Why is the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society leaders of the Jehovah's Witnesses against independent thinking?

Why is the Governing Body blaming their clergy for not allowing independent thinking when prohibition of independent thinking is fundamental to the teachings of the Governing Body?

The Watchtower magazine of Jehovah's Witnesses encourages its readers to think and analyze their beliefs in the light of scripture siting Acts chapter 17 v 10 "carefully examining the Scriptures daily as to whether these things were so". The Watchtower of 15th February 1963 specifically tells its readers that[quote] "the habit of getting others to do your thinking leaves your own perceptive powers untrained and weak." [end quote]It is for this reason that all their publications usually have many scriptural references which readers are encouraged to check and prayerfully decide if they are personally convinced or not of the points being made. The "question/answer" format of most of their literature is also specifically designed to ensure that its readers take the needed time to analyze the material presented.Although the above is encouraged, for the Jehovah's Witnesses, being a biblical "expert" or spending vast amounts of time researching outside of the bible is not essential to be a Christian (see Wt June 1st 1967 p.121 § 338).It should be noted however, that the Witnesses often employ a lexicon somewhat different from that of those outside of their organization and the the expression "Independent thinking"for them does not mean simple analysis of material. For the Jehovah's witnesses, "independent thinking" is thinking independently or in conflict with biblical doctrine. As the Watchtower Jan 15th, 1983 Under the heading "Avoid Independent Thinking" [quote] From the very outset of his rebellion Satan called into question God's way of doing things. [...] Satan told Eve. 'You don't have to listen to God. He is not really telling you the truth.' (Genesis 3:1-5) To this day, it has been Satan's subtle design to infect God's people with this type of thinking.-2 Timothy 3:1, 13.[end quote]The Jehovah's Witness lexicon thus classifies "independent thinking" as thinking independently of the Creator's wishes and desires as they understand it to be expressed through the scripture and not to a personal analysis of material presented.Another answer.Watchtower 15/2/63 p121 says 'the habit of getting others to do your thinking leaves your own perceptive powers untrained and weak.' Watchtower 1/6/67 p338 says 'it is not necessary to spend a lot of time and energy in research, for there are brothers in the organization who are assigned to do that very thing..'Watchtower 15/1/83 p27 'Fight Against Independent Thinking' article says 'there are some who point out that the [Watchtower] organization has had to make adjustments before, and so they argue: ''This shows that we have to make up our own mind on what to believe.'' This is independent thinking. Why is it so dangerous?'Watchtower 15/1/83 p22 'Avoid Independent Thinking' article says 'He [Satan] promoted independent thinking.'Watchtower 15/3/72 p170 says 'man possesses a mind and a heart ....capable of independent thinking and reasoning....That is why you are also capable of understanding what God has revealed in his Word...'Watchtower 15/9/89 p23 'Obedient to Those Taking the Lead' article says 'but a spirit of independent thinking does not prevail in God's organization and we have sound reasons for confidence in the men taking the lead among us.'Watchtower 1/9/62 says 'believe without suspicion the truth set forth by the ''faithful and discreet slave''.....He [a Bible student] cannot have independent thinking.'Although our minds are capable of independent thinking we must avoid it as it is a snare of Satan the Devil. We must have complete faith and belief in the words of the 'faithful and discreet slave' because as the Watchtower 15th Feb 2009 p27 says 'Since Jehovah and Jesus Christ completely trust the faithful and discreet slave, should we not do the same?'

Why does the watchtower not allow the most valuable capacity of the human thinking who protect against the misuse of people namely the independent thinking?

This question is based on fallacious assumptions. Further.... The Watchtower magazine of Jehovah's Witnesses encourages its readers to think and analyse their beliefs in the light of scripture siting Acts chapter 17 v 10 "carefully examining the Scriptures daily as to whether these things were so". The Watchtower of 15th February 1963 specifically tells its readers that [quote] "the habit of getting others to do your thinking leaves your own perceptive powers untrained and weak." [end quote] It is for this reason that all their publications usually have many scriptural references which readers are encourged to check and prayerfully decide if they are personally convinced or not of the points being made. The "question/answer" format of most of their literature is also specifically designed to ensure that its readers take the needed time to analyse the material presented. Although the above is encouraged, for the Jehovah's Witnesses, being a biblical "expert" or spending vast amounts of time researching outside of the bible is not essential to be a Christian (see Wt June 1st 1967 p.121 § 338). It should be noted however, that the Witnesses often employ a lexicon somewhat different from that of those outside of their organisation and the the expression "Independent thinking" for them does not mean simple analysis of material. For the Jehovah's witnesses, "independent thinking" is thinking independently or inconflict with biblical doctrine. As the Watchtower Jan 15th, 1983 Under the heading "Avoid Independent Thinking" [quote] From the very outset of his rebellion Satan called into question God's way of doing things. [...] Satan told Eve. 'You don't have to listen to God. He is not really telling you the truth.' (Genesis 3:1-5) To this day, it has been Satan's subtle design to infect God's people with this type of thinking.-2 Timothy 3:1, 13.[end quote] The Jehovah's Witness lexicon thus classifies "indepentent thinking" as thinking independently of the Creator's wishes and desires as they understand it to be expressed through the scripture and not to a peronsal analysis of material presented.Back to top

Market research and advertising are an invasion of privacy and independent thinking.?

Market research and advertising are an invasion of privacy and independent thinking.

How many independent countries are there in Asia?

It depends I'm thinking....I'm thinking......Still thinking....GOT IT.There are 53 countries in Asia but only about three of them are independent.

Your teacher might have called this paper on capitalism independent thinking?

Your teacher might have called this paper on capitalism "independent thinking".

Do Baptist believe new christian music is worldly?

Perhaps you're thinking of Jehovah's Witnesses.

Can Jehovah's Witnesses smile?

Yes, Jehovah's Witnesses can smile! I love to laugh and smile and I'm one of Jehovah's Witnesses. Jehovah God is a happy God, and so are his Witnesses.Maybe the individual you're thinking of is just serious by nature.

Is the aim of the watchtower to keep the JWs completely ignorant by prohibiting independent thinking no higher education no association with other people unconditional agree with all teachings?

Not at all, apparently you don't know many Jehovah's Witnesses. I am one and I have a college degree, I work in corporate America and earn a decent living, many of my friends are also highly educated in secular sense. I know doctors, lawyers, teachers, people from all walks of life. All sorts of people belong to our organization. However our focus in life is not our jobs, careers and certainly not our education, it is our worship and our ministry. Our journals the Watchtower and Awake magazines, are Bible based and highly researched. Please take time to view our literature without the biast that your question suggests you hold.

Where was forests and independent thinking plentiful?

Forests and independent thinking were plentiful in ancient Greece. The ancient Greeks revered nature and often held philosophical discussions in outdoor settings like groves and forests. These natural environments provided a peaceful and contemplative space for individuals to engage in independent thinking and intellectual pursuits. The philosophical tradition of ancient Greece, with prominent figures like Socrates and Plato, valued critical thinking and the questioning of established beliefs.

Which country is independent first Malaysia or Singapore?

Malaysia. of course. Why, what were you thinking?

What was the least goal of education in nazi Germany?

Independent, critical thinking.

What was the least important goal of education in the nazi Germany?