WHY are Watchtower leaders OBSCURANTIST and how can we fight them effectively?

by Terry 38 Replies latest watchtower bible

• 

  Terry

  To read and understand this topic you will need to know two things.

  Following my telling you these two things you'll need to sit and think about them before you react and respond.

  ************

  1. Understand what OBSCURANTISTS are and what they do and why .

  2. Decide if want to be effective in refraiming your identity (the label given to you) as an ex-Jehovah's Witness in fighting them

  __________________

  Watchtower Society OBSCURANTIST leaders

  Obscurantists practice deliberately preventing the facts or the full details of some matter from becoming known.

  How?

  (1) deliberately restricting knowledge—opposition to the spread of knowledge a policy of withholding knowledge from the public ; and,

  (2) deliberate obscurity or style characterized by deliberate vagueness.

  ____________________________

  What important issues are at stake when dealing with and defeating WTS Obscurantists?

  Friedrich Nietzsche said:

  "The essential element in the black art of obscurantism is not that it wants to darken individual understanding, but that it wants to blacken our picture of the world, and darken our idea of existence."

  _________________________________

  The view of the world promoted by Jehovah's Witnesses is the view taught to them by the Governing Body through Watchtower publications.

  This view of the world is dark, hopless and doomed. (Note: this world is called 'system of things.')

  The phony alternative world is the New World under THEIR leadership (i.e. Jesus' Kingdom rule established in 1914)

  _____________________

  Please take a moment to reflect on what has been stated above before continuing. I'll wait . . . .

  ____________________

  How do Obscurantists go about their ideology?

  In restricting knowledge to an elite ruling class (Governing Body of anointed) of "the few", obscurantism is fundamentally undemocratic , because its

  component anti-intellectualism (condemning higher education) and elistism (only special "anointed" know) exclude the people as intellecutally unworthy of

  knowing the facts and truth. (The GB say the Bible was only written for THEM and God's promises had THEM in mind.)

  ***

  Jehovah's Witnesses are not allowed to decide what they will learn.

  They are not allowed to go outside of the Watchtower Publications.

  The are not allowed to consult with highly educated authorities or read their texts.

  They are told the "meaning" of news, world events, and political happenings ONLY in terms

  of the special artificial theology of the Watchtower.)

  Former members (us) are described as mentally diseased boogey men totally hellbent on deceiving them by spewing hate. (i.e. Apostates).

  ****

  Obscurantists take advantage of natural prejudices in their members and their lack of education.

  They encourage ignorant members to sneer at ideas (such as Evolution and homosexuality) which require a broader experience.

  Obscurantists manipulate the baser instincts and encourage disdain for others' views by ridiculing them.

  ****

  Obscurantists encourage CENSORSHIP by limiting ideas and sources, and by making certain thoughts UNthinkable. (Mind Control.)

  ***

  UNDERSTANDING THE CONCEPT OF THE NOBLE LIE

  Plato first introduced the idea of a Noble Lie as a myth or white lie , often, but not invariably,

  of a religious nature, knowingly told by an ELITE to maintain social harmony or to advance an agenda.

  Jehovah's Witnesses are completely founded on a NOBLE LIE of the Faithful and Discreet Slave being channelers of TRUTH.

  By using this myth, the members are forced to accept any and every opinion offered as though it came from the mouth of Jehovah.

  How does an "anointed" KNOW he has been gifted with this sacred status? THE ANSWER IS OBSCURE: they just know.

  **

  These mysterious ELITE ANOINTED GB get to tell every other member of their society what they SHOULD and must do to fulfill their roles

  as well as plainly describing the consequences if the refuse.

  ________________________

  OBSCURANTISM and TYRANNY go together

  In totalitarian society, people cannot be allowed to question the Elite or the strict controls would vanish.

  A Society ruled by Logic and Intelligence is an Intellectual regime where the better idea wins over the lesser ones.

  A Society rules by Tyrants is presented as a MORAL one punishing thought crimes.

  ___________________

  OBSCURANTISTS use ESOTERIC TEXTS which they alone are allowed to INTERPRET

  The use of the Bible and a special interpretation of it's authoratative source (God) sets the ELITE above any member's own intelligence or reasoning.

  Whereas, a man of great ideas forces others to think . . .

  Obscurantist Esoteric texts force others to OBEY without question.

  In everyday life, contradictions indicate errors, but in esoteric texts the interpreters can gloss over contradiction with elite hogwash excuses.

  _____________________

  HOW can we recognize OBSCURANTISTS at work?

  They reject verifiability, falsifiability, or logical non-contradiction as a test of truth.

  (Note: when criticized for setting false dates for Armageddon, the Obscurantist Watchtower elite change the subject

  from veracity to 'honest intention' i.e. "we were over-eager for God's promises to be fulfilled."

  _________________________

  TEST: Does your religious leader ask you to "think and decide" or "accept and obey without question"?

  ______________________

  WHAT IS OUR RESPONSE?

  HOW DO WE FIGHT BACK?

  If we are called APOSTATE, we must immediately clarify the true meaning of the word:

  WE LEFT JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES because they are a CULT of FALSE PROPHETS.

  ______________

  ARE WE ANTI-OBSCURANTISTS as well?

  1. Identify the Watchtower Society as a pseudo-scientific hoax

  2. Describe the Watchtower Doctrines as a pastiche of amateur chronology, End Times fanaticism, and left over 19th century Adventism

  3. Explain why the Jehovah's Witnesses are a Tyrannical social construct driven by Elites using the Noble Lie to control others by Fear.

  4. Plainly state to any who inquire how cherry picked references, grandiose quotations, and outright nonsense form the foundation of doctrine.

  5. Identify the anti-science, anti-education, and anti-intellectual content of Governing Body policies enforced on members

  6. Shine a spotlight on the Governing Body PATERNALISM which limits the group's liberty and autonomy for that person's or group's own good.

  7. Boldly criticize Watchtower DOUBLESPEAK.

  Doublespeak is language that deliberately disguises, distorts, or reverses the ACTUAL meaning of words in everyday society.

  It may also refer to intentional ambiguity in language or to actual inversions of meaning. (i.e. changing a doctrine literal when it is spiritual).

  _____________________________

  CALL TO ACTION

  ________________________

  At the beginning of this top I wrote:

  1. Understand what OBSCURANTISTS are and what they do and why.

  2. Decide if want to be effective in refraiming your identity (the label given to you) as an ex-Jehovah's Witness in fighting them.
• 

  Giordano

  It seems to me that under the Obscurantist obedient witnesses' find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that does not exist.
• 

  Quendi

  A good synopsis, Terry, of what JW-dom is all about. Reading it, I got angry that I let myself be led by the nose for so many years. With a few notable exceptions, I have no contact with Jehovah's Witnesses or their organization these days and am all the happier for it. That has meant almost no opportunities to directly oppose their doctrines and way of life. Since I'm disfellowshipped, I believe that will always be the case since most of the Witnesses I do know shun me. For me, living well is the strongest statement I can make about my disdain for this cult, but should the occasion arise when I can vocalize my opposition, I won't hesitate to do so.

  Quendi
• 

  myelaine

  "Doublespeak is language that deliberately disguises, distorts, or reverses the ACTUAL meaning of words in everyday society."

  As a "society distinct from secularisim...The WTBTS is a willing victim and proponent of this doublespeak. It isn't exclusive to the WTBTS but from the beginning of that sect their "water" was tainted. Revelation 8:10-11

  love michelle
• 

  Finkelstein

  Good write up Terry

  Explains clearly how and why the WTS. wants to selectively control information to its followers.

  You cant understand the bible and its interpretive meanings without them. Why ? Because we have been directly chosen to do so by god himself.... etc.

  Its are interpretations that are going to save humanity from destruction.

  Where will you find these correct interpretations, in are literature of course.

  At the end of its all its about complete power and control, control people's minds and thoughts and you control those people's social behavior.

  The all important step to do that though is getting into their minds by stealth indoctrination, the WTS accomplishes that by its published literature.
• 

  TheOldHippie

  "Jehovah's Witnesses are not allowed to decide what they will learn.

  They are not allowed to go outside of the Watchtower Publications.

  The are not allowed to consult with highly educated authorities or read their texts."

  ......................

  I think, my friend, that you are somewhat gloomy. Sitting here with my pc after a couple of drinks and a bottle of wine, I read the lines you have written, and I know that nobody tells me what I am to learn or not, that I read whatever I want to read, right now McBirnie's "The search for the twelve apostles", and that I constantly read and consult with what present-day theology and history and biology have to tell.

  We are in fact, some of us, educated people, following what is taking place within theological and other research, and I quite simply am so unhappy about this black and white picture that is painted.

  Scorned by the traditionalists that one is too liberal. Scorned by the have-been-there's that one is not liberal enough.
• 

  OUTLAW

  .

  How can you fight the WBT$ Effectively?!..

  YOU CAN`T..

  The WBT$ "KICKED ASS" with "JW.ORG" and they have plenty of JWs who are Happy where they are..

  Pretending to have a Plan,to take the WBT$ Down,is Narcissistic and Self Indulgent..

  Your wasting time and resources..

  .

  The best anyone can do is to expose the WBT$,help the people who want to escape the WBT$..

  AND..

  Provide information,so people are less likely to Join the WBT$..

  .

  Anyone who thinks they`re going to Take the WBT$ Down..

  Hasn`t Been Paying Attention..

  .

  ............................................................... ....WBT$ "JW.ORG" SAVED THE WBT$..

  ...........................................................THE WBT$ "IS" BACK JACK AND THATS A FACT..

  .............

  ....

  ..........................

  ......................................................................................................................................................OUTLAW
• 

  3rdgen

  I was thinking along the lines of Outlaw when I read this post. My definition of fighting against the WBT$ might be different than someone elses. Simply helping a JW to think by asking a single well thought out question is more effective than a hundred protesters at a convention. Using confrontational language to a dub is counterproductive and plays into their notion of apostates being dangerous.
• 

  Terry

  "Jehovah's Witnesses are not allowed to decide what they will learn.

  They are not allowed to go outside of the Watchtower Publications.

  The are not allowed to consult with highly educated authorities or read their texts."

  ......................

  I think, my friend, that you are somewhat gloomy. Sitting here with my pc after a couple of drinks and a bottle of wine, I read the lines you have written, and I know that nobody tells me what I am to learn or not, that I read whatever I want to read, right now McBirnie's "The search for the twelve apostles", and that I constantly read and consult with what present-day theology and history and biology have to tell.

  _______________________________________________

  The GB's elitism shines through in articles such as this:

  “Thus the Bible is an organizational book and belongs to the Christian congregation as an organization, not to individuals , regardless of how sincerely they may believe that they can interpret the Bible . For this reason the Bible cannot be properly understood without Jehovah’s visible organization in mind .”— The Watchtower, October 1, 1967, p. 587

  “ We all need help to understand the Bible , and we cannot find the Scriptural guidance we need outside the ‘faithful and discreet slave’ organization .”— The Watchtower, February 15, 1981, p. 19

  ________________________

  Slowly, like an anaconda tightening around its victim, the Watchtower has made this ever more and more clear:

  “ Does ‘the faithful and discreet slave’ [Watchtower organization] endorse independent groups of Witnesses who meet together to engage in Scriptural research or debate? —Matt. 24:45, 47. No, it does not. And yet, in various parts of the world, a few associates of our organization have formed groups to do independent research on Bible-related subjects . Some have pursued an independent group study of Biblical Hebrew and Greek so as to analyze the accuracy of the New World Translation. …They have also held conferences and produced publications to present their findings and to supplement what is provided at our Christian meetings and through our literature. … Thus, ‘the faithful and discreet slave’ does not endorse any literature, meetings, or Web sites that are not produced or organized under its oversight … For those who wish to do extra Bible study and research, we recommend that they explore Insight on the Scriptures, ‘All Scripture Is Inspired of God and Beneficial,’ and our other publications ….”— Kingdom Ministry, September 2007, p. 3

  __________________________

  How about this crazy one?

  “They say that it is sufficient to read the bible exclusively , either alone or in small groups at home . But, strangely, through such ‘Bible reading,’ they have reverted right back to the apostate doctrines that commentaries by Christendom’s clergy were teaching 100 years ago…”— The Watchtower, August 15, 1981, pp. 28-29

  ______________________________________________

  I like this survey from Cedar's site:

  
• 

  Terry

  Pretending to have a Plan,to take the WBT$ Down,is Narcissistic and Self Indulgent..

  Your wasting time and resources..

  ________________________________

  Martin Niemöller (1892–1984) was a prominent Protestant pastor who emerged as an outspoken public foe of Adolf Hitler and spent the last seven years of Nazi rule in concentration camps.

  Niemöller is perhaps best remembered for the quotation:

  First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
  Because I was not a Socialist.

  Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
  Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

  Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
  Because I was not a Jew.

  Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

  ____________________

  It was Neville Chamberlain who would be best remembered as the champion of the Munich Pact, having met privately with Hitler at Berchtesgaden, the dictator's mountaintop retreat, before the Munich conference. Chamberlain, convinced that Hitler's territorial demands were not unreasonable (and that Hitler was a "gentleman"), persuaded the French to join him in pressuring Czechoslovakia to submit to the Fuhrer's demands. Upon Hitler's invasion of Poland a year later, Chamberlain was put in the embarrassing situation of announcing that a "state of war" existed between Germany and Britain. By the time Hitler occupied Norway and Denmark, Chamberlain was finished as a credible leader. "Depart, I say, and let us have done with you!" one member of Parliament said to him, quoting Oliver Cromwell. Winston Churchill would succeed him as prime minister soon afterwards.