Thank you Etude, for your open comment. It is nice to hear.
While I agree with you, I find that most analogies they present as arguments are much more subtle than the one you mentioned. First, my familiarity with this verbal analogy does not indicate that the owner of the house knew that the people he left in charge were bad people. He was simply ignorant of their potential and assumed that they would do the right thing. Secondly and thirdly, if the people inform the owner that they are devastating his family and house, one is free to assume that the owner can't really hurry back to resolve the issue and kick them out.
You are right, the WT does not include the things in the illustration that I did. I took the illustration a little bit further, but logically I think. For me this is an important thing, it is not that the illustration on itself is so wrong, it is that the whole story behind it is wrong in my eyes. THere is so much things that are hard to believe. Why Jehovah just does not do anything. The WT illustration cleverly avoids this, but it is in the illustration if you think about it.
If you follow the illustration, would you ever do something like it?
At the same time, I realize that the Watchtower has to appeal with their message to a large number of people. Unfortunately, this means appealing to the lowest common denominator. It's like my brother-in-law, who is a technical writer for military contracts, says: "You have to aim for an 8th grade education and no higher." What that means is you have to make things simple enough for people with limited education or understanding. That explains the serene pastoral depictions of the "new order" that I see in the magazines and books. If I had to live like that, petting lions and having eternal picnics on some meadow, I'd kill myself. What are they thinking? Well, even then, in paradise, I guess we won't be thinking about going to outer space or using any electronics.
Yep, that is another question. I agree here.
That kind of thinking really pisses me off because it's more insidious than some silly illustration, verbal or pictorial, aimed at child-like mentalities. I guess that's why they don't want you to get a higher education. That increases their chances to pull the wool over our eyes.
Yes, I understand. I wanted always to work there. It was one of my goals. After a visit there, at my friend who worked there, and he told me some things that really happen, I was cured.
There are many subjects and things wrong with the WTS. One is its teachings, another its actions.
Hope you feel welcome here, and can share some
thanks
Danny
