Once again , I couldn't resist sharing this WT study article from this issue. It was just too good, or bad - depending on your perspective.
You will see the use of fear and guilt in this information - laying it on Witnesses heavy as the title says " Christian Families - " Keep Ready " indicating Armageddon is so close - so don't get wrapped up in materialism.
Right from the get-go in the 1st paragraph fear tactics are used . It states, " When the Son of man arrives in his glory and separates " people one from another " how will YOU and YOUR family fare " ? It continues heavy in paragraph 3 , " To be in a state of READINESS for Christ's coming, families must be careful not to get sidetracked from matters pertaining to true worship . They need to be on guard against being turned aside by DISTRACTIONS . " The bombardment continues in paragraph 4, " Rather than leading a life that is centered on material things and being consumed with TAKING CARE OF ONLY THE PHYSICAL NEEDS of the family, we keep our eye FOCUSED ON SPIRITUAL MATTERS. This means that we REMAIN CONTENT with our material provisions and give God's service the FIRST PLACE IN OUR LIFE. " That's a mouthful. Simple translation though : If you don't put meetings, field service & serving the WT society's agenda first ahead of providing for your family in a material way - Jesus may judge you unworthy at Armageddon and you WILL NOT be ready for his adverse judgement ! It's obvious here that the WT society is minimizing the taking care of one's family financially and emphasizing that Witnesses should first and foremost put kingdom, er WT society interests first and foremost ! Translation : WT society wants your life, time, assets, and financial support !
Then to instill further GUILT into younger JW's concerning materialism it gives an example of an Ethiopian teenage Witness girl. It states, " She did so well in her schoolwork that upon completing her basic education, she was offered a scholarship for further education. Having her eye focused on serving Jehovah, however, she TURNED DOWN THE SCHOLARSHIP. Soon thereafter, she received a job offer that would pay her 3,000 euros a month - a high amount in comparison with the average wages in her country. But the girl's " eye " was set on pioneer service. She did NOT NEED TO CONSULT HER PARENTS to TURN DOWN the job. How did her parents feel on learning what their daughter had done ? Why, they REJOICED with her and told her HOW PROUD they were of her ! " With parents like that - who needs a bad economy ? Good gawd . Translation : Young Jehovah's Witnesses SHOULD NOT try to earn a good living or go to college - but live with JW mommy and daddy until they are 50 and regular pioneer ! In other words : stay a child and let Jehovah and the government provide materially for you ! Lovely. Exactly the message this is sending to young JW's. Twisted turds.
Then the WT society cranks up the guilt & control one notch higher . In paragraph 7 & 8 it states, " Christian families should think seriously about the TIME and MONEY they spend on entertainment , recreation, and the aquisition of material things. " Then once again the WT strikes at the young people , it continues, " You young ones, do not believe all the world's advertising about consumer goods and thus make unreasonable demands for expensive brands of clothing or for other items. Exercise restraint. Also, think of how acquiring something will affect YOUR FAMILIES PREPAREDNESS for the COMING OF THE SON OF MAN. " Translation : If you take your TIME and MONEY away from us the WT society and go enjoy yourself with recreation, entertainment , and buying things it's wrong. Young people if you but things you won't be ready for Jesus to judge you at Armageddon - you'll be found unworthy and die.
And then one last final shot to instill fear into the Witnesses in paragraph 18. It states, " The deteriorating world conditions that mark our day leave NO DOUBT that since 1914, Satan's wicked world has ENTERED ITS LAST DAYS. The storm clouds of Armageddon CANNOT be far-off. Soon it WILL be time for the Son of man to come to execute Jehovah's judgment on the ungodly. Should not that awareness AFFECT ( translation frighten) you and your family ? " Translation : God's going to destroy the wicked at ANY moment ! It should SCARE the Be-Jesus out of ALL you Witnesses ! So don't get materialistic or you will die too at Armageddon !
Now, I'm exhausted from just writing this stuff. I can only imagine how Jehovah's Witnesses are feeling receiving this beat down. Man oh man. As always I wait with much eager anticipation of your reactions to this fear inspiring mind control information ! Take care, hope you all are well
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