Dreamcatcher,
I suggest you learn how the WT indoctrination process works.
This is an excerpt taken from an article on Randall watters excellent web site found at this link. I recommend that anyone interested in studying with JWs read this.
I sure wish I had this type of information when they got me.
http://www.freeminds.org/history/communityfacility.htm
Whenever an interested person hesitates to get baptized because of feeling he does not yet know the complete theology of Jehovahs Witnesses, that one is told that it is a mistake to put off baptism. After all, once one comes to know Jehovah God and accepts his son as our saviour, what else is necessary for salvation? The rest will be learned later.
From this it can be appreciated that the indoctrination program is designed to give a person sufficient knowledge of the Bible to make a commitment to join the Witness religion, with the understanding that the learning process will continue after baptism. Never is there any suggestion that questioning of doctrine will be disallowed.
The Bible study program begins with the explanations of doctrinal matters. The truth is taught and that which is not true is presented superficially ma manner that seems to be true. However, as the weeks go by, the Witness conducting the study begins to bring up the subject of the organization, explaining all the fine and commendable points about the preaching work it does, the high moral standard it follows, etc. Naturally, this leads to discussions about that group of men who are responsible for directing this fine religious organization. Over a period of time the prospective convert is encouraged to consider the Societys leaders as possibly being the faithful and discreet slave appointed by Christ.
Having been allowed and encouraged to check Watchtower teachings with the Bible until the time he comes to believe that he is being taught the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, the prospective convert logically accepts the Witness leaders as being the faithful and discreet slave.
Now we are coming to the crucial period of transition from outspoken questioner to submissive follower. Having seemed to be proven truthful, the governing body is now seen to be trustworthy. Consequently there does not need to be the same degree of scrutiny and testing as there was in the beginning, does there? Now the convert believes he is safe from deception. Surely the faithful and discreet slave would adhere unerringly to the Word of God, just as Christ himself did.
The new convert is now vulnerable to being deceived. He is not making his membership decision on the basis that he fully knows the truth of the Bible. His commitment is based on his belief that he does not have to know the truth fully because he knows who the slave class is and they know the truth. Whereas it was previously the position that one must and can identify the real faithful and discreet slave on the basis that his teachings concur with the Bible truth, now the position is changed so that one can identify what is really the truth of Gods Word the Bible because it comes from the faithful and discreet slave.
Here we discern the ambiguity and duplicity of the Watch Tower organization. They correctly teach that every inspired expression is to be tested, even if it comes from an angel, as the apostle Paul said. That is because each one is directly accountable to God for what he believes. Each one must have his own faith. Even if they were part of the faithful and discreet slave, there must be a testing of their teachings by every Jehovahs Witness. Furthermore, any deviation from Scripture is properly subject to criticism by any Jehovahs Witness member. Galatians 1:8.
No prospective convert is forewarned about this change in the rules. It is abundantly clear that had each new member been told of this change, no one would become a Jehovahs Witness. Especially would this be the case if they were also told that disagreement with the so-called faithful and discreet slave would result in disfellowshipping from the church on the charge of apostasy. Therefore, the inducement to "buy" the faithful and discreet slave and become a member of the Watchtower movement and contribute to its growth is fraud.
Used as directed, the faithful and discreet slave makes faith so much easier. It is designed to simplify the task of thinking, similar to our household appliances making our domestic tasks less demanding in terms of time and effort. Bluntly put, use of the faithful and discreet slave allows Jehovahs Witnesses to check their brains in at the door of entrance to the Watchtower movement.
Part of the reason for the success of this strategy rests with the inherent need for security that humans have. It is reassuring to have someone take charge and look after our needs. People who are totally dependent on others to do their thinking and decision-making are like children and those they depend upon are like parents.
Interestingly, the Watch Tower Society portrays itself as mother to the religious association thereby setting the context of the church in a parent/child relationship with the general membership.
Edited by - chester on 21 October 2002 10:50:54
