As the saying goes, "if you want to know who rules over you, look for who you're
not allowed to criticize".
Paranoia after today's Watchtower
by Truthexplorer 54 Replies latest jw experiences
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hybridous
Good comment by stuckinarut2
The Tower has always wanted to destroy (if at all possible), or at least minimize to the fullest extent, the non-JW relationships of the average JW.
The only thing that made it tenable was the association, the feeling to belonging within the walls of the Org.
Now look as the Org seeks to kick out that one last crutch. You're a JW, you can't have close trusting relationships with worldly folks on the outside, and furthermore, you likely cannot have them with your fellow JWs.
The Tower is basically begging for JWs to equivocate...I wonder why TPTB in there wouldn't have thought to steer clear of that, but then, I don't think there's much thinking going on there at all, these days. -
Beth Sarim
Seems that they bring up these studies occasionally when they sense some ''dissention'' talkers within the Borg. -
Village Idiot
The Searcher:
"Org-style McCarthy witch-hunts to kick off in all Branches &K.H.s!"
I was part of the 1980 witch hunt and I wonder when the next one will be.
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Beth Sarim
I forgot to mention that the JW's probably have 2 levels of shunning. The first one is pre-emptive shunning, when you aren't DF'd yet, but you are treated like one in public or anywhere where the Dubs snub you avoid making eye contact etc. The 2nd level is the full blown Borg enforced DF'd induced shunning. Now this is when every J-Dub alive, including your family who is not living in your house, will ignore you. -
blondie
For years the WTS has been counseling jws to demonize people even within the jw congregations and avoid associating with them.
*** w80 6/15 p. 19 Harvesting Fruit Suitable for God’s Kingdom ***
THE ELEMENT IN WHICH WE CULTIVATE TRAITS
13 Even in the Christian congregation there may be an environment or association that is spiritually not most helpful. Some who recently came out of the world and symbolized their dedication to God by water baptism may tend to bring into the congregation something that still clings to them—a measure of worldliness. Let us remember that it was to a Christian congregation that the apostle Paul wrote: “In my [previous] letter I wrote you to quit mixing in company with fornicators, . . . But now I am writing you to quit mixing in company with anyone called a brother that is a fornicator or a greedy person or an idolater or a reviler or a drunkard or an extortioner, not even eating with such a man.”—1 Cor. 5:9-11.
*** w80 5/1 pp. 15-16 pars. 14-15 Baptism—An Expression of Faith ***
Good associations in the Christian congregation are also important for us to make spiritual advancement. The most desirable companions are spiritually minded fellow believers, persons who enjoy discussing God’s Word and have an intense interest in helping fellow humans. It was to Timothy, an elder in the Christian congregation, that the apostle Paul wrote: “Now in a large house there are vessels not only of gold and silver but also of wood and earthenware, and some for an honorable purpose but others for a purpose lacking honor. If, therefore, anyone keeps clear of the latter ones, he will be a vessel for an honorable purpose, sanctified, useful to his owner, prepared for every good work. So, flee from the desires incidental to youth, but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace, along with those who call upon the Lord out of a clean heart.” (2 Tim. 2:20-22) Thus the apostle compared the congregation as it had developed in his day to a house containing vessels of all kinds. If it was necessary for an elder to keep clear of ‘dishonorable vessels,’ not making them his intimate associates, this is certainly of even greater importance for spiritual babes whose ‘perceptive powers are not yet trained through use to distinguish both right and wrong.’ (Heb. 5:14) They are far more susceptible to coming under corrupting influences.—Compare 2 Peter 2:18.
15 This does not mean that we have to look with suspicion at members of the congregation. It is not difficult to identify good companions. Jesus Christ said: ‘Out of the heart’s abundance the mouth speaks.’ (Luke 6:45) Clearly, those whose expressions truly incite us “to love and fine works” are loyal friends. (Heb. 10:24) Association with them can contribute toward a person’s growing to Christian maturity.
*** w04 4/1 p. 13 par. 13 Resist the Spirit of a Changing World ***
None of us are immune to the spirit of the world. The winds and currents of Satan’s system are powerful. The Bible wisely admonishes us: “Do not be misled. Bad associations spoil useful habits.” (1 Corinthians 15:33) Bad associations can involve anything or anyone—even within the congregation—reflecting the spirit of the world. If we were to reason that bad associations cannot hurt us, would we not have to conclude that good associations cannot help us? How wrong that would be! The Bible puts the matter clearly when it says: “He that is walking with wise persons will become wise, but he that is having dealings with the stupid ones will fare badly.”—Proverbs 13:20.
*** w00 5/1 p. 11 par. 13 Firmly Uphold Godly Teaching ***
Happily, in apostolic times the majority of Christians were faithful and remained focused on the work of declaring the good news of God’s Kingdom. They were busy looking after “orphans and widows in their tribulation” and kept themselves “without spot from the world,” not wasting their time on futile debates about words. (James 1:27) They avoided “bad associations” even within the Christian congregation in order to safeguard their spirituality.—1 Corinthians 15:33; 2 Timothy 2:20, 21.
*** w99 8/1 pp. 23-24 Peer Pressure—Can It Be to Your Advantage? ***
Even within the Christian congregation, we can come under the influence of unwholesome peer pressure if we choose spiritually weak individuals as our close associates. (1 Corinthians 15:33; 2 Thessalonians 3:14) Such ones often are not inclined to discuss spiritual matters; they may even ridicule those who enjoy such discussions. If we choose these ones as our close associates, peer pressure may force us into a similar mold, and soon we might find our thinking and attitude reflecting theirs. We may even begin to think negatively of those who are genuine in their faith and who are trying to make spiritual advancement.—1 Timothy 4:15.
How much wiser it is to cultivate friendships with those who strive to please Jehovah, who delight in spiritual matters! Such associates will help us reflect “the wisdom from above.” It “is first of all chaste, then peaceable, reasonable, ready to obey, full of mercy and good fruits, . . . not hypocritical.” (James 3:17) This does not mean that spiritually-minded people are incapable of talking about anything other than spiritual matters. On the contrary! Just think of the variety of interesting subjects that are considered in Watch Tower publications like the Awake! magazine. Wholesome topics for discussion are truly endless, and by taking an interest in a broad range of subjects, we reflect a love of life and of Jehovah’s handiwork.
*** w91 1/15 p. 27 The Pure Language Unites a Great Crowd of Worshipers ***
The importance of watching our associations was highlighted in Tuesday’s talk “Are Your Friends Jehovah’s Friends?” Our friends should be Christians who have put on the Christlike personality and are zealous in the preaching work. Worldly acquaintances are not friends of God, and we cannot socialize with them without harm to ourselves. Even within the congregation, we must be selective if our associations are to be truly upbuilding.
*** w90 1/15 p. 27 Godly Devotion—Beneficial for All Things ***
Always being alert to danger signals, parents must guard children from unwholesome association, even within the congregation.
*** w85 8/15 p. 19 par. 11 Train With Godly Devotion as Your Aim ***
Our emotions and conduct are greatly affected by those whom we choose as friends. Obviously, unbelievers are not the best associates. But Paul here shows frankly that even within the congregation there could be persons who are undesirable associates. True, you may find such ones fun to be around, but their influence will never help you to “flee from the desires incidental to youth” or to develop godly devotion. Reach out for upbuilding associates within the congregation.
*** w81 11/1 p. 18 par. 20 Parents, Reach Your Child’s Heart ***
Also, by closely guarding your children’s association and selecting for them associates showing spiritual “strong conviction,” you will enhance your efforts. Nothing can destroy your work faster than bad associates for them—even if these are found within the Christian congregation. Such bad associates can ruin your child’s spirituality and cause a generation gap.—Prov. 13:20; Jude 3, 4, 12, 16, 19.
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pepperheart
if you are paranoid it must be so easy and enjoyable being a jw -
Beth Sarim
So much paranoia, I'm sure it makes people feel very tired.....leading to much depression. -
FayeDunaway
I'd like to know if one finger salute made a comment today. Seems like you could say something nazi, like 'watch out for your parents, your children, your brothers and sisters...those against us could be nearer than we think! And we should report this opposition promptly to the local elders. -
Tornintwo
This kind of rubbish makes me so angry and is dangerous. I've seen it cause real problems for young ones in the congregation. So you have a young boy or girl, hits 14, is feeling the pull of their worldly friends at school etc and the normal turmoil of adolescence, perhaps they are trying to find themselves, so they get a bit of an attitude, cut or dye their hair, start to express themselves with some cooler or more alternative clothes and music .....all completely normal behavior for teenagers!!! But because of this awful indoctrination, other young ones in the cong and more often their parents start looking at this youth with suspicion and judgment, perhaps they are no longer a 'good association'. So they get uninvited to social events, avoided by other youths in the organisation and rumors spread.
What next? we have a youth who faces a loneliness and isolation from the only piers he/she is permitted to associate with, at a time of life when they desperately want the company of their piers. A) they remain lonely and frustrated until they conform to the drone ideal and prove themselves to the self righteous, judgemental brothers. B) they do the only sensible thing and move towards their 'worldly' associates and leave the org. With all the pain and fallout that goes with it, whilst the judgemental lot shake their heads and lament, 'I told you there was something worldly about him/her'. C) they are driven to depression or even suicide having been rejected by the only community they have ever known.
Makes me sick.