by dutyfree 7 Replies latest jw friends
There are many people who claim that JWs are brainwashed... I am not going to disagree with that statement!
I have read somewhere that JWs are specifically instructed NOT to think independently and/or logically, as that is Satan's way of getting to you!
When I told this to someone recently she said she was an independent thinker and had never heard that - unfortunately I cannot remember where I heard or read it - I think it was on a website. Can anyone confirm whether it's true?
Dutyfree
Whatever one can accuse religionists for, thinking isn't their most common pasttime. JWs are only a particularly extreme example of a group that not only encourages, but requires, deliberate non-thought.
"Fight Against Independent Thinking
... Yet there are some who point out that the organization has had to make adjustments before, and so they argue: "This shows that we have to make up our own mind on what to believe." This is independent thinking. Why is it so dangerous? Such thinking is an evidence of pride." (WT 1/15 1983, p. 27; emphasis added)
How do you do "dependent thinking"? Isn't that a contradiction in terms?
The funny thing is what the WTS elsewhere has said about "independent thinking":
"Man possesses a mind and a heart, not controlled automatically by instinct, but capable of independent thinking and reasoning, making plans and decisions, exercising a free will, building up strong desires and motivation. That is why you are capable of exercising the fine qualities of love and loyalty, of devotion and integrity. That is why you are also capable of understanding what God has revealed in his Word respecting his will and purpose, and how you can find achievement and contentment in bringing your own life into complete harmony therewith." (WT 3/15 1972 p. 170; emphasis added)
What quality motivates the JWs to refuse to use their brains? The WT again answers:
"Fear has a great hold on the people. People are afraid of what their neighbors, their friends, relatives and clergy might think if they were even so much as to read the Bible on their own. For centuries the clergy have dominated their lives, told them what they can read, what they should believe and do. To ask a sound religious question is a demonstration of lack of faith in God and the church, according to the clergy. As a result, the Irish people do very little independent thinking. They are victims of the clergy and fear; but freedom is in sight." (WT 8/1 1958 p. 460; emphasis added)
Yes, indeed, freedom from superstitious fear is in sight. It's called independent thinking.
- Jan
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Faith, n. Belief without evidence in what is told by one who speaks without knowledge, of things without parallel. [Ambrose Bierce, The Devil´s Dictionary, 1911]
Thanks Jan for putting together the quotes from THEIR OWN literature! Apparently they have to have "lockstep uniformity" to keep such an organization together.
I love that line, "how do you do dependent thinking?" JW's superstitiously hold to the company line. "My religion, right or wrong".
Gopher
There are about 7 million JWs worldwide - unless I stand corrected? Who knows whether that figure is decreasing or on the increase?
Hey dutyfree,
Welcome! I have often said Jw are brainwashed, and I firmly believe they are. I rememebr hearing as a child from non jw's that we were brainwashed, and adamantly refused. I had the mental image of an appliance applied to my head, sending in waves of information repeated over and over again...silly thoughts, but I was a child.
As an adult I can see that they do repeat over and over again. They also control every aspect of your life. The meeting attendance and field service, and "studying" for them takes away alomost any free time you may have. So I beleive brainwashing is the correct term.
As far as the decrease in their numbers, I don't know. Alot of people have posted here on that subject. And have commented on personally seeing a decrease in baptism.
Jan,
Great post. My mouth fell open when I read the comment on pride. Yes it is really an awful thing to have pride isn't it....almost as bad as being selfish.
wendy
dutyfree,
If you go to the top of the page to search, go there and type in the word "Decline" it will take you to a thread that discussed the question of growth/decline. Also, there are recent threads (last 24 hours) about what is happening in Canada, Germany, and Japan.
Never thought of the idea of "dependent thinking" - but jw's do it all the time. Their thinking is highly dependent on whatever the WTBTS's literature is saying at that specific time.
If the WTBTS changes their teaching, as they are apt to do, then jw thinking is dependent on changing with them, and to remake their memories to coincide with the New Light.
Whatever witness made the statement that they are are an "independent thinker" - would never say that down south in usa. Independent thinkers are serious frowned upon here, and looked at suspiciously.
Ray Franz was classed as an Independent Thinker here - and we know what happens to His Kind. 'Nough said by a loyal jw - watch that thinking.
waiting
Another View point when you compare the 2 quotes below they truly show you how sad JW really are.
Just by changing a few words you can see the Situation that JW face daily
james
"Fear has a great hold on the people. JWs are afraid of what the friends, Elders, CO and The Society might think if they were even so much as to read the Bible on their own without the Society's Literature. For 130yrs The Society has dominated the lives of JW, told them what they can read, what they should believe and do. To ask a sound religious question is a demonstration of lack of faith in Jehovah God and His Visible Organization, according to The Society. As a result, the JW do very little independent thinking. They are victims of the WT and fear; but freedom is in sight." (WT 8/1 1958 p. 460; emphasis added)
"Fear has a great hold on the people. People are afraid of what their neighbors, their friends, relatives and clergy might think if they were even so much as to read the Bible on their own. For centuries the clergy have dominated their lives, told them what they can read, what they should believe and do. To ask a sound religious question is a demonstration of lack of faith in God and the church, according to the clergy. As a result, the Irish people do very little independent thinking. They are victims of the clergy and fear; but freedom is in sight." (WT 8/1 1958 p. 460; emphasis added)
