One thing I noticed in the August 15, 2012 Watchtower, page 26, is how the writer has clearly left the usual form of narration. Typically it goes like "We must avoid Satan's snares!" But when it gets to the subject of materialism, notice the change in paragraph 4, page 26:
"In these 'critical times hard to deal with,' there is much that could make you anxious. (2 Tim. 3:1) With the high cost of living and rising unemployment rates, you may find it difficult to make ends meet. You may also be anxious about the future and wonder, 'Will I have enough income after I retire?' Because of such anxiety, some have been led to pursue riches, thinking that money will guarantee security."
(I also like the interesting photo. Apparently, basic mathematics can choke our spirituality. "Let's see, how much money I make, minus what I gotta spend to pay these bills...OH MY GOD! I CAN'T GO TO MEETINGS ANYMORE! F*** JEHOVAH!!! LET'S GO GET A NEW HOUSE!!!")
Anyway, this gives me a very noteworthy message about the person(s) writing this article: (1) I, the writer of this article, am not anxious. Perhaps because I'm more spiritual than you'll ever be--hence why I'm writing this article--and the only time I use the word 'we' is when I'm kind of expecting you to imitate what I'm already successfully doing. B****es. (2) I do not find it difficult to make ends meet; after all, you're paying for my room and board and three squares a day, buddy! Thanks for your donations! (3) I don't have to worry about the future; as long as the Governing Body keeps me here, YOU'RE gonna pay for my retirement! Thanks again.
Oh, and "some" have been led to pursue "riches". "Some"? Like who? It's a generalization. Unprovable, but also undisprovable. "Have been led" implies that the decision to make more money was actually not theirs, but that they were somehow led, or misled, in the writer's mind, to make more money. So who would ever lead a servant of God to make more money? Got to be Satan, right? It was left unsaid, but unconsciously, it's implanted there in the reader's mind without them even realizing it. I mean, that's what this article is about, right? Satan's traps? Right. Cle-ver.
Also, the writer of this article seems to know what "some" people are thinking, "that money will guarantee security". Well, how does he know that's what they're thinking? He doesn't, but he's doing the thinking for them and passing judgment on their actions, thus guilting anyone who's legitimately worried about their financial future. Maybe money is the only way, at least around here, to acquire food and shelter. I mean, if they start the barter system up again, I hope the Society will let us know, so we can be ready!
But anyway, making more money is not necessarily the same as "pursuing riches". It's a case of skipping over the middle ground. Either you're a greedy person desperate to get rich, or you're 'putting Kingdom interests first'. Maybe that person who wants to set aside more for retirement is planning to spend more time on spiritual things when they retire. But the writer is clearly maligning their motives without knowing what their plans are. Or at the very least, guilting them about said plans. Well, the Watchtower is certainly planning a comfortable retirement for its senior leadership. I think I'll imitate their fine example.
There's so much fun to be had in this issue. I mean, the elder's wife who was bangin' his Bible study while he was off giving a public talk at East Giblit Congregation? Oh, cla-ssic-ah! That's a whole 'nother thread right there! Okay, this is too long, better stop.
--sd-7