Nice thoughts and summary blondie.
Am i the only one who caught the subtle trick they pulled in para 8? Note this quote:
"More than 30 times, the laws found in Leviticus are credited to Jehovah. Moses acknowledged this and did what Jehovah commanded him to do. (Leviticus 8:4, 5) Likewise, we should always do what our Sovereign, Jehovah, wants us to do. In this regard, we have the support of God’s organization."
They very directly equated obeying the organization with obeying the law given to moses, meaning the bible. This isnt new of course but its the subtle way they did it, very smoothly and sly so that the mind of a witness makes the associate between the two but its not startling enough to make them sit up and say 'woe wait a minite!'.
In paragraph 13 we have this absolute spritual gem(!):
"Our sacrifices of praise are personal offerings voluntarily made to God because we love him. (Matthew 22:37, 38) But we have been asked to report our activity in the ministry."
Double speak at it best!!! Notice the implication of the first sentance.... 'You are on your own. We didnt ask you to do this. We arnt responsible for what you do or how you it or the laws you break while doing it". " Personal offerings" "voluntarily made". Then the next sentance undermines it all. "BUT" (and every witness knew there was a but comming) we have been asked to report our activity. Notice the implication.. 1) its expressly implied that there will definatly be activity since they didnt say "if you have activity". 2) because you are expected to report your activity you are of course being judged by what you report. Otherwise why put your name on it? Why not do it annomously?
Farther down in para 13 notice the subtle tricky again played:
" Jehovah’s precious servants who have certain limitations can still submit a report. "
It is very directly linked that if you dont turn in a field service report you arnt precious. It is also very directly linked, via the precious sentances, that you report had better be substantial amd more than 15 min if you arnt in nursing home.
Notice the guilt used in closong para 13:
" So, then, is it really asking too much of us that we report our share in the preaching work"?
Wow. Nobody ever said it was "too" much nor does the society in anyway address a concern of "too much". Rather we question why it is nessary at all. Why the god of heaven and earth who knows all NEEDS us to turn in a specific field service report with our names on it to know what we did. Perhaps that should have addressed and not some straw man about it being 'too much to ask'.
There so much more subtle manipulation but it infiriates me to have to read this crap in order to dissect it. Credit blondie for being able to handle this week after week!