Studying the WT

startingover

My loyal dub wife is careful not to flaunt her JW activities in front of me. Whenever she prepares a talk or does any studying, it is at a time when I'm not around. She always leaves for the meetings with a smile, so she does not try to guilt me in any way.

Yesterday I came home unexpectedly and she was studying her WT for the afternoon meeting. She had her WT and Bible open. Seeing her do this it struck me how much of a ritual it really is. I know she underlines the paragraphs and makes a note of what the scripture says in the margin, at least she used to. But what real study is involved? I have discovered through boards like this the value of presenting an idea and having it freely discussed. If a board does not allow the presentation of differing opinions it is of no use to me anymore.

A while ago I happened to overhear the WT study piped into my aged parent's home. A relative of mine was conducting it, and I know when I was still going it seemed that he just did a quick study of the article before the meeting. It was so evident hearing it what a ritual that has become. It's really no different than the priest in the mass doing all the stuff they do. It amazes me these intelligent persons cannot figure that out.

Finally-Free

For one WT study I decided to incorporate additional material into one of my comments. It was still watchtower material from a bound volume, but was not specifically mentioned in the study article. After the meeting I was counseled by an elder who told me not to bring in outside material again, and that I should comment only on what is in the specific article we are covering. I hadn't said anything they might have considered controversial, but maybe they just don't want their members looking back over old issues. Too much to hide, I guess.

It's no wonder their meetings have become a ritual when they discourage research, even in their own publications.

W

juni

I've been out for 13 yrs. and back before I left they encouraged added material to make it more interesting. Sounds very "by rote" now. Probably they don't want any surprises and saves time. Juni

MerryMagdalene

I agree. They have no idea how to actually "study." I hadn't thought of what they are doing as a "ritual" before, but it really is. Thanks for pointing that out. It's really sad to me that they think parroting is an acceptable substitute for freedom of thought, freedom of speech, and freedom of religion. Last time I spoke to my mom I expressed how important I feel it is for ALL of us to continually challenge our own beliefs as well as those of others. She agreed but thinks that is what is happening when they go in field service--a mutual challenging of beliefs. But she still didn't get what I meant about challenging OURSELVES. ~Merry

daystar

Yeah, I grew up thinking it rather normal to just read something and re-phrase it "in my own words" in order to have digested the material. Imagine my surprise to find that in the real world, that just won't fly.

stevenyc

My father was the watchtower overseer for many years. Preparing a study, he would spend hours, mostly going through WBTS literature of course, and would make the study both interesting and entertaining. Well as interesting as could humanly be possible. I'll have to admit, it was frustrating for me to observe hands up to paragraph paraphrases, and dumbfoundedness to anything where you had to think.

steve

BluesBrother

You are right about studying by rote, I did that for years and thought that I was "taking in spiritual food". An objective study would include opposite ideas, then show that they are wrong, but that is not the idea.

As for the Watchtower study? As far as I know the flock are still technically encouraged to bring additional material that is fitting. The trouble is that most of the current crop of WT conductors are not capable of assimilating anything they have not prepared, and therefore cannot handle it.

A habit like that is more likely to get your hand ignored and counselled to keep it simple "so that newer ones are not discouraged by thinking they have to give long answers"

daystar

Bluesbrother

counselled to keep it simple "so that newer ones are not discouraged by thinking they have to give long answers"

Man, you have got the "speek" down!

juni

I agree with you Belushi. Some go on and on and on .............. wouldn't want to trip up anyone, heh? Juni~~~~~~~~

mrsjones5

I hated studying the watchtower. It just felt so fake and was boring as hell. Read the paragraph, read the question, underline the answer, repeat. Not very mind expanding...just plain mindnumbing.

Josie

Studying the WT

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