http://settingtherecordstraight.wordpress.com/category/don-cameron-a-captive-of-misconcepts/
The above link connects to a Blog site titled:
Setting the record straight's Blog
One of Jehovah's Witnesses
(Please read this BEFORE my own redacted version.)
On this particular site, the author sets forth Apologia on behalf of the Watchtower Society.
In particular, his polemic deals with the book: Captives of a Concept. (as) Don Cameron: A Captive of MISconcepts
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We take up with Chapter 6. Cameron's words are quoted:
Page 48:
" But again, it is not an abstract the organization that decides what everyone else must believe. Prior to 1976 it was the president who made those decisions. Since 1976 a small governing body of men has made them. In actual practice then, the various terms used for God’s organization refer to these men who are hidden behind those terms."
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The Blogger commences his Apologia followed by my comments in smaller text.
The May 15, 1925, issue of The Watchtower said: “All holy angels are a part of God’s organization.”
Additionally, it said: “At the head of God’s organization, possessing all power and authority, [is] the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Matthew 28:18)
Hence, in its broadest sense, God’s organization is made up of all those in heaven and on earth who work together to do God’s will, not “a small
governing body of men” as Cameron alleges and would have his readers believe.
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Two points here: 1. What an organization is "composed of" is hardly the same thing as who its actual leaders are. 2.The Nazis were a National Socialist Party composed of thousands of persons.
Does this mean their unswerving loyalty was not commanded by Hitler?
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If before 1976 there wasn’t a governing body(according to Cameron) but yet there were other religions who believed the “same things” as Jehovah’s
Witnesses, how can Cameron assert that Jehovah’s Witnesses only believe what “a small governing body of men” tell them when other religions have
the “same” beliefs? There is no doubt other religions that had similar beliefs to Jehovah’s Witnesses “before and after 1919” arrived at their own
conclusions independently from the Watchtower Society. But yet, when Jehovah’s Witnesses believe the “same things” Cameron says it is only
because the governing body is telling them to believe them.
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This is like saying Beethovens 5th Symphony cannot be called completely unique because the notes contained therein have been used in every other
composer's works prior. The Governing Body are the composers, arrangers and conductors of the Jehovah's Witness orthodoxy during this period of
time from 1942 until now.
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I can assure you, it is not merely because “their leaders demanded unquestioning trust and submission to their directions.” Primarily, if their belief
system wasn’t based on the Bible truths then it is obvious they didn’t have “God’s backing.”
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This assumes facts not in evidence. To wit: that other religion's interpretations have God's backing or that the Watchtower Society has God's backing.
The extraordinary number of denominations calling themselves Christian certainly demonstrates there in no practical normative "christianity.'
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Secondly, they (other denominations) formed in the 1930’s and 50’s, meaning that they would have missed the ‘Parousia’ of Christ and
therefore, couldn’t have even been inspected in 1918-9.
They were not preaching the Good News of the Kingdom of God and were not feeding Christ’s other
sheep. These points brought up are just some of the Biblical requirements showing who would have “God’s backing” and approval.
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Again, assuming facts not in evidence (merely asserted). To wit: That any "parousis" of christ ever took place. That any denomination was, in fact, inspected.
That the preaching was or wasn't Good news. That the author is competent to declare factually what is or isn't "God's approval" above any other opinion.
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Jehovah’s Witnesses are encouraged to “make sure of all things” and “hold fast to what is fine”, not merely to “give…unquestioning trust and
submission.” (1 Thessalonians 5:21) Once again, ... a false and misleading representation and image of Jehovah’s Witnesses ...
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It would stretch credulity to the breaking point to suggest any Jehovah's Witness gets to "make sure" of anything beyond what is printed by the Watchtower.
The mere questioning of established and official Theocratic Dogma will result in being "marked" and counseled not to "run ahead" or "spread divisions" among the brothers.
Such persons usually end up disfellowshipped and labeled "apostate" and mentally diseased!
Why did I post this reference to a Watchtower Apologist blog?
It is highly instructive as to what passes for keen intelligence in rebuttal and clear thinking for JW's, for one thing. Secondly, the inability to pinpoint foundational arguments by clearly establishing facts into evidence is telling. Why? Because JW's, I would say, are so accustomed to accepting assertion as proof it becomes second nature.
I would encourage your own additional factual rebuttal and when we're done I'll send the author a Hyperlink to this topic!