Duncan,
I have been thinking about this issue the past few days. I noted on another post recently how I had chosen a careful moment to discuss the Panorama program with a JW, who has served in various Bethel's at a very senior level for over forty years. Despite the fact that he has seen the soft-underbelly of the WTS in all its devious nuances, he is in almost total denial about the issue.
His initial reaction is one that I have commonly encountered with loyal JW's dealing with this issue. 'How do you know it is all true?". As I further encouraged him to check the public record on the matter, his response became angry, culminating with him virtually exploding, "I believe the Bible above Panorama any-day!". I suggested to him that perhaps he should believe his Bible above the WTS, which I admit was a poor reaction on my part and certainly did nothing for the mood of the evening.
It struck me that these people use slogans as a sort of pacifier. When a child wakes up, a pacifier stops the screaming and allows all around to live a quieter life. The WTS has filled the heads of its adherents with the slogans of pacification, so that when an issue becomes 'loud' the pacifying slogans get pushed into mouths and a sort of nervous peace reigns.
I also agree entirely with this statement:
But what intrigues me, and what I find significant, is that among witnesses of my acquaintance, how readily they will accept the idea, once suggested to them that... "...perhaps this IS Jehovah sorting it all out, in his due time "
It seems to fit the pattern of 'healthful' slogans that the GB are so fond of. The WTS acknowledge that God disciplines his people, the problem is that it is always a retrospective action. They cannot countenance the idea that their God might be disciplining them today, it must happen in yesterday lest the grass-root JW acknowledges that he might be able to start thinking for himself, a sin of course, much more serious in God's eyes than sexually abusing five year olds.
Yet, again the WTS has been caught napping, because in the primal theological soup that makes up the thinking process of many JWs a faint light is beginning to shine. This real 'flash of light' will give birth in time to a new species of Jehovahs Witness, one who no longer needs a slogan to survive through life, one who views creativity and initiative as a friend, not an enemy.
Until then, cheers my good friend.
HS
Edited by - hillary_step on 23 September 2002 15:32:40