This is recommended reading for anyone scared to venture into looking at the foundations of the watchtower.
Do Not Be a Victim of Propaganda!
by stevenyc 9 Replies latest watchtower bible
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Scully
Mr Pot, I'd like you to meet Mr Kettle....
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Lady Lee
Scully it sure is a good thing my cup of lemonade was finished. If I had been taking a sip I'm sure it would have been all over the screen. That post along with your crossed arms made me almost choke
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in a new york bethel minute
holy jesus i didn't even realise that the watchtower had written that (i only read a couple of snipets, not the whole thing)... until i read skully's comment... there were some good points made... i wonder if it was secret-apostate written
bethel
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stevenyc
I was oringinaly goint to split this article up with cross references, but it is too good on its own. So, I'll just quote the final paragraph. You don't need a magazine to find the truth if you are Christian. As they say on the side of their Brooklyn offices, read Gods word the bible daily.Yes, in this age of sophisticated propaganda, we can confidently look to Jehovah's Word as the source of truth. Ultimately this will protect us from those who want to 'exploit us with counterfeit words.'—2 Peter 2:3.
steve
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skyman
I wonder do they ever read their own publications? and apply it to themselves.
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littlerockguy
I gotta find this in print; it's too hysterical!!!
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Confession
It's great to read stuff like this from the Watchtower Society. Not unlike an '84 Watchtower...
[Awake, November 22, 1984, “An Open or a Close Mind—Which Do You Have?”]
A necessary part of life is that we make decisions and reach judgments. But decisions made "without due examination" or judgments reached "on other grounds than reason or justice" are evidences of a closed mind.
Having an open mind, on the other hand means to be receptive to new information and ideas. It means being willing to examine and to evaluate information without a biased attitude. By retaining what is worthwhile and rejecting what is worthless, we can reach definite conclusions on a solid basis. A closed mind may betray a lack of interest in the subject matter, or a reluctance to look into the matter. ... If we are unable to defend our religious views, we may find ourselves lashing out against those who challenge our beliefs, not with logical arguments, but with slurs and innuendoes. This smacks of prejudice and of a closed mind... An open mind can serve to your advantage, a closed one will almost certainly serve to your detriment.
Then there was the Truth book...
[The Truth That Leads to Eternal Life, 1968, p. 13]
We need to examine, not only what we personally believe, but also what is taught by any religious organization with which we may be associated. Are its teachings in full harmony with God's Word, or are they based on the traditions of men? If we are lovers of the truth, there is nothing to fear from such an examination.
This is certainly an admirable position: a religious organization teaching that we should all have nothing to fear in examining “any religious organization with which we may be associated.” They emphasize how important it is to separate ourselves from organizations that “teach falsehood,” and to have an “open mind” in examining our religion. But does the WTS apply these same positions to the examination of their own religion?[Watchtower 1986 March 15 pp.10-15 “Do Not Be Quickly Shaken From Your Reason”]
7 Now, what will you do if you are confronted with apostate teaching—subtle reasonings—claiming that what you believe as one of Jehovah's Witnesses is not the truth? For example, what will you do if you receive a letter or some literature, open it, and see right away that it is from an apostate? Will curiosity cause you to read it, just to see what he has to say? You may even reason: 'It won't affect me; I'm too strong in the truth. And, besides, if we have the truth, we have nothing to fear. The truth will stand the test.' In thinking this way, some have fed their minds upon apostate reasoning and have fallen prey to serious questioning and doubt.
Here's where the tables turn. This advocating of a completely open, honest policy regarding the examination of what we believe--or new information presented to us--ONLY applies to religions other than that of the Watchtower Society. Here they clearly teach a different policy: if someone approaches you with information "claiming that what you believe as Jehovah's Witnesses is not the truth," it MUST be "apostate reasoning." Hypocrites.
And what of this term "subtle reasonings?" Where is the objection to subtle reasonings? Surely their problem is not with the word "reasoning," so it must be with "subtle." The American Heritage dictionary defines it as..."Able to make fine distinctions: a subtle mind." What's wrong with that? Doesn't the bible encourage us to develop our powers of discernment? Or is it one of the alternative meanings of subtle: "Crafty or sly?"
Heck, this new article even uses the word itself!
A person with discernment perceives subtleties of ideas or things and has good judgment. Using discernment, we will be able to recognize those who are merely using "smooth talk and complimentary speech" in order to "seduce the hearts of guileless ones." (Romans 16:18) Discernment enables you to discard irrelevant information or misleading facts and distinguish the substance of a matter.
So we CAN perceive subtleties! Why then does the Watchtower Society teach JWs that they shouldn't even listen to those who present information that differs from theirs? We should not even allow our curiosity to let us read something about it.
No matter what the Society writes about open-mindedness, you may rest assured that every word comes with it an implied asterisk...
*This of course would not apply to us.
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Big Dog
Good question Skyman, I have often wondered the same thing. I assume the articles get proofed at least several times before publication, does no one say, umm, gee guys, do you see a problem with this article.
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