JW Articles Loaded with Intentional Imbedded Misleading Clauses...

by freemindfade 13 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

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  freemindfade

  This makes me fume while I sit listening to this at the sunday beeting...

  "Hence, an elder who is tenderly compassionate does not try to control the sheep, making rules or using guilt to pressure them to do more when their circumstances do not permit them to.-w15 2/15 pp. 5-9

  Now this sentence makes the elders sound like they should not control, use guilt to pressure etc... but then it has a qualifying statement no one seems to hear. WHEN THEIR CIRCUMSTANCES DO NO PERMIT THEM TO. That means they CAN try to control and pressure with guilt anyone who they feel should do more AND has (in their opinion) the circumstances. I hate this kind of stuff. When you read the article on JW.org about "Do Jehovah's Witnesses Shun?" To an outside it sounds like the witnesses are so loving and balanced, but it is loaded with this type of witness legalistic code language.

  Who can't see this as obvious deception? Everyone commenting gobbles it up as so loving and no one mentions the qualifying part... CULT
  
  
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  OneEyedJoe

  And who is the judge of what someone's circumstances permit? Why, the elders, of course!

  This sentence isn't meant to say that the elders should be kind to the congregation. It's meant to tell the r/f that if they feel pressured, it means that they have the circumstances that allow them to do more, but they're too lazy/selfish/sinful/unworthy that they're not doing enough.
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  Scully

  It points very clearly to a fundamental problem among the JWs: they do NOT know the circumstances of their fellow JWs all that well. They don't have time because they are too focused on their own Meeting Attendance™ and getting their Personal Study™ done and making sure their own Field Service™ hours are up to expectations. Socializing is not actively encouraged by the WTS, so that strong friendships are forged, but rather superficial JW-centric acquaintances.

  Have you ever noticed that once someone moves away from the Congregation™, that very soon they are forgotten? That phone calls dwindle off, and visiting is confined to superficial chatter at Circuit Assemblies™ and District Conventions™. If I had a dollar for every time a former JW Friend™ told me they missed me, but they've been far Too Busy In the Truth™ to call, I'd have about $250.

  How on earth is anyone able to have the kind of knowledge about others necessary to know what their "circumstances permit" without opportunities for and encouragement of the kind of social activities that promote strong bonds with others?
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  Scully

  Oh and by the way, the WTS might be saying that they don't want Elders™ to use guilt trips or pressure tactics on JWs, because the WTS already has the market cornered on that.
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  steve2

  Elders operate on the principle of making sure you do something for your own good. It's like having your parents on your back throughout your entire adulthood.

  Loyal Witnesses never ever leave home because each Kingdom Hall has its own inbuilt parenting arrangement.
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  Oubliette

  FMF: great catch.

  Let's review: It's a cult!

  
  
  
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  stuckinarut2

  Indeed!

  The GB are masters at using "loaded language" with "qualifying" disclaimers.....
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  smiddy

  Religion is a tool used by some members of society to control other members of society .

  Nothing more , nothing less . And has been successful for thousands of years.

  smiddy
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  stillin

  A built-in escape hatch for those elders who wouldn't be elders without the fun of controlling others. Weasels!
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  freemindfade

  What this sentence really means in witnesses speak is if you are 100 years old, terminally I'll, or something similar, they won't pressure you to work harder for the org.