Your Choice: Lies, Confusion, or Drift - Which? (Mar 15 WT)

by metatron 13 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

• 

  metatron

  The March 15 Watchtower contains two items about the blood issue.

  First, it mentions a young Witness named Elena, who as "one of Jehovah's Witnesses,

  would not donate blood or accept blood transfusions" (pg18).

  Second, it contains a Question From Readers that appears as perfect an example of muddled

  Watchtower-think as could ever be imagined. The Question is "Does the eating of the loaves

  of presentation by David and his men indicate that God's law can be broken with impunity

  under difficult circumstances? - 1 Samuel 21: 1-6"

  Then the article admits that altho "their eating of the loaves of presentation was technically

  unlawful, it was in harmony with the basic designated use of the showbread."

  Now, wait a minute..... "technically unlawful"? Is fornication or murder "technically unlawful"?

  The whole line of reasoning should completely HALT with that admission - but now the

  hard-hearted Bethel Pharisees need to support their waste of lives in refusing blood

  transfusions, so:

  "The foregoing, however, does not mean that God's law can be violated when circumstances

  become difficult." It then cites the text at 1 Samuel 14:24,31-33 about eating blood.

  Then it continues, "They sinned against Jehovah by violating his law on blood.

  Their actions were not in accord with the only God-designated use of blood, namely

  "to make atonement" for sins."

  [Note that this is a breathtaking LIE! Whatever numbskull typed this falsehood

  need only observe the VEINS on the back of his hands - and feel his heartbeat-

  to know that blood was not created simply for the sake of an Israelite ritual!

  It's primary purpose is to sustain the life - even the life of fools who write such

  death dealing stupidity]

  Nevertheless, the article follows with "Mercifully, Jehovah accepted special sacrifices

  in behalf of those who had sinned" (pg 30) So, what's that supposed to mean?

  It was OK, it wasn't OK............

  So, here's your choices in summary:

  This article represents an effort at (glacial) change about the blood issue.

  or

  This article was written by a confused mental defective who can't reason his way out

  of a paper sack

  or

  Maybe..... it represents some sort of tiny compromise between factions lurking at Bethel

  (who discreetly fight while duped Witnesses throw their lives away in regard to the blood

  issue)

  Take your pick

  metatron ( I like the mental defective-on-the-Writing-Staff idea)
• 

  Dragonlady76

  Seems like there may be some discord at the WT.

  But you know they are always flip flopping on matters of importance.
• 

  willyloman

  This article was written by a confused mental defective who can't reason his way out of a paper sack

  Is Ted Jaracz writing the articles now? I did not know that.
• 

  sf

  Is Ted Jaracz writing the articles now?

  sKally
• 

  seattleniceguy

  As I read your quotes, I tried to imagine how I would have read the article as a Witness. First, I was impressed by the question. Indeed, David's actions do seem to set a clear precedent that in certain circumstances, exceptions may be made to ceremonial laws. Then I felt the urge to scan the article for the the agreement or disagreement of the writer....looking for a "however" or something...aha! Here it is:

  The foregoing, however, does not mean that God's law can be violated when circumstances become difficult.

  And then my Witness persona let out a sigh. I mean, really, there's no need to read the rest of the article, except as background. The most important thing is to find whether the rule has changed.

  It was strange to experience this and think about the process. Really, entire articles are just wrapping for a couple crucial lines that inform you as to what you will or will not do. Since disagreement is not an option, the only purpose of reading the wrapping is to either deceieve yourself into agreement or get enough background to try to make a defense of the position to others.

  Whew. It's good to be out.

  SNG
• 

  TheEdge

  To be honest, I'm not 100% convinced that JW actually read/comprehend/analyse (etc) the literature as well as the ex-JW do!!!!!
• 

  TheListener

  I think this article was intended to defuse issues that have been raised by circuit overseers. Just imagine lots of well meaning dubs sincerely asking circuit overseers about David and the showbread. The circuit overseer gives them the pat answer and then in his congregational report mentions it. The society receives this mention from multiple circuit overseers and writes an article. This way when an apostate tries to use the showbread argument to a dub all the dub has to do is read this article. The dub doesn't think about the logic of the article, only if it said they could do something or not.

  Most dubs don't even know why they do or don't do something. They do what the watchtower says. They may and I stress may find that embarrassing when neighbors or workmates question them sincerely, but they won't change their mind over that embarrassment.
• 

  TheEdge

  Most dubs don't even know why they do or don't do something. They do what the watchtower says.

  Totally agree - and by the same token, maybe the writing and content is just going to get / is getting sloppy - as who really cares?
• 

  TheListener

  Edge- I agree. The writing has been getting sloppy in the last ten years. With the number of new converts declining the focus has shifted to retention of current membership through comforting monotony. The writing of the articles has helped slow growth and began to weed out still thinking dubs from the rest.

  I'll give a couple examples of what I mean:

  First, in the November '03 awake (i think) the society stated that the sheer number of earthquakes around the world wasn't a part of the signs of the end. It wasn't frequency but how devastating the quakes would become at the time of the end. If I have the wrong awake date please correct. This is a huge shift, however, most dubs at my hall and others from around the country that I deal with didn't even catch it. You still hear dubs talking about how many earthquakes there are as proof of the end. I draw the conclusion that they read the article but didn't listen to what it said. I've actually had discussions with witnesses who disagree that the article said that. Until they read it themselves. :)

  Second, the newest information in the magazines is that the pagan origin of something isn't the most important aspect as to why it is not done. For example the pinatas or luau. It is how the area in which you live views something now that really matters. Many witnesses read that and missed the principle. They say oh I will use a pinata now, but forget celebrating mothers day or fathers day, etc. Why? Because they have pagan origins. Again, the case is the dubs aren't thinking when they read. If a dub does understand and begin to apply that principle they better have the articles handy for backup when questioned by other dubs.

  They are looking for exact direction on how to live their life. The writing of the magazines has become comforting to them, directing their every step and thought. It's their way of coping with a stressful life and world.
• 

  metatron

  I'd say you've got a solid analysis of the situation. It would really clear up why the writing and research is so sloppy.

  Say anything and the zombies and drones will believe it and drag themselves to meetings and scheduled magazine peddling.

  metatron