Watchtower Quotes on Mind-control

by OnTheWayOut 26 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

  • OnTheWayOut
    OnTheWayOut

    Many are not sure or deny that WTS is a dangerous mind-control cult. Here is some food for thought on the "dangerous mind-control" part of that. (Cut and pasted from http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=122936768817 Jehovah's Disfellowshipped Witnesses/Facebook)

    “God uses The Watchtower to communicate to his people: it does not consist of men's opinions”. - The Watchtower January 1, 1942 P 5

    “If we do not see a point at first we should keep trying to grasp it, rather than opposing and rejecting it and presumptuously taking the position that we are more likely to be right than the discreet slave.” - The Watchtower February 1, 1952 P 79-80

    “We should eat and digest and assimilate what is set before us, without shying away from parts of the food because it may not suit the fancy of our mental taste. We should meekly go along with the Lord's theocratic organization and wait for further clarification, rather than balk at the first mention of a thought unpalatable to us and proceed to quibble and mouth our criticisms and opinions as though they were worth more than the slave's provision of spiritual food. Theocratic ones will appreciate the Lord's visible organization and not be so foolish as to put against Jehovah's channel their own human reasoning and sentiment and personal feelings," - Watchtower Feb. 1, 1952, p. 79-80

    “If we have love for Jehovah and for the organization of his people we shall not be suspicious, but shall as the Bible says, 'believe all things’ all the things that the Watchtower brings out”. - Qualified to be Ministers 1955, Page 156

    “Newcomers must learn to fall in line with the principles and policies of the New World society and act in harmony with them. Sometimes it becomes rather difficult for some of our new associates to make the change. They are prone to be a little rebellious or unruly. But to become genuinely a part of the New World society it is imperative that proper respect for theocratic arrangement and order be shown. A humble, obedient mental attitude is required”. The Watchtower June 1, 1956 P 345

    “Showing respect for Jehovah's organization really resolves itself down to our attitude toward God's visible channel and the trust that we place in our proved, faithful brothers. If we have become thoroughly convinced that this is Jehovah's organization, that he is guiding and directing his people, then we shall not be unsettled by anything that happens. We will not 'forsake our mother's teaching' by immediately beginning to criticize and find fault”. - The Watchtower May 1, 1957 P 283-285

    “Respond to the directions of the organization as you would the voice of God”. - The Watchtower, June 15, 1957 P 370

    “Jehovah's witnesses, though international, are 'one heart and soul,' of the 'same mind' and the same line of thought”.The Watchtower August 1, 1960 P 474

    “In Jehovah's organization it is not necessary to spend a lot of time and energy in research, for there are brothers in the organization who are assigned to that very thing”. - The Watchtower June 1, 1967 P 338

    “It is true that some points are difficult to grasp at first, but instead of complaining or arguing about them, it may be better to leave it alone for a while, waiting further clarification. We must avoid complaining even about small things”. - The Watchtower August 1, 1967 p 469-470

    “The Bible cannot be properly understood without Jehovah's visible organization in mind”. - The Watchtower October 1, 1967 p 587

    “.... [Jehovah's Witnesses] must recognize and accept this appointment of the "faithful and discreet slave" and be submissive to it”. - The Watchtower October 1, 1967 P 590

    “The Watchtower study conductor, who presides over this meeting, has an important responsibility. This study enables all to be united in the same line of thought”. - The Watchtower August 1, 1972 P 458

    “At times, some bring to the attention of the "slave" class various doctrinal or organizational matters that they feel ought to be revised. The proper spirit after offering suggestions is to be content to leave the matter to the prayerful consideration of the mature brothers directing the work in Jehovah's organization. But if those making the suggestions are not content with that and continue to dispute the subject in the congregations with a view to getting others to support them, what then? That would create divisions, and could subvert the faith of some”. - The Watchtower June 1, 1982 p 20

    “Fight Against Independent Thinking [...] How is such independent thinking manifested? A common way is by questioning the counsel that is provided by God's visible organization”. – The Watchtower 1/15/83 p. 22

    “Avoid Independent Thinking. Avoid questioning the counsel that is provided by God's visible organization.” - The Watchtower January 15, 1983 P22

    “Such thinking is an evidence of pride. […] If we get to thinking that we know better than the organization, we should ask ourselves: "Where did we learn Bible truth in the first place? Would we know the way of the truth if it had not been for guidance from the organization? Really, can we get along without the direction of God's organization? No, we cannot!” - The Watchtower 1/15/83 p. 27

    “Some who point out that the organization has had to make some adjustments before, and so they argue: "This shows that we have to make up our own mind on what to believe." This is independent thinking. Why is it so dangerous? […] Fight against independent thinking”. - The Watchtower January 15, 1983 p 27

    “Although walking with confidence in Jehovah's leadership may not be easy at times...To turn away from Jehovah and his organization, to spurn the direction of the 'faithful and discreet slave,' and to rely simply on personal Bible reading and interpretation is to become like a solitary tree in a parched land”. - The Watchtower June 1, 1985 Page 20

    “Why is reading apostate publications similar to reading pornographic literature?” - The Watchtower March 15, 1986 Issue, P14

    “Beware of those who try to put forward their own contrary opinions”. The Watchtower March 15, 1986 P 17

    “First of all, there is the matter of being obedient […] one feature of 'the wisdom from above' is being 'ready to obey.' […] Due to background and upbringing, some may be more given to independent thinking and self-will than others. Perhaps this is an area where we need to discipline ourselves and 'make our mind over' so that we can perceive more clearly what the 'will of God' is”. The Watchtower February 1, 1987 P 19

    “Discipline may come from someone else. It may come as a look, a frown, a word, a gesture”. – The Watchtower 10-1-87, p. 18

    “In the morning, we will receive some timely instruction warning us against […] going astray in matters of food and drink, grooming, and recreation”. - The Watchtower 5/1/1989 p 29

    "In the world, there is a tendency to reject leadership. As one lecturer said:‘the rising education level has improved the talent pool such that followers have become so critical that they are almost impossible to lead.' But a spirit of independent thinking does not prevail in God's organization, and we have sound reasons for confidence in the men taking the lead among us." - The Watchtower September 15, 1989 P 23

    “We need to show respect for the direction of the elders even in small matters. So we might ask ourselves: Am I receptive when elders give direction on seat saving at conventions, our manner of dress, and so forth?" The Watchtower 9/15/1989 p 25

    "Avoid Going Astray" in the area of food and drink, dress and grooming, Extreme styles of dress - immodest, bizarre, outlandish, even shocking - must be avoided. Sloppy, overly casual, or tight fitting clothes are out of place. The issue is not whether a style is fashionable, but whether it is appropriate”. - The Watchtower 1/15/1990 p 26

    “Since the Bible does not mention abstinence from beverages containing caffeine, the decision about coffee or tea must be made individually”. - The Watchtower 2/15/1990 p 29

    “As loyal servants of Jehovah, why would we even want to peek at the propaganda put out by rejecters of Jehovah's table?” - The Watchtower July 1, 1994 P 12-13

    “If some tinge of doubt about Jehovah[‘s] organization has begun to linger in your heart, act quickly to rout out of the mind any tendency to complain, to be dissatisfied with the way things are done in the congregation. Cut off anything that feeds such doubts." - The Watchtower 2/1/96

    “Rather than being critical, let us maintain a spiritually healthy view of the information received through personal study and congregation meetings”. - The Watchtower September 15, 2002 P 16-18

    “Strong faith, in turn, fortifies us to obey Jehovah, even when his requirements seem to go contrary to human reasoning”. The Watchtower October 1, 2002 P 16

  • OnTheWayOut
  • Mickey mouse
  • wha happened?
    wha happened?

    “Since the Bible does not mention abstinence from beverages containing caffeine, the decision about coffee or tea must be made individually”. - The Watchtower 2/15/1990 p 29

    ok so then what about the million other things not mentioned in the bible that the WT tries to control or restrict?

  • yesidid
    yesidid

    Thank you OTWO.

    That's great stuff.

    It's really a waste of time trying to discuss their cultic ways without having direct WT quotes.

    Thanks for providing those.

    .

  • yesidid
    yesidid

    wha happened,

    That is a great quote. As you point out there would be a hundred instances, the blood doctrine, being one,

    where they make rules without Biblical support.

    That quote:

    “Since the Bible does not mention abstinence from beverages containing caffeine, the decision about coffee or tea must be made individually”. - The Watchtower 2/15/1990 p 29.

    could be used against them in any of those arguments.

  • wantstoleave
    wantstoleave

    Are there any more recent articles? I notice alot of those mentioned date way back. I wonder if they have changed their stance on some of those things since?

  • Hopscotch
    Hopscotch

    I just read this a few minutes ago in an article in an article on mind programming. I thought it was very appropriate for this topic.

    "It is important to protect your assets and everyone gets that.
    Unfortunately, many fail to recognize the importance of one of their most important assets--their own mind." - Eldon Taylor PhD

    Hopscotch

  • boyzone
    boyzone

    Thanks for these quotes OTWO. I've just started a college course in Psychology and you've helped me to demonstrate how the manipulation of JW thinking takes place. Printed out and ready for class - thanks!

  • BabaYaga
    BabaYaga
    Newcomers must learn to fall in line with the principles and policies of the New World society

    Wow.

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