Do JW's examine the nature of the imagery of their sect?

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Do JW's examine the nature of the imagery of their sect?

Post #1

Post by William »

Imagery is a powerful device in which to capture the imaginations of individuals for the purpose of enticing them into supporting that which is imaged.

Every business - secular or religious based - know the importance of imagery in relation to attracting investors/supporters of said business.

Q: What are the kind of people who are attracted to JW imagery, and why do these particular types fill a niche in the market?

The organisation is able to be studied in this light, as an example as to how long it takes for a small business to gain popularity and how long it takes for the business to grow in the hustle-bustle of the market place and what clientele the organisation is attracting which are otherwise not accounted for in said market place.

The image below, is just one of many which are used to attract a particular type of human being with the expectation of getting them to part with money, and the method used to spread this organisations advertising involves getting the clients themselves to promote the business by freely distributing the propaganda door to door, not even having to pay said clients for the service, as the clients believe they are doing so for the Christian sects claimed leader, "Jehovah", and therefore willingly promote the JW.Org for free, based upon the promise of reward "When Jesus (Jehovah's representative) returns" - or some similar type promise. "Pay in this life - get your reward for service in the next"

With images of what that promised next life will be like.

Image

There are of course many types of imagery used by this organisation, which gives a clear indication of the types of individuals that the business is focused upon attracting, to build the numbers and maintain their piece of the action in the marketplace.

The image above, represents a white middle-class nuclear family walking hand in hand toward an idyllic scene, appropriately costumed in acceptable garb, and no other humans around.

Q: What does this image invoke in the individual who identifies with it?
Q: Who is most likely going to identify with it?

Obviously the JW organisation is reaching out to white middle class family orientated folk as one type of customer in which they feel their message will take hold and earn money from.

I, for one, can bear witness to the fact that white middle class people representing the organization are predominately the ones knocking on my door, trying to get me to buy into the JW.orgs imagery.

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Re: Do JW's examine the nature of the imagery of their sect?

Post #21

Post by Tcg »

William wrote: [Replying to post 17 by Tcg]
I don't see any evidence of segregation according to skin color here, just the opposite in fact. I see two families preparing to share a meal together.
You misunderstand.
No, I don't. You are taking an image of nine individuals and making a universal claim of segregation.


You're grasping at straws that don't exist.



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Re: Do JW's examine the nature of the imagery of their sect?

Post #22

Post by William »

[Replying to post 18 by JehovahsWitness]
CONCLUSION The artist seems to be trying to convey that people of different skin colours will freely live in the same neighbourhoods, eat together and enjoy association
So we can understand by this, that in the 'new earth' there will still be nighbourhoods and many other things which presently exist in the present world.

This imagery attracts those it is intended to attract, the hope in the 'new earth' includes many things which are presently a normalized aspect of human interaction of the current earth.
CONCLUSION The artist seems to be trying to convey that people of different skin colours will not only freely associate but that there will be no social stigma or legal prohibtion against people of different skin colours marrying
Part of the normalized aspect of human interaction of the current earth is marriage and integration of races - something relatively newly tolerated in relation to traditional Christianity - as yet the imagery does not include marriage of men with men or women with women, so the organisation has not yet felt the need to adjust to attract a wider audience re business opportunity.
CONCLUSION The artist seems to be trying to convey that people of different skin colours will interact socially and there will be no segregation of public areas or private areas based on ethnicity. Further again there is the notion that relationships, even romantic ones, between people of different skin coulors will be seen as anything but normal with absolutely no stigma attached
Perhaps the member meant to write "relationships, between people of different skin coulors will be seen as [strike]anything but[/strike] normal with absolutely no stigma attached"?

Again, we can see by the imagery that sexual relationship (worded as 'romantic' by the poster) is between couples of the opposite gender, and one can also assume that this practice will be strictly limited to the idea of couples only having sex with their chosen spouse and no others - much as it is practiced currently in this world by way of law.

Thus the imagery shows us - along with the explanations of the imagery, that the JW organisation as a business is attracting a certain type of clientele which meets its criteria. No Gays or Lesbians, no dreadlocks, no body art, no untrimmed beards, no men with long hair...these images are what can be referred to as 'stock images'.
The artwork shows that even on the 'New Earth', there is segregation of humans based upon race/color of skin, so the org attracts the kind of folk who prefer this type of world view. .
QUESTION Does the Jehovah's Witness artwork present a "racially" SEGREGATED paradise?
Once again the poster slips into her very bad habit of quoting out of context in order to steer the reader into focusing on her straw-man rather than on what I am actually arguing.

As such, her QUESTION is not relevant to my argument, as I am not saying that the artwork presents a "racially" SEGREGATED paradise.

CONCLUSION: Overall, the 'paradise' promised and imaged in the organizations artwork shows that the segregation has already occurred and is attractive to those who are bigoted in relation to their particular preferences, The organization promotes this bigotry in its artwork.

In relation to white races, the JW org has not fallen very far from the tree in relation to how Christianity has always presented the images of Jesus, as per the evidence...

Image

Q: What does this image invoke in the individual who identifies with it?
Q: What are the kind of people who are attracted to JW imagery, and why do these particular types fill a niche in the market?
Q: Who is most likely going to identify with it?

...so far some answers have surfaced...

Middle Class individuals (statistically more whites) well established in the current systems of humanity.

The organisation is more attractive to women than men. A stat that reflects the romanticized imagery associated with the org.

The religion stemmed from white middle-class perspectives held by the older longer established branches of Christendom - which incidentally - the JWOrg, makes great attempts to try and distance itself from by demonizing those older establishments.

The organisation runs like any other business and also relies on various forms of donation and free labor of its members in order to reduce overall costs, but its members generally appear to resist seeing the org as a business filling a niche in the marketplace.

The organisation relies heavily on imagery to attract potential customers - another throwback from the older established branches of Christendom.

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Re: Do JW's examine the nature of the imagery of their sect?

Post #23

Post by JehovahsWitness »

William wrote: Overall, the 'paradise' promised and imaged in the organizations artwork shows that the segregation has already occurred...

What kind of segregation are you refering to? Are you suggesting Jehovah's Witnesses as a religion are at this present time racially segregated as a result of their teachings?

Image

FURTHER READING Global Brotherhood Is Certain!
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/101990883
INDEX: More bible based ANSWERS
http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... 81#p826681


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Re: Do JW's examine the nature of the imagery of their sect?

Post #24

Post by William »

[Replying to post 23 by JehovahsWitness]


Overall, the 'paradise' promised and imaged in the organizations artwork shows that the segregation has already occurred...
What kind of segregation are you refering to?
As the reader will observe, the content of my last post answers the question -above -asked by the member. If the member were to cease with her quoting out of context, the member could ask relative questions rather than create straw-man questions.

The full context of what I actually wrote;
CONCLUSION: Overall, the 'paradise' promised and imaged in the organizations artwork shows that the segregation has already occurred and is attractive to those who are bigoted in relation to their particular preferences, The organization promotes this bigotry in its artwork.
The bigotry mentioned, has to do with what is lacking/missing in the artwork, which I mentioned prior to the above quote.
Thus the imagery shows us - along with the explanations of the imagery, that the JW organisation as a business is attracting a certain type of clientele which meets its criteria. No Gays or Lesbians, no dreadlocks, no body art, no untrimmed beards, no men with long hair...these images are what can be referred to as 'stock images'.
Indeed, the member has fallen for her own straw-man argument in that it has become the focus of her replies, and she remains silent on the points I have, am, and will continue to make, regarding the study of the imagery of the sect she supports.

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Re: Do JW's examine the nature of the imagery of their sect?

Post #25

Post by JehovahsWitness »

William wrote:
The artwork shows that even on the 'New Earth', there is segregation of humans based upon race/color of skin...
William wrote: I am not saying that the artwork presents a "racially" SEGREGATED paradise.
Emphasis MINE



Then perhaps you might feel inclined to explain what you meant by a "segregation of humans based upon race" ?





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Re: Do JW's examine the nature of the imagery of their sect?

Post #26

Post by William »

[Replying to post 25 by JehovahsWitness]


Then perhaps you might feel inclined to explain what you meant by a "segregation of humans based upon race" ?
Note for the reader;

The question being asked has already been answered in post#24.

To add to this, post#18 provided imagery used by the JW organisation which shows that interracial couplings are accepted in the overall imagery of the "New Earth" - my prior comments were based upon imagery presented before that, and what type of personality those particular images attracted.

My claim that the racial segregation was apparent in those images, was not only true, but was obviously understood by the member now asking the question as to what I meant by a "segregation of humans based upon race", because it prompted her to provide images which showed interracial couplings.

Therefore the question being asked of me now is redundant. The purpose of this thread is to explore ALL of the imagery as it is posted, with in mind to understand the type of market niche the JW organization is after in relation to the individuals it attracts through said imagery.

As importantly, what the imagery does not include can also show the reader a great deal as to what the over prevailing attitude of those who join the organization is, as I wrote in posts#22 and 24.

What I wrote in relation to this, is being ignored by the member, while she continues the extremely bad habit of quoting out of context, and the manifested disingenuous results continue to pile up.

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Re: Do JW's examine the nature of the imagery of their sect?

Post #27

Post by JehovahsWitness »

William wrote:
my prior comments were based upon imagery presented before [post#18] ...My claim that the racial segregation was apparent in those images, was .... true

Post #11
William wrote:
The artwork shows that even on the 'New Earth', there is segregation of humans based upon race/color of skin, ..

Image


Reply duly noted.

REVELATION 7:9

After this I saw, and look! a great crowd, which no man was able to number, out of all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb - NWT
Jehovah's Witnesses at a recent International Convention
Image

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Re: Do JW's examine the nature of the imagery of their sect?

Post #28

Post by JehovahsWitness »

QUESTION Are there any images that people who lead "alternative lifestyles" can relate to on the JW website?


Image

♦ANSWER Absolutely. Jehovah's Witnesses have documented evidence that homosexuals, tattooed individuals, bikers, gang members, heavy rock and rap artists...indeed people of all walks of life are attracted to the images in their literature.. Paradise appeals to people of all walks of life and sexual orientations and it is a fallacy to suggest such people are not attracted to images of peaceful families living in harmony. The JW website contains many images that people that presently lead such lifestyles (or simply favor more socially unusual styles of dress and grooming) can relate to. Such images are specifically designed to demonstrate they too can have a place in God's new world.

Image

Image
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"For if we live, we live to Jehovah, and if we die, we die to Jehovah. So both if we live and if we die, we belong to Jehovah" -
Romans 14:8

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Re: Do JW's examine the nature of the imagery of their sect?

Post #29

Post by William »

[Replying to post 27 by JehovahsWitness]
Jehovah's Witnesses have documented evidence that homosexuals, tattooed individuals, bikers, gang members, heavy rock and rap artists...indeed people of all walks of life are attracted to the images in their literature..
Not entirely sure where this is coming from, apart from my bringing up that the images the sect uses do not represent in them, Gay/Lesbian couples, long hair on men etc...my exact words;
As importantly, what the imagery does not include can also show the reader a great deal as to what the over prevailing attitude of those who join the organization is, as I wrote in posts#22 and 24.
and from those two posts;
CONCLUSION: Overall, the 'paradise' promised and imaged in the organizations artwork shows that the segregation has already occurred and is attractive to those who are bigoted in relation to their particular preferences, The organization promotes this bigotry in its artwork.
Thus the imagery shows us - along with the explanations of the imagery, that the JW organisation as a business is attracting a certain type of clientele which meets its criteria. No Gays or Lesbians, no dreadlocks, no body art, no untrimmed beards, no men with long hair...these images are what can be referred to as 'stock images'.


This image provided by the member, doesn't show the 'new earth' imagery currently being examined, and apparently the menfolk prefer razors and short hair. It is clear the crowd is saluting something...

Jehovah's Witnesses at a recent International Convention
Image

[Replying to post 28 by JehovahsWitness]
Paradise appeals to people of all walks of life and sexual orientations and it is a fallacy to suggest such people are not attracted to images of peaceful families living in harmony.
No one posting in this thread has suggested that. Once again the member is using underhanded tactic in a shallow bid to steer the thread in a direction away from what has actually been written.

The idea of 'paradise' for humans must have to include 'peaceful families living in harmony' and is not being questioned.

What is being questioned is the bigoted imagery of the sects own ideas of 'paradise' wherein...;

"No Gays or Lesbians, no dreadlocks, no body art, no untrimmed beards, no men with long hair..." are ever portrayed within said images of supposed 'paradise'.
The reason why this is so, has nothing to do with 'paradise appealing to such people', but rather is based upon bigoted reasoning.
The JW website contains many images that people that presently lead such lifestyles (or simply favor more socially unusual styles of dress and grooming) can relate to. Such images are specifically designed to demonstrate they too can have a place in God's new world.


Imagery is a powerful device in which to capture the imaginations of individuals for the purpose of enticing them into supporting that which is imaged.

Every business-person - secular or religious - knows the importance of imagery in relation to attracting investors/supporters of said business.

Q: What are the kind of people who are attracted to JW imagery, and why do these particular types fill a niche in the market?
Such images are specifically designed to demonstrate they too can have a place in God's new world.
The claim is that the imagery of 'paradise' represents 'God's new world' - so the claim also has to be that the GOD of the organisation inspires such imagery created, regarding this 'paradise'.

Why - if "they too can have a place in God's new world" are Gays or Lesbians, people with dreadlocks, and body art, untrimmed beards, and men with long hair...NOT represented in said imagery of paradise.

In this picture;

Image

...one observes what appears to be 2 adherents of the JW business org proselytizing to a man with long hair who is carrying a metal briefcase.
There is no particular information about the image.
Does the man even know he was being photographed and that his image would be used by the organisation as some kind of prop to show that the organisation will approach those who "favor more socially unusual styles of dress and grooming"?Certainly there are no images of such types who "favor more socially unusual styles of dress and grooming" that I have ever seen in either 'Kingdom Hall' nor the 'Paradise visualization' imagery.

In the second image provided, again with no data attached;

Image

is one to assume these are 'before' and 'after' shots? Is the person 'now dressed for paradise'??

Exactly what relevance the image presents in relation to the thread topic and underlying argument is unclear to the reader.

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Re: Do JW's examine the nature of the imagery of their sect?

Post #30

Post by JehovahsWitness »

QUESTION What kind of people would identify with the JW images below? Who are the Jehovah's Witnesses appealing to with images such as these?

Image

Image


Jehovahs Witnesses absolutely reject the view that people with alternative life styles have no place in our imagergy or that we should exclude images that may be interpreted as being of gay or lesbian people from being published. Indeed many people that presently have rather unconventional dress styles or who live in same sex relationships are the very people who want an end to war, animal cruelty and racial predjudice, which is the essence of the bible hope. As evidenced by the images above and testimonies, the JW images reflect this fact. See the video testimonies below.


PERSONAL TESTIMONY Rafika Morris: I Wanted to Fight Injustice
SOURCE https://tv.jw.org/#en/mediaitems/VODInt ... 14_1_VIDEO

[youtube][/youtube]




JEHOVAH'S WITNESS









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Last edited by JehovahsWitness on Sun Apr 07, 2019 3:35 pm, edited 7 times in total.
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"For if we live, we live to Jehovah, and if we die, we die to Jehovah. So both if we live and if we die, we belong to Jehovah" -
Romans 14:8

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