Posted by felix a [angler] on March 29, 1999 at 20:38:56 {7nb3mCfGvUJwrLA196zEXXuUsiPcoA}:
In the recently released May 1, 1999 Watchtower began with a lead article entitled, "Everyone Wants To Be Free". Immediately moving on to
quote the philosopher Rousseau who said, "Man was born free, and he is everywhere in chains," providing us the reader with two observations that we would in all likelihood agree with and acknowledge as having merit. But what
freedom do they move on to speak of? Why, freedom from oppression, physical bondage, and the atrocities of war. The most obvious and easily observed forms of infringed freedom. Yes it is easy to target these atrocities as a means to tug on
our emotions as we hear about people's freedom being infringed in such a manner. But are these the cause or the affect of lost freedom? Or are they a symptom of a greater infringement of freedom? Where does the bondage truly begin and how
can we become free? In this Watchtower article the writer expresses this thought. "The sad truth is, though, that fighting for one man's freedom often involves trampling on the rights and freedoms of another. Innocent men, women
and children are almost inevitably sacrificed in the process, their deaths "legitimized" by declaring the cause worthy and just." Again, how true this is. However, does the writer and the committee that OK'd this article appreciate the
import of what they have said? "The sad truth is, though, that fighting for one man's freedom often involves trampling on the rights and freedoms of another." Wars, acts of oppression and slavery have their origin so often in the
differences of opinions and ideas of men and their inability to allow another to express or hold to an ideal not their own. This is where the trampling begins and the loss of freedom first sees light of day. I would contend that
intolerance is fought by education, teaching others that there is more than one viewpoint available. In this arena of ideas and their expression is where the first battle for freedom must be fought. In this arena we do not have to wait for
some future intervention by a Supreme Being, a super natural force to step in to even begin to solve the problem. Rather we begin the fight for freedom by showing our own willingness to listen to, and allow the opinions and ideas of others
to be heard and stand on their own merit just as we want our own ideas to be treated. Bertrand Russell in his essay on 'Freedom Versus Authority in Education' expressed the following thoughts in regard to freedom.
"Freedom of opinion, on the part of both teachers and pupils, is the most important of the various kinds of freedom, and the only one which requires no limitations whatever." The relationship of the rank and
file members of Jehovah's Witnesses with the Governing Body and therefore the published material produced by the WBTS fits the pattern of a student with their teacher. We are provided with a variety of information in a directed manner and
in a forum that leaves room for only a minute variation in the opinions we may express regarding the teachings provided. We as active Witnesses do not exercise this most important freedom of opinion between teacher and student. Even in
grammar school I remember having teachers who loved seeing a student who would express an opinion regarding what he was being taught even when it disagreed with their own if it was being supported by reason. So this is were the beginning
of oppression begins for those who think about what they are learning, and hold that we should measure with one set of scales. If we ask others to question what they have been taught, then we must question what we have been
taught. Russell continued in his essay, "The fundamental argument for freedom of opinion is the doubtfulness of all our beliefs. If we certainly knew the truth, there would be something to be said for teaching it. But in
that case it could be taught without invoking authority, by means of its inherent reasonableness." �"When the state intervenes to ensure the teaching of some doctrine, it does so because there is no conclusive evidence in favor of
that doctrine." Many here would state that much of what is taught by the WBTS is done for just this reason, that "there is no conclusive evidence in favor of that doctrine." And it is here that I would contend is
where we find the beginning of enslavement and where freedom is shackled in the lives of many JW's begins. For as the author, whoever he may be has unwittingly brought to attention that in their fight for freedom they have begun
"trampling on the rights and freedoms of another." So as the article began, I will end. Everyone Wants To Be Free.