by cedars 67 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
Excellent article Cedars. It has appeal to current Witnesses and non-Witnesses alike. Very clear without pushing any agenda or sounding offensive. I especially like the subtitle Are Governing Body members the leaders of Jehovah’s Witnesses?
I'm going to share this with some of my JW family. It's factual, respectful and just plain interesting informaiton that has been lost to the average JW. Brilliant!
Thanks Hermamo. I do not exaggerate when I say that some of the details were unknown even to me until recently. I have wannabefree to thank for drawing my attention to the fact that Jesus supposedly selects the Governing Body members himself. I do appreciate your kind remarks, and I hope the article can benefit your friends/family.
Cedars
marked
cedars, I was just prefacing my experience in research and how I wondered why I hadn't seen it. And my experience not finding the term "governing body" as a discussion term in the Insight book. In that, my response to that knowledge was uniqiue to me. Also I discussed the missing term with Ray Franz who researched a great deal of the Aid book that the Insight volumes were taken from and he confirmed my conclusions. It gave me confidence that I could see past other WTS manipulation.
Thanks blondie, I understand what you're getting at. It's difficult to see through the full scope of the Watch Tower's manipulation, even perhaps years after you wake up to it. I suspect even the Governing Body members would be at a loss to explain things coherently if cornered on many of these questions. I've certainly continued to learn more things in the last couple of months, many of which I've used in this article. I envy the fact that you had the opportunity to consult with Ray Franz when he was alive. I would have highly valued his input now, just as I value yours.
Cedars
The use of Governing Body is just another annotation of power the WTS. uses to self identify themselves.
Other organizations like the Mormons, Free Masons have a identifying GB within their organizations as well.
They also self describe themselves as the chosen rulers/governors over Christ's earthly kingdom arrangement.
In many ways the WTS. Corporation personifies the Freedom of Religion which was availed to this organization from its very beginning.
blondie > > Make sure of all things (1953), page 200, heading: Jehovah's Witnesses
You could add a few juicy quotes. Like the one from the eighties Watchtower that says a member of the governing body checks every magazine to make sure there are no pictures with dodgy images in them. It is so absurd I love it. Or that quote from Raymond Franz where he says some older members of the governing body slept through meetings and had to be woken up to raise their hand to vote.
I was just talking with hubs about wondering who picks the GB. reading now.
Thanks Queenwitch. You may find the answer to that question, as provided by a 1971 Watchtower article, quite amusing!
Hi slimboyfat - I know what you mean. Some of the "juicy" oddities of the Governing Body are perhaps worthy of a mention, but I'm trying to "stick to the script" and provide only information that satisfies the sincere questions of people who wonder about the Governing Body and their right to rule. I do appreciate the suggestion though.
Cedars
