Just been given this watchtower and found the 2nd study article very interesting....
Is this the Societies damage control to Panorama and Dateline?
para 8 onwards says.....
8 Satan tries to break our integrity through the sowing of doubts about what we have been taught. Today, as in the first century, apostates and others seek to destroy the faith of the guideless ones. (Gal 2:4; 5:7,8) Sometimes they use the media to spread distorted information or even outright lies about the methods and motives of Jehovah's people. Paul warned that some would be turned away from the truth quotes 2 Tim 4:3,4
Are they insiuating that JWs are Guideless Ones?
9 Instead of holding to the pattern of healthful words, some were intrigued by "false stories". What were these false stories? Perhaps Paul had in mind fanciful legends, such as those found in the apocryphal book of Tobit* False stories may also have included sensational and speculative rumours. Then, too, some - "in accord with their own desires" - may have been intellectually seduced by those who endorsed a permissive view of God's standards or who were critical of those taking the lead in the congregation. (3John 9,10; Jude 4) Whatever stumbling blocks were involved, some evidently preferred falsehoods over the truths of God's Word. Soon they stopped practicing the things they had learned, and this was to their own spiritual detriment - 2 Pet 3:15,16.
10 We can avoid turning aside to false stories today if we scrutinise and are selective about what we listen to and what we read. For example, the media often promote immorality. Many people encourage agnosticism or outright atheism. Higher critics ridicule the Bibles claim to divine inspiration. And modern day apostates keep on trying to sow seeds of doubt in order to subvert the faith of Christians. Regarding a comparable danger posed by false prophets in the first century, the apostle John warned: "quotes 1 John 4:1" So we need to be careful.
These stories they are talking about the bible and not their own teachings arent they?
11 In this regard, Paul wrote "quotes 2 Cor 13:5" The apostle urged us to keep testing ourselves to determine whether we are adhering to the body of Christian beliefs. If our ears are inclined toward disgruntled ones, we need to analyze ourselves prayerfully. (PS 139:23,24) Are we included to find fault with Jehovahs people? Is so, Why? Have we been hurt by the words or actions of someone? Is so, are we keeping things in proper persepective? Any tribulation we face in this system of things is temporary. (2 Cor 4:17) Even if we experience some trial in the congregation, why should we quit serving God? If we are upset over something, is it not far better to do what we can to resolve the matter and then leave it in Jehovahs hands? - Psalms 4:4; Prov 3:4,5; Eph 4:26
What about analysing the organisation prayfully? If we are hurt by a rapist are they implying that we
should just put it down to a temporary tribulation to endure until Armageddon?
12 Rather than being cynical, let us maintain a spiritually healthy view of the information received through personal study and congregation meetings. (1 Cor 2:14,15) And instead of questioning Gods Word, how much wiser it is to have the attitude of the first-century Bereans who examined the Scriptures closely! (Acts 17:10,11) Then, let us act on what we learn, turning down false stories and clinging to the truth.
Do we question the bible or the literature of the WTS?
13 There is another type of false story that we need to be on guard against. A great many sensational tales circulate, often by means of e-mail. It is wise to be cautious about such tales, especially if we do not know the original source of the information. Even if an experience or story was sent by a reputable Christian, that individual may not have firsthand knowledge of the facts. That is why it is important to be cautious about repeating or forwarding unverified accounts. We surely would not want to repeat "godless myths" or "false stories which violate what is holy." (1Tim 4:7 NIV).
So an experience of an reputable Christian should always be treated like a Godless Myth????!!
What do you think??
Tish