How many themes are covered in the WT articles?

by Check_Your_Premises 16 Replies latest jw friends

  • Check_Your_Premises
    Check_Your_Premises

    I love data. Especially in charts. I can visually "see" things that I just can't by relying on memory and current perceptions.

    I thought an interesting peice of data to track over time is the "type" of articles published by the WT. I figure there are only a handful of themes really when you think about it. If we could identify those themes, then classify past and current WT articles according to those template themes, we could probably see some interesting trends.

    So what are the basic themes of WT articles? Here is my list off the top of my head. Some articles could highlight multiple themes.

    The first three I think are of key interest. I can imagine a trend where they are repeated more frequently at certain times. I also forsee a time when almost every week the article is one of these themes. That will mean the carrot isn't working anymore, and like all panicked tyrants they revert to their true nature and just rely on the stick.

    Obey and trust the slave (or else)

    Don't listen to apostates (or else)

    Work harder (not smarter) for the slave

    Jesus isn't God (or your mediator)

    The Divine Name (Joseph Hovah is apparantly God's name)

    Hell isn't hot

    Jesus didn't die on a cross (Messiah on a stick)

    No Blood (Unless it is very teeny tiny... fat is ok?)

    Paradise Earth (pet lions, drink ice tea, and hang out with Jw's forever!!!!)

    The end is near (nearer than last time we said it was near)

    Be Upbuilding to eachother (nag, snoop, and use codephrases like "glad to see you" and "wanted to see if everything is ok" which are designed to sound like we care about you rather than care about guilt tripping you)

    Christendom!!! (Satan apparantly is using these fools to teach his lie that salvation is through faith in Christ and not a publishing company)

    The Bible is trustworthy (but some Bibles are more trustworthy than others)

    Others?

    CYP

  • FreeFromWTBS
    FreeFromWTBS

    Demonism/Superstition

  • DannyBloem
    DannyBloem

    preach that children should obey parents (esp in KH)

    preach and the marriage bed should be holy ...

    preach and obey the elders (and the slave)

    preach because the world is end, don;t listen to scientists etc

    preach more

    preach regulary

    preach for older ones

    etc

  • darcy
    darcy

    Recently, I've seen alot of Hope for the Dead, and You can be Happy articles in the Watchtower.

    Also, be obedient to the elders (although that falls under obeying the society, doesn't it)

    and... hmmm... also stories of concentration camp survival.

  • betterdaze
    betterdaze

    Real Estate Development in the Divine Plan Youths: Give Up Your Life, and Stop Living Now Israelite Examples for Witnesses Today Theocratic Treadmill Brings Rich Blessings Willing Submission Under the Mighty Arm of Brooklyn Carrots: Loving Provisions for Everlasting Life

  • betterdaze
    betterdaze

    Real Estate Development in the Divine Plan

    Youths: Give Up Your Life, and Stop Living Now

    Israelite Examples for Witnesses Today

    Theocratic Treadmill Brings Rich Blessings

    Willing Submission Under the Mighty Arm of Brooklyn

    Carrots: Loving Provisions for Everlasting Life

  • AK - Jeff
    AK - Jeff

    CYP - I don't have any CD's beyond 2001 - so I compiled a list of the 'Study' articles for that year as an typical year. In order they are;

    Be

    Built Up by Love

    How Far-Reaching Is Your Love?

    Overseers

    and Ministerial Servants Theocratically Appointed

    Keep in Step With Jehovah’s Organization\

    Have

    You Made the Truth Your Own?

    Are You Living Up to Your Dedication?

    Jehovah’s

    Day of Judgment Is Near!

    Seek Jehovah Before the Day of His Anger

    Jehovah’s

    Restored People Praise Him Earth Wide

    Rejoicing for Those Who Walk in the Light

    Salvation

    for Those Who Choose the Light

    Gaining the Victory Over Human Weakness

    Mind

    the Spirit and Live!

    "The Word of Jehovah Went On Growing"

    True

    Christianity Prevails!

    Behold the Doer of Wonderful Things!

    Give

    Attention to God’s Wonderful Works

    Be Joyful With the Happy God

    Maintain

    Your Joy in Jehovah’s Service

    Praise Jehovah for His Great Deeds!

    Divine

    Guidance for Selecting a Marriage Mate

    Building a Spiritually Strong Family

    "If

    God Is for Us, Who Will Be Against Us?"

    Moving Ahead to Final Victory!

    Do

    Not Become Forgetful Hearers

    Remain Steadfast as Seeing the Invisible One!

    Rejoice

    in the Knowledge of Jehovah

    Share in the Joy of Giving!

    Be

    Joyful Harvest Workers!

    Press On in the Harvest Work!

    Can

    You "Distinguish Both Right and Wrong"?

    Make Your Advancement Manifest

    Abraham—An

    Example of Faith

    Have Faith Like That of Abraham!

    Do

    Not Give Up in Doing What Is Fine

    "Seek Peace and Pursue It"

    How Can the Peace of the Christ Control in Our Hearts?

    Will

    Jehovah’s Blessing Overtake You?

    Jehovah’s Blessing Makes Us Rich

    Imitate

    Jehovah When Training Your Children

    How Can You Help a "Prodigal" Child?

    Who

    Will Separate Us From God’s Love?

    Acquire a Heart Agreeable to Jehovah

    Safeguard

    Your Heart

    Jehovah Is a God of Long-Suffering

    ‘Clothe

    Yourselves With Long-Suffering’

    Jehovah Shows Us How to Count Our Days

    Jehovah

    Is Our Refuge

    Develop Your Heart to Fear Jehovah

    Fear

    Jehovah and Keep His Commandments

    Relief From Stress—A Practical Remedy

    "Learn From Me"

    From a quick review - I can say this - Jesus was not the theme in 2001. Now that's surprizing isn't it?

    Jeff

  • rebel8
    rebel8

    Rules (don't have oral sex, don't salute flags, etc., etc., etc.), followed by fake risks & consequences for not following the rules (ex., sex during menstruation causes cancer, etc.)

    Useless articles about science or everyday stuff that can be gained by living a normal life or by reading a 4th grade science text book (ex., how to make coffee, how to maximize your clothing budget, how amazing a body part du jour is, etc.)

  • blondie
    blondie

    Actually just one but many themes.

    Armageddon is coming soon and all non-JWs are going to die forever.

    Blondie (not you though, CYP)

  • Poztate
    Poztate

    CYP - I don't have any CD's beyond 2001 - so I compiled a list of the 'Study' articles for that year as an typical year.

    You should break down and download the 2005 CD Rom from www.reexamine.org

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