by compound complex 21 Replies latest jw friends
Dear Friends,
I learned yesterday that a local CO stated in his talk that comments at the WT study are to be from the page and nothing beyond, per Brooklyn. I wasn't there - this may be merely anecdotal and I cannot verify it at present. But one true believer said that the CO must have "misunderstood."
Any news at YOUR end of the world?
CoCo
If that EVER becomes true- there will be a lot of missing people at them!
Those verbal directives are open to interpretation.
What about personal experiences?
Does that mean you can't look up anything in the dictionary or Insight book?
What about cited scriptures...can you read those and comment on them?
What about local news items on the same topic?
Blondie
CC:
I think this has been more or less the practice for many years at the book study. Years ago, the Society initiated a rule that all book studies had to cover the same material at the same time. And it counselled that those attending should stick to the questions and not digress from them. So, it became routine that the question would be asked and the response would be from the paragraph with, perhaps, a little different wording. Many of us who liked the open discussions and the reading of scriptures that existed before this counsel resented restrictions. But for the sake of "uniformity" we went along with the program. Looking back it was really "conformity" to the authority of the Watchtower Society.
The WTS has discouraged "outside material" in its other study programs.
*** km 5/96 p. 7 Question Box ***
There is no need to supplement the information in the Knowledge book, bringing in outside material or additional arguments to support Bible teachings or to disprove false doctrines.
*** km 11/95 p. 1 par. 4 New Book Highlights the Knowledge of God ***
When you use this book to conduct studies, it is not wise to bring in outside material, which could becloud the main points; just concentrate on conveying what the book is proving in each chapter.
*** km 12/90 p. 7 par. 6 Being Taught by Jehovah ***
Care needs to be exercised when it comes to bringing in additional material. Some of the assigned material may involve only one or two paragraphs. But the material can still be effectively presented in the allotted time by reading and explaining the Scriptures, using illustrations, and so forth. Generally, we do not need to present material outside of what is assigned. The audience should be able to follow you in the publication the talk is based on.
*** km 9/77 p. 7 par. 4 Making Service Meetings Interesting ***
Where there is ample material in the article, make these points clear rather than bringing in much outside material.
So then from this information from Blondie, it's still acceptable to add a little extra to your answer??
I always thought that's what added some interest to very boring and by rote meetings. If this is true what coco learned then it's more tightening of the thumb screws. I would think more would wake up to the fact that this is evidence of more control they exert over people.
Juni
juni, it just depends on the conductor. I can remember one who told a sister that if he wanted a scripture to be read, HE would ask for it. (not me)
Most would not turn away something that is more than a re-read of the paragraph.
Blondie
I could swear that one of the publications (Benefit book, maybe?) said that the first comment on a paragraph should stick to material in the paragraph, but the comments after that should expand to personal experience, illustration, scripture, application, etc. This CO was just talking out of his ass even more than usual.
As it is, it's hard enough to stretch the Watchtower study to an hour. It would be impossible if they actually did what that CO said.
I remember a similar transition when the "outlines" for public talks became manuscripts instead. In the old days, the outlines were considered just a guide for the subject. Some of the most interesting talks I ever heard at the Kingdom Hall were those that "brothers" researched and added interesting points not covered by those outlines. But this was soon discouraged. I guess the Watchtower feared competition from those "brothers" who had ability and skills.
If that EVER becomes true- there will be a lot of missing people at them!
Scarcely. With all due respect, most JWs are so used to taking it in the shorts that they are completely oblivious when the stakes are raised and more of their tiny little freedoms are eroded - they just bend over further. Kind of like the proverbial frog in a pot of water, who does not notice when the temperature is gradually increased - by the time he thinks "is it getting hot in here?" - he's cooked, fileted and served on toast, with a light cream sauce.
