Faithful people will tell you that unity worldwide is one of the identifying marks of the true religion. Jehovah’s Witnesses will especially point to the unity of belief “no matter where you go” as proof that they are God’s organization.
As I sat listening to the service meeting part last night about our “unified organization” it hit me…........ The largest group of unified people is within an Army. They speak the same language with unique terms, They are instructed to read the same books and manuals. They have the same educational programs, they have specific exercises or drills that are performed, and they look to a central command of senior officers for direction. They all have the same objective no matter what age, race or religion they are. Groups of Soldiers in an army are broken into smaller groups and sub groups, much like districts, circuits, congregations, field service groups. Each soldier serves oftentimes because he or she believes that they are part of something worth living or dying for.
If you decide to leave the army before your term is up you are called a deserter and marked as a traitor, if you choose to question procedure or policy you are punished, sometimes by members of your own unit. If you talk back too much you kill any chances of advancement. Many soldiers will comply because they know what the consequences are if they don’t. To put it very simply there is unity within an army, because it is mandated and enforced.
As Jehovah’s Witnesses we are taught that we are a “large army”. It is true. We serve with a higher power in mind and feel that we are part of something worth living or dying for. We are unified because there is only one place where we are allowed get our instructions, or our education and that is from senior management in Brooklyn/ Patterson. If you ask questions too much you will not advance, if you leave the “army” you will be punished and be accused of being a disloyal traitor.
Unity is present within the organization because it is enforced, it is not an organic spontaneous process from learning the truth about God.
SIAM