Questions -

Agent Socrates

The “Socratic method” is a teaching tool. “The practice involves asking a series of questions surrounding a central issue, and answering questions of the others involved. Generally this involves the defense of one point of view against another and is oppositional. The best way to 'win' is to make the opponent contradict themselves in some way that proves the inquirer's own point.” – Wikipedia The “brothers” do not believe in the Socratic methed. They do not want you to think for yourself. Asking “hard” questions will quickly expose the contradictions in their teachings, and they know it. Thinking for yourself, or even reading the Bible without the use of the Societies study aids is considered wrong. Why is this? Why does even asking certain questions get you labled an “Apostate." Since I'm still on the "inside" to a certain extent, it is my mission to get as many to ask questions as possible. I have seen one person here use "Flyers" and that seems like a good place to start.

done4good

Because it's their game and their rules.

j

SirNose586

Thinking for yourself, or even reading the Bible without the use of the Societies study aids is considered wrong. Why is this? Why does even asking certain questions get you labled an “Apostate?”

First of all, welcome to the board, Agent!

I know people are going to elaborate on this, so I'm going to give you the short, sweet answer: If you read the Bible alone, and had no contact with the witnesses, you would never become a witness yourself. The Bible exists, in their eyes, to prove everything the magazines and study books say is truth.

Asking questions you aren't "supposed" to ask is dangerous for them, because without the blind uniformity to keep people in line, the whole erroneous doctrine would come crashing down. Apostasy isn't so much not believing what the Bible has to say, but not believing what the Society has to say.

Confession

To me, perhaps nothing indicts the Society more than their angry threats to adherents not to look at all the information.

If I believe something strongly--and want you to believe it too--what quality exactly is it that would cause me to threaten you not to listen to all the information?

Fear?

Lack of confidence in my own position?

Megalomania?

fullofdoubtnow

Hi Agent Socrates, and welcome to the board.

Asking questions is fine while you are studying, it's even encouraged.

Once you are baptisec though, the rules change. Ask too much then and you will be accused of independent thinking, and the jws hete thatt.

kazar

Welcome to the board, Agent. Independent thinking is discouraged. Questioning during a personal bible study is encouraged as long as the questions stay within the boundary of the paragraph of the book you are studying. One can stray slightly from the topic but often Witness will say they have to stay on the subject.

Tuesday

Well it's worth a shot, I mean I would truly love to see someone use this Socratic method to win an argument with a witness. Better get to taping, and bring ALOT of tapes because it will probably be a good 4 or 5 hours before you even get close to that.

Am I the only one who when sees Socrates, thinks of Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure immediately?

forsharry

There's a small part of me that says to you, "Why bother?" Why ask the hard questions to the society? They are not going to give you the answers you're looking for, nor confirm the ones you already know in your heart. Once you've been baptised and thoroughly endoctrinated, the purpose of all that studying and note taking and listening to public talks, and 'bible' study isn't to enlighten but to further imbed witness dogma into yon psyche.

It's a great way to get you labeled as being apostastic, though, and if you're looking for a quick way onto the dfed turnip truck, then asking the Elders Why? is a stellar way to go. :)

I am in NO WAY discouraging you to do this, by the way. It's one thing to read all of the many stories and personal accounts on here and other sites, and it's another thing to experience it oneself. All of us have dealt with getting out of the Org in different ways. If you want to take a proactive role in the distancing yourself from the Org, then flyers would be a great place to start. I'm also fond of the anonymous leaflets in the donation boxes ;)

You're also right about discussing the Socratic philosophy. If something is true it should be able to stand alone and nothing should be able to shake its foundations. Questions of said truth are encouraged, nay are required! It's not enough to simply believe what you're being told, but to understand what you're being educated on. I liken to doing geometry proofs...It forces you not only find the answer to the question but to explain what laws you use to get there and what they mean.

/end ramble

Forsharry

karen96

Of course the dubs would never use this method of teaching new ones, it would help the study to see that is is not the truf. That is why all study materials come with their own set of questions, so the focus is narrowed and the answer doesn't need to be researched any further than the publication in front of you.

Karen

serendipity

HI agent & welcome!

Be careful with this approach. Evidently now there are 'apostate questions'.

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