What a fantastic post, I just read it to my husband twice. It really made me think twice about language I still use, simple words like the "truth"and "theocratic". There is just so many all or nothing, good or evil word that still induce horrible feelings of guilt. You are so dead on about "new light" issues everyone is so brain washed they just swallow it down as a the next best thing. This is so scary when you get a chance to look at it from a different vantage point. Thanks again!
Unique vernacular and nomenclature of Jw's.
by AK - Jeff 18 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
-
-
AK - Jeff
One powerful word is the one used the most often - "truth".
This religion has insisted that it had the 'truth' for all it's existence. Yet, virtually nothing that Russell insisted was 'truth' remains as fixed doctrine of Jehovah's Witnesses. Yet what a chasm that term creates. The churches are automatically 'false' - even if they believe some of the same things as Jehovah's Witnesses. Jehovah's witnesses are absolutely 'true' even if they constantly change the meaning of 'truth'.
You can 'get the truth', 'leave the truth', 'accept the truth', 'reject the truth', 'love the truth', on and on. You may substitute 'Jehovah' in any place you use 'truth' and it means the same. Yet neither God nor correctness [truth] is involved - it is a mind game focused on the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses - labeling anyone who leaves or rejects it evil. More black and white inference.
Jeff
-
Lady Lee
I think it is an important step in our mental imprisonment from the WTS that we stop using those terms and begin using phrases that we might use to help a never-JW person understand what is meant - like non-JW instead of worldly.
A long time ago Simondecided that he would not use terms like pioneer or ministeruial servant or elder to define the status of board members. Apparently that is done or was done in the past on some boards. I think it was an excellent move. No point in leaving the WTS only to come here and have a similar ranking system. (JWN version does not use any terms)
We need to stop using those terms here and in our lives because they are part of the mind control used by the WTS. Sometimes it is difficult and at times even required that we do use those terms to discuss a topic but I try as much as possible to use non-WT terminology.
-
AuntBee
AK-Jeff: Your post was "loaded" with insight! amazing. I'm a never been JW, but in transcribing parts of the convention for a few people, and for my own study, WOW, i kept noticing this over and over. I was already pretty familiar with some of the more 'loaded", "negative" terms and what they imply, etc. But there are also a lot of words/phrases that are.........strange, or archaic, etc. One of the words that intrigue me is the constant use of "imperfection" as opposed to "sin." My theory on this is that even in the midst of the heavy guilt and legalism, the WTBS view of sin is actually shallow and insufficient, as compared with traditional Christian views. I believe this ties in with their unique ransom theory, for various reasons.
Maybe i'll pm you later some more of the strange wordings i noticed, if you are interested in this topic.
-
OUTLAW
Good Thread!.. The WBT$ Language is peculiar to JW`s..... In a few sentences we can tell if you are one of us,or an outsider..... The WBT$ Language controls a great many aspects of a JW`s life............. ..........OUTLAW
-
Narkissos
So very true, but the so-called "normal" or "majority" language is loaded as well, and "worked on" through the media to all kinds of ideological, political, economical agendas. Language is the primary field of power struggle, and what is openly debated through it conceals much more which is never discussed, but rather taken for granted by tacit agreement. The words we never even think to define (most of them, actually) hide "values" we never question and are effective tools for "mind control" by all sorts of actors. Ironically, were it not for alternative languages as developed in minority groups (including "cults") we wouldn't be aware of it at all, anymore than a fish is aware of water. This probably gives a higher sensitivity to the implications of language to former "cult" members, provided they don't limit the exercise of their critical mind to the cult they have left and also apply it to "normalcy". Sheep don't stop being sheep by joining a bigger flock...
-
AK - Jeff
Excellent point, Nark.
All language is loaded. We cannot avoid that, except in allowing ourselves to think beyond the walls erected with words, and to allow our minds a roundabout instead of a freeway as we pass.
Still, I suppose, in the end, the nature of language itself insists on our emitting, in the least, a faint baaah at times. The only 'unloaded' language would be pure, fresh and original, lacking bias or preconceived notions. The best we can do is to work at stifling our sheeplike tendencies and at least making some effort to find value within the printed or spoken words that will shape us positively.
Jeff
-
LightCloud
I think AK Jeff hit the nail on the head. I still occasionally hear those that have left the JW's refer to it as "the Truth". I think that is the single and simplest control word in the JW handbook.
-
White Dove
This is an excellent thread! Very well written:) Now, as far as identifying the oldsters from newbies on this board, I'd like to see Star Wars ranks used again:) I saw Amama's board and it used Householder and such, like Lady Lee mentioned.