The Watchtower Society has frequently denied that they are divinely inspired prophets. Yet they demand they be considered as if inspired prophets, not even allowing the flock to question or have doubts about any of their teachings without coming under scrutiny.
Similarly, many of our beloved active JWs--although knowing full well we don't recognize the Society as any sort of divinely appointed agency--still expect us to act as if they are. A recent JWD contributor shared how her JW mother, upon hearing news of her intention to marry a non-JW man, instructed her to go speak to the elders about it. Mom further explained that the elders would then likely disfellowship her, since she does not have what the Watchtower Society considers "scriptural grounds" for remarriage. But--get this--if they didn't take that action, then it would be incumbent on this daughter to disassociate herself. Why? To keep the congregation clean, of course!
What is this? I'd call it a fascinating psychological mechanism. Jehovah's Witness are faced every day with the fact that their religion is considered a kooky, misguided cult by the great majority of those familiar with them. Therefore, continuing to believe it's "The Truth" requires they constantly reinforce this belief amongst themselves. Whatever doubts he may entertain, the typical Jehovah's Witness will be comforted by hearing his fellow worshippers say things like, " Well we KNOW it's The Truth," or "Aren't we so LUCKY to have the true religion?" or "It must be so difficult for people who leave the organization. After all, they must KNOW it's "The Truth."
But these self-sustaining mechanisms go beyond mere expressions amongst themselves. Often Jehovah's Witnesses, though being quite aware we don't believe it's "The Truth," still assume we shall act as if it is. Perhaps the finest example of this is the Society's position on conduct with disfellowshipped family members. Certainly the counsel has vacillated a bit over the years, but essentially, unless there is necessary family business, active JWs are supposed to have little or no contact with those who are disfellowshipped or who once but no longer believe they have the true religion. And how are we who belong in such a category expected to conduct ourselves?
According to the January 1st, 1983 Watchtower, while disfellowshipped ones must cope with their family's abandonment, they are still expected to make arrangements for their active JW family to be with their children.
"Of course, the grandparents have to determine if some necessary family matters require limited contact with the disfellowshiped children. And they might sometimes have the grandchildren visit them. How sad, though, that by their unchristian course the children interfere with the normal pleasure that such grandparents enjoyed!"
How sad, indeed. Sad that this manipulative organization would advance the notion that their followers should cut off communication with their disfellowshipped children, but that such shunned ones should feel compelled to supply JW grandparents with full access to their children. Grandma and Grandpa JW refusing even to speak with their children? Good! Abandoned children not joyously handing over their children to indoctrinated zombies? "Interference!"
My own mother, who is acutely aware I no longer recognize the authority of the Watchtower Society, in a very rare, recent phone conversation, asked me, "Are you still trying to turn people away from Jehovah's organization?"
"Jehovah's organization?" For Pete's sake, I don't consider it "Jehovah's organization!" And she knows that. But for the benefit of her own fragile psyche, she calls it such in a conversation with me. She cannot for a moment give consideration to one who differs from her in this area by referring to it as The Watchtower Society. Instead of attempting to supply any logic or reason as to why this organization is "The Truth," it's more reassuring to simply hear her own voice saying that it is. Asserting that it is. Presuming that it is.
I can recall during talks at the Kingdom Hall and at conventions, speakers describing the attitude of those within other religions as being "presumptuous." "How presumptuous of them!" they’d say, accusing them of concluding that they had God’s approval and backing.
"What is presumptiousness? It is "assuming a prerogative, privilege, or permission without warrant"; "overstepping due bounds"; "readiness to presume in conduct or thought." Indeed, presumptuousness makes a person proceed according to his own ideas and makes him resist counsel or correction.
But who are the presumptuous ones? Are they only the obviously wicked? Who really needs to beware of presumptuousness?
Presumptuous
PersecutorsForemost among mankind’s presumptuous ones are the persecutors of God’s people. They insist that they, rather than Jehovah, should be obeyed. Could any act of presumption exceed that?" [Watchtower, January 15, 1984, page 10, underlining added]
But how is it the Watchtower Society is exempt from this judgment of presumptuousness? Do they not claim to be the instrument used by "God’s sole channel of communication?" Why are they different?
Let’s examine the statement, "…presumptuousness makes a person proceed according to his own ideas and makes him resist counsel or correction." But "counsel or correction" from whom? Within the organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses, the Society has often claimed that the correction is coming from Jehovah, but that it is being delivered through them—His "visible, earthly organization." Their message is—and always has been—"People, people! Stop being so presumptuous. Be humble enough to submit yourselves TO US!" Is this not in itself the height of presumptuousness? They misled people into believing that Armageddon was coming in six particular years! They were wrong every time! There is nothing that qualifies them for the position they claim for themselves. It is they who are "overstepping due bounds."
Any other religion claiming to have the truth? Presumptuous! Any other religion claiming to have the truth and denying that the Watchtower Society has the truth? Presumptuous Persecutors! The Society themselves claiming divine appointment? Good!
But, then again, with their organization crumbling around them, without this constant Presumption of Divine Appointment, what else do they have?
It’s the Truth, it’s the Truth!
Let’s be resolute
Tho the Truth changes from day to day
It’s the Truth, it’s the Truth!
Tho it might not compute
We’ll call it "The Truth" anyway!