WT meeting comments - on "media reports"

FreeWilly

Hi everyone,

Well I went to a meeting while visiting my family. I was particularly interested in the comments from the WT paragraphs that medioned recent "media reports" in it.

First off, I found it rather clever the way the WT worded the paragraphs regarding media reports. They asked "how do you feel when you hear reports about JWs in the media that are distortions or outright lies"? I find it clever because they are not actually saying that recent media reports are distortions or lies. They are simply asking how one feels when the come across reports that are deceptive. There is only one reasonable answer to that question - a lie or distortion cannot be good (even I would agree to that). YET, in the context of the rest of the paragraph and the surrounding article it is clear that the message they want to convey is that recent reports on JWs have been lies. I think they purposely didn't come out and say it plainly because the facts of most media reports are readily availible to those who want to dig them up. Thier wording gives them an "out" to anyone who would discover the veracity of reports in the media.

So what were the comments from the congregation on these paragraphs? The intended message was definetly recieved. One brother who was from England mentioned the Panorama episode and told how shaken some of the publishers were over it. Many didn't want to go out in service for a few weeks until it calmed down. Yet he went on to relay how a householder said: " I saw that episode and knew that these acusations had to be lies - you people are just not like that". In conclusion he commented how Satan controls the media and will cause them to spread lies about JWs.

Another comment alluded to programs that aired in America. Again it was stated that the program contained nothing but lies against 'Gods people' and these lies are to be expected.

So the subtle message of the WT article was recieved (at least by some) as intended - believe nothing that portrays JW's in a bad light.

I personally felt that some may have doubts to the claim that its all lies. There were not allot of hands raised like there were in the other paragraphs. Those who did comment were obviously not informed whatsoever. Nor was there any discussion about the supposed lies away from the meeting (as I have heard before when there have been TV programs about JW's). I think most feel uncomfortable about the who issue and wish it would go away. I think the availibility of info on the internet has hindered the WT propaganda machine. Maybe thats just my wishful thinking though.

Maverick

Thanks for the first hand report on the WatchTower meeting. On Blondies post these "lies" were discussed. The FDS framed their statements to imply what point they wanted to get across without liable. They could not just come out and say the media distorted, or that none of the reported stories were true because this would be illegal and subject them to lawsuits. They confer with their Legal Dept. on everything. The RF grasp at anything the FDS tell them. The membership blind themselves so as not to see the truth about their own religous leaders. Maverick

mattnoel

Dont you think these people are sick ! they are so brainwashed into believing that this is all lies ! when they are all the ones lying to save face !!!!

rocketman

It's ineteresting getting some of these first-hand reports as to what was said at meetings by bros and sis's in reaction to these paragraphs. Of course, they dare not say what they may really be thinking, but there are some of the gung-ho ones and some of the gullible ones who will go along with anything the WTS says.

And again, no evidence is ever presented to let the reader decide whether such reports or lies or not.

sf

Dont you think these people are sick ! they are so brainwashed into believing that this is all lies ! when they are all the ones lying to save face !!!!

Yes! It is sick and gross for jws to be 'Klowning' around like this! sKally, ROFLOLOLOLOLOL

patio34

Hi FreeWilly,

That's an excellent point showing how adept the WT is at spin. Spin is ubiquitous. One must be skeptical at all times (not necessarily critical) to read between the lines and see the manipulation. Then, it gives you a good picture of the writer's character since (s)he is trying to manipulate the reader. Who wants to put any trust in a manipulator? Thanks for pointing it out and sharpening our critical thinking skills.

Pat

JamesThomas

There is a core group of dedicated Witnesses whose religious commitment will only strengthen through diversity....no matter how true the charges may be. In their minds they are Jehovah's people, and the world is Satan's. Period. End of story. They would die for their beliefs, because they can not perceive outside the box. They live in a black and white world. This is why the Society will never be brought down completely. And efforts to do so will only strength the core. The pure Borg.

kilroy2

Most of these people who dont hear anything against the fu*ked arse shi%s fds or all over fem. body spray. if not for the socity it would be some other thing that they were cought up in. they have victom writen all over thair faces. some use it for support for a weak mind others use it for a social hierarcal to try to climb to the top of. [personally i feel that it is like being head of a small town book club muchadoaboutnuten] I have for 30 years seen these people who like my father inlaw jerry woods of vanderbiult michigan [the homer simpson of the great white north] he can not explain one thing in depth about his own beliefe. if you could see in his mind [mostly cobwebs] his beliefe system is simple. hova good satan bad, and that is a lot of them. hell I was one till the pablem got sickning

Pork Chop

JamesT that's way over the top. In over 100 years of history they haven't killed others or commited acts of terror and there's no reason to assume that they're going to start now.

berylblue

James Thomas wrote:

This type of mindset when assimilated into a cult can be dangerous. They will fly jet liners into buildings or blow themselves and others up, or commit mass suicideI

Pork Chop wrote:

JamesT that's way over the top. In over 100 years of history they haven't killed others or commited acts of terror and there's no reason to assume that they're going to start now

. I can see where James' statement might upset you. However, in the quote above, I don't think he was referring to JWs, but rather to those who have killed for their "god" in the past. From what I've read, those who kill in the name of religion do imagine that they are serving their god's purpose by slaughtering "infidels".

I suspect that in all religions there are those who think that by killing opposers, they are "rendering a sacred sacrifice" to their god. This would not exclude JWs. As far as fantasizing about being the OT God's "executioners", I believe some JWs are capable of enjoying this (grisly) prospect. While JWs don't, at present, kill, that does not mean some would not be pleased to do so in the future if they felt their "god" wanted them to do so. Rosemarie

WT meeting comments - on "media reports"

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