by E.F.
Today I was reminded of a man named Joseph Goebbels, a former Reich-Minister of Propaganda under Hitler, who held in 1943 in the Berlin Sports Palace a speech in which he tried to inspire his listeners to "total war". Before he entered the Palace of Sports, he asked his escort to the composition of the audience to decide, "the record" he should hang up. He had of course for different audiences and occasions, prepared several "records". He was a competent minister of propaganda and rhetorician.
Why I was reminded of this man? I read in "Our Kingdom Ministry," the internal communication and instruction sheet of the Governing Body of Jehovah Witnesses, issue for October 2008, page 8, where is handled the for Christians so well sounding subject: Personal and Family Bible Study Are Vital! And one may be safely assumed that the Jehovah's Witnesses everywhere will storytell with conviction that their "faithful and discreet slave" encourages them to study the Bible, yes, this even calls essential.
But, the Governing Body, does it also believe what it says? First, it seems so, in paragraph 2, it is said:
Family Worship Evening: Family heads are encouraged to shoulder their responsibility before Jehovah to ensure that a meaningful, regular program of family Bible study is followed. (Deut. 6:6, 7) Single brothers and sisters with no family responsibilities will be able to use this time for personal Bible study and research. It is vital for all of us to 'buy out the opportune time' for study and meditation in order to maintain the spiritual strength needed in the face of 'wicked days.' - Eph. 5:15, 16
So it may sound up to this point, and the witnesses will also argue opposite to others. For them it is not noticeable, because self-evident, what is expressed in paragraph 3 "What to Consider", and even advised and instructed:
What to Consider: The Watch Tower Publications Index or Watchtower Library on CD-ROM can help you locate information that will make your Bible study periods a delight. Families may consider articles from The Watchtower, such as the regular features "Keys to Family Happiness," "Teach Your Children," and "For Our Young People." Also, Awake! contains the "Young People Ask" series and fascinating articles about the wonders of creation.
Or another opportunity for indoctrination according to the Watchtower doctrine. Paragraph 4 also points out the opportunity to watch videos of the organization. For this "individually and all in the family makes joy"? Or so the constant irrigation is exacerbated by the slave? Is the slave or the Governing Body really serious about that, what it is saying about the study of Bible? In the "provisions of execution" there is no more talking of the Bible.
I want also to recall the opinion of the Governing Body of the Our Kingdom Ministry by September 2007; in the category question-box was asked: Does "the faithful and discreet slave" approve when Jehovah's Witnesses unite independently to explore biblical issues and to debate?
Remember: The answer was an unequivocal No! It was said: ... So, the "faithful and discreet slave" does not approve any literature, any websites and any meetings which are not made or organized under his direction.
This is known to all witnesses, even down into the subconscious mind: Do nothing, which is not sanctioned by the slave! At the same time they are convinced - because the slave said so - that they are invited to Bible study. And why should they not call the consideration of the Watchtower literature Bible study? The slave does indeed, for the real henceforth proceeded book study will be called from 1.1.2009 Assembly Bible study (which reminds me of someone who renamed his pig into a fish that he can eat it vegetarianly on Good Friday).
The Bible calls upon Christians to speak truth (Ephesians 4:15 +25); it warns against deceptive, false, deceitful and forked tongue, lying tongue (Psalm 52:6, 120:2, Proverbs 6:17, 12:19, 17:20). Who here uses sham? It may be that some witnesses know, what the slave is serious about when he talks about Bible study; but outsiders have a different idea of it and are just misled as the teachers at the schools when they are declared that the organization was education friendly because in every meeting there is a "library".
Who is the master of this slave? The Lord of truth, who could say of himself that he is the truth? Or rather, it is the master of deception? You have to answer yourself!