"New light" on Independant thinking?

by figureheaduk 11 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

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  figureheaduk

  I've just been reading an article on the jwmedia site about a study into WT literature that has been ordered by a Russian court.

  http://www.jw-media.org/newsroom/index.htm?content=/region/europe/russia/english/releases/religious_freedom/rus_e030523.htm

  It goes into the usual WT waffle about the persecution and harrassment of JWs, religious freedom etc, but the following quote caught my eye:

  The study also revealed a much higher level of education among Jehovah's Witnesses (when compared with that of the average Muscovite), which tends toward independent rational thinking and decision-making

  Now, this would give Joe Public that the average JW is therefore able to think for himself, and reach his own conclusions independantly. But compare the above quote with the following quotes below taken from WT publications in the past.

  The Watchtower

  So, does this mean that either the JW's have received new light on the subject of independant thinking, or the article that I've quoted above is yet another shameless peice of propaganda put out by the JW's in order to catch out an unsuspecting public who may not know about the WT's past views on the subject?
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  figureheaduk

  Ummm, sorry, looks like the highlighted WT quotes on independant thinking got lost. Here they are (again!)

  The Watchtower January 15th 1983 Issue, Page 22:
  "Avoid Independent Thinking"
  "Avoid.... questioning the counsel that is provided by God's visible organization."
  "How is such independent thinking manifested? A common way is by questioning the counsel that is provided by God's visible organization."
  ------------------------------------
  The Watchtower January 15th 1983 Issue, Page 27:
  "....some who point out that the organization has had to make some adjustments before, and so they argue: "This shows that we have to make up our own mind on what to believe." This is independent thinking. Why is it so dangerous?"
  "Fight against independent thinking."
  ------------------------------------
  The Watchtower September 15th 1989 Issue, Page 23:
  "In the world, there is a tendency to reject leadership. As one lecturer said: ;'The rising education level has improved the talent pool such that followers have become so critical that they are almost impossible to lead.' But a spirit of independent thinking does not prevail in God's organization, and we have sound reasons for confidence in the men taking the lead among us."
  ------------------------------------
  The Watchtower March 15th 1986 Issue, Page 17:
  "Beware of those who try to put forward their own contrary opinions."
  ------------------------------------
  The Watchtower July 1st 1994 Issue, Pages 12-13:
  "As loyal servants of Jehovah, why would we even want to peek at the propaganda put out by rejecters of Jehovah's table...."
  ------------------------------------
  The Watchtower August 1st 1960 Issue, Page 474:
  "Jehovah's witnesses, though international, are 'one heart and soul,' of the 'same mind' and the 'same line of though.'"
  ------------------------------------
  The Watchtower June 1st 1967 Issue, Page 338: "....in Jehovah's organization it is not necessary to spend a lot of time and energy in research, for there are brothers in the organization who are assigned to that very thing...."
  ------------------------------------
  The Watchtower August 1st 1972 Issue, Page 458: "....the Watchtower study conductor, who presides over this meeting, has an important responsibility. This study enables all to be united in the same line of thought."
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  Gadget

  The Watchtower, May 15 2003, pg14 par20

  "If any Christian is beginning to entertain Apostate views and want to spread them, he ought to take a warning from Christ! To save himself from disaster, he should repent and seek the spritual assistance of the elders in the congregation."

  The latest light says that anybody with apostate views (Read "Independant thinking/views) are not to be tolerated, and should be admonished by the elders.
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  blondie

  Good quote, Gadget! I have that one bolded, in red and underlined in the article. Don't worry about wondering if your ideas are apostate, the elders will determine that, as if they know.

  Blondie
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  Gopher

  The study also revealed a much higher level of education among Jehovah's Witnesses (when compared with that of the average Muscovite), which tends toward independent rational thinking and decision-making. "Tolerant attitudes and conduct improve the longer a person is a Witness," said Professor Antonov.

  What planet does this professor live on? How much did the WT Society pay him to come up with this fluff?

  Since when do Jehovah's Witnesses encourage higher education among their people? Reading the Awake magazine doesn't count....

  Tolerant attitudes/conduct? The JW's preach hatred of the outside world, and that 99.9% of humanity will be destroyed by their loving God. They can't wait for this world (of which they are supposedly so tolerant) to be squashed like a fly by their almighty Jehovah.

  This professor's statements don't reflect an educated viewpoint of the Jehovah's Witness teachings.
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  observador

  Ok, now compare that to this one.

  http://www.jw-russia.org/eng/moscow/crt_Experts.htm

  What is most amazing is that this is on the Russian JW website itself. Now, how can that possibly be? I don't know.

  Observador.
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  minimus

  Public relations is a great thing! And you can take blood in Bulgaria, too! And vote in certain places.....Yeah, that's the ticket!
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  Maverick

  When a person gets baptized they should be given blinders and ear plugs and instructions on when to take them off, (only at the meetings.) Maverick
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  shamus

  In COC, they got DF'd for just talking about other possibilities of biblical doctrine, and many did not even get granted an appeal! Where the hell is this idiot getting his info from? Educated, my ass!
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  figureheaduk

  I did think of mentioning the education thing too but didn't really have time to try and dredge up some old WT quotes on higher education........

  "The lord looks over who cowers in the watchtower"(Skinny Puppy - "T.F.W.O")