3 years of study, Just found out!

by impala63rag 137 Replies latest jw friends

AndDontCallMeShirley

"The witnesses read and study all the Watchtower magazine, not just parts of it, like some professed Christians who limit their Bible reading to the

last one fourth of the Bible and brush aside as outdated the first three fourths of it. " ---Watchtower, August 1, 1956 page 452

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"It is vital that we appreciate this fact and respond to the directions of the "slave" as we would to the voice of God, because it is His provision." Watchtower 1957 Jun 15 p.370

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a Christian needs Jehovah's theocratic organization in order to understand the Bible. (The Watchtower; 6/15/1951; pp. 375)

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"This governing body is the administrative part of a 'faithful and discreet slave' or 'steward' class concerning which Jesus promised: 'His master . . . will appoint him over all his belongings.' (Matt. 24:45-47; Luke 12:42-44) So, recognition of that governing body and its place in Gods theocratic arrangement of things is necessary for submission to the headship of Gods Son." (w72 12/15 p. 755)

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Here's a classic self-contradictory stance made by WT:

Looking to AN ORGANIZATION FOR SALVATION IS IDOLATRY

Watchtower 1990 11/1 p. 26 Our Relative Subjection to the Superior Authorities
As Christians, we face up to similar challenges today. We cannot take part in any modern version of idolatry—be it worshipful gestures toward an image or symbol or the imputing of salvation to a person or an organization.

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ONE MUST COME TO THE WATCHTOWER ORGANIZATION FOR SALVATION
Kingdom Ministry 11/1990 p. 1 Directing Bible Students to Jehovah’s Organization
Bible students need to get acquainted with the organization of the "one flock" Jesus spoke about at John 10:16. They must appreciate that identifying themselves with Jehovah’s organization is essential to their salvation. (Rev. 7:9, 10, 15) Therefore, we should start directing our Bible students to the organization as soon as a Bible study is established.

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"Therefore, we should start directing our Bible students to the organization as soon as a Bible study is established."

So why, after studying for three years, did your teachers not even make you aware of the organizational arrangement and identify the "faithful slave"?
impala63rag

So why, after studying for three years, did your teachers not even make you aware of the organizational arrangement and identify the "faithful slave"?

Maybe they knew that I would not take it very well.

I am very concerned with how this conversation with them is going to go. What do I say? I dont want to be confrontational or inconsiderate of their feelings, but I am kind of upset that they willingly withheld information and opinions from me and just smiled or changed the subject when I refrenced things that they knew were contrary to the congregations.
Faithful Witness

Blues Brother: That is exactly what I noticed about this week's WT lesson. The scriptures they were reading aloud, 3 passages from Thessalonians, all mentioning "letters from US." Since the JW's are so used to getting letters and instructions, and "adjustments" to their understanding of what the Bible "really" means to us today, instructions that come down from the slave, they are going to make the consicous or subconcious connection regarding these letters. The slave does claim to speak for God, so why WOULDN'T their letter be equal to those of Paul to Thessalonica??

Also, after visits to the meetings last September, when they were reinventing the truth again (July Watchtower, revising 1914 and definition of the slave class), it REALLY seemed like some of the comments were planted.

There were phrases inserted from the podium, which definitely seemed forced. "Jehovah will unite us." "We need to stick together on this." My husband remarked that he heard expressions like this a few times, and upon reviewing our digital recording (!! yes we did !!) of the meeting and comments, there were clearly scripted comments from the Watchtower conductor.

We had not been to a meeting in a couple of years. We were dressed like JW's, the best we could. NO ONE greeted us. No one spoke to us after the meeting. It was a strange and dark atmosphere. The air was heavy and even the WT reader was shifting in his seat.
KateWild

Welcome impala,

You sound to me like you knw you don't want to be involved with this religion at all, but you have grown fond of your teachers after some 3 years. Your positiosion is precarious to say the least.

I would say be diplomatic and tread carefully. Tell them your opinions one at a time and you make even wake them up from this damaging cult. I have had students for a while and now I am out the organisation, I am still friends with my students in a much healthier way.

Stay friends with them and tell them you will always care about them regardless how your opinions differ.

All the best impala

Take care Kate xx
AndDontCallMeShirley

Maybe they knew that I would not take it very well.

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all the worse. JWs firmly believe that identifying and being loyal to the GB is the only way a person can please god.

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In essence, according to their thinking, they withheld life-saving information from you. If they have to hide it, then doesn't that reveal they know they cannot support the belief from the Bible ? If it cannot be supported from the BIble, they are teaching their own opinions...but expect you to accept it as fact.
Faithful Witness

Impala: What are your intentions at this point? Would you like to continue your Bible study?

If so, you can simply tell them you were concerned about some comments made to you at the meeting. You could tell them you read the Watchtower lesson, and that it raised some red flags for you.

Pick 1 question from the current Watchtower, one that bothers you most... get them to examine the Bible with you, and show you a scriptural basis for the thing that is bothering you most.

Don't allow them to cherry pick verses out of context to justify their beliefs. I would NOT tell them you have been looking things up online, nor that you were communicating with ex-JW's. It sounds like you have a good relationship with these folks. Exposing the fact that you've looked at apostate information, will ruin your standing with them. You will no longer be one they can trust.
impala63rag

"Impala: What are your intentions at this point? Would you like to continue your Bible study?

If so, you can simply tell them you were concerned about some comments made to you at the meeting. You could tell them you read the Watchtower lesson, and that it raised some red flags for you.

Pick 1 question from the current Watchtower, one that bothers you most... get them to examine the Bible with you, and show you a scriptural basis for the thing that is bothering you most.

Don't allow them to cherry pick verses out of context to justify their beliefs. I would NOT tell them you have been looking things up online, nor that you were communicating with ex-JW's. It sounds like you have a good relationship with these folks. Exposing the fact that you've looked at apostate information, will ruin your standing with them. You will no longer be one they can trust."

I'm not really sure what to do at this point. I love them, and the studies that we have are enlightening and fun. On the other hand, how can I trust someone who has withheld the truth. I have already told him that I have researched a website with this information and asked him questions about it. I dont know if that had anything to do with it, but he canceled this weeks study due to not feeling well.

I reached my posting limit, so I will not be able to respond to posts today.

"- But maybe, those JWs had another reason for not confronting you with such teachings: It could be, that they really enjoy the possibility to study with you just based on the Bible. It could be, that they do not want to "willingly withhold information", but that they enjoy studying the Bible with you, not based on Watch Tower Society's literature. It could help them to strengthen their relationship with God and to grow in understanding the Bible, themselves! They usually have no possibility to study "just" the Bible with other JWs. All their congregation studies, and usually private family studies too, are based on Watch Tower Society's publications. You wrote, that you "have developed such a wonderful friendship over the years." So why not to continue the study with them? It seems you do have a forceful personality and the ability to think descretely; so I would say that you are not in any danger if you continue your Bible study - intentionally not with the goal to become a JW. And such a rather independent Bible study might even help your JW friends (?), in the long run."

I certainly hope this is true, and I would really enjoy continuing with the study if we can do so without the influince of the congregation.

"It's a pleasure to read and study the bible. These folks may just enjoy THAT. Plus you are a gold mine for hours. If you averaged about 2 hours per study, that is perfect.

(Actually, they probably really care for you. You are a bright spot in their lives)"

They have certainly made a big impact in my life as well. As for the hours, normally it is about 4 hours.

"It may be that your Bible study conductors are "awake" JWs; i.e., they are aware of " the truth about the 'Truth' ," and know the shortcomings of the Watchtower organisation - but are (for some reason) unable to leave. They may not WANT to indoctrinate you in watchtowerisms, only holding to the Bible - for the sake of their own conscience."

They are very dedicated, that is for sure. He is an elder, and was born into the congregation.

to; Abible Student

Thanks for the movie link, I watched it in its entirety. It was very enjoyable and enlightening.
Weana

Hi Impala63rag.

You wrote: "We never studied from the WT or Awake. Stictly from the Bible. Which I love! ... My relationship with God and an understanding of the Bible has grown stronger than it ever has."

Why have you been studying the Bible with them? Did you want to strengthen your relationship with God? Did you want to grow in understanding the Bible? Then be glad, that you have been studying! And maybe you want to continue to study.

Not all what you read in internet about JWs is true. But, indeed, most Christians feel, that some important teachings of JWs are not based just on the Bible, but on human reasoning, and on obedience to a small group of so-called anointed Christians - the Governing Body.

I do feel, the important question is: Why have your Bible teachers not confronted you up to now with such teachings?

- Are you sure, that they willingly withheld information, as you wrote? If you feel so, it has no sense to continue the study; and it may even have no sense to discuss with JWs your reasons for stopping the study.

- But maybe, those JWs had another reason for not confronting you with such teachings: It could be, that they really enjoy the possibility to study with you just based on the Bible. It could be, that they do not want to "willingly withhold information", but that they enjoy studying the Bible with you, not based on Watch Tower Society's literature. It could help them to strengthen their relationship with God and to grow in understanding the Bible, themselves! They usually have no possibility to study "just" the Bible with other JWs. All their congregation studies, and usually private family studies too, are based on Watch Tower Society's publications. You wrote, that you "have developed such a wonderful friendship over the years." So why not to continue the study with them? It seems you do have a forceful personality and the ability to think descretely; so I would say that you are not in any danger if you continue your Bible study - intentionally not with the goal to become a JW. And such a rather independent Bible study might even help your JW friends (?), in the long run.
watson

It's a pleasure to read and study the bible. These folks may just enjoy THAT. Plus you are a gold mine for hours. If you averaged about 2 hours per study, that is perfect.

(Actually, they probably really care for you. You are a bright spot in their lives)
ABibleStudent

Welcome impala63rag, DITTO what other posters have written about independently researching the WTBTS before participating in anymore "Bible Studies" (indoctrination sessions) and learning more about how the WTBTS victimizes JWs with BITE control techniques. www.jwfacts.com present a balanced analaysis of the WTBTS and watching FREE videos at www.freedomofmind.com will help you understand more about BITE control techniques. If you don't have a lot of time at least watch the following two videos to better understand what it means to be a JW as well about BITE control techniques:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIDwXYACfmM

Strategic Interactive Approach explained 2003 (1:23:23)

I am amazed that JWs have been studying for 3 years with you because of your profession and did not pressure you to read the "What the Bible Really Teaches" propaganda. I studied with an elder and later with another brother. The elder wanted me to read the "Teach" book to reduce the time to indoctrinate me to think like a JW by saying that it will become clearer as I was able to learn "Bible Secrets". There were no Bible secrets. The elder was trying to use BITE control techniques to indoctrinate me. The brother just cherry-picked scriptures to attempt to prove to me that "True Christians" (JWs) need an organization to blindly lead them when the NT clearly does not teach that philosophy. I wonder if your JW bible conductors have doubts.

Peace be with you and everyone, who you love,

Robert

3 years of study, Just found out!

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