If you are one of Jehovah's Witnesses and attend a social gathering of other Witnesses you better not talk about "spiritual" things.
I do not recall the book, but there was a Watchtower publication being covered in the Book Study (remember those days?) back in the early 1990's that stated Bible discussions outside the "normal arrangement" were precursors to apostasy. I remember back at that time my parents would invite various couples over from the congregation on the weekends to have dinner or cake and coffee. My father would pull out his Bible and share things he discovered in his personal studies. It didn't take long before he was called before a judicial committee. My father was disfellowshipped as a result.
This "reminder" does remind us of one very important thing - it's a high control group, also known as a cult.
Watchtower claims -
- Jehovah uses his holy spirit to provide what we need to the 8 men in New York who have self-proclaimed themselves "the Faith and Discreet Slave"
- These 8 men in New York in turn give us what God has determined as what we need
- The meetings we (Watchtower) provide provide "ample" spiritual instruction and encouragement
Read between the lines; If you aren't feeling spiritually satisfied with the meetings, JW.com, and reading Watchtower publications on your own there is something wrong with you. Seek additional instruction and encouragement outside of this and you are an enemy of God.