JW black-and-white thinking, "us" vs. "them"...dispelled

by M.J. 9 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

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  M.J.

  Just hearing the comments at this week's bookstudy, I marvelled at how black-and-white the typical JW is with regard to "us" vs "them"--with the main "them" being the "Churches of Christendom".

  This whole mindset, and its ability to promote loyalty and motivation really showcases the power of Granfalloon Tactics:

  http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/12/132810/1.ashx

  Anyway, I decided to make a little illustration of the JW and WT-promoted concept of JWs vs. "them", by any given criteria they typically cite. I then compare this with a distribution graph which more plausibly represents reality.

  Of course, some may feel that the mean of my JW distribution ought to be moved one way or the other...but that's besides the point...

  Let me know if you are totally confused by this...
• 

  bluebell

  wha?

  totally confused
• 

  M.J.

  Sorry. I guess a bit of familiarity with statistics is needed to understand what the heck I've illustrated.

  Basically, what I mean is that if you made a graph which illustrates how moral a given population is, the JW population might be generally closer to the "good" end than than most...but this is far from the way they present how "we" are moral and "they" are not.
• 

  M.J.

  This thread may go over like a lead balloon. Oh well, I made up this drawing for myself, and was so enthused about it I just thought I'd throw it out there...
• 

  BizzyBee

  MJ,

  Thanks - I appreciate the link, too. Once you get the initial premise, this really isn't rocket science. Useful information for many applications. Ethno-centrism, anyone? Let's build a fence!
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  Pricilla

  If you are not agreeing on what it is you define as "the moral standard" (for ex), it doesn't matter how great the graphs, the comparison is invalid.
• 

  M.J.

  If you are not agreeing on what it is you define as "the moral standard" (for ex), it doesn't matter how great the graphs, the comparison is invalid.

  Very true. For example this graph would not apply for those that "respect blood" vs. those that don't "respect blood", using the JW definition. But in general I think this covers a lot of bases when it comes to truly black and white claims by JWs.

  For example, take a recently heard claim by a JW in the bookstudy: "Christendom's leaders live high on the hog. Their message is more geared toward amassing financial gain than toward spreading the good news. But members of the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses get a low monthly stipend just like everyone else at Bethel. They aren't entrapped by the love of money." The model presented by such a statement is: JW organization--not at all interested in financial gain. All other religious leaders--principly interested in fincanical gain. Wrong.
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  M.J.

  Just read this, and I love it!

  Luke 18:9-14

  Jesus also told this parable to some who were confident that they were righteous and looked down on everyone else. “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed about himself like this: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: extortionists, unrighteous people, adulterers – or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of everything I get.’ The tax collector, however, stood far off and would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, be merciful to me, sinner that I am!’ I tell you that this man went down to his home justified rather than the Pharisee. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
• 

  timmycat

  Yes there are those self righteous hypocrites amongst JW's, but on the whole they are ok people. I prefer not to hold that in contempt rather I would just show some love to those that are ignorant of Christs love. Do unto others yes please do.
• 

  proplog2

  The book study conductor where I attend solicited comments that centered around the main motive in Christendom = Money.

  I asked my wife (still somewhat of a believer) When is the last time you heard of a father telling his son: "Son, if you want to make a lot of money you've got to go to divinity school and become a minister"