The Growing Critical Study of Jehovah's Witnesses.

by Blueblades 15 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  Blueblades

  Almost from the beginning,the Bible Student--Jehovah's Witness movement has had its severe critics.In the past criticism was ordinarily directed at its doctrinal,civic or blood transfusion issues

  Some dissidents who broke with the society also censured the WT.authority struture and inconsistencies in WT.theology.A few attempted to take their concern to the general public.

  Beginning in about 1980 all of that changed.In the past little harm came to the society from their critics.However devastating criticism has been unleashed against the society,especially since 1980

  This devastating criticism has been leveled at the heart of the society's history of ever-changing date setting speculation,shifting and changing doctrine,and the concealment-of-errors strategies has been exposed by recourse to WT.literature itself.

  The WT.officials have no recourse ( because they are unable to respond adequately ) but, to declare all dissidents as apostates and forbid the reading of all anti-witness materials.Including on the internet.Which includes this forum maintained by Simon and all who have an in-put here-in.

  Good work everyone and welcome to the team of the ever growing critical study of jehovah's witnesses.

  Blueblades
• 

  Gopher

  People in past times really cared a lot about doctrinal matters. I remember growing up in the 60's, that the Lutherans thought the Catholics were all wrong and going to HELL , and vice-versa. In this setting, it makes sense that a lot of people argued with JW's at their doorsteps. I remember as a small boy that this seemed to happen a lot.

  And that played right into the hands of the JW's -- they could at least argue "it's a difference of opinion".

  But as you point out, more lately the issues have been about the conduct of the JW leaders themselves and their writings. For example, the ever-changing date-setting which has (to many thinking people) been abused so as to manipulate masses of JW believers. And what you call "concealment of errors" -- such as the pedophile scandal and the UN scandal.

  Of course to most of the public, JW's are little more than an annoyance (or they're your weird relatives who won't appear at family reunions). The "critical study of JW's" is something they couldn't care less about.

  However for those who left JW's, this critical study strengthens their resolve to stay away from the harmful teachings of the group, and in some cases hastens their exit. Also, it "immunizes" people who have access to these "critical studies" on the Internet, so that when JW's come by and try to mesmerize them with their false hopes of "paradise soon to come" (while they avoid the fearful spectre of what they say happens to the 99.9% of mankind who don't subscribe to Watchtower doctrine) -- they can become aware of exactly what's going on and avoid getting hoodwinked and deceived!
• 

  DevonMcBride

  Well I'm trying to do my part on spreading the "Good News"

  Devon
• 

  A Paduan

  It's always helpful to have the properly documented hindsight of what not to do.
• 

  Singing Man

  I wonder how long the Witness's will continue? There are so many negatives about being one, and they are so good at blinding your eyes to the fact they are so wrong and unreasonable.
• 

  yxl1

  and I'm confident that if the witnesses contacted anyone who I currently work with, they will be asked to leave and never return
• 

  Gopher

  Singing Man asked:

  I wonder how long the Witness's will continue?

  And then he answered his own question:

  ... they are so good at blinding your eyes to the fact they are so wrong and unreasonable.

  As long as there are people willing to let someone lead them down the garden path, there will always be a misleader. As long as the WT Society can continue to keep their money-making corporation rolling, there will always be some "takers" of their brand of "good news". Some people need others to be their heart, mind and conscience. And of course these people will procreate and bring along new generations of followers (some of whom will stay around though most will rebel).
• 

  Emma

  The wts is psychopathic in my opinion. They have a clear perception of reality except for their own moral obligations and the fact that they're interested only in their own gratification. Their deception is presented in a clear and powerful way. A person who is psychopathic and smart is dangerous; so is the wts. It seems as though they're slowly being exposed, and though they create new deceptions, hopefully the exposure will continue until few will listen.
• 

  Doubtfully Yours

  This religious organization will continue to evolve in order to adjust to current times and practices.

  Being in the inside, I notice that they don't mess that much anymore with homosexual-related stuff. Trying to guard themselves from lawsuits and heavy media critics, I suppose. Also, before they'd disfellowship someone for stupid small stuff, and now it seems like you have to really mess up BIG and continuously without repentance for them to even consider disfellowshipping.

  Then, again, this is just the way I perceive it.
• 

  Phantom Stranger

  They started avoiding DF'ing when it had possible legal complications of bad PR value back when Michael Jackson was selling Thriller.

  There are two reasons to reject the WTS:

  1) Because you don't beleive their doctrine.

  2) Because you don't like what they want you to do (in spite of your belief in their doctrine).

  Those who fall into camp #2...my personal advice: After 17 years out of the WTS, I feel that if you need to find a kind, supportive place for your beliefs in Christianity to happen, there are churches out there that will work just fine for you. If required field service, 5 meetings a week, and the like are turning you off, shop around - there are a good number of existing Christian churches who will do just fine for you, without you breaking your hearts waiting for the WTS to pull its governing head out of its governing ass.

  Those of us in group #1 will be over here eating and drinking... because none of us knows how long we have :)