I never noticed this one until I started coming here, but now when I hear a brother say "information board" instead of "bulletin board" I'm always kind of agoggle that such a mundane subject has to be a part of the special Watchtower lingo. Maybe churches say "bulletin board", but really? Is it a term that has such a strong connection to "false religion" that it has to be verboten?
Terminology the Society Hates?
by toweragent 49 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
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AndDontCallMeShirley
Seldom have I heard of people dating referred to as boyfriend and girlfriend. Its always, "they are dating so and so".
I've gotten chastised for saying "dating" instead of "courting". JWs don't "date".
"Special" terminology and unique sayings are a hallmark of cults/high control groups. It makes you superior to everyone else if you know the secret words and have your very own decoder ring.
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breakfast of champions
Fundamentalists.
From their site:
Are you fundamentalists?
While we have strong religious convictions, we are not fundamentalists in the sense that the term has come to be used. We do not believe that every passage in the Bible is to be interpreted literally. We do not pressure political leaders to promote a certain point of view, nor do we resort to demonstrations and violence against those who disagree with us. The Bible teaches Christians to be kind, good, mild, and reasonable—qualities that do not allow for the kind of fanaticism that is sometimes associated with fundamentalism.—James 3:17.
So a straw man argument: they redefine and/or narrow the definition of fundamentalists to Fred Phelps and then say "we're not that."
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Band on the Run
Oh, yes! Constantly. It isolates Witnesses from the rest of the world. I did not realize gospel was wrong. Special language is part of cults.
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WTWizard
When I use astrology to predict when a lot of people are going to be dragged back into the cancer or suckered into it. Or, if I get dragged back in only to limit my field circus to when the moon is void of course. I doubt they would like that terminology--references to planets in signs of the Zodiac, aspects with other planets, and void of course moon would make them panic.
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Comatose
The best one is "the society". They don't call it that anymore and instruct everyone not to use that term. "It' the Christian congregation" you get told.
How condescending And arrogant. Like every other Christian religion that has ever been around is not Christian and is therefore non-existent.
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Band on the Run
If Witnesses lived in special compounds, the way some Mormons do, it might make more sense. Not saying "good luck" or "God bless you" with others isolates us further. I used to use what the Society terms Christendom terms with others and then used "theocratic terms" with Witnesses. The inevitable problem is you slip up. All the Witnesses look at you in absolute horror as tho you are a mass murderer. Language changes over time. Atheists say "God bless you." Because a word meant something hundreds of years ago does not mean people mean it now.
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freddo
Not "grace" but "undeserved kindness".
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freddo
They ain't too keen on "cross" instead of "torture stake" either!
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freddo
Ooops, edited for double post.