Room215, my first commenter. Yes, I thought this topic would stir up more immediate reactions. I almost vomited when I first perused this article. Once again, Hyprocrisy with a capital H raises its head. I treasure those WTS quotes about not associating with the "weak." When I would ask the elders why the cliques and lack of "widening out" in the congregation, the elders would say that not everyone in the congregation was "good association." This then assumes if you do not fit in socially you must be spiritually weak. Couldn’t it be that it is the spiritually weak that do not reach out to others?
Hi, undercover. That information was in the 1/15/03 WT that was studied 2/23/03 (see review). Page 13, paragraph 16 says, "We may be depressed because we are facing several serious problems. Instead of viewing them as one major plight, we may be able to resolve them one at a time by applying Bible principles. This may help to lessen our depression. Balanced activity and adequate rest may also be helpful. One thing is sure: Faith in God and his Word promotes spiritual well-being because it strengthens our conviction that he really cares about us."
Just about every WT article on depression mentions depression as an emotional disorder that can be treated with better nutrition and rest. An example:
10/22/81 Awake p
26 Attacking Major Depression—Professional TreatmentsScientists have found that other nutritional deficiencies cause such symptoms as depression, nervous irritability, fatigue and personality changes.
3/1/90 WT
p. 4 You Can Find Joy in a Depressing World!In some cases depression has physiological causes, such as disease, nutritional deficiencies, and hormonal problems. It may also be a reaction to some toxins, pollutants, medications, and allergens. However, the Bible reveals that one’s own "disquieting thoughts" also may be a cause.—Psalm 94:19.
Hi foreword. You are correct in that Jesus was not interested in what people appeared to be on the outside. He said to the Pharisees:
Matthew 23 (Message Bible)
25 "You're hopeless, you religion scholars and Pharisees! Frauds! You burnish the surface of your cups and bowls so they sparkle in the sun, while the insides are maggoty with your greed and gluttony. 26 Stupid Pharisee! Scour the insides, and then the gleaming surface will mean something.
27 "You're hopeless, you religion scholars and Pharisees! Frauds! You're like manicured grave plots, grass clipped and the flowers bright, but six feet down it's all rotting bones and worm-eaten flesh. 28 People look at you and think you're saints, but beneath the skin you're total frauds.
Thanks, ascot. So speaks one with a legal background. Weren’t the Pharisees lawyers? How best to answer the WTS, spiritual Pharisees, then with their own words. I’ll be thinking of you with your occasional attendances.
Hi happyman. Yes, it is true that the rank and file do not follow the words in the WT let alone the ones in the Bible. But then JWs are taught to put the words of the FDS above the Bible since the FDS say they are the only channel to Bible understanding. I have had the "privilege" of association with many of the anointed, GB, COs and DOs and I can say without any doubt that they are as bad if not worse than the average, ordinary JW. They supposedly have the Bible training, yet do not provide the example to follow. Nonetheless, Jesus’ life is in the Bible and his example is the one JWs should follow.
Another scripture from Jesus to the Pharisees which the WTS and its representatives resemble closely:
Matthew 23 (Message Bible)Religious Fashion Shows
1 Now Jesus turned to address his disciples, along with the crowd that had gathered with them. 2 "The religion scholars and Pharisees are competent teachers in God's Law. 3 You won't go wrong in following their teachings on Moses. But be careful about following them. They talk a good line, but they don't live it. They don't take it into their hearts and live it out in their behavior. It's all spit-and-polish veneer.
Hey minimus, my dancing friend. Man, you have been on TV a lot lately. The residual commerical checks must be flowing in. No overseer for me. Sounds like a slave master. No slaves on this board. I can be a WT translator. Imagine as the conductor speaks, I would be translating on the side into what the WT really means. See my response to undercover above. This was in the 1/15/03 WT study article.
Good summary, Beans. If you looked in the dictionary under "hypocrisy" you would see a WT.
Thanks, lollydawdle. I see you are a new visitor. Welcome and welcome to my review. If you have any insights or experiences to add, please do. That goes for you too foreward. I remember my newbie days.
Maverick, so you too have been a "happy" traveler visiting the loving brothers and sisters? They exhibit the characteristics shown by members in abusive families that cope by denying what their eyes and ears see and hear. Only when the abuse gets up front and personal and dangerous to their existence, do some, only some wake up and get out.Blondie (WT translator)