Posted by AF [AF] on November 24, 1999 at 10:19:57 {BlpRHB6gpcDjRmAxB/kMdaOt1gg/Zk}:
In Reply to: ******For Friend posted by Friend on November 24, 1999 at 08:36:20:
:: But if a JW comes to a conclusion that differs from the Society’s, he is instructed to accept the Society’s conclusion instead, and to conclude that his own reasoning is too poor to go on.
: That statement I believe epitomizes your position, and it is wrong.
No, it is dead accurate, as will be testified to by pretty much every ex-JW on this board. I will give proof from WTS publications in this post.
What do you think the thought-stopping phrase "Wait on Jehovah" means? It means shut up, don't talk about your disagreements, and go on with JW life as if nothing were wrong.
The Society’s views are well summarized by comments like these from two GB members:
When we talk about law, we talk about organization. With all our hearts we need to search after that law. Jehovah doesn’t give individuals interpretation (of the scriptures). We need a guide, and that is the ‘faithful and discreet slave’. We should not be getting together in a clique to discuss views contrary to the ‘faithful and discreet slave’. We must recognize the source of our instruction. We must be like an ass, be humble, and stay in the manger; and we won’t get any poison. [Governing Body member Lloyd Barry, May 29, 1980, in addressing the elders of the Bethel family]If you have a tendency towards ‘apostasy’, get a hobby and keep yourself busy to keep your mind off of it. Stay away from deep Bible study to determine meanings of the scriptures. [Governing Body member Karl Klein, April 30, 1980, in addressing the Bethel family]
A person may... claim that the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses or other responsible brothers interfere with freedom of conscience and the individual’s “right” to interpret the Scriptures. But remember Joseph’s humble words: “Do not interpretations belong to God?” (Genesis 40:8)
If a JW “interprets” the Scriptures differently from the GB, what is this Watchtower telling him to do about it?
The January 15, 1983 Watchtower contained two articles that also illustrate my point. Although couched in language that exhorts the reader to avoid such things as sexual immorality and unfaithfulness to God, the main thrust of the articles is to reinforce the reader’s focus on the Watchtower Society as the center of all spiritually good things. On page 22, the sub-section entitled “Avoid Independent Thinking” said:
From the very outset of his rebellion Satan called into question God’s way of doing things. He promoted independent thinking. ‘You can decide for yourself what is good and bad,’ Satan told Eve. ‘You don’t have to listen to God. He is not really telling you the truth.’ (Genesis 3:1-5) To this day, it has been Satan’s subtle design to infect God’s people with this type of thinking. — 2 Timothy 3:1, 13.How is such independent thinking manifested? A common way is by questioning the counsel that is provided by God’s visible organization. For example, God’s organization has from time to time given warnings about listening to certain types of immoral and suggestive music, and about frequenting discos and other types of worldly dance halls where such music is played and people are known to engage in immoral conduct. (1 Corinthians 15:33) Yet certain ones have professed to know better. They have rebelled against such counsel and have done what is right in their own eyes. With what result? Very often they have become involved in sexual immorality and have suffered severe spiritual harm. But even if they have not been so affected, are they not reprehensible if others follow their example and suffer bad consequences? — Matthew 18:6.
This fact cannot be overemphasized: We are in a war with superhuman foes, and we constantly need to be aware of this. Satan and his demons are real; they are not mere figments of the imagination. They are “the world rulers of this darkness,” and we have a spiritual fight against them. (Ephesians 6:12) It is absolutely vital that we recognize their subtle designs and not allow ourselves to be overreached by them.
The Society is clearly saying that coming to conclusions different from its own is satanic. How can their statements be any clearer?
The next article in this Watchtower has a subsection entitled “Fight Against Independent Thinking,” on page 27, which says:
As we study the Bible we learn that Jehovah has always guided his servants in an organized way. And just as in the first century there was only one true Christian organization, so today Jehovah is using only one organization. (Ephesians 4:4, 5; Matthew 24:45-45) Yet there are some who point out that the organization has had to make adjustments before, and so they argue: “This shows that we have to make up our own mind on what to believe.” This is independent thinking. Why is it so dangerous?Such thinking is an evidence of pride. And the Bible says: “Pride is before a crash, and a haughty spirit before stumbling.” (Proverbs 16:18) If we get to thinking that we know better than the organization, we should ask ourselves: “Where did we learn Bible truth in the first place? Would we know the way of the truth if it had not been for guidance from the organization? Really, can we get along without the direction of God’s organization?” No, we cannot! — Compare Acts 15:2, 28, 29; 16:4, 5.
All this has said is that “independent thinking” is dangerous because it is an evidence of pride. Then the paragraph immediately appeals to the reader’s loyalties and emotions: “Where did we learn Bible truth in the first place?” This ignores the fine counsel of Psalm 32:9, “Do not make yourselves like a horse or mule without understanding, whose spiritedness is to be curbed even by bridle or halter“?
How anyone can possibly conclude that the Society’s words above allow for “independent thinking” except perhaps in trivial matters is beyond me. The Society’s views are as I said: If a JW comes to a conclusion that differs from the Society’s, he is instructed to accept the Society’s conclusion instead, and to conclude that his own reasoning is too poor to go on.
AF