Jehovahs Witnesses: Why do many of you copy & paste sections from JW publications as 'answers'? Aren't you capable of thinking for yourself?

What gives me a chuckle is when someone asks a question and you'll have 3-4 JWs answer it with the exact, same paragraph. I've been watchful for a long time and about 95% of all JW answers are copy/pasted from their website. You can go to it, enter a keyword and pull up the exact page they took it from. Independent thinking is discouraged. Individuality is stripped away until there's nothing left but a robotic human that conforms in every way. Don't conform and you're squashed.

First, since “oneness” is to be observed, a mature Christian must be in unity and full harmony with fellow believers as far as faith and knowledge are concerned. He does not advocate or insist on personal opinions or harbor private ideas when it comes to Bible understanding. Rather, he has complete confidence in the truth as it is revealed by Jehovah God through his Son, Jesus Christ, and “the faithful and discreet slave.” By regularly taking in the spiritual food provided “at the proper time”—through Christian publications, meetings, assemblies, and conventions—we can be sure that we maintain “oneness” with fellow Christians in faith and knowledge. Watchtower 8/1/01

Deliberately spreading teachings contrary to Bible truth as taught by Jehovah's Witnesses: (Acts 21:21; 2 John 71 9, 10) Any with sincere doubts should be helped. Firm, loving counsel should be given. (2 Tim. 2:16-19, 23-26; Jude 22, 23) If one obstinately is speaking about or deliberately spreading false teachings, this may be or may lead to apostasy. If there is no response after a first and a second admonition, a judidal committee should be formed. -Titus 3:10, 11; w89 10/1 p. 19; w86 4/1 pp. 30-31; w86 3/15 p. 15. Shepherd the Flock of God elders book - guidelines for disfellowshipping.

See...they really can't do much except copy and paste. If they go outside that and say something wrong or teach it in a way not specifically stated by their leadership, they can be kicked out and shunned - which means losing everything including your family. They have to walk a pretty fine line and be careful about what and how they say things. Wouldn't want to be accused of apostasy, after all...

You mean speak like most people independent from God. We all read the same Bible and the words and thoughts don't change they stay the same. Futhermore 1 Corinthians 1:10 says: That you should all speak in agreement and there should be no divisions among you, but that you may be completely united in the same mind and in the same thought. Since we are united we all give the same answer on a particular subject that is being talked about at that time. The thoughts of Jehovah God is the only way we will answer since His thoughts are so much higher than our own. As far as the publications is concerned they are in agreement with the Bible. You can compare whatever the publication say to your own Bible and see if it coincide with what is said. United people should give the same thought that is what make them United. Why should it be a problem for us when many other people are saying the same thing. Copying and pasting is normal everybody does it, 4 people copied the same answer so what? Anybody can go to jw.org and they will get same answer depending on the subject. Nitpicking is not going to change a thing if you don't like the answer that is given don't read it simply as that.

I am Jehovah's Witnesses but not baptized. Check my last question on Yahoo Answer and realize that I have answered by the Bible verses and not copied / pasted.

Over time, through my Bible study course , I realize that I no longer have publications on the jw.org site I can answer the biblical view without using the publication the Watchtower of Jehovah's Witnesses.

"Jehovahs Witnesses: Why do many of you copy & paste sections from JW publications as 'answers'? Aren't you capable of thinking for yourself?"

They're discouraged from doing "independent thinking" and they're encouraged to only speak in agreement with what their organization says. Because of this, many JWs lack the courage to express themselves without quoting Watchtower literature verbatim.

Seeing many of the answers it soon becomes apparent that many JWs don't give any care or thought to the questions being asked. It seems like they just hone in on one keyword or the basic theme of the question and search their website or their DVD-ROM based on that, then they copy and paste information related to the keyword or theme without any real care as to whether it actually answers the question.

This is called "independent thinking" and True Christians are well advised to abstain from such prideful thinking.

"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." - The Watchtower, 9/15/1989, Page 23

"As we study the Bible we learn that Jehovah has always guided his servants in an organized way. And just as in the first century there was only one true Christian organization, so today Jehovah is using only one organization. (Ephesians 4:4, 5; Matthew 24:45-47) Yet there are some who point out that the 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? Such thinking is an evidence of pride. And the Bible says: “Pride is before a crash, and a haughty spirit before stumbling.” (Proverbs 16:18) If we get to thinking that we know better than the organization, we should ask ourselves: “Where did we learn Bible truth in the first place? Would we know the way of the truth if it had not been for guidance from the organization? Really, can we get along without the direction of God’s organization?” No, we cannot! -Compare Acts 15:2, 28, 29; 16:4, 5." - The Watchtower, 1/15/1983, page 27

EDIT:

"How is such independent thinking manifested? A common way is by questioning the counsel that is provided by God’s visible organization." - The Watchtower, 1/15/1983, page 22

"The APOSTATE makes himself a decider of what is true and what is false; of what is "good and bad" in the way of spiritual food... We should be thankful for the abundant spiritual food we are receiving through the "faithful and discreet slave." - The Watchtower, 8/1/1980, page 20

Independent thinking leads to APOSTASY!!!

"Apostasy is, in reality, a rebellion against Jehovah." - The Watchtower 10/1/1993, page 19

"Some people who were once faithful Christians have purposely drawn away from God, perhaps because of bitterness, pride, or greed, and are now APOSTATE fighters against God’s spirit. They willfully oppose what the spirit is clearly accomplishing. Have these individuals committed the unforgivable sin? Jehovah is the final Judge." - The Awake! 2/8/2003, page 12

EDIT 2:

"Cult leaders are known to use manipulative methods to control the minds of their followers. Is there any evidence that Jehovah’s Witnesses do this?" - The Watchtower, 2/15/94 page 4

What do you think, are Jehovah's Witnesses a cult? Remember... NO INDEPENDENT THINKING!!!

Signed, Poe

When I see a long answer quite clearly cut and pasted from JW.org I don't read it. Waste of time.

JW's are actively discouraged from thinking for themselves. Doing so may lead to their interpreting doctrine at odds with WTBTS interpretation which they are expressly forbidden to do. Being a JW demands total obedience to the GB.

u sound more and more ignorant every time you post. It is sad to see one who has no ANSWERS at all complaining about how JWs post their replies. Hey if I come to your door with answers that are not written would you listen anyway. Truth? Your religion is in chaos-doesnt even matter which one- you are desperate to find something- anything- and u look more and more ignorant- preech what you know if you think u have the answers- does your religion teach you to attack other beliefs- at least bring it strong- we copy our answers- REALLY DUDE?

If u ever really listened to the message- maybe you'd learn something- but you are sooooo closed minded and u only come to forums like this in attack mode but with no ammo... it is sad to see a grown man act like a kid

Actually I rarely quote from the Watchtower publications, because people such as yourself reject them as an authority. (also see Dzr comment)

It is to easy to find a non witness website/scholar that agrees with our teachings. I find it interesting that these people also reject their own scholars.

An Interesting side point is: What lie did Satan tell Eve?

What does Paul tell us we should be doing?

(1 Corinthians 2:16) . . .But we do have the mind of Christ.

(Romans 15:4-6) 4 For all the things that were written beforehand were written for our instruction, so that through our endurance and through the comfort from the Scriptures we might have hope. 5 Now may the God who supplies endurance and comfort grant you to have among yourselves the same mental attitude that Christ Jesus had, 6 so that unitedly you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

(Philippians 2:5-11) 5 Keep this mental attitude in you that was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although he was existing in God’s form, gave no consideration to a seizure, namely, that he should be equal to God. 7 No, but he emptied himself and took a slave’s form and became human. 8 More than that, when he came as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death, yes, death on a torture stake. 9 For this very reason, God exalted him to a superior position and kindly gave him the name that is above every other name, 10 so that in the name of Jesus every knee should bend—of those in heaven and those on earth and those under the ground— 11 and every tongue should openly acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.

Christians will be thinking and speaking the same, since we have the mind of Christ.

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It is not about whether we can or can not think for ourselves. It is about sharing information that can benefit or encourage others by giving them Bible based information. We are not about coming up with different philosophy to draw attention to ourselves rather than God the creator and his son Jesus Christ. This is why there are so many Christian denominations

y 4:1-4

4 I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus, who is to judge+ the living and the dead,+ and by his manifestation+ and his Kingdom:+ 2 Preach the word;+ be at it urgently in favorable times and difficult times; reprove,+ reprimand, exhort, with all patience and art of teaching.+ 3 For there will be a period of time when they will not put up with the wholesome* teaching,+ but according to their own desires, they will surround themselves with teachers to have their ears tickled.*+ 4 They will turn away from listening to the truth and give attention to false stories.

John 17:3 This means everlasting life, their coming to know you,* the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ.

John 17:17 Sanctify them* by means of the truth; your word is truth.

Typical JWs answers will be...

1) We don't do that.. everyone else does... DENIAL

2) We only do that because its good stuff... DENIAL

3) We only quote what's in the bible ............DENIAL

4) We agree with it and it's convenient.........DENIAL

Hey it looks like they're in DENIAL.