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."
