians in faith and knowledge. -- "

    So what the WTS publish ...is the truth from Jehovah!

    Greetings, J.C.MacHislopp

  • radar
    radar

    Cyberguy

    Thanks for highlighting Watchtower Mind control!

    Re: August 1st Watchtower
    "a mature Christian must be in unity and full harmony with fellow believers"

    What they are asking for is not unity. They are in reality, asking for uniformity. Appearence is everything to the Watchtower these days.
    The article is in effect saying: Do not think for yourself because if you do, you will not be in harmony with us!

    Radar

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