Post by evilslave on May 13, 2014 23:03:16 GMT -4
The definition of dogmatism according to dictionary.com is: unfounded positiveness in matters of opinion; arrogant assertion of opinions as truths.
The Watchtower organization has reams of rules and so-called “counsel” which must be obeyed or you will be looked down on as an unspiritual or spiritually weak person. Especially in Service Meetings we have had the extremely repetitive reminders or rules on how to act at the District Convention. There are rules on what to do when you enter, how to use the pool, how to dress for baptism, how much tip to leave at restaurants or hotels, how to dress after the sessions, what size cooler to bring, where to eat during intermission, what type of shoes to wear, don't take off your lapel badge, don't leave the convention site etc. etc. etc. The outward appearance that the JWs give to the outside world is very important to the organization.
This is just a small taste of the rules and “counsel” that all JWs live with. If you want to show someone that the Society is a legalistic org. ask them to show you in the bible what blood components or fractions are acceptable for a JW and which are not. Or where does the bible indicate how many meetings we must attend? Beards? Birthdays? Tattoos? smoking? Reporting field service? The organization book is full of organizational rules. The elders book has many more that publishers are unaware of (see "Downloadable Publications on PDF" in the "Welcome & FAQ" section). Those who have responsibilities at district conventions receive a thick booklet of additional rules.
Dogmatism fosters an attitude of self-righteousness, intolerance, being judgmental and critical, placing lots of emphasis on how one looks to others. It is oppressive, demanding, insensitive and lacks compassion. What do we see in those who suffer from Dogmatism?
It causes guilt and frustration. Some JWs perhaps think ” What’s the use? I’m not good enough. I’m not doing enough. Since I can’t please God, I might as well do anything I want.” Adding unnecessary burdens on the brothers causes guilt, depression, self-loathing etc. Because of these extra rules some may leave God thinking that they’re just not good enough.
Dogmatism promotes hypocrisy or putting on a show of compliance. Many JWs feel obligated to do things they really would rather not (for example auxiliary pioneering, shunning D'Fed family members etc.) This creates the habit of putting on a performance on the outside but not doing it with the whole heart. This habit can make Jesus words in Matt 15:8 applicable to us – “This people honors me with their lips, yet their heart is far removed from me. It is in vain that they keep worshiping me, because they teach commands of men as doctrines.”
Dogmatism also promotes the habit of getting by with the least possible effort, or obeying the letter of the law and ignoring the spirit. It also promotes a shallow relationship with God, and spiritual complacency. One may feel if he is obeying all the rules of the organization, he has a good relationship with God. This obscures the fact that God looks at the heart.
The Watchtower organization has reams of rules and so-called “counsel” which must be obeyed or you will be looked down on as an unspiritual or spiritually weak person. Especially in Service Meetings we have had the extremely repetitive reminders or rules on how to act at the District Convention. There are rules on what to do when you enter, how to use the pool, how to dress for baptism, how much tip to leave at restaurants or hotels, how to dress after the sessions, what size cooler to bring, where to eat during intermission, what type of shoes to wear, don't take off your lapel badge, don't leave the convention site etc. etc. etc. The outward appearance that the JWs give to the outside world is very important to the organization.
This is just a small taste of the rules and “counsel” that all JWs live with. If you want to show someone that the Society is a legalistic org. ask them to show you in the bible what blood components or fractions are acceptable for a JW and which are not. Or where does the bible indicate how many meetings we must attend? Beards? Birthdays? Tattoos? smoking? Reporting field service? The organization book is full of organizational rules. The elders book has many more that publishers are unaware of (see "Downloadable Publications on PDF" in the "Welcome & FAQ" section). Those who have responsibilities at district conventions receive a thick booklet of additional rules.
Dogmatism fosters an attitude of self-righteousness, intolerance, being judgmental and critical, placing lots of emphasis on how one looks to others. It is oppressive, demanding, insensitive and lacks compassion. What do we see in those who suffer from Dogmatism?
It causes guilt and frustration. Some JWs perhaps think ” What’s the use? I’m not good enough. I’m not doing enough. Since I can’t please God, I might as well do anything I want.” Adding unnecessary burdens on the brothers causes guilt, depression, self-loathing etc. Because of these extra rules some may leave God thinking that they’re just not good enough.
Dogmatism promotes hypocrisy or putting on a show of compliance. Many JWs feel obligated to do things they really would rather not (for example auxiliary pioneering, shunning D'Fed family members etc.) This creates the habit of putting on a performance on the outside but not doing it with the whole heart. This habit can make Jesus words in Matt 15:8 applicable to us – “This people honors me with their lips, yet their heart is far removed from me. It is in vain that they keep worshiping me, because they teach commands of men as doctrines.”
Dogmatism also promotes the habit of getting by with the least possible effort, or obeying the letter of the law and ignoring the spirit. It also promotes a shallow relationship with God, and spiritual complacency. One may feel if he is obeying all the rules of the organization, he has a good relationship with God. This obscures the fact that God looks at the heart.
