Posted by Friend [Friend] on November 23, 1999 at 14:38:08 {KNpNN6QGfwrRIg7iiOekOgnjR4Br/g}:
In Reply to: **For Friend posted by CPiolo on November 23, 1999 at 14:16:35:
CPiolo
So what is one doing when one thinks independently? They are thinking as an individual not subject to control by others. You have contradicted yourself.
Please answer this question:
Can your child consider your views and still think as an individual and make individual choices?
Can your child ignore your views and still think as an individual and make individual choices?
By answering those questions hopefully you will understand that independent or dependent thinking does not necessarily inhibit individual choices/thinking. We can think as individuals regardless of who or what we consider in the process. Watchtower articles discouraging independent thinking do not discourage individual thinking or conclusions but rather reaching those conclusions independent of considering arguments and conclusions of the Society.
So I’ll ask a question point blank. Do you agree with my summary of where we are right now as of my last post? I’ll include the quote one more time:"In other words you may say what you like as long as it is ineffectual, not heard and doesn’t cause debate. So any view is O.K. as long as it is non-threatening to the JW status quo? Sounds like the same problem the Romans and Pharisees had with Jesus -- it didn’t matter what ideas he preached until people started paying attention. Until then, he was just a divergent carpenter with some wild ideas and didn’t threaten the aspirations of those within their ranks."
My point blank reply is, “No, not entirely.”
Encouragement that we let the Society hear where we believe change is in order is supporting effectual suggestions. The Society encourages those type suggestions. Historically Jehovah’s Witnesses have manifested a propensity for change. Oftentimes individual JWs offering their divergent ideas within the accepted format initiated such changes. My problem is that I do not believe that format is broad enough. Additionally my experience is that most elders are not well informed about these issues with inconsistency and abuse a consequence.
Friend