As a JW, I believed as most JWs, that this was reserved for
life-and-death situations. For instance, in a time of persecution where JWs are
being put into concentration camps and tortured to death, not to betray the
location of fellow JWs. In that light, it actually makes sense.
However, in practice, it is apparent that the upper echelons
use this statement “may want to bring harm to Jehovah’s people in some way” in
a very broad fashion.
What is “Jehovah’s people”? It is Mother Organization, not
rank and file individuals.
What is “harm” “in some way”? Not unjust physical harm
(life-and-death), but anything that is harmful to Mother, financially, legally,
in terms of publicity, potentially losing members by being exposed (example UN NGO scandal).
Of course, rank and file JWs practice a form of theocratic
warfare without even being conscious of doing so, partly because of loaded language redefines many
words in such a way that is misleading. “No we are not at the door to convert
you…” “We are not soliciting…” And back in the day, “We are not selling
anything…”
JWs learn to practice omission not bringing up certain
teachings that would scare people away. They learn to the art of spin and
whitewash and downplay any insider doctrine that a householder might bring up.
Of course, most JWs apart from religion are pretty honest.
But then so are members of other groups.