Posted by CPiolo [CPiolo] on November 23, 1999 at 16:17:55 {KNpNN6QGfwHljYPCrMsQfhe3reEu4M}:
In Reply to: ***For Friend posted by Friend on November 23, 1999 at 14:38:08:
Friend:
In answer to your questions:
No one, including a child, can come to an independent conclusion without independent thinking. That was my point! It is the avoidance of independent/individual thinking -- because individual thinking is independent by definition for I know of no one who can think collectively with another as a single unit -- that precludes making an independent/individual conclusion.
Here is my question. How does one thing individually without thinking independently?
It's impossible as far as I know as stated above. So by discouraging independent thinking the WT society discourages individual thinking as well. One precludes the other.
We have again engaged in a debate of semantics.
You state:
"…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."
According to my and Webster's definitions of independent and individual, as well as what I said above, I still believe your statement is contradictory. If anyone else has followed this dialogue, I would welcome comments as to the coherency of my thoughts. Am I so obtuse that my reasoning is impossible to follow?
So Friend, can I say this: that according to you, the WT encourages one to consider individually all the facts and opinions (those espoused by the Society and those contrary) regarding their theology and that you are then to come to a individual (independent) conclusion? If so, why do they discourage investigation outside official WT publications? How does one make an intelligent decision or come to an intelligent conclusion without considering everything possible?
Peace,
CPiolo