4 Deceptions in the Require Brochure

by blondie 9 Replies latest watchtower bible

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  blondie

  I read this post by Libby on Channel C and thought it was very insightful and thought-provoking for both non-JWs and JWs.

  Posted by Libby on Wed - Apr 2 - 11:32am:
  
  Greetings fellow posters,

  As JW’s we used the brochure “What Does God Require of Us?” as a Bible study course to teach interested ones how to serve God within the WT Society organization. Lesson 1 is just one page containing 3 paragraphs and 3 questions. It also contains 4 deceptions that will not be noticed by those studying it. In truth, I did not catch them even while teaching others; only now in looking back at this is the deceit obvious to me. Deceptions 1 & 2: In paragraph #1 the reader is told that the Bible is “like a letter from a loving father to his children.” The actual WT teaching is that the Bible was written to only 144,000 humans. Those not of that group are said to be looking over the shoulders of these 144,000. This is actually a twofold deception because the WT teaching is also that only the 144,000 humans are actually children of God. Other JW’s have to wait until the millennium to be considered children of God.
  I would ask the Jehovah’s Witness this question: Do you feel the Bible is a letter to you personally from your loving heavenly Father?

  I spoke with a woman and her daughter who were doing street work. My question to them was: Are you children of God? They looked at one another in obvious confusion as to how to answer. They ended up offering no reply whatsoever. I ached for them and have been praying ever sense that they pursue the answer to that question.

  Deception #3: Again in paragraph #1 the Bible student is told that the Bible “alone” tells them what they must do to please God. The actual WT teaching is that without being in association with them, the Bible isn’t going to tell you much of anything. You need them in order to understand the Bible. You need their publications and their meetings and their type of service to God in order to please God.
  I would ask them: Do you believe the Bible alone tells us how to please God?

  Deception #4: Lastly, in paragraph #3 the statement is made that “God made sure that the Bible was accurately copied and preserved.” Time and again you will come across WT teachings that ancient manuscripts were ‘tampered with’ to delete God’s name from the Bible; this includes manuscripts of the New Testament as well.
  My question here would be: Do you believe God made sure the Bible was accurately copied and preserved?

  Libby

  http://www.channelc.org/cgi-bin/eboard30/index.cgi

  Brochure is online here:

  http://www.watchtower.org/library/rq/index.htm?article=article_00.htm
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  rebel

  Wow Blondie!

  And this is only from the first 3 paragraphs of the brochure. I think I will go over the whole brochure with a fine tooth-comb and see what comes up.

  I must show these paragraphs to my 'loving' hubby and see how he responds (although he is pretty predictable). I have rubbed him up the wrong way so much this past week, he is starting to shun me Now I have got to the stage where I don't think it can get any worse.

  xxR
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  rocketman

  Interesting post Blondie, thanks.
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  anglise

  Thankyou for posting this Blondie.

  I am surprised there are only 4, but then that is only page 1 so far!!!

  Rebel

  Sorry to hear things are not too good at home for you. Could he be "won without a word" work in this situation do you think. Especially if it would ease the tension between you. Please ignore me if this is out of turn and I am totally wrong.

  Anglise
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  rebel

  Anglise,

  I know what you mean and thanks for the advice. But I honestly don't go out of my way to antagonise him. Basically he asks me if I'm going to the meeting - I say no. He asks if I'm going out on field service with him - I say no. He asks if I'm going to the Memorial - I say no etc etc. He knows I am going to say no but still asks continually and then gets annoyed when I say no. Sometimes he loads the pressure on so I go just to keep him off my back - he can make things awkward with the rest of the family otherwise. He isn't a bad guy but is such a control freak it drives me nuts.

  As for the Require Brochure, I have never looked at it really closely before. I didn't really look at any of the brochures in real depth but I am going to do this now. It is getting easier to spot the loaded language and dig out the subtle lies in their publications.

  xxR
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  ozziepost

  Just one comment in response, Blondie: Superb! It's right on!

  Cheers, Ozzie
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  blondie

  Really, all the thanks goes to Libby at Channel C, ozziepost. But I will take credit for recognizing the value of her post and sharing it here.

  Blondie
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  ozziepost

  You're too modest, Blondie, but I wish to publicly acknowledge Libby's tome. It really is most accurate!

  Cheers, Ozzie
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  petespal2002

  I can spot a potential trap in one 'deception'. Yes the WTBTS show how various translations of the bible and ancient manuscripts differ to back up current beliefs, such as missing out the Tetragramatton when it was considered too holy to utter, but the idea here is that the BASIC message of the Bible has been preserved, so that the gist of it, ie the kingdom of God AKA the 'Sacred Secret', has always been there for those who would look. A JW would say that the very fact that the Bible is still here is proof of it's preservation. Am I splitting hairs?
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  jgnat

  Wow. Thanks for posting this Blondie. Libby really does cut to the heart of the matter. I got disgusted today looking at next week's reading from the Isaiah book. Jesus is quoted, and the book clarifies that his statements were, of course, only for the anointed. I read the scripture back to my honey. Jesus used the words like "all" and "everyone". Not once did he use the words "anointed class". How exactly did Jesus' words turn in to an exclusive promise?

  No man can come to me, except the Father that sent me draw him: and I will raise him up in the last day. It is written in the prophets, And they shall all be taught of God. Every one that hath heard from the Father, and hath learned, cometh unto me. Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he that is from God, he hath seen the Father. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth hath eternal life. John 6:44-47 ASV

  I had been meaning to ask a JW exactly which of the NT books are written for the "other sheep", but Libby is right. None of them are.