Commenting on The Watchtower April 15, 2008 pages 3‐7 Study article “Repudiate Valueless Things”
Propaganda in The Watchtower
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In context: 17) Another example of valueless words is found among the religious leaders of Christendom. Those claim to speak in God’s name, but most of their utterances are not based on the Scriptures, and what they say is basically worthless. Apostates too speak valueless words, claiming to have greater wisdom than the appointed “faithful and discreet slave.” (Matt. 24:45‐47) However, apostates speak their own wisdom, and their words are valueless, a stumbling block to any who might listen. (Luke 17:1, 2) How can we avoid being misled by them? 18) The aged apostle John gave fine counsel in this regard. (Read 1 John 4:1.) In harmony with John’s counsel, we always encourage those we meet in the preaching work to test what they have been taught by comparing it with the Bible. That is a good rule for us too. If any statements come to our ears that are critical of the truth or cast aspersions on the congregation, the elders, or any of our brothers, we do not accept them at face value. Rather we ask, “Is the one spreading this story acting in harmony with what the Bible says? Do these stories or allegations further Jehovah’s purpose? Do they promote the peace of the congregation?” Anything we hear that tears down the brotherhood rather than builds it up is a worthless thing. –2 Cor. 13:10‐11.
This study contains clear examples of how Jehovah’s Witnesses are trained to turn their mind off by accepting fallacy and propaganda. Another example of valueless words is found among the religious leaders of Christendom. Those claim to speak in God’s name, but most of their utterances are not based on the Scriptures, and what they say is basically worthless. –Study, paragraph 17 “Most” and “basically” are called weasel words. Weasel words are used to avoid making a straightforward statement while still giving that impression. The Watchtower cannot make a straightforward statement because this is an opinion, not fact. Watch out for weasel words. Apostates too speak valueless words, claiming to have greater wisdom than the appointed “faithful and discreet slave.” –Study, paragraph 17 FALLACY: Straw Man Argument. A distorted, exaggerated or misrepresented version of the argument. Those who disagree with the Watchtower do not ‘claim to have greater wisdom,’ they just disagree. Does the leadership of Jehovah’s Witnesses actually have “greater wisdom” than anyone else? Nobody should think that being an anointed Christian [also called the “faithful and discreet slave”] gives him wisdom superior to that of the “great crowd” with the earthly hope. –The Watchtower March 15, 1991 page 22
Example of Loaded Language However, apostates speak their own wisdom, and their words are valueless, a stumbling block to any who might listen. How can we avoid being misled by them? –Study, paragraph 17 The Watchtower commonly uses the label “apostate.” This is loaded language and the Awake! condemns it in the June 22, 2000 issue about propaganda. Name‐calling slaps a negative, easy‐to‐remember label onto a person, a group, or an idea. –Page 6 Examine whether there is bias. What is the motive for the message? If the message is rife with name‐calling and loaded words, why is that? –Page 10 “Why is that?” If the Watchtower can get you to label someone then you don’t have to think about what they are actually saying. Think about this sentence: … apostates speak their own wisdom, and their words are valueless, a stumbling block to any who might listen. This is generalization, without any reference or example. This is outright propaganda. The June 22, 2000 Awake! explains: Another very successful tactic of propaganda is generalization. Generalizations tend to obscure important facts about the real issues in question, and they are frequently used to demean entire groups of people. –Page 6 If the Watchtower can prejudice you against a whole group, then it does not have to worry about the facts in question, and neither will you. Example of Red Herring The aged apostle John gave fine counsel in this regard. (Read 1 John 4:1.) In harmony with John’s counsel, we always encourage those we meet in the preaching work to test what they have been taught by comparing it with the Bible. That is a good rule for us too. If any statements come to our ears that are critical of the truth or cast aspersions on the congregation, the elders, or any of our brothers, we do not accept them at face value. –Study, paragraph 18 How can you be critical of the truth? No one can argue with that. The Watchtower has actually inserted another fallacy. A red herring is an irrelevant topic that diverts attention from the original issue. The original issue is clearly stated in the cited scripture: Do not believe every inspired expression, but test the inspired expressions to see whether they originate with God. –1 John 4:1 NWT The issue is not whether statements “are critical of the truth,” but whether it is true at all.
There is a deeper meaning to this term, “the truth.” The Truth is the most powerful example of loaded language among Jehovah’s Witnesses. The Truth refers to the beliefs of Jehovah’s Witnesses—at this time. For that reason it is called “progressive truth” or “present truth,” because it changes, or even reverses it’s meaning. For most people that is an opinion—not truth. They referred to their Scriptural beliefs as “present truth”—not with any idea that truth itself changes but rather with the thought that their understanding of it was progressive. –Jehovah’s Witnesses—Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom page 121 Since the Bible has not changed, The Truth changes based on the Governing Body’s opinion. If The Truth can change at anytime—it is not always true. For example, the Truth book (first published in 1968) is no longer used because The Truth has changed. So what are Jehovah’s Witnesses to do when they hear something critical of The Truth? We ask, “Is the one spreading this story acting in harmony with what the Bible says?” –Study, paragraph 18 Another Fallacy: Guilt by Association The Watchtower prejudices its readers against anyone who is not a Jehovah’s Witness, regardless of how valid the information. What if a faithful Witness speaks out against The Truth? Well, that wouldn’t be faithful, would it? Some individuals who were once part of the Christian congregation [Jehovah’s Witnesses] now attempt to mislead the sheep by speaking “twisted things”—half‐truths and outright lies. … Indeed, no matter what apostates may say to the contrary, the real aim of intruders is “to steal and slay and destroy.” —The Watchtower September 1, 2004 page 15 Notice the fallacy above: Appeal to Fear (an attempt to support an idea by increasing fear and prejudice toward a competitor). Paragraph 18 concludes: Anything we hear that tears down the brotherhood rather than builds it up is a worthless thing. Another blanket condemnation of anything that threatens the authority, not of God—or the Bible—but the Governing Body, the small group of men who control the beliefs of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Any dissent is “worthless.” The only way to maintain this control is to control Witness’ minds.
Avoid Independent Thinking How is such independent thinking manifested? A common way is by questioning the counsel that is provided by God’s visible organization. –The Watchtower January 15, 1983 page 22 How the Watchtower once described Irish Catholics is now the truth about the Jehovah’s Witnesses. The clergy have dominated their lives, told them what they can read, what they should believe and do. To ask a sound religious question is a demonstration of lack of faith in God and the church, according to the clergy. As a result, the Irish people do very little independent thinking. They are victims of the clergy and fear; but freedom is in sight. –The Watchtower August 1, 1958 page 460 Could it read this way? The Watchtower has dominated their lives, told them what they can read, what they should believe and do. To ask a sound religious question is a demonstration of lack of faith in God and the Governing Body, according to the Watchtower. As a result, Jehovah’s Witnesses do very little independent thinking. They are victims of the Society and fear; but freedom is in sight.