by Realist 18 Replies latest jw friends
i have a question that i really would like to get answered...
did Ray Franz mention anything about whether the GB members actually believe they are inspired by god or whether they are fully aware that what they spew out is nothing but pure BS!?
would be great if someone could enlighten me on this!
Realist
No, Ray said neither. Being "inspired by God" and "having God's influential spirit" are supposed to be two separate things. Nobody in the Governing Body would ever dare to openly admit that they consider that they are inspired by God as this would be interpreted as presumptuousness in the extreme. The line that they actually take allows them to straddle the fence neatly, assuming God's direction and influence one day and saying that they are just "imperfect men" the next.
thank you matty!
does that mean they know the truth about THE TRUTH (TM) or they actually believe what they are saying? if so how do they think god's influencial spirit guides them?
I have often wondered about this question. Does the Governing Body really believe what they say?
It really comes down to a question of motives. If they are simply followers, themselves, then they are just as victimized as the rest of us. But, if they are followers, they seem to have accidentally stumbled upon sophisticated psychological techniques for controlling people. Did they just accidentally copy these from others, or did they incidiously and intentionally adopt these abusive tactics?
I suspect that the answer is somewhere in between. There are probably many who are simply followers. In fact, they have nurtured a heirarchy of followers, to the point where they no longer have any innovative leadership.
However, I can't believe that every one of the governing body believes that he is directed by God.
It really comes down to one simple choice: Is the Governing Body evil, or just stupid? I'm not sure which is worse. Does it matter?
My recollection is that the GB's main argument to continue something is because of tradition. Past views and practices dictated that they should not drastically change a way of thinking. My impression was that the GB viewed Fred Franz as the "oracle'. He was the main go to guy God communicated with. If Freddy said it, it was right because it ultimately came from God. If you notice, since Freddy's dead, the organization has not been the same. Now, there are all different writers that put different flavors to the 'unadulterated truth". I think the GB believed the lie. They believed that God ACTUALLY used them as their mouthpiece. they really did.
An interesting book to read True Believer by Eric Hoffer talks about mass movements, i.e. communism, Nazi, etc. It was written back in the 50's but it helped me understand how the WTBTS is what it is today.
j2bf
I agree Minimus. To say that the Governing body are all phoneys and know that they are spreading BS to the rank and file is touted around here a great deal, but I don't believe it personally - I'm quite sure that they all genuinely consider that they are chosen by God to represent his interests on Earth.
As far as leaders and followers are concerned I rather think that they are like a dog chasing it's own tail. Sure, Ted might be in charge at the moment, but even he could feel vulnerable to his fellow GB members to a certain extent, but he wouldn't show it. When GB members have doctrinal doubts I'm sure the "Emperor's new clothes" syndrome kicks in, with none of them with any guts to face up to reality, thinking that the problem is actually just some weakness on their part or Satan having a go at them. Everything is part of the divine plan, there is always a reason - look for the reason and you'll find it somewhere in the bible, hidden deep in it's archaic language. They pray to Jehovah and the first thought that pops into their head afterward is interpreted as a message from God himself. Solomon called it chasing after the wind.
The only person who ever claimed to be under divine inspiration was Fred Franz. He clearly said to be "The oracle of the watchtower society".
My hubby was going to give this in his last talk. the talk was titled " why changes in the org" something to that affect.
He came across some very enlightening info and I have quoted this before
taken from WT 3/1/79 page 23: which states
In this regard, however, it must be observed that this "faithful and discreet slave" was never inspired, never perfect. Those writings by certain members of the "slave" class that came to form the Christian part of God' word were inspired and infallible, but that is not true of other writings since.
reading on in more from their literature: this taken from The Truth that Lead to Eternal Life page 13.
we need to examine, not only what we personally believe, but also what is taught by ANY religious organization with which we may be associated. Are its teachings in FULL harmony with God's word, or are they based on the tradtions of men?
the WTS has to many pharasaic rules/teachings that Christ would never bring down on any one, see above. As far as Ray's book, it was clear that little research was given on a matter, it became a board meeting of politics and favoritizm.
from IMANALIENTO
How could they possibly believe what they are saying? They take votes to determine the will of the Spirit. In such an event, given that Spirit leading is uniform, all votes would be identical. The fact that the votes are not identical is prima facie evidence that the Spirit had nothing whatever to do with it.
They might as well go back to playing with rocks, Urim & Thumin, to determine the will of the Spirit. Hell, why bother, just let 'em use dice.
francois
