WT Propaganda Techniques

by Ding 11 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

  • Ding
    Ding

    I recently came across some quotes in the February 1, 1952 Watchtower. Granted, that's a long time ago, but I think it illustrates the propaganda techniques the organization still uses.

    "We should meekly go along with the Lord's theocratic organization and wait for further clarification, rather than balk at the first mention of a thought unpalatable to us and proceed to quibble and mouth our criticisms and opinions as though they were worth more than the slave's provision of spiritual food. Theocratic ones will appreciate the Lord's visible organization and not be so foolish as to pit against Jehovah's channel their own human reasoning and sentiment and personal feelings... After being nourished to our present spiritual health and maturity, do we suddenly become smarter than our former provider and forsake the enlightening guidance of the organization that mothered us? `Forsake not the law of thy mother.' (Prov. 6:20-23)"

    I want to address this in 2 ways -- first, putting it the context of any other religious organization, and second, commenting on it phrase by phrase.

    Revised context

    Suppose you were a JW trying to convert a householder and they told you that they are forbidden to question the teachings of their current religious organization. They pull out a church publication that uses identical reasoning as follows:

    "We should meekly go along with the Church authorities and wait for further clarification, rather than balk at the first mention of a thought unpalatable to us and proceed to quibble and mouth our criticisms and opinions as though they were worth more than the Church's provision of spiritual food. Obedient Christians will appreciate the Lord's visible organization and not be so foolish as to pit against God's channel their own human reasoning and sentiment and personal feelings... After being nourished to our present spiritual health and maturity, do we suddenly become smarter than our former provider and forsake the enlightening guidance of the organization that mothered us? `Forsake not the law of thy mother.' (Prov. 6:20-23)"

    What would you say? Wouldn't you tell them that their church authorities seem afraid to be investigated or questioned? Wouldn't you accuse the church leaders of circular reasoning? "You can't question whether your church leaders speak for God because your church leaders speak for God and must not be questioned?"

    So how is it any better when it's the WTS using this line of "reasoning"?

    Phrase by Phrase

    "We should meekly [remember that it is the meek who will inherit the earth. You DO want to make it to the paradise earth, don't you?]

    go along with the Lord's theocratic organization [It is not permissible to re-examine whether the WTS really IS God's theocratic organization]

    and wait for further clarification [what if they never clarify this?],

    rather than balk at the first mention of a thought unpalatable to us [It is not possible to "make sure of all things" the GB says; all you are doing is frivolously balking at the first mention of a thought you petulantly consider unpalatable]

    and proceed to quibble and mouth our criticisms and opinions [Who are YOU to attempt "make sure" that what you are being taught is true? You are just quibbling over trifles and mouthing your petty criticisms and opinions]

    as though they were worth more than the slave's provision of spiritual food [It is impermissible and unthinkable for you to re-examine the conclusion that the GB IS Jehovah's chosen servant and that it is providing spiritual food from God].

    Theocratic ones [or are you starting to rebel against God's sovereignty???]

    will appreciate the Lord's visible organization [You are an unappreciative, ungrateful wretch if you question whether the WTS IS God's visible organization]

    and not be so foolish [You fool!]

    as to pit against Jehovah's channel [the GB IS Jehovah's channel; don't even think of questioning that!]

    their own human reasoning [What the GB says is far greater than mere human reasoning]

    and sentiment and personal feelings... [You are a slave to your frivolous emotions.]

    After being nourished to our present spiritual health and maturity [this assumes without proof that the GB has nourished us and has given us whatever spiritual health and maturity me may have],

    do we suddenly become smarter than our former provider [You aren't doing real thinking; arrogant person that you are, you SUDDENLY and for no reason arrogantly think you are smarter than the GB!]

    and forsake the enlightening guidance [it's guidance, not indocrination, and it can't be in error because it is "enlightening"]

    of the organization that mothered us? [You are a mere child; the GB is your mother; you are dissing your mother!]

    `Forsake not the law of thy mother.' (Prov. 6:20-23)" [Nothing like taking a verse totally out of context! What if my real mother brought me up in another religion. By becoming a JW, didn't I 'forsake the law of my mother' already?]

  • whathappened
    whathappened

    Excellent points and excellent reasoning (on your part, not the Watchtower's). Enjoyed your commentary.

  • Ding
    Ding

    Thank you!

  • pixel
    pixel

    Excellent. Thanks!

    This is crazy:

    Do we suddenly become smarter than our former provider and forsake the enlightening guidance of the organization that mothered us?

    No Jesus, no Jehovah.

  • wasblind
    wasblind

    Beautiful Ding !!!!!!!

    That's what I call breakin' it down

  • Oubliette
    Oubliette

    Great thread!

    You might also like this:

    "WT Publications are all propaganda!" admits the Awake! magazine

    THERE is a difference—a big difference—between education and propaganda. Education shows you how to think. Propaganda tells you what to think. Good educators present all sides of an issue and encourage discussion. Propagandists relentlessly force you to hear their view and discourage discussion. - Awake!, June 22, 2000, pp. 9-11 – [Emphasis added]

  • Oubliette
    Oubliette

    BTW, I don't "think" I'm smarter than the GB. I know so.

    They have conclusively proven to me their own lack of intelligence.

    Don't even get me started on their lack of humility or compassion!

  • DATA-DOG
    DATA-DOG

    Nice one!! What's that old quote from Russle saying NOT to belive the Watchtower if it's wrong? Now wonder he is getting kicked to the curb!!

  • Oubliette
    Oubliette

    It's not about WHAT is Right; it is about WHO is in control. In JW-land it is the GB on both counts.

    2 + 2 = 5

  • Londo111
    Londo111

    Archbishop of Trier to Martin Luther at the Diet of Worms: "Martin, how can you assume that you are the only one to understand the sense of Scripture? Would you put your judgment above that of so many famous men and claim that you know more than they all? You have no right to call into question the most holy orthodox faith, instituted by Christ the perfect lawgiver, proclaimed throughout the world by the apostles, sealed by the red blood of martyrs, confirmed by the sacred councils, defined by the Church in which all our fathers believed until death and gave us as an inheritance, and which now we are forbidden by the pope and the emperor to discuss lest there be no end of debate."

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