Catching the Manipulation in Sunday’s Watchtower Article

by Butterflyleia85 14 Replies latest watchtower bible

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  Butterflyleia85

  Inspired by many on JWN board, my goal is to every Sunday study the article and find the manipulative parts. If you would like to join me that would be great! We can then find them together and then find what the scriptures or insights truly means with research, our own understanding, or maybe how it should be interpreted to one’s self. The benefit here is yes we have Critical Thinking Skills and/or we have the power of Holy Spirit.

  Please ALL comments are welcome, for example:

  For ones believing in God who uses prayer and Holy Spirit, others scriptures or interpretations are welcome!

  For ones who don’t believe in God but enjoy theology using the scripture insight for their ethical principles, other sources, quotes, or words of wisdom are welcome!

  Watchtower (Study) — September 15, 2011 for November 14-20 “Run…That You May Attain It”

  {paragraph 4, 5} As dedicated Christians, we also have important theocratic responsibilities. We share in the ministry, prepare for and attend Christian meetings, and keep spiritually strong by personal study and family worship. Despite all that Noah had to do in serving God, “he did just so.” (Gen. 6:22) 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.

  My examination is: Basically making it an implied statement that “dedicated Christians” do this and all else should be kept to a minimum. Controlling the thoughts ones should make and how they should be living their daily lives. If everyone did this I’m sure the world would NOT be a better place. Nothing would get accomplished in this economy. As well as this statement not putting good sight on genuine good Christians who DO well in keeping God first and focused but don’t necessarily do ALL the “important theocratic responsibilities”.

  {paragraph 8} 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!

  My examination is: The urgency that they gave in early 1914, 1925, AND 1975. We like hearing over and over how close to the end it is. Why put pressure on that?? The real motivation should be in dignity and health... not cause the world is going to end!

  Side note: I thought it was funny how they made a point to say that they had lack of modesty! Ha

  {paragraph 3} Regarding foot racing, one of the popular athletic events of the day, the book Backgrounds of Early Christianity tells us that “the Greeks exercised and competed in the nude.” In such cases, the runners stripped themselves of any extraneous weight or burden that could slow them down. While we would object to their lack of modesty and propriety, they ran that way with the sole objective of winning the prize.
• 

  itsibitsybrainbutbigenoughtosmellarat

  Sadly,

  The view by them is that the rest of the world are modern Egyptians only there to support unknowingly the divinely guided work of the organization and that the Organization can make use of their "spoils" just as the Isrealites walked out of Egypt with worldly goods. But not personally.
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  flipper

  BUTTERFLY- Very good thread. Hope you & your little family ( hubby & child are doin' good ) ! The manipulation in the statement , " The finish line is just ahead. What a pity it would be if we allowed ourselves to be burdened down with unecessary weights that could impede us when we are so close to the end ! " GRRRRR ! This line of reasoning drives me crazy every time the WT society does this. It's the classic example like Steve Hassan says of the WT society using GUILT & FEAR to keep JW's in line and controlled under their thumb . Firt off - HOW do THEY know we are near the end ? They've been saying this for 132 years. They really don't know at all when " the end " is , or IF there is an end. They just use it to keep people controlled by fear and guilt.

  And the control in the statement " allowed ourselves to be burdened down with unecessary weights that could impede us. " ???? Like what ? Earning a living. Or as they stated this summer in a WT study pursuing SO-CALLED necessities like " food " and " clothing " ?? If the WT society had it their way JW's wouldn't eat or work at all to provide for themselves - they'd rather have Witnesses going out in service 24 /7 !

  There has never been an organization which crosses over personal boundaries like the WT society does in such a dramatic way. JW's are basically slaves for the WT society so middle aged GB members can have a healthy retirement and not have to work when they get older. O.K. End of my rant. It's an evil, twisted business empire
• 

  Quirky1

  Run in the nude!! Yeah....
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  popcorn_eater

  Love the idea of a weekly post along these lines. Blondie does her indepth comments/analysis but I like the idea of a condensed discussion specifically of manipulative language (AND images) that are used, to supplement her work. I generally make several pages of notes that I keep in a file weekly. Somehow it makes me feel better to know that at least some people are reading this stuff with a critical eye, and not just passively absorbing it.

  In this past week's article there was a picture of a man struggling to "race" while pushing a wheelbarrow full of items the WT obviously considers to be distractions. The things in the wheelbarrow were mostly means of communication with the outside world -- phones, computers, I think a TV or VCR or something. Just more passive aggressive attempts to control the information you choose to seek out (for those wh control your access to information control you.) Oddly, though, an acoustic guitar was also in the wheelbarrow. So music is also forbidden. PUKE. Really this stuff is so manipulative it should be criminal.

  I have my notes at home but I will maybe post some additional examples later. And next week's is full of fodder.
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  sd-7

  1 Timothy 6:17-19 (NIV): "Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life."

  Here Paul doesn't berate those who have money; he tells them to share with those in need, and to do a great deal of good deeds for others. He doesn't guilt or shame them about it or tell them not to enjoy hobbies like music or whatever. He also doesn't tell them not to get an education beyond basic schooling, which would be hypocritical, as he himself was well-educated.

  It wasn't having lots of money that was ever the issue; it was loving that money so much that it became a god to you, more important than everything else in life.

  Ultimately this is all about control for the Society, not really about 'running the race with endurance' or anything like that. Certainly Hebrews 12:2 is not talking about riches, higher education, or entertainment. Paul had spent a long time discussing the importance of faith rather than the law code and the visible Jewish system, highlighting how the patriarchs and prophets and judges showed FAITH and received blessings, not works of the law. The sin that was entangling so many Jews back then was their fixation on works and adherence to the Law of Moses rather than simple faith in Jesus Christ alone.

  One thing I've noticed since leaving the JWs is that the Society can take one or two verses out of context as a theme text, and build an entire Watchtower article that has nothing whatsoever to do with the original context of those one or two verses. So that instead of grasping their true meaning, now their meaning has been completely reinterpreted and the scriptures involved rewritten as something beyond or even unrelated to the original author's intent.

  --sd-7
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  possible-san

  (Paragraph 1)
  "IN HIS letter to the Hebrews, the apostle
  Paul used a powerful word picture to encourage
  his fellow Christians."

  As for the fact, the Apostle Paul did not write this letter.
  Such view is a relic of the past.
  In Japan, today, only some fundamentalists believe such a thing.
  Jehovah's Witnesses reject the theology that advances.
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Authorship_of_the_Pauline_epistles

  (Paragraph 3)
  "the Greeks exercised and competed in the nude."

  This application is impossible today.
  Who races in the nude (stark-naked) today?
  Do JWs apply this to themselves in the literal sense of the word?

  And that illustration/picture is falsehood.
  Why did not draw their lower half of the body?

  Do JWs imagine their lower half of the body?
  The stupid GB!
  http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/watchtower/bible/211445/1/Lascivious-Governing-Body-part-2

  possible

  To be continued...
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  punkofnice

  {paragraph 4, 5} As dedicated Christians, (Only JW’s) we also have important theocratic (Loaded language) responsibilities. (Appeal to fear) We (The ‘preacher’s “WE”’ ie. US vs: THEM. JWs = Good and Non JWs = Bad) share in the ministry, (JW catchphrase implying something dedicated to God but actually furthering the cash flow for the GB) prepare for and attend Christian meetings, (Only JW indoctrination sessions) and keep spiritually (‘spiritually’ = JW catchphrase and loaded language) strong by personal study and family worship. (Actually not worship but further indoctrination into JW propaganda and ‘sales’ type techniques. If there is any worship it goes to the GB along woth cash!) Despite all that Noah had to do in serving God, “he did just so.” (Gen. 6:22) (Noah didn’t participate in all the above indoctrination sessions that only further the interests of a deceitful publishing business that poses as a religion.)
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  Kensho

  The branch is full of hypocrites, they deny the rank and file what they themselves enjoy, let's see- great room and board, free medical / dental and computers etc. not to mention building a huge recreation complex at the "farm" with a cushy retirement home for CO's, DO's and big wiggs etc.

  and don't forget the ever building and expansion which requires tons of $$$$

  It is amazing how they make us feel guilty for trying to support our families by telling us what to put first in our lives to be acceptable to Jah while at the same time living within an onclave with no worries being supported by the R&F

  they have some balls that is for sure!

  Kensho
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  breakfast of champions

  An elder and I were standing in the back joking about the wheelbarrow picture (yes, that's what those people standing in the back are doing!) I commented to him that I'm not sure how much more they want us to simplify our lives- not only do I not have all that crap in the wheelbarrow, I don't even have a damn wheelbarrow! But that new recreational facility at walkill will certainly prove such a blessing to the fine Bethelites up there.