I received a request for advice from a close friend and I feel honored to be able to help him and that he trusts me with this.
Unconfident wrote [Tuesday, April 19, 2022 at 4:12 PM]:
I’m just sorting through some internal disputes over the last few months. …
It’s just that while I don’t doubt we are in the truth, I’ve had some misgivings lately. One in particular:
The Watchtower two weeks ago was good. I liked it. But Paragraph 15 did sort of bother me.
We are told to just obey any direction given during the worst time in human history. Even if the direction *seems* counter productive.
Now generally speaking I have no problem with them saying that.
But then it was written that even though God will not speak to us to quell our questions, we are still expected to obey.
So what bothered me was that the brothers have made mistakes in the past, and they have admitted those mistakes. And I am happy that they did admit them. But how can we obey, essentially, without question, during the Great Tribulation, brothers who make mistakes, and especially when God won’t speak to us?
It will be a life and death situation then. So that’s what has been bothering me. I am expected to obey instruction that I don’t understand, when my life could be in danger.
Thank you for listening. I just want to reiterate that I’m not doubting that we have the truth, but I’m just bothered by that and need some clarity. …
The other issues are just minor. I shouldn’t have said “misgivings” for the other stuff- but they are small issues.
Like I never really enjoyed zoom or the mask requirement at the meetings we have now. But those I work out by just doing what I have to do to keep the peace.
The “obedience” issue is my biggest hurdle, because now it seems to me to be somewhat unquestioned, because I’ve never got that impression from the GB before.
It’s a new one on me actually.
JW Advisor: What has the organization done or said in the past that shakes your faith in their ability to direct us during the Great Tribulation? [Friday, April 22, 2022 at 3:17 PM]
Unconfident wrote [Friday, April 22, 2022 at 3:36 PM]:
Hey bro thanks for the question.
With me it’s just that I have a hard time reconciling that we have to obey essentially, without question, brothers who make mistakes, as if they won't make any mistakes during the GT.
The brothers freely admit they are not inspired and have erred. I love that about them. It makes them humble.
But it’s like we are now being asked to ignore that they are not inspired and have erred before and just obey.
It just troubled me. Because I would have to basically suspend what I know about what they’ve taught us over the decades about their human imperfections and mistakes.
Hope that makes sense. …
Personally, the terms “obey” and “obedience” has soured on me.
I’m no rebel, but I’ve grown drastically fatigued over the past 2 years with being told by even the world to “obey this, obey that” and the constant rules and restrictions with no end in sight.
So it’s become a word that makes me cringe when I hear it from anyone.
I’ve thought about this since that WT so it can make sense to me but I am having issues reconciling it.
JW Advisor: Has the organization ever said anything different than our need to follow direction during the Great Tribulation? Has anything changed in their message? [Friday, April 22, 2022 at 3:47 PM]
Unconfident wrote [Friday, April 22, 2022 at 3:52 PM]:
Well, I have never heard them say bluntly to not second guess them.
That added statement was the troubling part for me. It was usually implied.
Mainly because I didn’t think they ever wanted unquestioned obedience. I spent years online arguing against that accusation opposers levied. Because unquestioned obedience was always seen as a negative trait associated with “cults”.
That’s not to say I’m gonna question the brothers. I’m just shocked personally at the bluntness there.
I guess it has something to do with the brothers sort of being ambiguous perhaps.
Example: we are “strongly encouraged” to wear masks. Is that a requirement, or is it optional?
Then if its required, say it’s required, because my elders don’t say it’s required, but they say you’re being obedient if you wear one, which implies I’m not obedient if I don’t wear one. But how can I disobey something not required? …
And this doesn’t mean I’m losing faith - I just interpret this as the brothers shifting on this issue.
My interpretation could certainly be misplaced. But it’s just my view which could be flawed and off base.
JW Advisor: … I neglected to ask if you could provide some examples of direction given by the organization that has ever resulted in anyone's harm. I have been trying to find something, but am coming up empty-handed. If you know of something, let me know. I could better address your concern. … Knowing any mistakes made could help me be more precise. [May 3, 2022 at 7:34 PM]
Unconfident wrote [Wednesday, May 4, 2022 at 6:21 PM]:
Hey bro. To answer your question, I’ll be brief and to the point.
The Slave has never caused me harm spiritually or physically. …
Well I don’t think there is a time organizationally, when we were given direction that fits the criteria of appearing “strange” or “illogical” (i’m just quoting the article in question) so it would seem to be unprecedented during that time.
Which means that there is no real track record. Does that make sense to you bro.
I guess to me it’s the way the paragraph was worded. Because personally I never really had this issue coming to my mind until then.
JW Advisor: I think there has been times when it seemed strange or illogical, but I'm talking about HARM, not seeming silliness. [Wednesday, May 4, 2022 at 6:29 PM]
Unconfident wrote [Wednesday, May 4, 2022 at 6:39 PM]:
Well, there was harm in some direction, but I’m not sure if you would call this inherent to the circumstances or due to the direction (I really hate to bring this up because I believe they were following Bible principles) was in Malawi.
Of course I don’t blame the GB of the time, but that direction to refuse political involvement caused the government to kill many of our brothers, or the flag salute issue here.
But I’m just merely attempting to answer your question.
So personally I believe that there is inherent harm in any direction that will put us against those in authority.
Even the direction from Jesus to preach even if commanded to stop did put the apostles in harm’s way for the sake of the Kingdom.
So that’s why I personally kind of had a bit of an issue with the paragraph. Because harm can be inherent to the circumstances. Which is why I think Jehovah’s direct approval would be welcomed during the GT.
JW Advisor: I want you to examine this statement and tell me what is wrong with the inherent perspective:
"that direction to refuse political involvement caused the government to kill many of our brothers."
Focus in on those words: "caused the government to kill". [Wednesday, May 4, 2022 at 6:42 PM]
Unconfident wrote [Wednesday, May 4, 2022 at 6:43 PM]:
I get your point.
JW Advisor: I would like you to put it into words so that you can be sure to change your future perspective, if you don't mind. [Wednesday, May 4, 2022 at 6:43 PM]
Unconfident wrote [Wednesday, May 4, 2022 at 6:44 PM]:
Yeah I personally totally blame the government. But still, regardless, people had to die no matter whose fault it was.
JW Advisor: But it was NOT the organization's fault at all, nor the fault of God, Jesus or the Bible. [Wednesday, May 4, 2022 at 6:45 PM]
Unconfident wrote [Wednesday, May 4, 2022 at 6:47 PM]:
Yeah, I think you’ve been knowing me long enough and well enough, I got no problem with following direction. I’ve been doing this as I’ve been baptized.
It just only gave me pause to read that I would have to follow direction that could result in my death or that of my wife and I cannot question it.
It’s a heavy thing to me personally.
JW Advisor: Their direction did not cause us harm. Our steadfast stand on the subject did not cost lives. We were not responsible for those atrocities. [Wednesday, May 4, 2022 at 6:48 PM]
Unconfident wrote [Wednesday, May 4, 2022 at 6:53 PM]:
You know as well, I think this whole issue is predicated on whether or not you as an individual believes that Jehovah is guiding the direction.
That’s the heart of the issue.
JW Advisor: Change that "you" to "I" and restate it to yourself.
That is what I "wrote a book about" in response to your concern. But now it goes deeper.
One day your life WILL most certainly be on the line because of our neutrality because we refuse to conform to the world. The whole world is going to come after us. The question is whether you will stand fast no matter the threat to you or your family, or will you blame the organization for putting you or your wife in danger in that circumstance? [Wednesday, May 4, 2022 at 6:55 PM]
Unconfident wrote [Wednesday, May 4, 2022 at 7:01 PM]:
Yeah I’ve applied that statement to myself well before we spoke.
But yeah I’ve never blamed the organization for what happened to some brothers, as I said before, you are in control of your own actions (speaking of those who murdered them).
Now if you’re asking me if I will stand fast in the face of death, I can only say I hope so, and pray that I will.
I don’t expect each and every last one of Jehovah's witnesses to make it. I just hope that I am one of the ones that will. And my wife.
Not each and every Christian stayed faithful to Jesus. Sheep and goats, ya know?
JW Advisor: That is what the article was about: Learn to be obedient in the little things, standing fast for the truth no matter the circumstance, and it will be easier to obey as the Great Tribulation nears its end.
My point is only that I have been unable to find where the direction from the organization has itself led to anyone's harm, like telling us to go left when we should go right. Certainly if Jehovah is the one directing us through Jesus Christ based on scriptural wisdom, it would certainly be the case that the direction would never steer us wrong.
As one person put it, they can see things from a perspective we cannot because each of us are individual footsoldiers, but they are in the command position receiving information that we have limited or no access to because of our limited resources. Will we trust our field commanders and help them succeed or go our own way on the battlefield full of enemy soldiers? [Wednesday, May 4, 2022 at 7:21 PM]
Unconfident wrote [Wednesday, May 4, 2022 at 8:00 PM]:
That’s a good analogy.
JW Advisor: Our standing firm on one occasion saves countless lives in the future. Not only that, it upholds Jehovah's name. Imagine if the Society directors had not stood firm against the courts in the first half of the twentieth century. We would not have all the freedoms to preach and spread Jehovah's word today and many freedoms that even our disgruntled former members enjoy would not even exist. If we had not stood strong against the clergy, millions more could be suffering at their hands today. Our word has liberated millions from false religion. Without our standing strong, we would not have Jehovah's blessing and we could have been easily stamped out or end up turning back to Christendom.
Remember, too, that saying it is our responsibility to stop a government from killing us is to blame the victim. We have done nothing deserving of death, but they execute us for speaking about our beliefs or for our neutrality, as in Malawi. They claim we cost the lives of our members and then they kill our members. We are not the perpetrators and we are no more responsible for the actions of the perpetrators than first century Christians were. Standing firm in our beliefs is what preserves true worship. One of those beliefs is that Jehovah is the one directing the organization through Jesus Christ in holy spirit. If we faulter in that belief, what is the point to our believing anything else?
"Obedience" Has No Caveats
My brother, the Scripture says, "Be obedient to those who are taking the lead among you and be submissive, for they are keeping watch over you as those who will render an account" (Heb. 13:17) What do you think? should we consider this subtle, or is it very clear? Is it only asking us to be obedient as long as the direction makes perfect sense to us? Does the specific circumstance of making sense to every member make a difference as to whether we should obey? Would you care about the validity of the direction if it made sense to you, but not to someone else? Should its validity be questioned if just one person is unable to understand it or sees it as "counter-productive"?
In line with 1 Thessalonians 5:21, let us consider a couple of publications.
- Watchtower, May 15, 2009, p. 13, par. 13: Obedience that comes from pressing on to maturity will prove to be no less lifesaving when we face the major fulfillment of Jesus’ prophecy that “there will be great tribulation” of unequaled magnitude. (Matt. 24:21) Will we prove to be obedient to whatever future urgent direction we may receive from “the faithful steward”? (Luke 12:42) How important it is that we learn to ‘become obedient from the heart’!—Rom. 6:17.
- Watchtower, March 2016, p. 21, par. 18: Indeed, to keep receiving God’s blessing, we need to pay attention to all the directions provided through the Christian congregation. Having an obedient spirit now will help us to follow directions during the “great tribulation,” which will eliminate Satan’s entire evil system. (Matt. 24:21)
- Watchtower, October 15, 2014, pp. 24-25: We may initially lack full understanding of the reasons for carrying out our assigned work in a particular way. Nevertheless, we are fully aware of the benefits of cooperating with Jehovah in any adjustments that he sees fit to make.
- Watchtower, August 15, 2014, p. 21: In effect, Jesus also conveys Jehovah’s voice to us as he directs the congregation through “the faithful and discreet slave.” (Matt. 24:45) We need to take this guidance and direction seriously, for our everlasting life depends on our obedience.
I recommend reading those articles and getting the sense. This is an important lesson that is being pressed. The February 15, 2015 Watchtower, pp. 5-9, par. 10 says, "Above all, we can show humility by our obedience. It takes lowliness of mind to “be obedient to those who are taking the lead” in the congregation and to accept and follow the direction we receive from Jehovah’s organization.—Heb. 13:17."
As you can see, acceptance and obedience to "all" direction from the faithful and discreet slave and our local congregation, especially during the Great Tribulation, has been consistently pressed, even if we "lack full understanding of the reasons." I could go much further back if I wanted. But I don't think it's necessary. Obedience to direction that does not make sense to us was not given special attention because it was covered by the general counsel to obey.
We are again going to receive direction to "be obedient when you receive direction that you do not understand" (p.14, par. 5) in the March issue as well. While the February issue did not say "seems counterproductive", the March issue does say, "seemed ill-advised" regarding the Jews obeying the direction to continue building the temple despite opposition, under the heading, "When It Is Challenging to Follow Direction". It then calls attention to Zerubbabel and Joshua being Jehovah's representatives and how they sought Jehovah's reassurance in paragraph 14. Paragraph 16 says, "At times, this slave may give direction that we do not fully understand," and then gives specific examples of how it might seem "impractical".
But now, consider how Noah was mocked for building a water craft on dry land, or his sons and daughter-in-law for helping him. Surely it would have made more sense to the world and to his sons and daughters-in-law to build an actual boat on water. But his children obeyed and the mockers were washed away.
It Is Jehovah's Way, Not Man's
For context, the paragraph in question says: "As the end of this system of things draws near, we need to trust in Jehovah’s way of doing things as never before. Why? During the great tribulation, we may receive instructions that seem strange, impractical, or illogical. Of course, Jehovah will not speak to us personally. He will likely provide direction through his appointed representatives. That will hardly be the time to second-guess the direction or to view it with skepticism, wondering, ‘Is this really coming from Jehovah, or are the responsible brothers acting on their own?’ How will you fair during that crucial time in human history? The answer might be indicated by how you view theocratic direction now. If you trust the direction we receive today and readily obey, you will likely do the same during the great tribulation.—Luke 16:10."—Watchtower, February 2022, Study Edition, "Do You Trust in Jehovah's Way of Doing Things?", p. 6, par. 15., Watchtower Bible and Tract Society.
Note that the entire article is asking us to "trust in Jehovah's way of doing things." Consider what that means. It is not asking us to accept the word of men as coming from Jehovah. Though the paragraph does leave open the possibility of receiving direction from Jehovah during the Great Tribulation. But if not, what does this saying refer to? What is "Jehovah's way of doing things"?
We are talking about a "way of doing things." This is referring to procedure. Has Jehovah given us a procedure, a "way" to follow that can help us during the Great Tribulation? Indeed he has. He has given us organization and leadership. He has given our leadership (those taking the lead) many guiding principles upon which, we know for a fact, they have faithfully relied and on which they will continue to rely. Will Jehovah's principles fail us? If men fail, has God's guidance failed? Is God's guidance so incomplete as to be unable to overcome mistakes? If a mistake occurs, is Jehovah's hand cut short that he would leave his faithful ones with guidance that would jeopardize them? This has never been the case. Have faith, not in men, but in Jehovah's way, and in his holy spirit. Strengthen your faith that Jehovah loves you and will take care of you during the great tribulation, as long as you remain obedient to the "way of doing things" he has set in place for your good, just like the illustration of the soldier. If you doubt at that time because you have not built your faith now, then you "should not expect to receive anything from Jehovah."—James 1:6-8.
In paragraph 18, the article asks if we would complain about direction after the destruction? Then it says, "One thing is certain: The more we appreciate Jehovah’s provisions now, the more likely we will do so then." (Emphasis theirs.) Could you stand to build your appreciation for Jehovah's provisions?
Flawed, But Still Directed
In paragraph 7, the article says, "The plain truth is that we cannot say that we trust in Jehovah if we do not trust in his earthly representatives—those whom Jehovah trusts." And par. 9 states: "Jehovah trusts the elders to make such decisions, and we too need to trust them." The article also states: "The more we learn about Jehovah and his standards, the more we develop trust in his judgments." (par. 4) Does that sound unreasonable?
Let us consider the viewpoint they give in par. 7. The article referred to the view some might have had of Moses and David's decisions. Some may have thought that because they were so flawed that they did not deserve our obedience. But now those events are recorded in the Bible as examples that Jehovah wants us to use to make decisions. David sent a man to his death to hide his sin with the man's wife, yet Jehovah still used him. Has the organization ever committed such sins? I cannot recall any. There were unfounded accusations of adultery and other sins against individual Society Directors and Governing Body members, but thankfully the body is made up of more than one man. It is multiple men concerned with sticking to the Scriptures rather than their own human wisdom.
Do you not believe that the Governing Body acts as "the faithful and discreet slave" when gathered together? What does that mean to you? Are they not faithful in sticking as closely as they can to God's word and defending his name? Are they not discreet by keeping things close to the chest until they have a decision they believe to be based on Jehovah's word and spirit? Do they not carry out their duties faithfully and discreetly?
Second-Guessing
Is there a Bible verse that encourages second-guessing a leadership that asks nothing unreasonable? But then, the article did not really say "not to second-guess" them, did it? It said that the Great Tribulation "will hardly be the time to second-guess the direction or to view it with skepticism." In other words, get past your doubts now because during the Great Tribulation, struggling with doubts could mean your everlasting life and that of those you love. If you are not confident in their direction at that time, then why waste your time now? You either believe Jehovah is directing the organization or you do not. Second-guessing is not some middle-ground. Sitting on the fence cannot save you from God's wrath can it? Would you not be cut in half?
A Questionable Decision Proved Useful
Also, the article never uses the term "counter-productive". The word used is "impractical", which has a little different meaning. When something is "impractical", it is not working against our goals, but rather seems to fail to act effectively toward a goal. They also use the term "seems … illogical", which also doesn't indicate counter-productive.
There are a number of ways in which something can seem impractical or illogical, but actually be very effective, perhaps not toward the goal in question, but toward another goal that may not be readily apparent, but is useful to us or the organization. But we may never know until we do it.
Back when we first isolated, you thought they were overreacting. But before six months had passed after quarantine, we already had 200,000 dead in the U.S. We have now passed the one million mark of dead due to COVID-19 in the U.S. After I explained the statistics to you, you understood and felt better about it. Masks proved beneficial when the numbers began to come in showing that any time mask mandates were lifted or quarantining was lifted, there were immediate spikes in COVID-19 infections and consequent deaths. As a result of the majority following direction of the organization, Jehovah's Witnesses experienced only a fraction (less than 1/5th) of the deaths the world was experiencing per capita. This is because we started early and stayed late.
We benefited similarly from the implied encouragement to vaccinate. Again, not a rule, but still we benefitted. By continuing to wear our masks, fully covering our nose and mouth at all times in public, even after the government has said that vaccinated people no longer need to wear them, we protect ourselves from becoming superspreaders as has been seen in the resultant spike. By not being superspreaders, we are protected from the accusation and we do not end up persecuted for something that has nothing to do with doing God's will.
Another benefit resulted. Zoom ended up being invaluable even now. Our elderly and infirm, and those at home sick now have an eye inside the meeting and ready chance to participate from home. Their Spiritual health is now bolstered much greater than it was before. The mask request was always optional, but it was for our safety and it proved highly effective. That should build our confidence in their direction. While the churches were moaning about freedom, we and our loved ones were kept safe and our ministry continued, though mildly reduced.
Have you heard of a single person leaving the organization over this direction?
Our Obedience Is Relative, Not Blind
Throughout the history of Jehovah's Witnesses, we have been encouraged to exercise relative subjection and reasonable obedience. Though we are obedient to world leaders and to those taking the lead in the congregations, "we must obey God as ruler rather than men." (Acts 5:29) Additionally, we need to exercise discernment. While direction given may be good for most, a particular situation may call for ignoring direction given if we believe our circumstance would obviously endanger us to follow through with the direction, as long as we are not disregarding Jehovah's name. We must each exercise godly wisdom in any given situation. So when faced with such a dilemma, we need to pray about it, then consider the variables and determine if it is Jehovah's will that you follow through or not in the given situation. He will make it clear to you. The greatest guiding principle in that matter is love, particularly God's love. As the scripture says, "love never fails."—1Co 13:8.
Also, the direction to "stand still and see the salvation of Jehovah" may sound "counter-productive", even dangerous, but there are times that direction has saved me from unnecessary physical altercations and he has planned for it to save all of us the moment the king of the north comes to his end.—Ps 37:7-11; Da 1:44, 45; compare: Ex 10:13, 14; 2Ch 20:1-4; 17-24; Isaiah 36:1, 2; 37:6, 7, 36-38.
Be Discerning
There is a difference between a recommendation, even a strong one, and a requirement. A requirement leaves no room for conscience. But a recommendation says, "This is what we think you should do, but we are leaving the decision up to you." Of course, you may be mildly avoided by some with little regard for autonomy for your so obviously disregarding a recommendation, but no one can require you to do it. A few in my congregation wear their masks in a way that does neither them nor anyone else any good, but nobody says anything because we already know how they feel about it. Wearing the mask the way they do says, "Look. I'm wearing it. Don't bother me about it."
That said, elders are human, but they sometimes confuse recommendations for rules. The elders in my congregation described our wearing our masks as "obedience to the recommendation," but when I looked up such terms on the website, I found no association between any variations of the words "obedience" and "recommendations". So the problem lies with the elder who said it, not with our publications.
If your elders are requiring you to wear a mask, then wear it. (The principle is found at Matthew 23:3) But know that the organization has not required it by consequence of disfellowshipping. If you wish to challenge that requirement from the elders, you may do so by asking them where the publications or a letter (check the assignment board first) require you to wear a mask or show where the penalty for not wearing one is stated. When they say it's about obedience to recommendations, then ask them to show you where it says to obey that recommendation, or barring that, any recommendation that is not a rule. If they finally lean upon text that says to obey the elders, then make it clear to them that they are asking you to obey the elders, and not the organization's recommendation. Yes, obey the elders.
True, it is confrontational, but try to make it as loving as possible. Sometimes medicine requires personal grit and standing your ground to apply, but also as soft a touch as you can manage. I had to do exactly this one time (on a different issue) with elders in my previous congregation and I never again heard about being obedient to any recommendation again. It was unnerving, but it benefitted the elders to understand the limits of their authority and the difference between "disobedience" and personal autonomy. Of course, we should pick our battles wisely. Make sure it is something you feel is important to help the elders or the congregation and not just flexing.
So be sure to properly distinguish between what the organization is asking and what a single flawed elder is asking, or even a body of elders. Obey their direction as long as it is not a danger to you or anyone else, and remember that wives are being asked to give the same obedience to their husbands. This matter of obedience does not come up as much for men as for women. In a dangerous situation, do you not expect your wife to obey your direction for her health? Should she question your direction in the middle of a dangerous situation? Has she not built up trust in your direction? If so, then should you not follow her example and put your trust in the direction from our brotherhood?
Known Errors
Let us take a look at the complaints made against the organization in the past and consider if it should affect our trust in the direction from the organization.
In 1937, Judge Rutherford wrote a letter to Hitler that both sought common ground with the man and that drew a line in the sand similar to the stand made by Daniel's companions. It was not perfectly written, had antisemitic overtones and was in Judge Rutherford's typical no holds barred writing style, but he made no actual threats. He simply stated the consequences of persecuting God's chosen people. Consequences which did, in fact, come upon Hitler. That deranged madman decided only to see the line in the sand and take it as a personal affront and declared that he would bring an end to us. This was a mistake on Rutherford's part not to be more diplomatic and to unilaterally write on behalf of the organization without the joint counsel of all the Watch Tower Society directors. It was not direction to the organization by that body. So it was a mistake by one man, not the body of directors.
Of course, everyone knows about the expected dates that failed to pan out. We also know that none of those were prophecies made by the organization, but were simply overzealous interpretations. Nor were they direction to do or act in any specific way, yet some did take it upon themselves to act in specific ways, even contrary to the direction of both the organization and the Bible. So clearly this did no actual harm to anyone but those who ignored the direction not to put their faith in specific dates.
Opposers claim that we have decried seeking mental health professionals. But I did a deep dive and found no such counsel in our publications. If that attitude ever existed in the organization, it was not at the direction of our publications, even having many issues discussing mental health going all the way back to at least 1932. So that was not a bad call on their part, but if a prejudiced view of mental health professionals ever persisted in the congregations, it was more likely the bias of the age, and no doubt regional.
They did have to improve their direction about child sexual abuse policies, but I know that you know that they were ahead of the curve on child sexual abuse prevention all the way back to 1980. Before then, they were as in the dark as anyone. Yet still their lack of childcare services, the requirement for two elders on a shepherding visit, and instruction to parents to look after the wellfare of their children, protected children, even without our realizing it, long before the child sexual abuse issue ever became a concern in the world.
Regarding blood transfusions, our stand ended up changing the entire world of medicine for the better when they were forced to accept the benefits of it. At first, it seemed nonsensical to some to understand Acts 15:9 to indicate blood transfusions. However, our members died, not because they did not accept blood transfusions, but because the hospitals callously refused to treat them without transfusing blood. (Again, don't blame the victim.) But this saved our brothers from living with diseases like AIDS that infected the blood supply in the early 1980's, as well as various forms of hepatitis into the 90's, and from debilitating effects caused by hemolytic reactions. Today, bloodless medicine has proved safer than blood transfusions on a large scale.
Dismythed has debunked many claims against the organization, but none of those false claims by disgruntled former members has ever claimed that direction by the organization leads directly to any harm to Jehovah's Witnesses. I really cannot think of any bad counsel we have ever received from the organization. Certainly not in the 26 years I have been associated. Nor have I found it in our literature.
Propaganda Is Infectious
Our disgruntled former members know that their lies do not hold up. But it is not the lies they want us to buy into. It is their attitude. What attitude is that? Despising obedience. They know that merely by exposing oneself to negative propaganda, particularly propaganda that inspires fear, in this case, fear of obedience, they can get people to fall away because fear is infectious. They do not have reasoning on their side. They are simply taking advantage of our innate sympathetic reflex. If we read it, see it or hear it, we feel it. If we feel it, we internalize it. If we internalize it, it begins to mold our reactions to similar things we experience. Thus exposure can lead to adoption of negative attitudes.
The world's propaganda is the same. It also promotes independence, fear of obedience to authority or fear of changing the status quo. It is Satan's preferred propaganda because he knows how well it works.
How do we fight against this sympathetic response? By cutting the particular fear out of our daily diet of exposure and diversifying our exposure to things that do not reinforce the same sympathetic response. The more we are exposed to fear, the more we fear. The more we are exposed to a fear of a particular thing, the more we fear that thing.
This sympathetic response also occurs in regard to love, hate, desire, greed, guilt and any other strong feeling. There is nothing wrong with being exposed to those things, but when we give too much attention to any of them, we begin to adopt them because of conditioning through the sympathetic response.
Absolom won people over by exposure to his good deeds and highlighting his father's flaws to develop in them a positive response to him and a negative response to his father. (2Sa 15:1-6) The word of Hymenaeus and Philetus spread like gangrene, not because it was right or logical, but because of the subtlety of "speeches that … lead to more and more ungodliness."—2Ti 2:16, 17.
Our publications and media provide us with regular exposure to spirituality and right thinking. So even if we don't fully understand something, our regular exposure to the information can lead us to right decisions. When Moses said to choose today between Jehovah's way or the highway, he was taking them out of their 'follow whatever our sympathetic response impels us to do' and actually think about their choice of whether they wanted to be a part of Jehovah's way or go their own way. They chose Jehovah's way.
Examining yourself and the choices you make, as to whether they are correct or not, is known as reality-testing. You have the same choice always before you about what you choose to expose yourself to. Will it be positive or negative? Spiritual or worldly? Obedience or going your own way?
When you scan channels or scroll through links in your web feed, or follow a random desire to watch or read some type of material (news, entertainment, etc.), you are letting it, and your sympathetic response, guide what you are exposed to. But when you make a choice for yourself about what is best for you to watch or read, you are taking control of your own life and destiny.
Yes, we do need random input to stay grounded and informed of what is going on and to face challenging ideas that exercise our reasoning skills (each being part of reality-testing), but if you do not take control and diversify that randomness, you will easily get sucked into a negativity spiral and your sympathetic response becomes your autopilot. The echochamber phenomenon that has caused such extreme divisions today is very real and is due to isolated exposure. The prescribed prevention is diversifying what you are exposed to. Of course, as Christians, we should avoid exposing ourselves to ungodliness so that we are not, otherwise preventably, tempted.
If you notice that a lot of the stuff you are being exposed to is negative (particularly toward obedience), why not watch or read something that is not only positive, but will refocus you spiritually? It is in your power. Will you "get the mastery over it"?—Ge 4:7.
The article we have been discussing is asking you to program your mental muscle memory and your sympathetic response, exposing yourself to ideas and people encouraging obedience and practicing obedience now to be ready and willing to obey when the time is right. The March, 2022 Watchtower Study Edition article we just studied, p. 8, par. 1, puts it this way: "... all of us want to have the kind of personality that Jehovah loves. To be that type of person, we need to control our thinking. Why? Because our personality is largely shaped by our thoughts. If we regularly think about what appeals to our fleshly desires, we will say and do bad things. (Eph. 4:17-19) On the other hand, if we fill our mind with good thoughts, we will more likely speak and act in a way that pleases our Father, Jehovah.—Gal. 5:16."
You need to decide for yourself whether that is a good thing or a bad thing and don't second guess your decision unless something gives you good reason to do so.
If you are not determined to be obedient to Jehovah's organization when the time comes, then to what will you be obedient? How will you know what to do in those circumstances? It is not like the brothers would ask you to kill anyone or commit suicide, is it? You know they would not because of the value of human life they teach more than any other organization, religious or otherwise. In fact, that value of life is the very reason that we can be confident that no matter what they ask of us at that time, it will be for our benefit, even if that direction is to "not be afraid. Stand firm and see the salvation of Jehovah."—Ex 14:13.
If you are still having problems with this issue, I would like you to think about this issue each time you read an article in the Watchtower and ask how the information in the article can help you with it. For example, consider the article in question, par. 8. Statements like that can help us regain perspective. [Monday, May 16, 2022 at ?:?? PM]
Unconfident wrote:
Good stuff.
