by JT 14 Replies latest jw friends
I left my CDROM at work and i need to find the article-
I THINK IT IS
"Are you an open minded person"
something to that affect
it was an excellent article in the Awake on the need to have an open mind , be willing to look at all the cards , even the unfavorable ones, etc
it was a well written article, from the Boys in Writing,
of course no JW could apply it to themselves, but the article was well written
any help would be appreicated
thanks
James
Here is all the articles I could find, hope one is it.
*** g87 3/22 8-9 Are You Open-Minded Toward God? ***
Are You Open-Minded Toward God?
DO YOU love God? Do you want to know him better? The way to do so was shown 19 centuries ago. The apostle Paul preached to a mixed crowd of Jews and Greeks in a Jewish synagogue in Thessalonica. Some Jews and some Greeks were convinced and changed their religion, but many of the Jews, “full of resentment, enlisted the help of a gang from the market place, stirred up a crowd, and soon had the whole city in an uproar.”
Under cover of darkness, Paul escaped the mob and moved on to Beroea and soon was in the synagogue preaching to both Jews and Greeks. “Here the Jews were more open-minded than those in Thessalonika, and they welcomed the word very readily; every day they studied the scriptures to check whether it was true. Many Jews became believers, and so did many Greek women from the upper classes and a number of the men.”—Acts 17:1-12.
The Jews in Thessalonica clung to their centuries-old religion with its oral traditions that made void God’s Word. (Matthew 15:1-9) How different were those of Beroea—they listened with open minds, checked the Scriptures to see whether Paul’s words were true, and changed their religion.
Catholic commentators, as quoted in the previous article, have this to say about Jehovah’s Witnesses. They are “in first place when it comes to fervor, zeal, activism.” They “are the first to live the faith they preach,” and they “follow a virtuous and honest life-style.” One is “welcomed with warmth and a sense of brotherhood and solidarity.” “They always have the Bible in their hand,” and their “way of reading the Bible evidently meets real needs that other theologies no longer fill.” Their message “helps in overcoming the anxiety of the individual in the face of this world’s woes.” All of this and more is said by Catholic clergymen and commentators. Is not all of this high praise for Jehovah’s Witnesses?
Would it not be wise, then, to listen to their Bible-based conversations when they call at your door? And remember, the fact that their religion is disparagingly called a “sect” does not make it false. The first Christians were called “the Nazarene sect.” The Bible admonishes all of us to “prove all things: hold fast that which is good.” (Acts 24:5; 1 Thessalonians 5:21, Douay Version) Should not all who love God and want to know him heed this divine counsel?
[Box/Pictures on page 9]
If you are a Catholic and wish to know God better, with an open mind consider these questions along with the scriptures cited, using your own Bible.
The Catholic Douay Version Bible teaches that the soul dies—does your church teach that it is immortal?—Ezekiel 18:4; Acts 3:23; Apocalypse 16:3.
It teaches that the wages sin pays is death—does your church teach that sinners are tortured in hell or in purgatory?—Ecclesiastes 9:5, 10; Romans 6:23.
It teaches that Jehovah is one God and that Jesus is not equal to him—does your church teach that God is one God in three persons and that Jesus is one of three equals?—Deuteronomy 6:4; John 14:28.
It teaches that Jesus is the rock on which God’s church is built—does your church teach that it is built on Peter?—Ephesians 2:20, 21; 1 Peter 2:4-8.
It teaches praying to God through Christ Jesus—does your church teach praying to or through others?—Philippians 4:6; 1 Timothy 2:5.
It teaches addressing confession of sins and requests for forgiveness to God through the advocacy of Jesus Christ—does your church teach that these favors come through a priest?—1 John 1:9; 2:1.
And that same Catholic Bible teaches that friendship with the world and political involvement with this world is enmity with God—does your church involve itself with the political or military affairs of this world?—John 15:19; 18:36; James 1:27; 4:4.
[Pictures]
Hellfire?
Trinity?
Intercessors?
*** g84 11/22 3-4 An Open or a Closed Mind-Which Do You Have? ***
An Open or a Closed Mind—Which Do You Have?
PEOPLE do have difficulties getting along with one another, do they not? And although most of us like to think of ourselves as being open-minded, let us ask ourselves with complete honesty: Is the narrow-minded and bigoted person really always the “other fellow”?
In reality your mind may be more closed than you imagine. Do you at times say: “Two things I never talk about are religion and politics”? Or do you turn up your nose at foods you have not eaten before? “Snails? Never!” Or how do you feel about unfamiliar types of medical treatment? “Acupuncture? Pure quackery!” Or do you “know”—as, for example, “everyone” in Germany does—that Gypsies are thieves, North Germans are stubborn, everyone from Berlin is a loudmouth, Swabians are stingy and foreigners are lazy? Of course, similar ideas are found everywhere—yes, in your country too.
What Is an Open Mind?
An open mind is free from the fetters of prejudice, which by one dictionary is defined as follows: “A judgment or opinion, favorable or unfavorable, formed beforehand or without due examination; a mental decision based on other grounds than reason or justice; especially, a premature or adversely biased opinion.”
A necessary part of life is that we make decisions and reach judgments. But decisions made “without due examination” or judgments reached “on other grounds than reason or justice” are evidences of a closed mind.
Having an open mind, on the other hand, means to be receptive to new information and ideas. It means being willing to examine and to evaluate information without a biased attitude. By retaining what is worthwhile and rejecting what is worthless, we can reach definite conclusions on a solid basis and still leave our minds open to further revision should additional information become available at a future time. He who feels he has learned it all can be sure that this attitude will prevent him from ever learning more.
Why People Have Closed Minds
A closed mind may indicate lack of knowledge. We may know so little about a subject, or have information so distorted or incomplete, that the facts necessary to reach proper conclusions are missing. For example, if you are living in Germany and are so sure that everyone from Berlin is a loudmouth, ask yourself just how many people from Berlin you know. Enough to judge several million people accurately? Perhaps more careful thought will lead you to the realization that you have met more loudmouths from Hamburg, Frankfurt or Munich than you ever have met from Berlin.
A closed mind may betray a lack of interest in the subject or a reluctance to look into the matter. In fact, it could even be a sign of uncertainty or doubt. For example, if we are unable to defend our religious views, we may find ourselves lashing out against those who challenge our beliefs, not with logical arguments, but with slurs and innuendos. This smacks of prejudice and of a closed mind.
A closed mind may also indicate a selfish desire to retain certain advantages that an open mind might cause us to lose. In some countries racial groups have been suppressed so that other groups can enjoy certain privileges. Unwilling to share these with others, the privileged groups retreat to the prejudicial position of “we are better than you,” closing their minds to all evidence to the contrary.
Are you open-minded enough to consider the possibility that you may not be? It will pay to find out. Whereas an open mind can serve to your advantage, a closed one will almost certainly serve to your detriment.
*** g84 11/22 4-7 Six Benefits From an Open Mind ***
Six Benefits From an Open Mind
OF THE many advantages of an open mind, we would like to discuss six. Give thought to whether you could perhaps derive greater benefit or pleasure from life by developing an open mind in this or that particular aspect.
1 Enriches Life
Remember when you were a child? How exciting life was! How thrilling to explore everything new that came along. You were—as most children normally are—open-minded, receptive to new impressions. You did not know what prejudice meant.
But have you retained this open-minded attitude toward new things? Or have you become like the foreign traveler who complains that he can’t find the food he is accustomed to eating at home? Of course, taking certain health precautions as regards food and drink when traveling may be necessary. For example, it may be wise to drink only bottled water and, particularly in the tropics, to avoid raw vegetables and salads. But, outside of that, what prevents you from at least trying some of the local cuisine? The natives have been enjoying it for years. You may not know what you are missing!
And how do you feel about foreign customs? They may be somewhat strange viewed from your standpoint. But “strange” does not mean “inferior.” It is a closed mind that insists that “our way of doing things is better.” So even though you may still prefer a knife and fork to chopsticks, your life will be enriched once you learn to eat with them.
Why rob yourself of association with other ethnic groups because their way of life may be different? A German graduate of the Watchtower Bible School of Gilead recalls that he had never enjoyed close contact with people from other nations until he attended this missionary school in 1962. “I was part of a student body composed of students from 50 different countries,” he remembers, “from such faraway places as Japan, Papua New Guinea, the Congo, Argentina and India. At first my feelings toward them were mixed, but in the course of time, after becoming better acquainted with them, I learned to love them. It was an experience that greatly enriched my life and broadened my horizons.” Your life, too, will become more meaningful if you widen out to enjoy the full variety to be found within the human family.
2 Contributes to Better Health
The total and lasting cure for illness is beyond man’s power to find, either at present or in the future. But divine help is on the way. God’s new system of things will soon displace today’s society that is sick both physically and morally. Then, “no resident will say: ‘I am sick.’”—Isaiah 33:24.
In the meantime we seek temporary relief from physical ailments. There are any number of medical treatments to choose from. Having an open mind, we will not condemn any of them simply on the basis of their being unusual or unorthodox. We will also realize that what may be effective for one person may not work for another. Thus, although we exercise due caution, an open mind will open up a much wider scope of medical therapies to choose from than a closed mind would ever allow.
An open mind helps us maintain a cheerful attitude. A closed mind is poisoned by prejudice and hate. It is unloving and therefore detrimental to health. As one psychiatrist said: “It is easier to hate, but healthier to love.” Yes, modern medicine has discovered the Bible truth that “a tranquil mind gives life to the flesh” and that “a cheerful heart is a good medicine.”—Proverbs 14:30; 17:22, Revised Standard Version.
3 Promotes Mental Growth
It has been estimated that your brain has the capacity to remember 10,000 times as much material as is recorded in the Encyclopædia Britannica! Why stifle this tremendous capacity by allowing a closed mind to limit your intake of knowledge?
A closed mind brings mental growth to a standstill. This is dangerous because a closed mind is incapable of correcting improper or wrong ideas and views. An open mind, on the other hand, leads to maturity and greater mental balance. It helps us broaden the foundation upon which to base our views and make our decisions. Thus, the greater likelihood we have of making correct ones.
4 Helps in Solving Problems
To solve problems successfully we need to be willing to accept wise counsel. Proverbs 15:22 says: “There is a frustrating of plans where there is no confidential talk, but in the multitude of counselors there is accomplishment.” An open mind helps us to accept the counsel of those around us, people with whom we work, live and associate. This leads to accomplishment and success.
An open mind will help us pick up counsel by way of example, even when the one giving it may be unaware of that fact. This is illustrated by what a Christian missionary’s wife used to tell her husband whenever he became upset at the way people were doing things. “Remember,” she would remind him, “you can learn something from everyone—if it’s no more than how not to do something.”
Yes, we can benefit greatly by not closing our minds to the thoughts and conduct of others. By open-mindedly contemplating “how their conduct turns out,” we can either imitate or avoid their course of action, as the case may be.—Compare Hebrews 13:7.
5 Promotes Good Relationships
Did you ever jump to conclusions that later proved to be incorrect? How embarrassing. But even worse, how painful if this caused a severe strain on your marriage or on a treasured friendship. An open mind would have prevented you from making up your mind about the matter until all the evidence was in. This, in turn, would have prevented you from speaking too soon. The Bible’s sage observation about this at Proverbs 18:13 is: “When anyone is replying to a matter before he hears it, that is foolishness on his part and a humiliation.”
It is truly difficult to have a fine relationship with narrow-minded people who see everything only from their perspective, not allowing for differences of opinion, taste and preference. And what is more narrow-minded than a closed mind?
Of course, an open mind should not be so open or broad that it loses sight of moral principles and adopts the view that “anything goes.” But by open-mindedly trying to understand a person, we are not condoning his wrong actions. We are simply trying to determine why he thinks or acts as he does. Are there extenuating circumstances? Could it be the way he was brought up, his background or his environment? Could it be lack of knowledge?
Being open-minded as regards the faults and weaknesses of others will make it easier for us to show them empathy. It will not be difficult to reach out to them in Christian love, helping them to change wrong actions and attitudes. It will make for meaningful relationships.
6 The Most Important Advantage
A sixth advantage of an open mind is so important that it deserves more detailed consideration. It, too, has to do with our relationship with others, this time with our Creator, Jehovah God, and with his Son and our Redeemer, Christ Jesus.
Our relationship with our fellowman, while important, can mean at most only the difference between happiness and unhappiness. Our relationship with Jehovah God and Christ Jesus means the difference between life and death! See the next article for details
*** g84 11/22 8-10 An Open Mind Wins God's Approval ***
An Open Mind Wins God’s Approval
THE importance of having an open mind so as to win God’s approval is shown in the words recorded at Ephesians 5:10, 17. There we read: “Keep on making sure of what is acceptable to the Lord. On this account cease becoming unreasonable, but go on perceiving what the will of Jehovah is.”
But is it not a fact that many people have closed minds when it comes to religion? Some even reject the idea of a Supreme Being and are unwilling to listen to the evidence of his existence presented by believers. For them religion is a closed subject.
Even some religious people have closed minds. They are interested only in “their” religion, showing no willingness to as much as listen to the views of others. And even though they may not have chosen their religion but simply have inherited it from their parents, still they feel that their religion must be right. But not every inheritance is necessarily good. A quick temper, a selfish attitude or a deceitful spirit can also be parental hand-me-downs, but they are definitely undesirable.
What makes a religion right is its total adherence to God’s Word. Whether our religion meets this criterion or not can only be determined by open-mindedly comparing it with the Bible. Certainly such an important matter as our worship of God should not be determined for us by the coincidence of where we were born. After all, the child born to Catholic parents has had no more control over this fact than the child born to Muslim parents controls that.
Avoid Religious Prejudice
When people are approached with a religious message, they may react in one of several ways. Some will say: “Absolute truth is impossible to find”; “all religions are only out for your money”; “science has disproved religion”; “religion is just a crutch for weak people.” These views, and others like them, tend to close the mind and cut off investigation before it has begun. It is prejudice at work.
Why, some people have even been known to doubt the truthfulness of a message simply on the basis of where the message bearer came from. Take, for example, an event from the first century C.E. John 1:45, 46 tells us: “Philip found Nathanael and said to him: ‘We have found the one of whom Moses, in the Law, and the Prophets wrote, Jesus, the son of Joseph, from Nazareth.’ But Nathanael said to him: ‘Can anything good come out of Nazareth?’ Philip said to him: ‘Come and see.’” Philip was clearly admonishing Nathanael to keep an open mind.
Similar things happen today. When missionaries of Jehovah’s Witnesses preach in foreign countries, they may experience rejection, even though their message is based on the Bible, simply because of their nationality. Following the example of Nathanael of old, some people may ask: “Can anything good come out of America?”
Others may tend to reject a message because it is presented in a simple way by a person of simple background. But is this wise? About members of the early Christian congregation, we read: “When the Council [Jewish Sanhedrin] saw the boldness of Peter and John, and could see that they were obviously uneducated non-professionals, they were amazed and realized what being with Jesus had done for them!”—Acts 4:13, The Living Bible.
Yes, “uneducated non-professionals” can do amazing things when trained in the sayings of God. So do not allow their lack of formal theological training or professionalism to close your mind; leave it open to investigate the message they bring.
How to Find Religious Truth
An open mind is willing to do what 1 John 4:1 recommends. It says: “Beloved ones, do not believe every inspired expression, but test the inspired expressions to see whether they originate with God, because many false prophets have gone forth into the world.” But in view of the thousands of different religious groups and sects now in existence, is it possible to test what is true? Yes, not only possible but also not nearly as difficult as you might think. For example:
Some religions teach that in time our literal earth will be burned up. They may quote 2 Peter 3:7 in support: “But by the same word the heavens and the earth that are now are stored up for fire and are being reserved to the day of judgment and of destruction of the ungodly men.”
But does this text really say that the literal earth will be burned up? Actually, it only speaks of the “destruction of the ungodly men.” In the preceding verses, Þ2Pe 3:Ü5 and 6, it likens this to the time of Noah’s flood when “the world of that time suffered destruction when it was deluged with water.”
Now what actually perished in the Flood? Genesis 7:23 answers: “Thus he wiped out every existing thing that was on the surface of the ground, from man to beast, . . . and they were wiped off the earth.” Logically, when wicked people were “wiped off the earth,” the literal earth must have remained standing.
This is in harmony with Ecclesiastes 1:4, which informs us that “a generation is going, and a generation is coming; but the earth is standing even to time indefinite.” Psalm 104:5 is even more emphatic: “He has founded the earth upon its established places; it will not be made to totter to time indefinite, or forever.”
After comparing these scriptures, an open mind will conclude that any religion teaching the literal destruction of the earth is teaching an untruth. Could it then be the true religion, representing Jehovah God, the God of truth? Or what if it teaches other doctrines equally false? By the process of elimination, we can weed out false religions quickly.
“Be Sound in Mind”
The apostle Peter’s admonition “be sound in mind” includes, of necessity, having an open mind, for only an open mind can reach sound conclusions and make sound judgments. Some of the inhabitants of Beroea had such an open mind, because of them we read that “they received the word with the greatest eagerness of mind, carefully examining the Scriptures daily as to whether these things were so.”—1 Peter 4:7; Acts 17:11.
An open mind, free of prejudice, will enable us to go on “carefully examining the Scriptures daily” and then to act upon what we learn. This is in harmony with the Bible counsel to “become doers of the word, and not hearers only.” The Beroeans were more than just hearers, because Acts 17:12 informs us that “many of them became believers.”—James 1:22; see also Matthew 7:21.
Yes, having an open mind will pay in many ways. Using it to help us find the true religion will enrich our present life, improve our spiritual health and assist us in solving life’s problems. But, most importantly, it will also help us win God’s approval, thus putting us in the way of receiving everlasting life in his new system.—See Mark 10:29, 30.
Literally hundreds of thousands of people living around the globe are happy that they were open-minded enough to investigate the Bible message. By having an open mind toward religion they have seen the marvelous prospect of everlasting life on a paradise earth opened up to them. Would you enjoy such a prospect for your future?
Are you open-minded enough to investigate? It will be to your everlasting benefit if you are.
[Footnotes]
For additional examples, see chapters 8 and 9 of the book You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth, published in 1982 by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc.
[Picture on page 9]
Do you reject a message because of preconceived ideas? Or do you investigate?
[Pictures on page 10]
An open mind can put you on the way to everlasting life in Paradise
If God's Spirit is filling a Kingdom Hall, how is it that Satan can manuever the ones within that Kingdom Hall at the same time?
Oh man I forget how funny that 'open mind' stuff is. I used to eat it up. When that little voice in my head would ask "..but how come you can't be open minded about other...". "SHHHHHH" I would reply, "Im reading the Watchtower, GODS WORD!"
"But.."
"I said BE QUIET, once you've found the truth you don't need to be open-minded anymore."
"Okay boss."
It amazes me how they are witnesses against themselves.
Pureheart
JT,
While this may not be what you are looking for it is one of my favorites. First line: "EDUCATION teaches you how to think. Propagandists tell you what to think."
Aug 22, 1978 page 3
Do Others Do Your Thinking?
Propaganda has power. Does it overpower you? Or do you have a mind of your own?
EDUCATION teaches you how to think. Propagandists tell you what to think. True educators present all sides of an issue and encourage discussion. Propagandists hammer hard on their view and discourage discussion. Many times their true motives are hidden. They sift the facts, tell the favorable ones and conceal the others. They distort and twist facts, specialize in lies and half-truths. Your emotions, not your logical thinking abilities, are their target. Many fall easy prey because it takes no effort to feel, whereas thinking is hard labor. And the propagandist sees to it that his message is made to seem wise, the right and moral one, and gives you a sense of importance and belonging if you follow it. You are one of the smart ones, you are not alone, you are comfortable and secure-so they say.
Propagandists have little respect for people's thinking abilities. Hitler wrote: "The intelligence of the masses is small. Their forgetfulness is great. They must be told the same thing a thousand times." Lenin was more discriminating. He used historical and scientific arguments to persuade the educated minority, but slogans and half-truths to arouse the masses, whom he considered unable to grasp complicated ideas. The pen may be mightier than the sword, but oftentimes it is used to prepare the way before the sword.
Tricks of Propagandists
Symbols stir feelings. Words such as mother, home, justice, freedom-all pack a wallop for the heart. Slogans are catchy and seem to be packed with wisdom. Favorable facts are exaggerated; the others are distorted or concealed. Oratory often substitutes for sound argument, and it diverts attention from unpleasant truths that cannot be concealed. Burn a building in one place while robbing a grocery store somewhere else, is the technique.
Tyranny of authority, ridicule, name-calling, smears, slurs, personal digs-all such tactics are marshaled to assail your mind and take it by storm. Sound evidence, reasoning, logic? The propagandist's deadliest foes! He therefore attempts to rout reason and stimulate passion. As emotion rises, judgment declines; and, under the lash of stinging words and reckless rhetoric, the mind is herded along. Some propaganda is of this inflammatory kind, but much of it today is more subtle. Many people today are more sophisticated and see through the rambunctious oratory; so a "soft sell" is used instead.
Television commercials specialize in this. Products are associated with happy families, beautiful girls, romantic men, cuddly babies, playful kittens and puppies-all desirable things but which have nothing to do with the products. Television programs are often propaganda, for the new morality, for materialistic goals, for selfish satisfactions. Newscasts are colored. Most situation comedies are superficial fluff.
But even educated, sophisticated persons fall prey to a very unfair and untrue type of propaganda. This type assumes a superior air of dismissal of an opponent's viewpoint, treating it as rather pathetic and really not worth attention. It is what many evolutionists resort to in order to evade questions that they cannot answer. They can't prove their theory. So they resort to making assertions, and they scoff at all who dare to dispute them. And if any suggest that evolution conflicts with the Bible, these wise ones indulgently smile at the simple souls and indicate that they need this crutch, but that "intelligent persons know that God's Word is only ancient myths." They prove neither their assertions nor their smears, but by the tyranny of authority they pontificate their opinions, squelch objections and intimidate opposers. It works, and supposedly intelligent people who know nothing about the theory believe it because "all intelligent people believe it." But more on this in the next article, "Creation Goes to College."
What About You?
Proverbs 14:15 states: "A simple man believes every word he hears; a clever man understands the need for proof." (The New English Bible) Many today are like sponges; they soak up whatever they are submerged in. It is the easy way. Exercise for the muscles is hard work; exercising the mind is even harder. It is so much easier to soak up whatever is around-and today, for the most part, that is television, the printed page, radio and movies. There are, however, some good books, movies and television programs. They require more mental effort to read or to watch. So each individual must choose what he will feed his mind. It is said that we are what we eat, and this can apply to food for both the body and the mind. Whatever you read or watch or listen to, test whether it is propaganda or whether it is the truth. "The god of this system of things has blinded the minds of the unbelievers," that they might not know the vital truths of our time. What about you? Will you let others think for you, or will you do your own thinking? Do your own, and "thinking ability itself will keep guard over you." At the same time, it must be admitted that we need good and proper guidance.-2 Cor. 4:4, 6; Prov. 2:11; Ps. 36:9; Jer. 10:23.
BTW I have used these articles to expand the "Verify Your Religion" section of our WT Quotes website:
http://quotes.jehovahswitnesses.com/verify.htm
The above linked page is rather interesting when compared to the "Don't Verify Your Religion" material:
http://quotes.jehovahswitnesses.com/verify_not.htm
Thanks for the thread. More good info "gleaned."
===========================
For interesting Watchtower Society literature quotes, complete with references but without any editorial, check out:
http://Quotes.JehovahsWitnesses.com
Tdogg said:
"But.."
"I said BE QUIET, once you've found the truth you don't need to be open-minded anymore."
"Okay boss."
An outstanding characterization of what is wrong with JW thinking! Hypocrisy at its finest.
AlanF
JT,
The article you are looking for is a recent one. Not on CD ROM yet.
Probably a recyled from the previous ones already posted here.
JT,
I will find it for you -- give me a little minute. I used quotes from this RECENT article in my good-bye e-mail to a 'Friend'. Pretty sure I know which one you mean.
outnfree
It's what you learn after you know it all that counts -- John Wooden
JT --
I think the article you are looking for may be entitled "Must You Believe It?" and is from the December 1, 2000 WATCHTOWER.
Unfortunately, I don't have bound volumes for that year and cannot find that particular issue in my single mags file.
Perhaps someone else could scan it here?
Best,
Brenda
