Damn thing deleted the middle of my post again...
Yes...they don't consider it "lying" either, since the end always justifies the means.
Suggestions for Governing Body 2.0
by FusionTheism 24 Replies latest watchtower bible
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done4good
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OnTheWayOut
In my opinion, it's more likely that they believe what they teach instead of being liars who are intentionally deceiving everyone.
I agree with everything Magnum says on page 2.
I imagine that GB 1.0 was closer to what you describe in the opening post- victims of their own teachings. But since then, the GB has been all about making money and keeping the corporation solvent.
A well-intentioned honest GB would abandon the blood doctrine no matter the cost. They would address pedophile victims no matter the cost. Even the Catholic Church, granted they were forced, had done better on that. (No, I won't defend the RCC- just saying that WTS is not doing the right thing.)
The reasons for GB 2.0 saying anything close to "We were wrong" (and you would have to show me the quote that actually says that before I believe it) is that they want to change directions. They see the future for this massive printing corporation and they see the likes of the LDS and Scientology. LDS has a larger membership and seems more stable with it's donations. Scientology has a tiny membership but is property rich and the leadership live like kings from the donations. GB 2.0 is going to become something else, something they have been learning from other cults. The membership of the GB are embracing the spotlight on jw. tv and enjoying the attention. They are probably building better quarters for themselves and passing more money to their inner-circle friends and family from construction projects.
They also deserve credit for telling people to focus more on Jesus and the main points of His parables instead of getting lost worrying about details. I also like that they tell Witnesses that pretty much anything written before 2000 may be incorrect.
Watch out for the hammer to drop. Whatever new information they have coming, it won't fit with the old. It probably won't fit with the scriptures. It's going to be so radical, similar to the way "overlapping generation" was so radical, that they are just preparing their members for it. All they know is that the old ways are not working for retention and donations, so here comes something completely different.
No credit will go to them for anything seemingly honest or less burdensome. It's all a smokescreen.
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Vidiot
OnTheWayOut - "A well-intentioned honest GB would abandon the blood doctrine no matter the cost. They would address pedophile victims no matter the cost."
Couldn't have summed it up better myself.
x
And the fact that they're so unwilling to pay those costs is telling in and of itself; it's as though it's not even considered as an option.
Makes one wonder if those potential costs might be even higher than we've thought.
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FusionTheism
The Governing Body really doesn't need the "Faithful and Discreet Slave" parable or a literal 144,000. I foresee them clarifying/discarding both of these soon.
Instead of using the Faithful Slave parable, they'll simply use the First-Century Jerusalem "Governing Body" of Peter, James, Apostles, and Elders as their example, justifying their authority.
After all, all other churches have authority structures without needing special parables justifying their existence.
I can see them shifting and saying the 144,000 may be literal or may be symbolic-- just follow your spirit/heart on whether to partake.
This would explain and justify why there are so many younger Anointed or a younger Governing Body.
It also might draw a larger number of people to have Bible Studies if they bring back the Heavenly Hope to a large number of new believers.
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DATA-DOG
Is your OP a joke?? They deserve credit for directing people to Jesus?! They deserve credit for getting out of their own way and letting people read the bible?!!?
Perhaps they deserve credit for creating "Watchtower Jesus?" Why should they get credit for using the Internet to re-write their already heavily redacted history and set up a commercialized webisode church?!?!
I'll have what you are smoking...
DD