Theocracy Basics.
Jehovah's Witnesses believe they belong to Jehovah God's 'theocratic' organization, the Watchtower. They believe their religion is run by God through his representatives. Here's how Watchtower theocracy works in a nutshell.
The Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses says they represent God's faithful and discreet slave. [1] They claim to be God's channel of communication in the world today. All other religions are said to be false and dominated by Satan the Devil. They believe that the entire world except for their organization is slated for destruction by Jehovah at armageddon. They believe that only Jehovah's Witnesses have any scriptural hope of being saved. Watchtower Sept 1989
Jehovah's Witnesses Know They Have 'The Truth'.
Jehovah's Witnesses say they are 'in the truth'. Everyone outside their organization is 'out of the truth'.
How can they be so sure of their beliefs? Because the founders of the Jehovah's Witnesses were very charismatic and convincing. They were able to stir up the masses and gather a huge following. They did this by making frightening predictions about armageddon and by exaggerating the truth about their relationship with God. These leaders believed they were God's chosen ones and everyone who followed them would be spared when the end of the world comes.
In the early days of the Jehovah's Witness movement, new recruits believed these dynamic leaders. They taught their children to fear the Watchtower's message because they believed it came from God. Their children grew up and became leaders in the organization. They taught their children the same things they were taught. Thus the Jehovah's Witnesses have perpetuated a religious tradition that extends down many generations.
They know what they know. They have faith like many religious groups have. Even though JW's say they have 'the truth', it would be more honest to say they have faith. Truth can be proven. Faith cannot.
Jehovah's Theocratic Arrangement.
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God knows everything.
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The Watchtower does NOT claim divine inspiration. They can make mistakes
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Even though God does NOT inspire what they say and everything they teach could be wrong, the Watchtower cautions Jehovah's Witnesses to never challenge them because they are God's channel of communication
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Watchtower literature says that withholding the truth in certain situations does no harm. In fact it does much good. They say that when ancient people were accused of lying, there is no record in the Bible that they came under divine disapproval for this. See Theocratic Warfare Quotes
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The organization's leaders are appointed by the Watchtower. To maintain their position in the organization, JW leaders (i.e. Overseers, Elders, and Ministerial Servants) must obey the Watchtower and persuade all Jehovah's Witnesses to do the same.
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Jehovah's Witnesses treasure their place in the Watchtower organization. The more submissive they are to those taking the lead, and the more loyal they are to Jehovah's organization, the more likely they will receive the prize of everlasting life in God's Kingdom. WT, Nov 15, 2009, Article: 'Treasure Your Place in the Congregation'; WT, March 15, 2009, Article: 'Keep Your Eyes on the Prize'.
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Is Watchtower wisdom 'the truth' from God? Go back to step one.
Unhappy Jehovah's Witnesses.
With such a belief system, it is easy to see why so many Jehovah's Witnesses are unhappy. However even if they leave, they are filled with guilt because they believe they left 'God's organization' and the best religion in the world. The best way to restore happiness after leaving the JW's is knowledge. If you're an unhappy JW, it's time to understand why you think the way that you think, and feel the way that you feel. It's time to take back your power.
Theocratic Warfare.
What is it? What does it mean? How does it affect your relationships with Jehovah's Witnesses you know?
References.
1. The Watchtower says, 'Today, the Governing Body represents the faithful and discreet slave class. There was a similar arrangement in the first century'. WT June 15, 2009. Article: 'The Faithful Steward and Its Governing Body'. See God's faithful and discreet slave
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