"Prove the truth to yourself" Why does the GB give this advice?

by Comatose 13 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

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  Comatose

  Was reflecting on the instructions that are given pretty regularly to make the truth your own, prove it to ourselves, and address any doubts we might have. WHY would JWs get this advice when the result of any honest search would lead one to exactly where most of us here are? I can think of two answers.

  First, it's somewhat like being on a tour at a public attraction. When you are looking at a pool of sharks and the guide says, anyone want a swim? Everyone chuckles. Some laugh too loudly and think its truly funny, some just chuckle falsely as they are supposed too in order to play along. But no one jumps in. I think it's kind of like that situation for all the people that Bethel actually WANTS to keep in the hive. They know almost all of the rank and file will ignore the offer to check it all out. Most are too busy to even read their magazines on time, let alone to read the bible daily. They don't have time to study and research any doctrinal issues or doubts. Plus, the doctrinal messes and prophecies are confusing. They don't make much sense unless you are drinking lots of kool-aid. With the chance of appearing mentally diseased and being shunned looming most wouldn't bother with researching. Some because they are actually afraid of even looking. Others because they are lazy.

  Second, I think bethel knows that anyone with critical thinking would see straight through the large holes in many of the beliefs. But, they planned it that way. They don't want you on board if you ask questions. They want you out and shunned to stop the bleeding. Proving the truth only works for the die hards, and gets rid of the weak. If you are a sit down and shut up type along for the ride then they are okay with that. So encouraging people to check it out works just like the quote mining and dishonest references. It just provides a fake layer of proof that they are okay with you looking into. Because if you can see it for what it is, they want you to. They want you to see it and leave so that you can be labeled an apostate and shunned. Much better than having weak doubters asking questions all the time.
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  nonjwspouse

  They do this IMO to reinforce that they are not a cult in the minds of the R&F. They provide pointed instruction on where they are allowed to look and research, then use the phrase to make the truth your own. It is really just a way of saying study our material until you agree with it. It's pretty simple when you think about it. The number one goal of the GB is to push the number one rule, obey the GB, regardless of what you think, obey the GB.
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  notjustyet

  The Dubs will think "If they did not have the truth then why would they ask us to verfy it? And since they are asking us to verify it, they must infact have the truth. And since they have the truth, I do not need to actually verify it, why waste the time, since they have the truth"

  We did not run when the JWs asked us "Tell me if this rag smells like chloroform"

  NJY
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  fresh prince of ohio

  nonjwspouse nailed it. Sure, investigate all you want! Just be sure to agree with us when you're done! Or we'll make your family and entire social circle shun you! GOT IT?
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  Witness My Fury

  All dubs are encouraged to do research, ... the proviso is that it should be done using WTS publications and not done to excess (i.e thouroughly).

  That way they can assured almost no dub will ever discover they are in a mind control cult.
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  AndDontCallMeShirley

  They know almost all of the rank and file will ignore the offer to check it all out. Most are too busy to even read their magazines on time, let alone to read the bible daily. They don't have time to study and research any doctrinal issues or doubts.

  And, this is the exact methodology and intent of the grinding schedule a JW is expected to keep. Who's got time to actually "prove" anything? Between reading all WT literature every week, studying for meeting, attending meetings, field service, assemblies, conventions, Hall cleaning, etc., etc., the WT knows full well very few JWs are going to verify anything put in print. JWs have been duped into believing that everything stated in any WT publication is accurate and beyond scrutiny. In fact, the WT counts on that mentality. It is a massive deception to encourage a JW to "prove" what's in the literature as true. If a JW actually does prove some aspect of WT thinking is wrong, what recourse does he have? as nonjwspouse so accurately said:

  It is really just a way of saying study our material until you agree with it. It's pretty simple when you think about it.

  When I was in Pioneer School, the Circuit Overseer instructor made the point that the Bible was inspired by God to intentionally offend an intelligent person. In other words, if a person used logic and critical thinking, and looked at the Bible in a systematic way to prove by evidence whether or not it's true, God has no interest in that person. Consequently, he inspired the Bible to intentionally come across as so absurd that no one except the most gullible would find it appealing.

  I found this statement highly offensive, and this was three decades before I finally saw TTATT.

  What I believe the CO was promoting was, in reality, the Watchtower's mindset- and they're passing the buck onto God. Watchtower has no interest in any person with a real live functioning brain. The WT's message: shut it off or you're outta here!
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  Ding

  They don't mean what they are actually saying.

  They aren't actually inviting JWs to check out the organization from top to bottom by going back and strutinizing the doctrinal teachings and history from Day One to see if the GB's claims and teachings are true.

  That would be apostate thinking, evidencing the sort of "critical, fault-finding attitude" they are always warning against. After all, they are also constantly saying to avoid independent thinking and never run ahead of Jehovah's chariot.

  What they are really doing with that lingo is exhorting JWs to more and more works, "making the truth your own" by obeying the GB and elders, "proving the truth to yourself" by living it out.

  What they are really saying is, "Be a zealous JW rather than a JW in name only."

  Specifically:

  (1) attend all the meetings and study the "present truth" we teach you so you can parrot it back

  (2) keep active in field service

  (3) know the proof-texts and presentation techiques well enough to be able to bring more people into the organization

  (4) obey the rules and the elders.

  In WTspeak, that's how you "prove the truth to yourselves" and "make the truth your own."
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  wha happened?

  The GB's new mantra.

  "Prove the truth to yourself". Because we are unable to do so.
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  Jeffro

  Was reflecting on the instructions that are given pretty regularly to make the truth your own, prove it to ourselves, and address any doubts we might have.

  The method is that members are only permitted to 'prove' the 'truth' to themselves by means of (current) JW literature, with strong admonitions against relying on any other source of information.

  The reason is so that members are far more likely to internalise their beliefs, so that when others challenge those beliefs it is taken personally. It's analagous to Stockholm Syndrome (where a kidnap victim begins to identify with their captors).

  They know almost all of the rank and file will ignore the offer to check it all out.

  Not really. But refer to comments above.
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  wasblind

  LOL, I remember one time in my teens I was somewhere I wasn't supposed to be

  When I got back home my mom asked what took so long and where in the world had I been

  I lied and said I was over my great aunts house . And that I was bein' honest. If she didn't believe me call and ask

  Trust . I was sweatin' bullets. If my mom had tested the things I claimed. I woulda been done for

  That's an old trick the WTS use

  .