The WTS War Against Games and Sports

by Quendi 9 Replies latest jw friends

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  Quendi

  We've discussed this before, but I wanted to collate comments under this one heading. We all know how the WTS has spoken against gambling. That is something I can understand because for some, gambling can lead to serious addiction problems. However, that can't be said for everyone any more than it can be said that drinking alcohol automatically makes a person an alcoholic. But the organization hasn't been content with giving sober warnings about the dangers one might encounter if he gambles. To do so at any level is an offense that at the very least will get a person reproved if not disfellowshipped.

  But, as we all know, this is also an organization that if given an inch will take a mile. No Witness should take part in any kind of organized sports. Sports themselves are in a bad light but the proscriptions go beyond them. Even games have been condemned. Chess, checkers and backgammon have also fallen under the Society's "evil eye". That's because the first two are "martial" in nature and the last one involves an element of luck and gambling the Society frowns upon. I remember that some years ago Pokemon was also condemned as being 'demonic'. And we all know the WTS's thinking on video games. Can anyone think of other games and sports that are disapproved by the Society? I'm interested in compiling a list.

  Quendi
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  BluesBrother

  Any kind of competitive activity has been criticized at some time , since "the spirit of competition" is frowned upon.

  Wt '70 6/15 p356

  It is wise for Christians to examine their attitudes and motives. Have you been infected by the world’s fiercely competitive spirit? Do you call forth or challenge persons? Have you the desire to show that you are better? Be honest with yourself, and do your utmost to heed the Bible encouragement: “Let us not become egotistical, stirring up competition with one another.”

  As you say even the sedentary game of chess has been criticized, and if my memory is correct , older publication, pre c/d rom ruled it "unsuitable for Christians.

  However there are mixed messages at times. Some articles are more lenient than others, I guess depending on who wrote them.

  I was surprised to see in the June 2012 Awake an article "Euro 2012 a historic event" This discusses the upcoming International football tournament in The Ukraine and Poland. - Opening sentence:

  "Do you enjoy watching a good soccer [stet Americanism] game? Or perhaps even participating in one? If so, likely you are aware of the EUFA 2012 games......"

  The article calls this historic because it is the first time held in Eastern Europe. Apart from a cautionary tale of being overly unbalanced about it, the article is not unfavourable . It has a photo of star player Torres playing for Spain.

  Are we seeing a divergence of views among the Writing dept? I think that is likely....Perhaps someone with Bethel insight could give us some inside info on this...?
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  Quendi

  After Bobby Fischer won the world chess championship in 1972, there was an upsurge of interest in the United States in the game Lenin, himself a skilled player, characterized as "the gymnasium of the mind". The Society saw fit to weigh in on the subject in an Awake! article that featured the thinking of chess master Shelby Lyman. Looking back on it now I believe his remarks were taken entirely out of context and made to mean something far beyond his actual intent.

  Lyman was quoted as visualizing the chessboard as a battlefield with a topography that had to be taken into account as a player planned his strategy and tactics for winning the game. Then it went on to say that this was definitely unchristian thinking and so Christians had to be cautious about taking up a game with obvious militaristic overtones. Yeah, right. We all know that playing chess turns people into warmongering, bloothirsty generals.

  I remember being disturbed by this kind of thinking then. Looking back at it now I see it as nothing more than rank nonsense fueled by the kind of paranoia that is the base of the Witness religion going back to J.F. Rutherford's day. You can't play chess. You can't participate in organized sports, even if you have good athletic ability. You can't play the lottery or take part in raffles. Seeing this is the attitude toward games and sports, is it any wonder that growth has stagnated or contracted in developed countries and those who choose to remain are burning out?

  And I think that BluesBrother is right to suggest there is a difference of opinion in the Writing Department at Bethel with respect to participation--even of a passive kind--in games and sports. Doubtless "new light" will be brought to bear on this question and the more ascetic view will be repeated and reinforced. So this article which favorably looks upon the upcoming EUFA tournament will be counteracted by a later one denouncing the fierce competitive spirit and risk of serious injury one would see on a soccer pitch. More's the pity.

  Quendi
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  cedars

  Here's my thread on the subject for those who are interested:

  http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/watchtower/beliefs/215402/1/WT-A-sport-is-objectionable-if-too-many-people-like-it

  The magazine article discussed is arguably the most recent Watchtower that vehemently opposes participation in sports.

  Cedars
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  wha happened?

  yea I think the writers flip on this topic alot, and it's enforced rather inconsistantly in the KH. The nazi cong I went to had recently "allowed" weekend baseball games at the park when I started to attend.
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  Kojack57

  It's a shame that the society downs recreation like that, it makes it very difficult for the younger crowd. NO FUN FOR YOU!!!! That just makes the younger crowd invent their own hobbies which forces them into living a double life.

  Kojack
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  puffthedragon

  The society does not want witnesses to participate in organize sports because then you would have to shower with other people of the same sex and when you saw their penis or va-jay-jay it could turn you gay.
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  hellenback

  Something I always noticed was whenever anything like football or rounders or any game for tht matter by JWs, was that they always cheated at any game and when anyone pulled them up on it they said ITs only a game. My reply was always the same "If its only a game why are you cheating at it?
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  WTWizard

  If it's fun and will take away from field circus or allow someone to develop normal traits, the Filthful and Disgraceful Slavebugger doesn't want the witlesses doing it.
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  Morbidzbaby

  They seem to flip-flop on this stance a lot. I remember reading in one of the books that was released at a convention a few years back that any type of sport where the participants had to protect themselves like Gladiators did is not something Jehovah looks on with favor. I thought it was incredibly stupid. So that took out American football, hockey...and other "contact" sports.

  In congregations I attended, they went back and forth between having baseball games after the meetings on Sundays to not having anything at all. Other times, they would have "congregation picnics" and some of the brothers would play football, but it was "touch" football or "flag" football. But some of those brothers...damn, they WENT FOR IT. Full-body tackles and all. You'd think they were playing for the Heisman.