"Literary Heritage"? Is this new Watchtower newspeak??

by never a jw 4 Replies latest watchtower bible

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  never a jw

  I decided to send a rather flippant e-mail to an elder who gave me a bible study in the late 90's. He's a zealot among zealots. He inhales and exhales WT 24/7. Here's my email and his response. English is not our first language, but I am glad he responded in English because you can read it too. Please bear with some confusing writing. I have highlighted the interesting stuff of his response.

  My email Dear Elder, I am preparing for the Watchtower study one week in advance and I read in Page 8 (Feb. 15, 2013): "Do you appreciate our spiritual heritage?" To the left of the question/title appear three persons holding very old magazines. Mr. Elder, do you appreciate those magazines? Have you ever read them? I don't think Jehovah's Witnesses appreciate their spiritual heritage. Almost all of them know near nothing about their history. They can only remember the latest study. I am very confident that I know more about their history than anyone in my wife's congregation including all elders, or your own congregation, including yourself. Don't you think it is time to show appreciation for your spiritual heritage? I can help you. I have most of the literature (books, magazines tracts) going back to 1879. Just bring me your laptop and you can have them all. Never a JW His response Hi Never a JW I'll give some answer: While I commend your interest in the history of our organization, it is an interest in our literary heritage that you attack. You don't understand what the spiritual heritage is because that is manifested in the qualities and personalities af the individuals who partake in such heritage. I also appreciate your desire to share your extensive library, I assure you however that I too could acquire such literature from the internet or eBay, amazon or international bookstores. Yes change has happened and those with the spiritual heritage have been thankful for the further understanding ad first century Christians were about their understanding of the Christ.. Jehova's witnesses understand their heritage and take pride in it, and this is why they dedicate time in the field preaching. They will not get into debate with teorist whose "finding" are at best deficient and unproductive. So is it Witnesses know almost nothing of their history? Your ability to understand does not exist at this moment because you are on the defensive. Have you really dedicated time and effort to "uncover" truths about a group you elevate yourself over?What is really the reason for your actions? Do you care so much for my well being that you wish that I see the "truth"? What is the desire. I'll be attentive to your response. Elder
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  Listener

  And the love shines forth.

  There is no logic in his comment - "Jehova's witnesses understand their heritage and take pride in it, and this is why they dedicate time in the field preaching." Taking pride in their heritage means taking pride in all the false teachings that they taught and that is no logical reason to want to spend time teaching others untruths. They do not understand that they have built a religion based on false teachings which they continually change, their fuondation was faulty and this does not allow for a stable house to stand.
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  AndDontCallMeShirley

  "They will not get into debate with teorist whose "finding" are at best deficient and unproductive"

  This is a such a classic, and stupid, JW response. If you never debate with people or listen to their views, how do you know their findings are "deficient" or "unproductive"? And, asking simple questions of a JW always elicits a response of defense and suspicion- they are so afraid of anybody who is willing to think and reason. This Elder's response is interesting in light of this Watchtower comment:

  "When persons are in great danger from a source that they do not suspect or are being misled by those they consider their friends, is it an unkindness to warn them? They may prefer not to believe the warning. They may even resent it. But does that free one from the moral responsibility to give that warning? If you are among those seeking to be faithful to God, the issues these questions raise are vital for you today. Why? Because God's servants in every period of history have had to face up to the challenge these issues present. They have had to expose falsehood and wrongdoing and warn people of dangers and deception—not just in a general way, but in a specific way, in the interest of pure worship. It would have been far easier to keep silent or say only what people wanted to hear. But faithfulness to God and love of neighbor moved them to speak. They realized that 'better is a revealed reproof than a concealed love.'"

  (Watchtower, January 15, 1974)

  or....

  "How will you respond when pointed statements are made about false religious teachings and corrupt practices? Will you immediately condemn the person or organization making the exposé? Do you feel it is all right to teach lies and misrepresent God's Word, but wrong to expose the error? Contrary to what some may think, it is not unkind and unloving to lay bare falsehood and corruption."

  (Watchtower, March 1, 1966)
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  The Song Remains The Same

  @Not Shirley - your first WT quote is very interesting in terms of the Conti case appeal as very well summarised by Chaserious, in respect of the first point of appeal 'Duty to Protect'

  "When persons are in great danger from a source that they do not suspect or are being misled by those they consider their friends, is it an unkindness to warn them? They may prefer not to believe the warning. They may even resent it. But does that free one from the moral responsibility to give that warning? If you are among those seeking to be faithful to God, the issues these questions raise are vital for you today. Why? Because God's servants in every period of history have had to face up to the challenge these issues present. They have had to expose falsehood and wrongdoing and warn people of dangers and deception—not just in a general way, but in a specific way, in the interest of pure worship. It would have been far easier to keep silent or say only what people wanted to hear. But faithfulness to God and love of neighbor moved them to speak. They realized that 'better is a revealed reproof than a concealed love.'"

  (Watchtower, January 15, 1974)
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  AndDontCallMeShirley

  While the Watchtower blatantly challenges non-Jehovah's Witnesses to question their beliefs and be willing to leave their religion if it cannot be reconciled with the Bible, that same right is not afforded to Jehovah's Witnesses themselves. Isn't it ironic that an organization that has fought all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court demanding religious freedom and freedom of speech for itself, then turns around and denies those rights to its own members?!

  This elder that never a jw quotes is typical of Jehovah's Witnesses: they have a loathing and morbid fear of answering questions or thinking critically about their own beliefs. Deep down I really do think that most JWs know that many of their beliefs rest on shaky ground and cannot stand up to scrutiny. Ironically, this WT article promotes correct thinking, but denies this methodology to JWs. And, unfortunately WT fails to see that the first application of the advice applies first and foremost to itself:

  "Your religion should have solid basis, not on religious leaders, not on religious systems, but on God’s Word, the Bible

  You should make sure your religion speaks according to God’s Word before you hold fast to it.

  If you learn that your religion is teaching what is not right, you should let go of that religion...

  w58 5/1 p.261 Is Your Religion the Right One?

  How can you tell whether your religion is the right one or not? A simple way of telling is to expose it to a test of God’s Word. If your religion is not in accord with what the Bible teaches, then it is not in harmony with truth. It is not right. "And if they speak not according to this word, they shall not have the morning light," said God. It is important, then, that you "keep testing whether you are in the faith," as Paul declared. Keep checking to see whether the things you believe are in keeping with God’s Word. But the question is, Are you willing to put your religion through such a test?There is nothing to fear, because if you have the right religion you can only be reassured by the examination. And if what you believe is not in keeping with the Bible, then you should welcome the truth, because it leads to light and life.—Isa. 8:20, Dy; 2 Cor. 13:5.