The Society Says...

by drew sagan 21 Replies latest jw friends

  • Bonnie_Clyde
    Bonnie_Clyde
    Here is the quote from the 3/15/98 WT, page 19, para 4. After discussing the difference between the Watchtower Society and the "faithful slave," the article says:
    "In order to avoid misunderstandings, Jehovah's Witnesses try to be careful about how they express themselves. Instead of saying 'the Society teaches,' many Witnesses prefer to use such expressions as, 'the Bible says,' or, 'I understand the Bible to teach.' In this way they emphasize the personal decision that each Witness has made in accepting Bible teachings and also avoid giving the false impression that Witnesses are somehow bound to the dictates of some religious sect."
    I'm glad you found that quote. I think it was that article that started me thinking. It was already beginning to dawn on me that telling people, "The Bible says", was not really true. It was from that time forward that I really started to ask myself questions when I read the literature and when I listened to the talks. I still have the Awake article that I read in December of that year (1998) that irked me so much that I walked over to my computer, typed in "yahoo", and typed the words, "Franz, 1975, Jehovah". As I did so, I knew that this was a turning point in my life--that I was going over into a realm from I would never return. I was particularly interested in what really happened at Bethel with Raymond Franz after the 1975 fiasco. I not only found out what I wanted, I found out far more than I ever imagined.
  • purplesofa
    purplesofa
    In order to avoid misunderstandings, Jehovah's Witnesses try to be careful about how they express themselves. Instead of saying 'the Society teaches,' many Witnesses prefer to use such expressions as, 'the Bible says,' or, 'I understand the Bible to teach.' In this way they emphasize the personal decision that each Witness has made in accepting Bible teachings and also avoid giving the false impression that Witnesses are somehow bound to the dictates of some religious sect."

    We gotta learn the WT Lingo and then unlearn it and manipulate to actually talk to anyone. No wonder I was so tired all the time.

  • TheKings
    TheKings

    we blindly believed it for so long because they way it's taught if you're:

    A- brought into it through the door-to-door preaching it's presented to you who likely knows nothing about the bible in a way that makes the WTS look like they know everything and no thought is required. And neither will any thinking be required as you go, but you'll be told you're *really* thinking and being a rebel so you don't look any further.

    B- if you grew up a witness you believe your parents would not lie to you AND they tell you the JW's know everything.

  • OUTLAW
    OUTLAW

    The Society Says.."If your happy and you know it clap your hands!"...OUTLAW

  • drew sagan
    drew sagan

    The fact that the JWs allways have the Watchtower on top in their minds is exactly the reason why I think that we can NEVER let ourselves get into arguements with JWs by using the Bible. It's just no darn good. The Watchtower is allways on top of the Bible in their minds.

    It is the Watchtower that is their scripture. Even the way they study proves it. Have you ever noticed how they say 'There's a scripture cited in the paragraph to back up the point being made'. I've heard this 1000 times by JWs who insist that their books are saying the same things as the Bible. But what comes first??? It's the point being made in the Watchtower publication! That's what they are trying to get across. The Bible quote is only there to 'Back it up'. They never actually STUDY and READ THE CONTEXT of these 'proof texts', they are just there to back up the more important point, the point the book is making.

  • Nathan Natas
    Nathan Natas

    Instead of saying 'the Society teaches,' many Witnesses prefer to use such expressions as, 'the Bible says,' or, 'I understand the Bible to teach.'

    and WHY?

    Well, because that's what THE SOCIETY says to do, that's why!

  • HappyDad
    HappyDad

    Does anyone remember how the "society" said that new scrolls would be opened in "that time"? Not sure if they were refering to Rev. 20:12 where is says: "....and scrolls were opened." And they also applied Daniel 12: 9 to this. "Go, Daniel, because the words are made secret and sealed up until the time of the end. "

    But the gist of what we believed was that the Watchtower magazine and teaching were these "new scrolls." Kind of like "the NEW Bible" so to speak. What they should have paid attention to is Rev. 22: 18 & 19.

    What a crock!

    HappyDad

  • TheKings
    TheKings

    "The fact that the JWs allways have the Watchtower on top in their minds is exactly the reason why I think that we can NEVER let ourselves get into arguements with JWs by using the Bible. It's just no darn good. The Watchtower is allways on top of the Bible in their minds."

    yes, that's so true...although they think differently.

    "But the gist of what we believed was that the Watchtower magazine and teaching were these "new scrolls." Kind of like "the NEW Bible" so to speak. What they should have paid attention to is Rev. 22: 18 & 19."

    just like the so-called apochryphal canons (sp)

  • blondie
    blondie

    The WTS has significantly reduced the number of times it uses the phrase "the Society" to the point that the WT 2005 has no references to that phrase. I have seen JWs now try to convince non-JWs that "the Society" is only a publishing company and is not the organization and is not in charge. But that has not always been the case.

    Blondie

  • TheKings
    TheKings

    well it would be nice if they would make up their bloody minds what they are and what they teach :p ! all that fickle reasoning leaves one doubting ipso facto.

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