Because the leadership, the Watchtower Society, is authoritarian. Since when did any authoritarian rulership or totalitarian regime allow freedom of expression and dissent?
Why are JWs so against debate
by enigma1863 33 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
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konceptual99
There's nothing the WTS likes less than mass debate.
Fnarr fnarr. Nudge nudge. Wink wink.
Did you see what I did there?
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fukitol
The GB once had a mass debate on the subject of masturbate -
carla
They would have to stay on topic which is nearly impossible for a jw. They do not truly know or understand what they parrot at the doors. Get beyond the latest articles or ask to delve deeper and they get frustrated and change the subject. Or the ever famous, "I'll have to get back to you on that". They know a few proof texts and that is about it, no real understanding of anything and if it has been a 'new light' at any time forget it! they get all flustered and mad. Bible only? forget that too!
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tiki
debate requires logic and critical thinking. jw's base all their "arguments" on circular reasoning and a closed mind. -
azor
Xanthippe - Princess Diana aka Wonder Woman. -
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problemaddict 2
Its like a person with no legs debating the benefits of jogging on cardiovascular health.
Debate and conversation are two different things. For JW's every conversation with an alternate (not even neccesarily critical) viewpoint on scripture or a particular teaching, is like having a political conversation about Hilary clinton or a conversation with a proponent of gun deregulation.
In otherwords, its highly charged and emotional before you even get there!
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azor
Xanthippe - yes I should have made it clearer in my original post. I was not even thinking of the former Princess Diana of England. -
blondie
WHAT ARE JWS TOLD"
*** w93 8/1 pp. 16-17 pars. 8-10 Let No One Spoil Your Useful Habits ***
It could happen if we did not distinguish between those who might be helped to learn the truth and those who are just raising a challenge so as to promote a false teaching. For example, in our witnessing work, we may encounter a person who disagrees on some point but who is willing to discuss it further. (Acts 17:32-34) That of itself need not present a problem, for we happily explain Bible truth to anyone who genuinely wants to know such, even returning to present convincing evidence. (1 Peter 3:15) Yet, some may not really be interested in finding Bible truth.
Many people will debate for hours, week after week, but not because they are seeking truth. They just want to undermine another’s faith while flaunting their own supposed education in Hebrew, Greek, or evolutionary science. When encountering them, some Witnesses have felt challenged and have wound up having extended association centered on false religious belief, philosophy, or scientific error. It is noteworthy that Jesus did not let that happen to him, though he could have won debates with religious leaders who were schooled in Hebrew or Greek. When challenged, Jesus replied briefly and then turned his attention again to humble ones, the real sheep.—Matthew 22:41-46; 1 Corinthians 1:23–2:2.
Modern computers have opened other avenues to bad association. Some commercial firms enable subscribers using a computer and a telephone to send a message to electronic bulletin boards; a person can thus post on the bulletin board a message that is open to all subscribers. This has led to so-called electronic debates on religious matters. A Christian might be drawn into such debates and may spend many hours with an apostate thinker who may have been disfellowshipped from the congregation. The direction at 2 John 9-11 underscores Paul’s fatherly counsel about avoiding bad associations.
