Speculation

RebelWife

Does the word "speculate" have some special, derogatory meaning for JWs?

megaflower

Not that I am aware of. I was in that darn cult for 20 years and never came across it.

The Gibbering Body loves to speculate on the date of Armageddon, but speculation on the same topic by individual dubs is strongly discourages because it's a bit too close to independent thinking.

Of course, the Gibberning Body doesn't even claim any further degree of spirit direction than any other Dub can hope to attain, so why they're allowed to speculate and we're not is anyone's guess.

I propose that they're all insane. :D

Gopher

We were told not to speculate about details of the "new system" -- like would there be cars, would there be TV, etc. We were supposed to just worry about getting there.

knock knock

If it's used with reference to them then to speculate is a good thing. If applied to "the world" then the world can only speculate, they have no REAL knowledge. It is as all things dub, good for dubs, bad for others. Of course I'm merely speculating.

jamiebowers

Speculation can cause thinking independent of the WTB&TS, so it is discouraged.

WTWizard

Speculation usually leads to thinking. And if one thinks, one can count the costs and benefits of being "faithful" when the end comes, and of remaining in whether or not the religion is basically true. Usually, it leads to people deciding that it is not worth it, regardless of whether or not it is the truth.

A certain amount of speculation is healthy. If one speculates, one is going to explore the possibilities and come up with one opinion about it. It is usually wrong, but it is one tool to help one think about what lies ahead. As for whether there will be cars or not, I don't think there will be anything there but Dark Ages conditions based on what I have seen come from the Filthful and Disgraceful Slavebugger.

blondie

*** w00 5/1 p. 12 par. 19 Firmly Uphold Godly Teaching ***Discernment is also vital on the part of elders when called upon to assist those who speak unwisely. (2 Timothy 2:7) At times, congregation members may get caught up in disputes about trifles and speculative arguments. To protect the unity of the congregation, elders should be quick to address such problems

*** w75 6/15 p. 380 pars. 20-21 Looking to the Future with Confidence ***Therefore, we have no need to speculate about details that are not supplied by the Scriptures, but, rather, to be willing to wait upon Jehovah instead of fretting or becoming disturbed over such matters. Why speculate about who will be resurrected, how children will be cared for, what type of houses will be built, whether we will use machines, and suchlike questions. If we really needed to know these things, Jehovah would have provided the answers.

Rather than speculating on the unknown, how much better it is to concentrate on the thrilling things the Bible does say.

*** w62 6/15 p. 381 Avoid Unprofitable Questions ***
Handling God’s Word of truth aright requires that we discern between profitable and unprofitable questions. Naturally we have questions about the past, present and future. In the Bible Jehovah has provided authentic answers to the questions that properly concern us at this time. Sometimes secular history can fill us in on details not given in the Bible. But there are other questions to which neither the Bible nor profane history provides an answer. It is not wise or safe for us to speculate about questions of that nature.
For example, in all good faith one might ask, What was Jehovah doing before he created Jesus, by whom he made all other things? If Adam and Eve had repented, would God have forgiven them? What happened to the bodies of those who perished in the Flood? Did the expensive gifts brought to the babe Jesus make Joseph and Mary rich for the rest of their lives? What did Jesus do between the ages of twelve and thirty besides his carpentering? How would Jehovah have redeemed the race if Jesus had not proved faithful? Exactly how long did Jesus’ trip to heaven take? Much time could be spent conjecturing on such matters.
Likewise it is possible to spend valuable time speculating on matters concerning the future. One might ask, In what year will Armageddon begin? Will the faithful angels eventually receive immortality? Will there be factories and machines in use after Armageddon? Will men wear beards again? What will be the medium of exchange in the new world? Will women now past the age of childbearing share in the procreation mandate? If dedicated parents and children happen to die before Armageddon, which parent will raise the resurrected children, since resurrected mates will not remarry? (Luke 20:35) These are typical questions to which Jehovah has not provided answers at this time. Do you think it wise for Christians to take time from more profitable Bible study to speculate on the answers? Consider the dangers involved .

logic

Notwithstanding God’s power to keep the "knowledge of the times or seasons ... in his own jurisdiction," many still like to speculate. Some become self-appointed prophets of doom. For this reason the apostle Paul gave specific instruction to the Thessalonians regarding the danger of listening to those who speculate about dates. He wrote: "We request of you not to be quickly shaken from your reason nor to be excited either through an inspired expression or through a verbal message or through a letter as though from us, to the effect that the day of Jehovah is here. Let no one seduce you in any manner."—2Thessalonians 2:1-3.

Awake 98/ 5/8