THE Book

by Farkel 22 Replies latest jw friends

  • Farkel
    Farkel

    This is probably directed more to dubs who are having doubts than to ex-dubs, but it is still appropriate for both groups. I'll only be offering my own personal opinion here, of course, but then again, I'm never wrong about anything. Well, I was wrong once; that was the time I thought I was wrong about something.

    When it comes to definitive books which clearly expose the WTS for what it really is, there is one which towers over all the others, and that book is 1984 by George Orwell. Since the book was written over sixty years ago, one could almost say it was "prophetic", because today, more than ever, it precisely describes the mindset, thinking, actions and real goals of the WT Printing Corporation and those who worship it.

    I've read most of the books written by those who oppose the Corporation, and even books which weren't written specifically about the Corporation, but deal with issues that apply to the Corporation. While books written by such authors as Schnell, White, Franz, Penton and Gruss deal with specifics unique to the Corporation, 1984 hones in on the thinking the Corporation promotes and fosters. No one is suggesting that Orwell had the Corporation in mind when he wrote his book, but that doesn't matter. Almost every page of his book parallels the propaganda, lies and deception used by the Corporation.

    Ingsoc, Oceana, East Asia/Eurasia, Newspeak, doublethink, thoughtstop, crimestop, blackwhite, bellyfeel, goodsex, ownlife, duckspeak, unperson, goodthink, oldspeak, thinkpol, facecrime. It all applies perfectly. The "Ministry of Love" and "Ministry of Truth" are perfect parallels to the Corporation.

    "Black is White" and "Love is Hate" are 1984 slogans that unmask the Corporation for what it really is.

    The book "The Orwellian World of Jehovah's Witnesses" by Heather and Gary Botting is a great companion book to 1984 for those who might be a tad dense because it points out exact examples of Orwellian thinking by using WT quotes and WT illustrations.

    Who can deny that O'Brien doesn't perfectly mirror a WT bigwig or Governing Body member, or that Winston is no different from a ministerial servant or elder who is starting to question things?

    For those of you who think you know enough about the book because you know who "Big Brother" is, or those of you who have merely seen the movie, you are selling yourselves way short. You need to read the book, and as you do, keep asking yourself how (if at all) does this scene or that scene mirror the way the WT Corporation operates.

    I didn't leave the religion primarily because of all the bullshit doctrines, even when I became convinced they were bullshit doctrines. I left the religion because the whole foundation and way of being and thinking in the religion was horribly, horribly screwed up.

    Once you discover that, the doctrinal bullshit is incidental. Jesus never said, "by their doctrines" one would know who is following him. No! He said "by their fruits" one would know who is following him.

    If you haven't already, please read 1984. It's available in paperback for only a few books. There's no excuse not to, and that's especially true for you lurking dubbies. The book has not (yet) been branded as "apostate" by the Corporation, so you won't be breaking the rules of your Pharisees if you do!

    Farkel

  • WingCommander
    WingCommander

    I gotta agree with you Farkel. 1984 is GOOD. The movie based upon the book made in the year 1984 is very dark and unsettling.

    I also was led out by examining their very foundation, starting back with Russell. My parents came into the religion in the mid to late 1970's, and had studied with an older group of sisters that were probably originally Bible Students, however my parents had been exposed to JW beliefs their entire lives as their own parents accepted literature throughout the years at the door. Who can forget such classics as, "Babylon the Great Has Fallen!!!" I still have that book in my collection!!!!

    I'll never forget what planted the first "What the f*ck" seed into my young mind. It was probably (ironically) around the year 1984. I was 5 years old, and I remember a series of WatchTowers dealing with Prophecy, The Generation of 1914, etc. That, and the "Live Forever" book. Anyway, I remember asking my father what signifigance the year 1914 had with the Bible, as it wasn't mentioned in the Bible. His answer? Some sort of confusing mumbling about 1914 having to be true because measurements made my Russell in the Great Pyramid of Giza measured out to 1914, confirming the date somehow. What - the - f*ck???? I didn't pursue it further at the time (Hey, I was not quite 5) but it sure stuck in my mind as to what a pagan pyramid had to do with inspired, biblical prophecy??? Not until 1999-2000 did I find the internet and started researching the JW history. Oh my!!! What a freaggin mess!!!! Any religion built about such pagan, occult, false religious BS for sure. Claiming it be "The Truth" is an insult to YHWH God and Jesus.

    - Wing Commander

  • OnTheWayOut
    OnTheWayOut

    The average JW would need "The Orwellian World of JW's" to get it. But you are right about 1984. This was required reading in my English class in High School (not "The Orwellian World...., just 1984) and I seemed to remember only applying it to communism without realizing it applied to the world I live in. But I am much smarter now.

  • darth frosty
    darth frosty

    I remember when the year 1984 was coming around they made a great (and in hindsight obvious) effort to discredit orwell. At the time I thought they were just taking jabs at someone trying to predict the future now since I have left and read the book I can see why they were scandalizing it.

  • leavingwt
    leavingwt

    I own a copy. I must read it. Thank you for the reminder and the increased incentive to read it.

  • undercover
    undercover

    I re-read the book this past year. I hadn't read it since high school. Even though I knew the story and recognized the names and terminology, I had not read it since leaving the WT cult. Reading it now gives you a whole new appreciation for not only the book, but for the parallels.

  • wasblind
    wasblind

    " I'm never wrong about anything."

    Well lookie here, ain't we puffed up with pride this mornin'

  • BurnTheShips
    BurnTheShips

    1984 is an excellent choice. It is definitely top 5 in my opinion. I remember reading it as a teen and feeling vaguely uncomfortable. I've read it several times since.

    I'd like to add Eric Hoffer's "The True Believer" to any JW reading list. It exposes mass movements and the mind of the fanatic for what it is.

    http://www.xenu.net/archive/books/cult_etc.html

    Google Books has an online version available here:

    http://books.google.com/books?id=pRxBBnyBvcYC&lpg=PP1&ots=jqzRYt5-bY&dq=eric%20hoffer%20%22The%20True%20Believer%22&pg=PP1#v=onepage&q&f=false

    "Self-righteousness is a loud din raised to drown the voice of guilt within us."

    "Absolute faith corrupts as absolutely as absolute power."

    "The opposite of the religious fanatic is not the fanatical atheist but the gentle cynic who cares not whether there is a god or not."

    "When we believe ourselves in possession of the only truth, we are likely to be indifferent to common everyday truths."

    “All mass movements generate in their adherents a readiness to die and a proclivity for united action; all of them, irrespective of the doctrine they preach and the program they project, breed fanaticism, enthusiasm, fervent hope, hatred and intolerance; all of them are capable of releasing a powerful flow of activity in certain departments of life; all of them demand blind faith and singlehearted allegiance.”

    "The true believer is “without wonder and hesitation.” “An active mass movement rejects the present and centers its interest on the future.” (p. 82) The mass movement hates independence and individualism. The focus is on “obedience” and “one mindedness.” “Uniformity” must be developed. (p. 101) Members must be “deindividualized” and “incorporated” into the mass movement. “When we lose our individual independence in the incorporateness of a mass movement, we find a new freedom—freedom to hate, bully, lie, torture, murder and betray without shame and remorse.” (p. 100)"

    "The proselytizing fanatic strengthens his own faith by converting others. The creed whose legitimacy is most easily challenged is likely to develop the strongest proselytizing impulse."

    "It is the true believer's ability to shut his eyes and stop his ears to facts which in his own mind deserve never to be seen nor heard which is the source of his unequalled fortitude and consistency."

    BTS

  • RosePetal
    RosePetal

    'I'm never wrong about anything' LOL farkel I wish I could say that. I so agree with you about reading the book 'Nineteen Eighty-Four' by George Orwell, the parallel is truly scary. It is a must read you won't want to put down. I recommend it to everyone. I haven't read the book you mentioned ' The Orwellian world of 'Jehovah's Witnesses' I'll try and find it.

    RosePetal

  • Ding
    Ding

    Especially instructive is the part about how Big Brother maintained control by rewriting the past.

    Even though you remembered something, you didn't really remember it because Big Brother says it never happened.

    Can anyone say "1975"?

Share this

Google+
Pinterest
Reddit