Watchtower's bogus war on words and the distortion of historical language

by Terry 4 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

  • Terry
    Terry

    To change a person's view of the world, it becomes necessary to change how people think and talk about history.

    History is not WHAT HAPPENED--history is what you THINK happened according to what you have read and heard.

    __________

    The language of Christianity is a vocabulary firmly rooted in the history of our world.

    Jehovah's Witness ideology denies this and seeks to make it appear untrue.

    What do I mean? Read on.

    ___________

    Christianity was a process of social formation which actually happened.

    What it was based on was according to what people HEARD at the time.

    The manner in which it was written down or recorded is ALL the clue we have about what really happened.

    *

    If any religious denomination can prevent you from accessing, understanding, and thinking/talking about Christianity (by corrupting

    your vocabulary) they can do it by giving you a SUBSTITUTE or PROXY version.

    WHAT IS A DENOMINATION but somebody's PERSONAL version of what is true?

    If there was only one truth it would be impossible to have 41,000 denominations!

    Denominations are Opinions.

    _______________

    The best red flag to a CULT is the way language is distorted to seize control.

    ______________

    Every time you encounter special jargon in JW dialogue you have an ALARM BELL sounding for you to take notice and investigate.

    Ask yourself "WHY" a change from actual historical use is being switched.

    ___________

    The reason given (indeed, IF any) is always a lie.

    ______________

    Here are a few examples:

    The first people to believe Jesus was somebody special were called: WHAT?

    1. Jews

    2. Messianic Jews

    3. Followers (AKOLOUTHONTES used 79 times in the New Testament)

    4. Learners (MATHETAI used 19 times)

    5. (In Antioch) Christians

    -------------------------NONE WERE CALLED JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES.

    Early Christians were followers of ______________? (THE PATH, he hodos, not the TRUTH.)

    -------------------------Jews refused to write or speak JEHOVAH'S name because _________________?

    The JW answer is : Superstitious.

    The correct answer is : The Law of Moses demanded Jews be reverent and respectful, NOT taking the name of the Lord God in vain (inappropriate way.)

    Note: When the Governing Body prints wrong predictions of the End of the World ---it is JEHOVAH who is said to have channeled it.

    SPECIAL SUBSTITUTE WORDS

    The Watchtower publications have changed quite literally every historical word used by Christianity.

    Christianity is called CHRISTENDOM.

    Grace is called undeserved kindness. (Imagine that: you don't deserve kindness!)

    _________________

    The Governing Body has opted now to have 7 million people look to THEM as little Christs, Kings, Priests and Glorious Ones.

    They demand LOYALTY.

    No argument against their power is possible because THEY CONTROL HOW LANGUAGE CAN BE USED.

    _________________

    BEWARE of those who tamper with everyday language, but especially those who seek to distort the language of HISTORY.

  • Old Goat
    Old Goat

    As always, Terry, a stellar essay.

  • Terry
    Terry

    If I ever have the patience, I'd like to sit down and compile a list.

    The list would consist of every wrong turn or change in historical language wrought through

    the agency of the Watchtower magazine and publishers.

    I'd break it down by eras of President.

    Russell's era, Rutherford's, Knorr/Franz, Franz alone, etc.

    I think it would be interesting.

    Anybody want to submit a small list?

  • Phizzy
    Phizzy

    I have not read what is supposed to a very well written book, "The Orwellian World of the Jehovah's Witnesses", but I would be surprised if a similar idea is not within it.

    Orwell himself, in his dystopian novel "1984", showed the power of language to change History, if people did not have the appropriate words for something, then it didn't happen.

    I cannot think of an example, but I think you are right Terry that Russell started the use of strange words for things, and strange definitions of words, strange to the ear of the normal world. Rutherford, then Franz continued this.

    It is frighteningly powerful the way words are used , the WT/JW org. know this well, and use propaganda words and phrases to great effect.

    Just think of the word "Apostate" and how they use that, of course they are not entirely alone in doing that, and I guess that one always has a pejorative meaning to some.

    A really crafty one is actually dropping part of a well known Biblical phrase, for example, they often talk of the "Good News", and yet in the N.T these two words are rarely used without the added "about the Christ", but those last 3 words do not suit the WT/JW org, they would rather it said "about the G.B ".

  • Terry
    Terry
    The Orwellian World of Jehovah's Witnesses

    THIS IS A PHD writing on JW's from a student of cultural anthropology who, along with her husband, were previously JW's.

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