"The Governing Body is neither inspired nor infallible. Therefore, it can err in doctrinal matters or in organizational direction." -- Feb 2017 Watchtower

by cognisonance 34 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

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  cognisonance

  Full stop. What? (paragraph 12 -- Feburary 2017 Watchtower -- Who is Leading God's People Today?)
  
  So why then would any JW abide by harmful doctrines setup by the Governing body (blood, shunning, the two-witness rule, etc)? Why would they not just say, hmm I think they are wrong about those and just ignore these silly rules?

  Also oddly in that article they go on to say how the holy spirt and angels are directing them and their organization. I also recall them stating they are "spirit-led" and somehow this, to them anyway, is not the fallacy of a distinction without a difference compared to being "inspired"? Seems to me they are pulling Orwellian "peace is war" style doublespeak here and an easy proof by contradiction could throw out all of what they say as erroneous.
  
  If the answer is because ignoring these rules means getting disfellowshipped, then why isn't it obvious to them that they are being told: "Yes we are likely to be wrong about things that have a major impact on your life, could end up killing you, harming your children, or ruining your family relationships -- all for no good reason since it could just be a mistake. But, this is the price you must pay to follow us if you want to live forever in paradise... but that too could likely be a mistake. Just trust us, we've constantly been changing our beliefs over the years (or what the bible teaches) so you shouldn't be concerned . But now that you are baptized, stop following us and we'll take your family away from you! You're trapped. See how loving we are?"
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  _Morpheus

  I agree with your remarks, absolutely! Whats more if they can err on doctrine or in organizational direction.... why follow them to begin with?
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  cognisonance

  Morpheus, in my case being born in, I recall my preparation for getting baptized as just a normal thing to do, and I didn't really care when going through the motions. That green book of questions I had to answer was more like a quiz than an evaluation of my beliefs. I was told what to believe and sadly didn't question or care about it until much later in my mid 20s when my brain finally finished developing. So the kind of critical thinking required to see through this bullshit isn't really what a 12-year old brain cares about. I cared more about getting home from the assembly I was being baptized at so I could play video games, watch tv, play out side, ride my bike, anything other than JW stuff. I viewed being a JW much like going to school. It felt like something I had to do and supposedly for my good. School indeed is, but not the JW shit.

  Rearing children in any kind of harmful indoctrination should be considered child abuse!

  What perplexes me is how grown adults get recruited into this cult? My parents were aged 34 and 24 when they became JWs (from my Mom's sister, who also came in as an adult). How exactly does THAT happen?
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  Jules Saturn

  Totally agree with you, what hit the nail on the head for me was when it was written in that same paragraph that they can err in doctrinal matters and organizational direction but if you watch any videos on JW.org or from the broadcasting, especially the July 2017 Broadcasting they'll say they're "God's spirit directed organization" and to me that completely contradicts what they said in that February 2017 article about erring in organizational direction. How can you if you're being directed by God's spirit?
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  steve2

  That Watchtower statement - 'neither inspired nor infallible so can err in doctrinal matters and organisational direction' - is like legal signs found in vehicle repair workshops: "All care, no responsibility," which absolves the mechanic if something goes wrong during work on the vehicle.

  Very alarming that the self-proclaimed sole channel of communication on earth with God needs such a blanket disclaimer. Should something go wrong with your 'vehicle' whilst in the GB's hands, tough luck. No responsibility taken.
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  cognisonance

  How can you if you're being directed by God's spirit?

  Yep, spirit directed somehow doesn't mean inspired to them. Very confusing indeed!
  

  Dictionary.com: verb (used with object), inspired, inspiring.

  6. to communicate or suggest by a divine or supernatural influence:
  

  writings inspired by God.

  7. to guide or control by divine influence.
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  sir82

  They want it both ways.

  "Obey us as if we were inspired of God, but if we happen to be wrong, it's your fault for being so stupid to obey us."
  
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  steve2

  My take home message: If they're 'neither inspired nor infallible so can err on doctrinal matters and organizational direction' they are exactly the same as anyone else and cannot ethically claim authority over others.
  
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  sir82

  Ha, ha, that's a good one - you used "ethically" in a sentence whose subject is the JW governing body.
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  Vanderhoven7

  Marked