How does the WTS encourage people to examine religious beliefs?
1.The Truth that Leads to Eternal Life 1968,pg12,
We need to examine, not only what we personally believe, but also what is taught by any religious organization....
2.Watchtower 15th march 1969,pg166,
We need to examine, not only what we personally believe, but also what is taught by any religious organization......
3.Is This Life All There Is? pg 46
,...really, would you want to be associated with a religion that has not been honest with you?
4.Awake 22 Oct. 1973,pg6,
Reasonable persons agree that the only fair method is to examine the evidence on both sides,both for and against a disputed theory. That is how one arrives at the truth.
5.Watchtower 1st Aug.1978,pg12,
...different churches have published books and brochures for the purpose of " exposing
"Jehovah's Witnesses as heretics.....calling another a " heretic" or "false prophet"...Naturally, we are not afraid of this kind of publicity, because we know that it serves to awaken the curiosity of many honest persons.
6.Watchtower.15th June 1985,pg12,
...for the purpose of getting the full depth of the thoughts explained...It requires digging
deeper,putting forth effort to locate that older publication and then studing the pages...
7. Watchtower.15th Nov. 1963,pg688-689
It is not a form of religious persecution for anyone to say and show that another religion is false. Why should anyone practice a religion unless he is convinced that it is true and right?
All the above are interesting quotes but.........what about the GB's teachings??? Well in this case it's: Don't question , meekly go along, in other words don't examine.
1.Watchtower,1st Feb 1952,pg79-80
If we do not see a point at first we should keep trying to grasp it, rather than opposing
and rejecting it and presumptuously taking the position that we are more likely to be right than the discreet slave. We should meekly go along with the Lord's theocratic organization and wait for further clarification......
2.Qualified to be Ministers 1955,pg156,
If we have love for Jehovah and for the organization of his people we shall no be suspicious, but shall, as the Bible says, 'beleive all things,' all the things that The Watchtower brings out,in as much as it has been faithful in giving us knowledge of God's purposes.....
3. Watchtower.1st May 1957,pg283-285
We will not 'forsake our mother's teaching' by immediately beginning to criticize and
find fault....gratefully and willingly show our respect for Jehovah's organization, for she is our mother and the beloved wife of our heavenly Father....
4.Watchtower 1st June 1967,pg 338
...in Jehovah's organization it is not necessary to spend a lot of time and energy in
research, for there are brothers in the organization who are assigned to that very thing....
5.Watchtower 1st Aug.1967, pg469-470 ยต
It is true that some points are difficult to grasp at first, but instead of complaining or
arguing about them...... it may be better to leave it alone for a while, waiting further clarification....we must avoid complaining even about small things....
6.Watchtower 15th Jan 1983,pg 27,
....some who point out that the organization has had to make some adjustments before, and
so they argue: "This shows that we have to make up our own mind on what to believe." This is independent thinking. Why is it so dangerous?
7.Watchtower. 1st March 1991,pg15
If we are Jehovah's Witnesses, we should remember that our lives and others depend upon
our obedience. Each Witness needs to keep pace with Jehovah's organization.
8.Watchtower 1st July 1994,pg12-13
As loyal servants of Jehovah, why would we even want to peek at the propaganda put out by rejecters of Jehovah's table...
To all you loyal JW's i ask you this question:
Why is it that the Watchtower Society encourages all non Jehovah's Witnesses to examine their religion with an open mind while at the same time they do not allow baptised Witnesses a clear and open minded examination of the doctrines that the Governing Body give out as "spiritual food"?
Do they have something to hide?
Why is it that as a bible student we could ask any question that came into our mind, but as soon as we get baptized all "embarassing" questions have to stop or else...........you risk being kicked out!!!
Best Regards
Gianluca