As a Jehovah's Witness:
Two things finally struck me:
1. I was really in a grownup kindergarten and 2. I was being spoonfed fairytale versions of the Bible.
In all the publications there would be a densely worded paragraph and two or three scripture "proof-texts" under it.
Those Bible proof-texts DID NOT support the context of the paragraphs!
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Example:
The Watchtower publications convince 8 million JW's Proverbs 4:18 teaches KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUTH grows brighter and brighter.
It does NOT. That particular scripture is talking about the PATH of a person and not "knowledge".
Read the actual scripture:
International Standard Version
The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn that grows brighter until the full light of day.
NET Bible
But the path of the righteous is like the bright morning light, growing brighter and brighter until full day.
Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But the way of the righteous ones is like the shining light, and the light progresses until the day is established.
In a previous verse we read: 14 Do not enter the path of the wicked,And do not walk in the way of evil men.
Behavior is what is being discussed and not some ever-brightening NEW LIGHT of continually changing interpretations!
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Further, by repeatedly rigging the word "knowledge" with an unnecessary modifier ("accurate") the impression is burned
into every JW's mind only the WTS has this special (bogus knowledge) "accurate knowledge".
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This is what is known as a FALSE DICHOTOMY: false dichotomy, is a logical fallacy which involves presenting two opposing views, options or outcomes in such a way that they seem to be the only possibilities: that is, if one is true, the other must be false, or, more typically, if you do not accept one then the other must be accepted
EXAMPLE:
If you go to JW.ORG and click on the NWT scripture of Proverbs 4:18, a marginal reference is given +
1 Corinthians 13:12
12 For now we see in hazy outline by means of a metal mirror, but then it will be face-to-face. At present I know partially, but then I will know accurately, just as I am accurately known.
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Why?
The purpose is to link two bogus teachings in the mind of the reader!
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Proverbs 4:18 is about a PATH of behavior. It is not about gradually changing doctrines.
1 Cor 13:12 is about CHRISTIAN MATURITY as a person. It is not about accuracy, like shooting at a target.
Question: Isn't maturity a matter of improving your behavior through life experience?
New International Version
For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
New Living Translation
Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.
English Standard Version
For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.
New American Standard Bible
For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known.
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The Watchtowr Society RE-CONTEXTS the Proverbs phrase "brighter and brighter" with the 1 Cor. 13 "accurate knowledge".
The reader is pushed along to LINK in the mind in order to FALSELY CONCLUDE: Knowledge of the Watchtower "Truth" started out dim, but over the years has brightened by becoming more and more "accurate."
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Read the verse immediately previous:
11 When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things.
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Personal growth and maturity is not a matter of reading Watchtower publications!
Human beings gradually learn about themselves by looking back on their own behavior. It is how we grow.
ἐπιγινώσκω (epiginōskō)
Strong: G1921
GK: G2105
pr. to make a thing a subject of observation; hence, to arrive at knowledge from preliminaries
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This teaching method of Jehovah's Witnesses is intended to direct attention toward the INDISPENSIBLE NATURE OF THE GOVERNING BODY.
As if you could learn about yourself by listening to their private interpretations!
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WHAT CAN WE CONCLUDE?
The Watchtower Society tries to make Bible verses which are about PERSONAL GROWTH AND MATURITY and BEHAVIOR
into Bible verses about THE GOVERNING BODY.
It's all about THEM, you see; not US!
Thanks for nothing, you rat bastards!