Jehovah's Witnesses - The Religion of "Increased Light"

by AllTimeJeff 26 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

• 

  AllTimeJeff

  In the April 15 2010 Watchtower, this quote stuck out to me like a sore thumb.

  "This magazine has
  long been used by "the faithful and discreet slave"
  as the primary channel for dispensing increased
  light."

  Okaay.

  It used to be that the WT was the source of "truth", of what Jehovah wanted. But now, they have lowered their standards.

  It used to be truth, now they settle for "increased light."

  Here is what this means.

  It means that Jehovah doesn't ever teach anything in a straightforward manner, when he can instead, string along his own people for over 100 years.

  It means that though the bible and its characters, such as the prophets, Jesus and others, spoke of truth, the JW claim that they are the true religion means that truth no longer exists. Increased light has taken over.

  Though they are the true religion, at best, their god Jehovah only teaches them a little bit at a time. We figure in 200 more years they finally might get 1914 right. It'll give Jehovah enough time to spoon feed "his people". Say, you won't be alive in 200 years? Too bad for you. In the mean time, rejoice in "increased light", knowing that though you may not have it right, at least you can feel like you're closer to it then ever.

  It means that when you read in the bible of servants of god who amazingly didn't have to jump through hoops to get to know what God wanted, that this changed. The "increased light" of JW's shows that truth is now highly overrated. It is much better to get "increased light" every 2 decades or so. But don't ask Jehovah why he doesn't just flat out spell it out.

  In truth, this phrase "increased light" is more accurate then anything the GB has ever stated in the WT. (I wonder if they know) JW's have destroyed what "the truth" means. Better to say that at best, Jehovah has given you a flashlight with disposable batteries to sort through the mess that is his word.
• 

  neverendingjourney

  Increased light is preferable to truth if the object in mind is reshaping the organization's doctrinal and/or operational structure. If the Society is able to convince it's members that loyalty to "present truth" or "increased light" is all that matters, then a change in doctrine is easier to swallow.

  For instance, if the blood prohibition is dropped, the deaths of thousands who refused a blood transfusion would not have been vain. They would have died upholding the increased light or present truth of the time. You gave up having kids because you thought the end was just around the corner? Fantastic! You're a living example of faithfulness to increased light. Even though it wasn't truth as many would understand it, you served Jehovah by upholding the increased light Jehovah saw fit to reveal at that given time!
• 

  yadda yadda 2

  Well, the typical JW response would be that the 'new light' is only about fringe matters, the smaller stuff on the sides, not the bigger meaty doctrines that REALLY do prove they are the truth. JW's are apparently prepared to allow the WTS to tinker as much with they like with the garnish as long as they don't mess with the meat.

  But yes, it seems as if they are trying to portray all this 'new light' as a positive thing, as a differentiation point in the religious market. What especially struck me in this generation article was how they have included a chart showing all the recent 'new light' they have brought out, as if this is a big selling point!

  Most JW's probably think any kind of 'new light', no matter how stupid it is, is a good thing because it shows the leadership is prepared to admit it is wrong. All this 'new light' makes them proud that their leadership is prepared to change, unlike the Catholics, for example, who are completely ossified doctrinally. All the 'new light' is presented as proof that Jehovah is operating through the WTS, and that is how the WTS is packaging it.

  And presenting these changes as a normal, healthy thing for Jehovah's organisation is perhaps being deliberately done to soften up the rank and file for bigger, more meaty 'new light' soon!
• 

  Mad Sweeney

  You're right, Yadda, but what most JWs don't realize is that stuff like this generation and 1914 isn't fringe garnish, it IS THE PLATE ON WHICH THE ENTIRE MEAL RESTS. Take away 1914 and it's subsequent generation and they lose their 1919 appointment as the FDS. Suddenly the rank and file are individuals again and no longer belongings. If only more of the JWs could see it...
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  yadda yadda 2

  Mad Sweeney, I agree that the whole 1914 thing is the "plate on which the entire meal rests" in terms of the Watchtower Society's authority over the rank and file, but the 'generation' teaching is definitely just garnish on the side.

  Even if the whole 1914 creed was abandoned and the WTS lost a great deal of their authority because of it, it wouldn't change the fact in the minds of most JW's that the persons at Watchtower headquarters have been dispensing a core body of spiritual truths which JW's firmly believe uniquely sets them apart from all other religions as the truth. Those core teachings are the mortal soul, no hell, no trinity, paradise earth, Jehovah's name doctrines. That is what I mean by the meat not the garnish.

  I think a lot of apostates are fooling themselves when they think the Watchtower would lose all credence and the JW religion would collapse if the 1914 doctrine was dropped or substantially changed. The organisation will never collapse as long as the leadership don't mess with those core teachings. As long as the Watchtower leaders uphold those core teachings they can tinker as much as they like with the chronological stuff and still be regarded by the great majority of JW's as the FDS. This is the real 'concept' that keeps JW's captive.
• 

  Fatfreek

  Those core teachings are the mortal soul, no hell, no trinity, paradise earth, Jehovah's name doctrines.

  I've seen that bandied about here and there on this forum -- especially by JW apologists. I, however, don't recall WT listing those 5 doctrines as The Foundation of their teachings. More important, I don't recall a smidging of Bible support for it.

  It's like saying, "Brothers and sisters -- yes, the Bible is large and difficult to comprehend. Not to worry because as long as you remember our 5 core teachings, they are the primary essence of our required knowledge. The rest is merely garnish, subject to our never-ending interpretation. And you'll have to stay tuned for that. Your Brothers and Fellow Servants, The Watchtower Bible & Tract Society"

  Len
• 

  paul from cleveland

  Those core teachings are the mortal soul, no hell, no trinity, paradise earth, Jehovah's name doctrines.

  Those are the parts I still believe too. I feel mixed feelings about the meaning of the generation issue. For me it has more to do with trying to read the true motivations of the governing body. Are they really trying their best to do God's will or is it all a sinister plot to manipulate people? Who can know? They've been consistent from the beginning regarding the core issues, right?
• 

  leavingwt

  There isn't a single "Aha!" issue for more than 85% of the members, IMHO.

  These folks carry suicide cards in their wallets and they're willing to allow their kids to die, by refusing them life-saving medical treatment with blood products.

  So long as the 8 Criteria for Thought Reform (as described by Robert J. Lifton) are present in the organization, most will simply follow whatever leadership tells them. It doesn't have to make any sense. It's an order and they follow it. All doubts are ignored or suppressed. Individuals have dispensed with their own desires. They serve the will of the leaders.

  Only those who feel the pain of the cage will have any reason to examine WT critically. A member who is truly happy is virtually impossible to extract. Doctrines/facts/details/Scriptures/right/wrong/reality don't matter.

  See Randy Watters' excellent book, "Understanding Mind Control Among Jehovah's Witnesses". (52 pages)

  http://www.freeminds.org/sales/#books
• 

  Chalam

  Of course, whatever they call it, "new light", "increased light", it is pure lies.

  James 1:17 (New International Version)

  17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

  1 John 1:5 (New International Version)

  5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.

  Blessings,

  Stephen
• 

  AllTimeJeff

  Paul, if the basis of your authority is false, then whatever you get right is poisoned in my opinion.

  JW's would be ok if they didn't insist on unbending unity without questioning. Religions allow doubt and questions, JW's don't. You can't disagree with JW's and stay one, even if you are right, or it simply is a matter of opinion.

  These days, their "increased light" is all about keeping their authority. Always about them, never about you. Too bad.