I can hardly stand the watchtowers anymore not simply the increased request for funds and repetition/emphasis on increasingly young people getting baptised but the countless articles they've released this year for those in charge to preemptively cover there asses when the inevitable wave of exposure comes. But they don't have to stop at just that do they? We have to have several articles this year pushing EU political agendas and GB members making negative/dismissive remarks about the president because its real fun to be reminded of the orgs infiltration. The UN partnership may be formally/openly ended but there is definitely still profane political alliances. The one good thing out of it all I guess is my truth about the truth friend in the hall and I initially bonded over a mutual recognition of someone in the hall being a CNN drone. (157 of our 160 publishers) these efforts to produce an unaware and compliant citizenry are so encapsulated in this "do you have all the facts" article. I haven't let it disenearten me though I feel great anger towards whatever individual/s engage in the profane act of penning these I've prayed several times they are pardoned for those specific trespasses.
I miss the days when the Watchtower meeting used to be about doctrinal matters and was written in a scholarly fashion. A doctrine would be discussed and then the supporting scriptures were explained, so that we could explain this doctrine to other people. I felt like I got something out of those meetings. I wish the WT writers would stick to teaching the basic truths in the Bible and focus on how we can follow Jesus' example in the ministry.
Well, well, well: “Truth isn’t truth”, according to Rudy Giuliani. OH! It’s called “Politics”! It all depends on what “YOU” believe! MY Truth may be different than “YOUR” Truth! So, it is all about facts. Of course “YOUR” facts could be different than “MY” facts. True? Here’s an example: Politic, politics, political: Definition of politic 1 : political 2 : characterized by shrewdness in managing, contriving, or dealing 3 : sagacious in promoting a policy 4 : shrewdly tactful Definition of political 1 a : of or relating to government, a government, or the conduct of government b : of, relating to, or concerned with the making as distinguished from the administration of governmental policy 2 : of, relating to, involving, or involved in politics and especially party politics 3 : organized in governmental terms political units 4 : involving or charged or concerned with acts against a government or a political system These definitions lead to the meaning of government. Just what is a government? I will only list three definitions here: Definition of government 1 : the act or process of governing specifically : authoritative direction or control 2 obsolete : moral conduct or behavior : discretion 3 a : the office, authority, or function of governing b obsolete : the term during which a governing official holds office Under these terms, the governing body of the Watchtower is a “political” body. They also are responsible for the organization, machinery, or agency through which a political unit exercises authority and performs functions and which is usually classified according to the distribution of power within it. And: the body of persons that constitutes the governing authority of a political unit or organization. These definitions make the “Governing Body” members: Politicians. Definition of politician 1 : a person experienced in the art or science of government especially : one actively engaged in conducting the business of a government 2 : a person engaged in party politics as a profession b often disparaging : a person primarily interested in political office for selfish or other narrow usually short-sighted reasons Like a deck of cards; “Pick a card, any card!” Synonyms ( words or expressions of the same language that have the same or nearly the same meaning in some or all senses) administration, care, charge, conduct, control, direction, governance, guidance, handling, intendance, management, operation, oversight, presidency, regulation, running, stewardship, superintendence, superintendency, supervision “Pick a card, any card!” Politics: If you don’t like the game, don’t choose a card. Oxymorons: Honest Politician and Honest Lawyer. I’m not saying that the organization does not represent Jehovah God and His Christ. Of all the card games out there, they are the most truthful. It’s like choosing the right lawyer.
Abdiel, I would like to hear more precisely what EU agendas GB has promoted and what negative comments GB members have said about Trump.
I'm very much with you there, brother... The WTs are tough. I really don't cover them in my own study much anymore. I also noticed the one recently that was about the couple who didn't fit into the congregation... It seemed really overbearing in its message to me. Our congregation went over the illustrations with a fine toothed comb. In the illustrations, the couple attended a movie which had a gun on the poster, the guy had beer with some friends after passing soccer, the woman seemed to sell cosmetics, and they attended a meeting in less formal attire. I understand the points they were trying to convey. I just think that the illustrations and the things pointed out about those illustrations seemed to really stretch a narrative based on one vague image. These were all things that should be left to conscience matters and we should not be inferring terrible judgments against our brothers and sisters for matters of conscience. Right? I just recall leaving that meeting abruptly because I really felt like that article went far beyond what is written. I'm pretty sure, however, that the same meeting was begun by a talk where the brother included all the society's publications in the same context as the Bible when he talked about not going beyond what is written. So "what is written" now includes, at least to those who agree, not only the scriptures but anything published by the organization. Which, ironically, at times goes far beyond what is written in the scriptures. What a loophole!
I would like to add a bit more to the idea of “going beyond what is written”. Sometimes the brothers only state “going beyond what is written”. There is much more to the idea than just that. It happens that Paul was describing an attitude among those wanting to “take the lead”, in the congregation. This idea goes back as far as the books of Kings. Paul wrote in his first letter to the Corinthians: “Now, brothers, these things I have applied to myself and Apollos for your good, that through us you may learn the rule: “Do not go beyond the things that are written,” so that you may not be puffed up with pride, favoring one against the other. For who makes you different from another? Indeed, what do you have that you did not receive? If, in fact, you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not receive it? ( 1 Co 4:6-7 NWT ) Paul went on to say: “. . . Have you begun ruling as kings without us? I really wish that you had begun ruling as kings, so that we also might rule with you as kings.” ( 1 Co 4:8 NWT ) I would like to know where it states in the scriptures that a person must dress a certain way when attending meetings. Is that what Christ was referring to when he said: “Beware of the scribes who want to walk around in robes and want greetings in the marketplaces and front seats in the synagogues and the most prominent places at evening meals.” ( Mk 12:36 NWT ) Or, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love respectful greetings in the market places, and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets,” ( Lu 20:46 NWT ) They apparently don’t think of those who do not have the means to buy expensive suits. And, does it really matter to Jehovah what a person’s clothing has to do with True Worship?! It’s not what’s on the outside, but what’s on the inside. Sometimes the finest suites are as crooked as a winding road.
Some women dress up with so ugly dresses that It would be better if they would go at meetings with trousers. But they don't have the right in most of the congregations. It reminds me of a brother of my former congregation who was told by an elder to be shocked because his wife and daughter did not wear tights under their skirts. To which the brother replied: I forbid you to look at the legs of my wife or my daughter.
Lol Baruq! Yes style certainly varies. And honestly I know plenty of women who don't enjoy wearing dresses at all and simply THAT would deter them from attending a meeting. As someone who quite enjoys fashion, I don't understand why proper attire with a pant wouldn't be acceptable. I've worn pants to meetings twice- GASP! Once was the Memorial, the very first meeting we attended as a couple. I wore a black sweater and black dress pant with a long wrap belted at the waist, so it still looked very dressy. The couple we studied with were so nice and liked my outfit. I'm sure because it was early for us. Then just this past summer I got a jumpsuit that looks like a long black dress but is actually pants. It's comfortable, so I wore it one day. Nobody said anything. Another thought I had about the whole article I mentioned earlier was, what about the places where things aren't as formal? We're planning a trip to Colombia in about a month, and a sister who'd recently been there said that the brothers wear short sleeved shirts without jackets- unless they're on the podium. Then they wear jackets. So how do those congregations feel when they read this heavy handed message about how rolled up shirtsleeves and slightly fitted dresses are inappropriate and set you apart from everyone else?
I agree with you, T. I can easily draw many connections between the WTS and the pharisees and scribes. Paul was warning against taking one's own ideas too far... Reading what you want to hear into the scriptures. That's how I feel about many things required or insinuated by the WTS. Blood, smoking, dress, association, aaaall the things that will get us in trouble... Remove Jehovah's love and approval from us. I feel as though they should be very careful to speak for Jehovah when it comes to what will or will not remove us from his love. If it's explicitly called out, yes we must know what to avoid. But when they make these things up... They're taking on a lot of responsibility when they mess with someone's idea of how our God loves us.