Sheeplike?? A Christian Requirement or WT Controlling mechanism?

BluesBrother

When we were practising Witnesses we heard a lot about the need to be "sheeplike" , having a sheeplike attitude and personality . A typical comment might be :

"Lasting peace & Happiness Just Ahead" 2009 p 30

" Only sheeplike ones—people who love righteousness and actively support God’s Kingdom—will survive the end of this wicked system of things and enjoy God’s blessings under his Kingdom forever"

Certainly Jesus used the illustration of a shepherd leading his sheep, in a diligent and kindly manner, extensively in his teaching of how he cared for his followers ; e.g. John 10.14

" I am the fine shepherd. I know my sheep and my sheep know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I surrender my life in behalf of the sheep."

He spoke of separating people as shepherd separates sheep from goats, and several other illustrations also. However, the emphasis was on the role of himself as the shepherd, and delegated authority to Peter " Shepherd my little sheep" . John 21.16.

The word "sheeplike" does not appear in the Bible , at least the NWT . It is an ambiguous interpolation into Christian literature.

Christ appointed Peter , we know, but true to form the WTS extends this appointment to themselves and Congregation Elders as "undershepherds" e.g.

WT 13 11/15 p21 "Obey Jehovah’s Shepherds"

Theme Scripture “Be obedient to those who are taking the lead among you and be submissive, for they are keeping watch over your souls.”—HEB. 13:17.
(masthead)
HOW WOULD YOU ANSWER?
How do congregation elders shepherd God’s sheep?
Why should the sheep listen to the undershepherds?
Why is the imperfection of the undershepherds no reason to disregard their Scriptural counsel?

Wt 07 4/1 p26"Humbly Submitting to Loving Shepherds"

"But any failure or mistakes on the part of certain elders would not justify an insubordinate attitude on our part."

Insubordinate? Who do they think they are?
No, I contend that Jesus was speaking of himself and his loving attitude to his congregation when he spoke of sheep and shepherds - not insisting that they themselves be so overly-meek and unquestioning about their earthly leadership . It is a good ruse to keep them in line and make them feel righteous for doing so - and you know what happens to sheep? they get regularly fleeced!

stillin

I've always felt that the sheeplike thing was overplayed by the Organization. It is a fine line between referring to a person as sheeplike and saying that he is stupid.

Sheep are not work animals.

Sheep are not pets.

Sheep may be eaten.

Sheep may be fleeced.

Darkknight757

That term "sheeplike" really resonates with me now that I am out. You see that being sheeplike is more harmful than helpful. It calls on the person to not question "Gods organization". Blind faith is what it is.

stuckinarut2

Great thread! 👍

never a jw

No, I contend that Jesus was speaking of himself and his loving attitude to his congregation when he spoke of sheep and shepherds

Unfortunately Jesus never came back to clarify the issue. Maybe he meant it the way it is interpreted by most Christians. Otherwise he would be here to make corrections. Or perhaps the whole thing is bullshit not worth arguing about, unless you are bored.

never a jw

It is a fine line between referring to a person as sheeplike and saying that he is stupid.

Thisismein1972

Sheep do the bidding of whoever/whatever are guiding them. Watch how a sheep dog rounds the sheep up, one sheep follows the next, and the next, and so on.

Watchtower uses this analogy on the unwitting JW as a "good quality" to have. Even the average JW are called "other sheep," In reality, this is actually downgrading one as a independently thinking human being to a watchtower drone, who will do the bidding of this high control cult.

Simply put, using the name sheep displays just what this cult think of their followers. Expendable!

OneEyedJoe

The constant talk telling us to be "sheeplike" always bothered me when I was in. Even then, it seemed like a way of encouraging blind obedience. Same thing with the warnings about "independent thinking" and being childlike. When I found the BITE model and Hassan's references to cults age-regressing members and encouraging them to be like children before god, it made so much sense.

FedUpJW

Sheep are not work animals.
Sheep are not pets.
Sheep may be eaten.
Sheep may be fleeced.

Having had the unfortunate job of working with sheep I can also say that sheep, in general, are stupid. If they are not dead they are looking for a place to die. If they become caught in a fence they will just lay down and die on the spot more often than not. Trying to doctor an injured sheep or otherwise care for it usually results in it up and dying. Seems like the perfect animal to liken JW's to.

But then again on the other hand I was raised in cattle ranching country and hate sheep with a passion.

steve2

"But any failure or mistakes on the part of certain elders would not justify an insubordinate attitude on our part."

On the basis of this superficial reasoning, people in other religious groups should not hold their clergy to account - but see them as imperfect men who make mistakes.

Sheeplike?? A Christian Requirement or WT Controlling mechanism?

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