“Are you now separate from this world and its violent ways, as were Jesus and his disciples in the first century? If so, you have come to share in a wonderful worldwide unity experienced only by Jehovah’s Witnesses.”–Watchtower 1983 Jul 15 p.20
UNITY! Oh, how I was ATTRACTED to that promise when I began to associate with Jehovah’s Witnesses. Through my Bible study with them, I accepted a code of ethics and the belief that Jesus Christ was key to bringing about a new world with his co-heirs numbering 144,000. This vital knowledge was linked to the recognition that Jehovah God had an organization on earth carrying out his plans to unify mankind under his kingdom. My agreement to participate in this organized effort to reach people from house-to-house with this message served as proof that I was now a true Christian.
To disagree with anything coming down through that organization called into question whether or not I was a Christian. So, I learned as we all did, to keep my mouth shut and comply. All good JWs do. This creates UNITY.
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.-Matthew 24:45. — Watchtower 2001 Aug 1 p.14
I used to brag that I could go to a Kingdom Hall anywhere in the world and we’d be studying the SAME Watchtower and draw the SAME conclusions. Christendom was an obvious imposter with its different denominations and variety of beliefs. Jehovah’s Witnesses worldwide were all in agreement speaking the same spiritual language. We had perfect unity. Therefore, we had “the truth,” and we just kept validating it by not listening to outsiders and their opinions and only honored those who were in agreement with us.
“Only Jehovah’s Witnesses, those of the anointed remnant and the “great crowd,” as a united organization under the protection of the Supreme Organizer, have any Scriptural hope of surviving the impending end of this doomed system dominated by Satan the Devil.” –Watchtower 1989 Sep 1 p.19
Unity, therefore, was not just attractive, it was life saving! Over and over, we were reminded that those outside of our united organization were ruled under Satan and had no hope of surviving the impending doom of Armageddon. And so the constant battle for such a person desiring unity is to OBEY and CONFORM to the demands made by those claiming to speak for God. Jehovah’s Witnesses are kept in a childlike state, dependent on their leaders, and SHAMED for using their ability to think for themselves.
“We also remember that one feature of ‘the wisdom from above’ is being ‘ready to obey.’ Due to background and upbringing, some may be more given to independent thinking and self-will than others. Perhaps this is an area where we need to discipline ourselves and ‘make our mind over’ so that we can perceive more clearly what the ‘will of God’ is.” — Watchtower 1987 Feb 1 p.19
A difficult concept for someone who’s spent many years in such a high control group as this is the acceptance of individuality — their own and others. When a group has taken it upon themselves to speak for God and then threatens to kick out anyone with a different opinion, a fear of entertaining the thoughts and interpretations of others is the result. Though they may no longer be one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, the desire for unity may lead them into another cult-like atmosphere where they assume any group they join MUST all be in agreement.
To achieve the unity of the worldwide brotherhood I was promised, my right to individual thoughts and free speech had to be sacrificed.
I also learned to shun those not in agreement with me. I would remain in good standing as long as I continued to stay within the narrow perimeters set by the Watchtower, but when I could no longer conform, they kicked me out and made sure those left inside couldn’t communicate with me.
I’ve learned from my cult experience that when a group uses “unity” as their platform and applies censorship as their means to achieve it, it only serves those at the top. The underlings they claim to serve will be severely disciplined, demonized, and silenced if they don’t comply. Unity is only attractive to the naive.
“Some apostates are increasingly using various forms of mass communication, including the Internet, to spread false information about Jehovah’s Witnesses.” — Watchtower 2000 May 1 p.10
Free speech on the Internet seems to be a contention for the Watchtower, so naturally they seek to censor through a method of “fact checking.” This is done by training their obedient flock to view anyone who exposes the religion’s faults as an “apostate” who cannot be trusted. The Watchtower defines an apostate as anyone who disagrees with them. How convenient.
“Persons who deliberately spread (stubbornly hold to and speak about) teachings contrary to Bible truth as taught by Jehovah’s Witnesses are apostates.” –Pay Attention to Yourselves and to All the Flock p.94
And of course, the apostates are not just people of another opinion. The leaders desiring worldwide unity and brotherhood have inculcated the minds of their loyal subjects to perceive those who believe contrary to them as “mentally diseased” saying they are “like criminals who make false documents look real.” They advise their members to avoid such “false teachers” and conclude that “We do not speak to them or invite them into our houses. We also do not read their books, watch them on television, read what they write on the Internet, or add our own comments about what they write on the Internet. Why are we so determined to avoid them? First of all, it is because we love “the God of truth.” So we do not want to listen to false teachings that go against the truth in God’s Word.” — Watchtower July 15, 2011, page 11
This is how UNITY is achieved. Interested?
The LORD said, “Behold, they are one people, and they all have the same language. And this is what they have started to do, and now nothing which they plan to do will be impossible for them. (Genesis 11:6)
You might want to look up that passage and see what the outcome was for them.
Keep yourself in God’s love,
Julie