Does the Watchtower use Propaganda in its literature? The Watchtower describes Propaganda as the art of using lies, making generalizations of people, name calling, using loaded language, playing on the emotions and using slogans and symbols in a way to distort rational thinking, criticisms and basic reasoning to persuade one into dedicating ones self to a particular belief system or ideology. The Watchtower also encourages ones to be selective, use discernment, put information to the test, not following a crowd blindly and to keep asking questions. Does the Watchtower use the very propaganda techniques that it warns people into avoiding in it's own literature? Does the Watchtower also encourage the avoidance of asking questions or putting information to the test and other such protections when it comes to their literature? If not, you will have no reason not to keep reading!
Dictionary Description of Propaganda
Information, especially of a biased or misleading nature, used to promote or publicize a particular political cause or point of view.
“A fool will believe anything.”—PROVERBS 14:15
“By clever and persevering use of propaganda even heaven can be represented as hell to the people, and conversely the most wretched life as paradise.”—ADOLF HITLER, MEIN KAMPF." --- g00 6/22 pp. 4-8
"The cunning propagandist loves such shortcuts—especially those that short-circuit rational thought." --- g00 6/22 pp. 4-8
"However, we cannot hope to acquire a good relationship with Jehovah if we ignore those whom Jesus has appointed to care for his belongings. Without the assistance of “the faithful and discreet slave,” we would neither understand the full import of what we read in God’s Word nor know how to apply it." Examining the Scriptures Daily 2012 Mar 4
"Certainly, the handiest trick of the propagandist is the use of outright lies." --- g00 6/22 pp. 4-8
"If you are a young person, you also need to face the fact that you will never grow old in this present system of things." Awake! 1969 May 22 p.15
"Another very successful tactic of propaganda is generalization. Generalizations tend to obscure important facts about the real issues in question, and they are frequently used to demean entire groups of people." --- g00 6/22 pp. 4-8
"We must also be on guard against extended association with worldly people. Perhaps it is a neighbor, a school friend, a workmate, or a business associate. We may reason, 'He respects the Witnesses, he leads a clean life, and we do talk about the truth occasionally.' Yet, the experience of others proves that in time we may even find ourselves preferring such worldly company to that of a spiritual brother or sister. What are some of the dangers of such a friendship?" Watchtower 1994 Feb 15 p.24
"Some people insult those who disagree with them by questioning character or motives instead of focusing on the facts. Name-calling slaps a negative, easy-to-remember label onto a person, a group, or an idea. The name-caller hopes that the label will stick. If people reject the person or the idea on the basis of the negative label instead of weighing the evidence for themselves, the name-caller’s strategy has worked." --- g00 6/22 pp. 4-8
"Apostates “quietly” bring their ideas into the congregation, like criminals who secretly bring things into a country. ... The Bible says that apostates are mentally diseased and that they use their teachings to make others think like them. Jehovah is like that good doctor. He clearly tells us to stay away from false teachers. We must always be determined to follow his warning. ... We do not speak to them or invite them into our houses. We also do not read their books, watch them on television, read what they write on the Internet, or add our own comments about what they write on the Internet."Watchtower 2011 Jul 15 p.11
"Even though feelings might be irrelevant when it comes to factual claims or the logic of an argument, they play a crucial role in persuasion."--- g00 6/22 pp. 4-8
"Satan then puts disloyalty and treason into their hearts. Soon they are victims of apostasy, and Satan rejoices." Watchtower 1988 Sep 1 p.16
"Naturally, people would be fearful of a fanatic religious organization that supposedly drives young people to suicide." --- g00 6/22 pp. 4-8
"Sin still has an aftermath. For example, a disfellowshipped wrongdoer may repent and be reinstated in the congregation, but it may take years to overcome the tarnished reputation and emotional trauma resulting from sin. Meanwhile, how comforting it is to have Jehovah’s forgiveness and the support of his everlasting arms!" Watchtower 1991 Oct 1 p.18
"Hatred is a strong emotion exploited by propagandists. Loaded language is particularly effective in triggering it. There seems to be a nearly endless supply of nasty words that promote and exploit hatred toward particular racial, ethnic, or religious groups." ---g00 6/22 pp. 4-8
"It would be a mistake to think that you need to listen to apostates or to read their writings to refute their arguments. Their twisted, poisonous reasoning can cause spiritual harm and can contaminate your faith like rapidly spreading gangrene." Watchtower 2004 Feb 15 p.28
"Love of parents can also be exploited."(by propaganda) --- g00 6/22 pp. 4-8
After hearing a talk at a circuit assembly, a brother and his fleshly sister realized that they needed to make adjustments in the way they treated their mother, who lived elsewhere and who had been disfellowshipped for six years. Immediately after the assembly, the man called his mother, and after assuring her of their love, he explained that they could no longer talk to her unless there were important family matters requiring contact." Kingdom Ministry Aug 2002 p.3
"The sly art of propaganda can paralyze thought and prevent clear thinking..." --- g00 6/22 pp. 4-8
"God's faithful modern-day Witnesses would never dare to question Jehovah" Watchtower 1995 Oct 1 p.27
"THERE is a difference—a big difference—between education and propaganda. Education shows you how to think. Propaganda tells you what to think. Good educators present all sides of an issue and encourage discussion. Propagandists relentlessly force you to hear their view and discourage discussion." --- g00 6/22 pp. 9-11
"What though of higher education received in a college or university? This is widely viewed as vital to success, yet, many who pursue such education end up with their minds filled with harmful propaganda. Such education wastes valuable youthful years that could best be used in Jehovah's service. Perhaps it is not surprising that in lands where many have received such an education, belief in god is at an all time low. Rather than looking to the advanced educational systems of this world for security, a Christian trusts in Jehovah."Watchtower 2008 Apr 15 p.4
"They (propagandist) also distort and twist facts, specializing in lies and half-truths. Your emotions, not your logical thinking abilities, are their target." --- g00 6/22 pp. 9-11
"Their worship is not distributed to three gods in one, the so-called godhead of some mysterious Trinity, but they (Jehovah's Witnesses) are united as the one people who worship the one God, Jehovah." Watchtower 1984 Mar 1 p.23
The propagandist makes sure that his message appears to be the right and moral one and that it gives you a sense of importance and belonging if you follow it. You are one of the smart ones, you are not alone, you are comfortable and secure—so they say. --- g00 6/22 pp. 9-11
"What religious group bases all its teachings on the Bible and makes known Jehovahs name? What group practices godly love, exercises faith in Jesus, is no part of the world, and proclaims that Gods Kingdom is the only real hope for mankind? Of all the religious groups on earth, which one meets all these requirements? The facts clearly show that it is Jehovahs Witnesses" What Does the Bible Really Teach (2005) p.151
"We need to scrutinize whatever is presented to us, deciding what to accept and what to reject." --- g00 6/22 pp. 9-11
"Beware of those who try to put forward their own contrary opinions."Watchtower 1986 Mar 15 p.17
"Here a Christian has a source of great wisdom. He has the Bible as a sure guide for his thinking. On the one hand, his mind is open, that is, receptive to new information. He properly weighs such new information against the Bible standard and fits what is true into his pattern of thinking. On the other hand, his mind sees the danger of information that is entirely inconsistent with his Bible-based values." --- g00 6/22 pp. 9-11
"From time to time, there have arisen from among the ranks of Jehovah's people those, who, like the original Satan, have adopted an independent, faultfinding attitude...They say that it is sufficient to read the Bible exclusively, either alone or in small groups at home. But, strangely, through such 'Bible reading,' they have reverted right back to the apostate doctrines that commentaries by Christendom's clergy were teaching ..." Watchtower 1981 Aug 15 p.29
"Some people today are like sponges; they soak up whatever they come across. It is all too easy to absorb whatever is around us." --- g00 6/22 pp. 9-11
'Believe all things,' all the things that the Watchtower brings out" Qualified to be Ministers (1955) p.156
"But it is far better for each individual personally to choose what he will feed his mind. It is said that we are what we eat, and this can apply to food for both the body and the mind. No matter what you are reading or watching or listening to, test to see whether it has propagandistic overtones or is truthful." --- g00 6/22 pp. 9-11
"Jehovah uses his organization to teach and feed his people. Hence believe without suspicion the truth set forth by the “faithful and discreet slave.”" Watchtower 1962 Sep 1 p.524
"First, examine whether there is bias. What is the motive for the message? If the message is rife with name-calling and loaded words, why is that? Loaded language aside, what are the merits of the message itself? Also, if possible, try to check the track record of those speaking. Are they known to speak the truth? If “authorities” are used, who or what are they? Why should you regard this person—or organization or publication—as having expert knowledge or trustworthy information on the subject in question? If you sense some appeal to emotions, ask yourself, ‘When viewed dispassionately, what are the merits of the message?" --- g00 6/22 pp. 9-11
"All of us must be ready to obey any instructions we may receive, whether these appear sound from a strategic or human standpoint or not." Watchtower 2013 Nov 15 p.20
"Do not just follow the crowd: If you realize that what everybody thinks is not necessarily correct, you can find the strength to think differently. While it may seem that all others think the same way, does this mean that you should? Popular opinion is not a reliable barometer of truth. Over the centuries all kinds of ideas have been popularly accepted, only to be proved wrong later." --- g00 6/22 pp. 9-11
"First, since "oneness" is to be observed, a mature Christian must be in unity and full harmony with fellow believers as far as faith and knowledge are concerned. He does not advocate or insist on personal opinions or harbor private ideas when it comes to Bible understanding." Watchtower 2001 Aug 1 p.14
"A religion that teaches a lie, cannot be true." Watchtower 1991 Dec.1 p.7