Reading Other Books

Blueblades

When one looks at the Watchtower publications they soon notice that the writers quote from many different books and encyclopedias in order to try to prove their beliefs and teachings.I would assume that the authors of the articles read these books in detail so as to be certain that they are quoting in context.Since they read and quote from so many sources,it seems to suggest that there are many good books on the market that are not written by Jehovah's Witnesses and yet contain a lot of truth which agrees with Watchtower's teachings.So for any lurking JW'S,are you free to read these various books?Why can the authors of the Watchtower publications in Brooklyn read these books but not the average Jehovah's Witness? Blueblades

freedom96

The WTS says that the rank and file witness is too stupid, and too busy studying the WTS books and magazines to bother reading other stuff. So they will do all the work, pick out what works for them, quote out of context, and go on.

blondie

Actually, there are brothers at Bethel whose job is just to read magazines, newspapers, and other sources for information that can be used in the publications.

I asked how they managed to maintain their spirituality with a daily dose of worldly material, some that we were discouraged from wasting our time on.

The guide said these brothers were protected by the holy spirit and only brothers that were already strong spiritually were selected. That way they could glean the safe and useful material for the rest of us so that we didn't need to endanger ourselves by reading them.

The WT publications also protect us from the difficult parts of the Bible that might raise doubts or embarrassing questions. I see this in the fact that few scriptures are fully quoted any more and mostly we see snippets of scriptures and citations. Who needs to read the original source any more.

Blondie

out4good3

So for any lurking JW'S,are you free to read these various books?Why can the authors of the Watchtower publications in Brooklyn read these books but not the average Jehovah's Witness?

Doing what it takes to live in the real world coupled with watchtower studies, book studies, preparing for meetings, service, etc. etc. leaves no time for reading the various books quoted in WT or Awake magazines and authenticating the context of what they really say, and that's just the way Lords of Discipline in Brooklyn would have it. For the average witness, taking time to read these books, or even the Bible for that matter will draw attention away from ~~finding converts~~ ~~indoctrinating studies~~ ~~selling magazines~~ spreading the "good news" of the kingdom.

Nathan Natas

Everyone knows that Jehovah's Holy Spirit (tm) is strongest at WTS HQ in Columbia Heights, Brooklyn and (by virtue of a weird space/time anomally) Patterson, NY. Only baptized, dedicated, consecrated WTS volunteer researchers imbued with the benefits of this Protective Spirit can feel free to examine secular information and by the discerning power of said Holy Spirit, know which information is accurate and uplifting and which bits of information would re-assemble themselves in the mind as a memetic ticking timbomb that would destroy the fragile evanescent cobweb that is "The Truth"(tm).

Simple application of the inverse square law demonstrates that this Protective Holy Spirit is less intense the further one moves from the epicenters of the Holy Spirit, Booklyn/Patterson Bethels. Thus an ordinary, plain vanilla witness in his own humble residence just a few blocks from Bethel cannot possibly expect the protection and discernment that is God's free gift to those serving at the worldwide headquarters of True Religion(tm).

Ed Schnell, Barbara Grizutti Harrison, Ed Dunlop, Barbara Anderson, Ray Franz, et al were all beneficiaries of the Omnipotent Protective Holy Spirit.

NeonMadman

I would assume that the authors of the articles read these books in detail so as to be certain that they are quoting in context.

BWAAA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA!!!!

Good one, Blueblades!

Satanus

For the average dub, the bible isn't really safe reading either. Satanic ideas somehow get into their minds if they read the bible on their own, without wt guidance.

*** w81 8/15 28-9 Serving Jehovah "Shoulder to Shoulder" ***
14 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 do not want to serve "shoulder to shoulder" with the worldwide brotherhood. (Compare Ephesians 2:19-22.) Rather, they present a "stubborn shoulder" to Jehovah's words. (Zech. 7:11, 12) Reviling the pattern of the "pure language" that Jehovah has so graciously taught his people over the past century, these haughty ones try to draw the "sheep" away from the one international "flock" that Jesus has gathered in the earth. (John 10:7-10, 16) They try to sow doubts and to separate unsuspecting ones from the bounteous "table" of spiritual food spread at the Kingdom Halls of Jehovah's Witnesses, where truly there is 'nothing lacking.' (Ps. 23:1-6) 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 100 years ago, and some have even returned to celebrating Christendom's festivals again, such as the Roman Saturnalia of December 25! Jesus and his apostles warned against such lawless ones.-Matt. 24:11-13; Acts 20:28-30; 2 Pet. 2:1, 22.

SS

Blueblades

Hi! BLONDIE! I know someone at bethel who PROOFREADS after the brothers select what is good for the rank and file.That someone is a SISTER.She is in charge of correcting their mistakes, you know misprints etc.HI! OUT 4 good 3! The line through your sentence tells it like it really is! HI! NEONMADMAN1 Thanks, what a laugh.HI! NATHAN NATAS! You made me laugh then cry at the list of names at the end of your post.I'm familiar with all of them through reading and a telephone call.Your first namesake nathan (knorr) was my theocractic school conductor back in the day when I used to attend bethel kingdom hall.He would substitute from time to time. Blueblades.

Kingpawn

The guide said these brothers were protected by the holy spirit and only brothers that were already strong spiritually were selected.

Kinda like a Spiritual Secret Service eh? Placing themselves in danger so others don't have to? Doesn't it just give ya a warm feeling?

fulano

I tell you, I spent many many hours in the Patterson library (Brooklyn library sucks) and there are many books on sexuality and occultism that I would not like to have in mine at that time.

Reading Other Books

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