AS if the other Sept. 15th WT thread I started weren't controlling enough - in another study article titled " Run ..... that you May Attain it " were you aware that just eating and wearing clothes on your body - might be a " stumbling block " to you ? Put your crash helmets on , and get your Pepto Bismol - you may need it for this article.
In a prior article on pg. 12 , paragraph 6 the WT society sets up what they are trying to get across by stating, " People of the world tend to seek personal interests first as " men of this system of things, whose share is this life. " With no regard for their Creator, many devote themselves to making a comfortable living , raising a family, and leaving behind an inheritance . Their share is this life only. " Translation : Living this life is shallow and unacceptable if you make a comfortable living, raise a family, and leave behind an inheritance ! How dare you !
In the previously mentioned " Run that you may Attain It " article it starts out by saying on pg. 21, paragraph 5 , " We need to make a living and to take care of ourselves and our family. That can occupy a LARGE PORTION of our TIME, ENERGY, and RESOURCES. Especially in economically challenging times, it is easy to become anxious about life's necessities. As dedicated Christians , we also have important THEOCRATIC responsibilities. ( Meetings, service, personal study, etc ) Surely, keeping the WEIGHT we have to carry to a minimum , as well as AVOIDING taking on ANY UNNECESSARY burden, is vital if we are to run the Christian race to the finish. " Translation : Your theocratic responsibilities are more important - if you have to shed the weight of your burdens and responsibilities - you need to devote less time to earning a living and less time to providing for your families in a material way - and spend MORE time in theocratic responsibilities.
It continues, in paragraph 6 , " Jesus words about (never being anxious about clothes and food, or shelter ) ; imply that even SO-CALLED NORMAL things like FOOD and CLOTHING can become a BURDEN or a STUMBLING BLOCK if NOT kept in their proper place. " O.K. I have to comment here. How many of you wake up each day saying, " Gawd, I hate to eat ! I can't STAND food ! And these clothes I'm wearing ? I wish I could just ditch them and walk around naked !! This food and clothing is just dragging me down !! " I would venture to say that most of us enjoy our food & clothes ! And what's with the WT society's loaded language " SO-CALLED NORMAL things like food and clothing " ? Don't most people call having FOOD & CLOTHING normal ???? What the hell is THAT ? So is the WT society suggesting that viewing food & clothing as normal - is not appropriate ?? It's mind boggling to say the least.
Then in order to FURTHER the guilt trip over indulging in food & clothes , paragraph 8 continues, " The FINISH LINE is just ahead. What a pity it would be if we allowed ourselves to be burdened down with unnecessary weights that could impede us when we are so close to the end ! " Translation : If you aren't starving & naked entering into the Paradise- then you are NOT worthy to inherit it !
Then the WT society lowers the boom in paragraph 12. It states, " Over the years, the faithful and discreet slave class has been reminding us to be careful about WHAT we watch and LISTEN to, that is to say, what we set our hearts and minds on. We have been warned about the danger of getting entangled in the pursuit of money and possessions. We might be sidetracked by the glitter and glamour of the entertainment world or by the endless parade of new gadgets. It would be a serious mistake to feel that such counsel is OVERLY RESTRICTIVE or that it applies ONLY TO OTHERS, while we personally are somehow immune to the DANGERS. Subtle and deceptive are the entanglements that Satan's world puts in our way. CARELESSNESS, OVERCONFIDENCE, and DISTRACTIONS have been the UNDOING of some , and such things could affect our hope of attaining the PRIZE OF LIFE. Day in and day out , we are EXPOSED to people who promote the goals, values, and THINKING OF THE WORLD around us. " Translation : If you buy gadgets, entertainment, possessions, and pursue money you will be overeached by Satan who will lead you to your death ! Satan controls the THINKING of worldly people and if you get overconfident and get distracted you will NOT be approved to gain eternal life !
How much fear mongering and scare tactics can one organization use ?? If I was a Jehovah's Witness right now - I'd be paranoid and fearful to earn a living, buy clothes, eat food, enjoy entertainment, buy electronic gadgets, actualy even to BREATHE - to be honest ! No wonder these 7 million JW's are looking exhausted, beaten down, and buying medication for depression ! It's because they ARE being beaten down- psychologically ! So what do you folks think about it ? As always I look forward to your takes, opinions, and observations. Peace out to all of you. Mr. Flipper