JW Lawyer in Norway uses "theocratic warfare" to conceal the org's controlling language!

by BoogerMan 8 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

• 

  BoogerMan

  In the org's vocabulary, the term "independent thinking" is applied pejoratively to any JW who thinks & reasons for themselves.

  The org's lawyer knew exactly what he was doing in court when he voiced his carefully prepared words:

  "Watchtowers Lawyer Anders Ryssdal compares Jehovah’s Witnesses’ baptism to the Norwegian state church’s confirmation of 15-year-olds, arguing that their baptism is no different. Membership is open to everyone, and anyone can leave. Ryssdal claims that if children are baptized too early, it is the parents’ fault - not Jehovah’s Witnesses. He argues that it is not the organization’s responsibility if some members are overly zealous. Children must learn to think independently * before they are baptized." (https://avoidjw.org/news/jehovahs-witnesses-appeal-days-7-9-closing-arguments/)

  * w14 10/1 p. 14 - "When I was 17 years old, my parents returned to Germany. At first, I lived under their roof. But my independent attitude made it impossible for me to integrate back into the family. At the age of 18, I left home."

  w12 2/15 p. 21 par. 12 - "We are wise to limit our association with people who are negative or who are promoting an independent attitude."

  km 9/07 p. 3 Question Box: Does “the faithful and discreet slave” endorse independent groups of Witnesses who meet together to engage in Scriptural research...? "No, it does not. And yet, in various parts of the world, a few associates of our organization have formed groups to do independent research on Bible-related subjects."

  w06 1/1 p. 29 par. 17 - "...it is vital that we...cooperate with “the faithful and discreet slave” and the congregation elders. That is a way to...protect us from developing an independent spirit."
• 

  Phizzy

  From the avoidjw Article above :

  " He dismissed the accusations of negative social control, coercion, and children’s rights violations as being based on “meager evidence from hostile witnesses.” He claimed the state’s actions were an unjust attack on the religious freedom of all 12,000 Jehovah’s Witnesses in Norway." (<Lies !)

  " Ryssdal suggested that the personal biases of former members may have influenced their accounts. He employs a version of DARVO (Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim, and Offender), a common manipulation tactic in which the victim is portrayed as the aggressor. "

  " Ryssdal asserts that Jehovah’s Witnesses do not violate children’s rights and repeats that they do not engage in negative social control." ANOTHER Blatant Lie !
• 

  HereIam60

  I told the story here once before...how the brother who conducted my home bible study years ago was shocked and suspicious when I once said I was considering moving out of my (non-witness) parents house, because it would help me be more independent. All I meant was that I would have to take on more adult responsibilities. I did not know how much the Organization had spoken against 'independent thinking' and just my use of the word independent appalled him. Much of what that lawyer said is quite telling..."If children are baptized too early it is the parent's fault, not Jehovah's Witnesses...". Yes but JW parents frequently make their decisions based on what is said in JW literature and talks, and young baptism has even recently been praised......"It is not the organization's fault if some are overly zealous..." For decades we were told to BE zealous, to have zeal...though I have not noticed this said in recent years.....'Children must learn to think independently (Yes, they do!) before they are baptized..."
• 

  Acluetofindtheuser

  Just remember, it's not just the parent's fault it's also the three elders that interview the baptismal candidate. Those three elders decide if the person is qualified and understands what they are getting into with the baptism. The organization trains those elders. They do not think independently. They think as one mind with the organization. The fault lies with those in Warwick, NY USA.
• 

  Biahi

  They conveniently leave out parents who tell their kids that, if they are not baptized by age 18, they are kicked out. I had so much pressure put on me to get baptized because Armageddon was coming in 1975, and I “knew” the truth, so if I was not baptized, I would likely be killed at Armageddon. I absolutely DID NOT want to get baptized.
• 

  NotFormer

  "Membership is open to everyone, and anyone can leave. "

  That's bullshit and they know it. "Everyone" can't just be baptised; a rigorous process must be followed. "Anyone" can leave, if they're prepared to be ostracised by family and their former social circle. Which is precisely the problem the various governments are starting to have with the WT. Can these blokes even lie straight in bed?

  "Ryssdal claims that if children are baptized too early, it is the parents’ fault - not Jehovah’s Witnesses."

  Nothing to stop the WT from requiring the very important decision to be baptised as a JW to only be allowed once someone reaches their majority.

  Comparing JW baptism to confirmation is ludicrous. The Norwegian state church doesn't disfellowship and ostracise people who leave or try to fade.
• 

  HereIam60

  Yes, the elders who review the 'Questions for Those Desiring to be Baptized " certainly should be held accountable With reports of children as young as 8 being approved, I wonder how this questioning process is being done, considering that several of the questions are on topics beyond their comprehensiion or usually considered inappropriate to discuss with children...marriage, divorce, sanctity of life, sexual immorality, neutrality etc. The Organized book [at least the one on their website] does state that if the canditate is a minor "his believing parent(s) should be present..." or if they cannot be, two elders, or an elder and ministerial servant. This latter statement is possibly now up for revision...
• 

  Vidiot

  Once again, for the newbies, lurkers, and trolls…

  …if you have to cheat to defend your beliefs, your beliefs don’t deserve to be defended.
• 

  careful

  "their baptism is no different"—right! Doubtless, they too recognize that the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses in Warwick, NY is God's sole spokesman on earth.