WT - 10/15/09 -- Analysis of some choice statements

by sd-7 11 Replies latest watchtower bible

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  sd-7

  The October 15, 2009 Watchtower has some interesting thoughts--some of which have already been discussed at length on the message boards. I thought I might highlight my personal favorites for discussion.

  Page 4, paragraph 7:

  "It is necessary that we have self-respect and find joy and satisfaction in our Kingdom service. However, being modest, or being aware of our limitations, will prevent us from becoming opinionated. Rather, we want to "think so as to have a sound mind." "

  Here, having an opinion is equated with not having a sound mind, maybe even equated with not thinking properly! Which means that the absence of an opinion--which is not thinking at all, just blindly following--is the right way to "think".

  Page 5, paragraph 10:

  "The 'other sheep' are not part of the composite body of Christ...the 'other sheep' are part of 'all things' placed by Jehovah under the headship of his Son. They are also among the 'belongings' that Christ has entrusted to his 'faithful and discreet slave'. Those with an earthly hope should, therefore, recognize Christ as their Head and be submissive to the faithful and discreet slave and its Governing Body and to the men appointed as overseers in the congregation."

  First of all, if I'm not part of the body of Christ, then what the shell am I doing here? Whose body am I a part of, exactly? The 'other sheep' are described as 'things' and 'belongings'--not as people--entrusted to the faithful slave. So who really is the slave here? The 'other sheep'? Or the faithful slave? Hard to tell, since apparently the 'other sheep' were bought by Christ and essentially sold (or at least rented out) to the faithful slave, with the promise that, 'don't worry, I'll be back to give these guys even more control over you soon'. We might add that the notion of the faithful slave being separate from the Governing Body is some serious, serious malarkey. Why bother with the distinction? The Governing Body IS the slave, period.

  Page 11, paragraph 15:

  "In the revelation given to the apostle John, Jesus revealed that his anointed brothers have "conquered [Satan] because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their witnessing." (Rev. 12:11) This shows that the best way to conquer Satan...is to do good by our work of witnessing, preaching the good news of the Kingdom."

  Bait and switch, anyone? We're not part of the body of Christ, but we sure as heck better do all the work that the body's supposed to be doing. Curious.

  Page 13, paragraphs 1 and 2:

  ""I have called you friends, because all the things I have heard from my Father I have made known to you."--John 15:15. Those words of Jesus to his faithful apostles apply in principle to all anointed Christians today and, by extension, to their "other sheep" companions."

  So we are friends of Christ only BY EXTENSION? How the shell do they justify that kind of reasoning? How can you be friends with some by extension? Either you are, or you're not. So much for modesty. "Only WE, THE ANOINTED, are friends of Christ. You guys? Only by extension."

  Page 14, paragraph 7:

  "Jesus looked past the faults of his loyal friends and acted in their best interests...Jesus showed consideration for their physical limitations...And he was interested not just in telling them what he thought but also in hearing and understanding what they thought and felt."

  Compare this with what was just said earlier:

  Page 4, paragraph 7:

  "It is necessary that we have self-respect
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  sd-7

  Page 4, paragraph 7:

  "It is necessary that we have self-respect and find joy and satisfaction in our Kingdom service. However, being modest, or being aware of our limitations, will prevent us from becoming opinionated. Rather, we want to "think so as to have a sound mind." "

  Jesus entertained the opinions of his apostles, "what THEY thought." The faithful slave, however, is not interested in hearing our opinions. Note, then, that the faithful slave is (1) not imitating Jesus in this regard and (2) definitely isn't our friend as Jesus was a friend to the apostles.

  Humdingers, on the way,

  Page 15, paragraph 14:

  "How, then, can we be friends of Christ? One way is to obey the direction provided by the faithful and discreet slave class, which consists of Jesus' spirit-anointed brothers still alive on earth."

  Nice. So being friends with someone means to obey someone else, even if that someone else is inferior to that person in rank and constantly puts words in the other person's mouth. Where does obedience fit into a friendship, exactly? Are we friends or slaves? I get confused a lot, forgive me.

  Page 16, paragraphs 15 and 16:

  "Jesus...said that the determining factor that would distinguish a sheep from a goat would be the way an individual treated even "the least of these [his] brothers." Therefore, the primary way that those with the earthly hope demonstrate their desire to be friends with Christ is by supporting the faithful slave class...First, by wholeheartedly sharing in the preaching work...The faithful and discreet slave class deeply appreciates this act of friendship, as does Christ."

  So the primary way to be friends with Christ is to do whatever someone else tells us to do. The primary way. Let's just spell it out, why don't we? "No one comes to the Father except through Christ. And no one comes to the Christ except through us." They could have summed it all up with those words, but that might jar some more people back into reality.

  Ray Franz would say, as he did in Crisis of Conscience, no bolder declaration of authority could possibly be made.

  Let's add the way Christ is mentioned last in the sentence--oh yeah, the slave appreciates your work, and by the way, so does Christ. Yeah, whoever he is. The important thing is that you're supporting us. It just sounds more like the way a man talks to his dog for bringing him the newspaper. Yeah, good dog. Pat on the head.

  I can't even finish--that's how much stuff bothered me in this one. I'm sure Blondie will cover it better in the weeks to come. But I found it disturbing to see that many demands for not just support, but outright obedience, even suggesting that our judgment will depend entirely on obedience to 9 men who make decisions for us in Brooklyn. Nothing in Matthew 25:31-40 suggests even a hint of obedience--Jesus talks entirely about expressions of heartfelt love towards others, going to them when they're sick or in prison, feeding them when they're hungry and thirsty. How, by obeying the slave class, can we do those things? Impossible. But they've restricted the application of this verse so that kind, loving deeds towards our fellow Christians are wiped away and it's all funneled down to obedience to the Governing Body's directives. What more evidence does one need of their arrogance and flagrant disregard for Jesus Christ's teachings?

  That's enough out of me. Fire away.

  SD-7
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  sd-7

  Had to add--and this, from the organization that claims to have gotten rid of the "clergy-laity" distinction. If you're a Jew and you become a JW, you're just trading one priesthood for another. One law code for another. It would be funny if it weren't so horrible.

  SD-7
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  jamiebowers

  Hey, sd-7, glad to see back on JWN! And you're right, blind obedience to the fds is horrible...sickening as a matter of fact!
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  PSacramento

  I have always admired the hypocritical dpuble standard of the WT and JW's.

  The tell everyone outside their freligion to question the religion they belong to, to search to see if they are in the truth, but once you are part of the WT, no more questioning is allowed, not of the WT doctrine, oh no !!

  Sure a JW can oint out the history of mistakes of the RCC or the Anglican church but they can't question their OWN history and if they do they get the party line of "the light is getting brighter" a party line SOLE applicable tot he WT and NO ONE else !

  What amazes me is how people, coming from another religion, who become JW's because they questioned their old religion, never apply those very questions to the WT and its doctines.

  Amazing how that works.
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  lepermessiah

  Its funny - even before I started to fade, I was really starting to be bothered by constant examples such as the ones you pointed out.

  I dont know if it has always been that bad and I just started to notice it more or not, but it seems like you cannot go a paragraph or two without being reminded WHO is the REAL boss in WT land. They make it a point to bring up the "Faithful and Discreet Slave" in just about every paragraph anymore.

  The emphasis is put on the organization, not God and Christ.

  If they are going to be my mediator, then I give up - LOL

  Especially since its pretty evident that they dont give a - - - - about anyone in the organization - its all about control.

  Thank God I cant bear to read their stuff anymore, outside of the occasional Sunday visit with the wife. Even then, I try my hardest to block it out.
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  cantleave

  Cult mind control at its best. Makes the R&F feel so special, so important, GB are basically saying "just do the menial stuff we tell you to do".
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  garyneal

  "It is necessary that we have self-respect and find joy and satisfaction in our Kingdom service. However, being modest, or being aware of our limitations, will prevent us from becoming opinionated. Rather, we want to "think so as to have a sound mind." "

  My wife, by her own admission, is VERY OPINIONATED. Makes me wonder how in the world is she every going to fare well at the Kingdom Hall. As much as she said that she wanted a JW man, she better be thankful that I am not for I cannot imagine a diehard JW putting up with an opinionated woman.

  The 'other sheep' are not part of the composite body of Christ...the 'other sheep' are part of 'all things' placed by Jehovah under the headship of his Son.

  I don't understand how anyone can look at something like this and not run for the exits. Just as Jesus is not the mediator for the 'other sheep.' When I first found out about that I could not help but to think that anyone who sees this and still wishes to be a witness must not truly understand the implications of this. Either that or that person believes differently and keeps that belief to himself or herself.
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  Mad Sweeney

  What's strange is that the Kindgom Halls are FULL of opinionated women. Why? Because the men CAN'T be. Privileges are held over a man's head in the org. Speak the party line or you're on the outs. They can't really do anything to a sister unless she lets them and the strong willed ones just won't let them. Besides, what's some barely literate floor waxer who gets 12 hours a month going to say to a strong smart woman who pulls down 40+ hours a month? HE'S SCARED TO DEATH TO EVEN TALK WITH HER!
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  kurtbethel

  So we are friends of Christ only BY EXTENSION? How the shell do they justify that kind of reasoning?

  The "extension" they are talking about is the protruberance they are extending your way as they are about to screw you!