The purpose of changing JW names, titles and terms

by gingerbread 44 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

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  BU2B

  Something similiar happened in the Dominican Republic. If someone didnt speak their "pure language" they were butcherd.

  Though it occurred just hundreds of miles from Miami, the Parsley Massacre is one of the least-known acts of genocide in the 20th century. The killings took place in the Dominican Republic, which shares the small island of Hispaniola with Haiti.

  In October 1937, Dominican dictator Rafael Trujillo ordered the indiscriminate killing of Haitian migrants along the countries' border. To differentiate between black Dominicans and Haitians, so the story goes, soldiers obliged rural workers to say “parsley” ( perejil in Spanish). Pronouncing the “r” is difficult for native Creole speakers, and failure in the linguistic test could mean execution. Between 9,000 and 20,000 Haitians died over a five-day span, an episode that then-U.S. ambassador in Santo Domingo called “a systematic campaign of extermination” in a communiqué to Franklin Roosevelt.
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  AndDontCallMeShirley

  that for years in 'security' at larger meetings we were told to talk to any that seemed out of place and ask questions that would indicate if they were apostates

  .

  Security test: have the person write down the words "governing body".

  If they write " Governing Body" they are a loyal JW;

  if they write "governing body" they are an apostate.

  --

  the "new language" is yet another judging tool for JWs to put in their judging toolbox and use against their fellow JWs. As if they need more...
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  Xanthippe

  1. jargon 1 ˈdʒɑːg(ə)n/ noun noun: jargon; plural noun: jargons
     1. 1. special words or expressions used by a profession or group that are difficult for others to understand. "legal jargon"

        synonyms:

        specialized language, technical language, slang, cant, idiom, argot, patter, patois, vernacular; More computerese, legalese, bureaucratese, journalese, psychobabble; unintelligible language, obscure language, gobbledegook, gibberish, double Dutch; informallingo, -speak, -ese, mumbo jumbo, geekspeak "the instructions are written in electrician's
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  NewYork44M

  Imagine the shock an elder would have if you asked for a "vacation pioneer" application.
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  Oubliette

  Well it's not like Armageddon has come and the Paradise is here. What else are the GB=FDS to do to make it seem like they are "moving forward"?

  It's all about the illusion of motion mixed with a subtle reminder that they are in charge!

  "He who defines the terms often wins the argument." - Unknown
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  Oubliette

  It is impossible to defeat an ignorant man in argument. - William G. McAdoo (1863 - 1941)
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  TTATTelder

  If they write " Governing Body" they are a loyal JW;

  if they write "governing body" they are an apostate. - ADCMS

  I guess "governing booty" would get you executed!
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  steve2

  To be fair, each religious organization develops its own language and continues to refine it over the years. It is not unique to JWs - although our respective experiences make it seem more powerful and unique than it probably is.

  The organization has always "evolved" - in a few short years after Russell died on a train in 1916, Rutherford had completely revamped the organization so that it was literally unrecognizable from Russell's more cerebral view of Scripture: Russell had his head in the spiritual clouds, whereas Rutherford kicked the butts of the rank and file into the dusty streets, publicising the organization's cranky literature. Reflective spirituality was yesterday's news, with Russell barely cold in the ground.

  Of course, a "side-effect" of these ongoing changes is the impression of moving forwards - although some more critical minds might suggest instead the organization is just going round and round and round in circles. The ongoing changes may create movement of sorts, but movement does not always mean in the forward direction.
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  gingerbread

  The Society has always been 'clubby' about inside terminology, secret understandings, a private 'language'. In this sentence I use the word "Society" - which is now no longer freely used to describe the New York offices / Governing Body. The current term is "the Branch" or "World Headquarters" or "the Faithful Slave" or "Mother".

  Your references steve2 make sense. > Changes in terminology often indicate changes in leadership as well.

  I think the massive doctrinal shifts that have taken place in the last decade (and last year for sure) are being reflected in the changes in words and definitions.

  Heck...they even felt the need to rewrite the Bible.
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  Faithful Witness

  Keep them confused.

  Reaffirm their beliefs that the GB knows what is best for them, and that they need to rely on the GB to keep them informed during this time of the end.