by Prisca 35 Replies latest jw friends
The above phrase has been bandied about in the past and present, often as a form of insult when the poster disagrees with something another poster has said.
But what exactly do they mean?
How do you think like a JW? Is there a certain code of synapses that distinguish a JW from a non-JW?
Can you study to learn to think like a JW?
If you do think like a JW, can you "deprogramme" yourself?
Inquiring minds want to know!!
Thinking like a JW would mean that you DON'T think wouldn't it?
Prisca;
It's a weird phenomena, one must be or have been a dub to recognize the thought pattern and identify it. If one was never a dub then a strange "way about them" is what I've been told. Others will see or hear odd emanations from a dub or group of dubs. It's sort of like the gb's claim "they just know" well you just know when you here dub speak. Would you agree?
HCM
? Is there a certain code of synapses that distinguish a JW from a non-JW?
If you do think like a JW, can you "deprogramme" yourself?
Yes, the thought processes are conducted (conditioning) through synapses, just like any other customary thoughts. Randy Watters has published excellent material on the de-programming process. Visit www.freeminds.com for further information.
BTW we can try to de-program ourselves. Christians believe that, ultimately, it's the Holy Spirit which will finish off our change.
Cheers,
Ozzie
"Evil is the absence of empathy"
Movie (2000), Nuremberg
Hi Prisc,
I've been known to use it on those who assume there are no good churches to become involved with. The slander of other faiths by JWs is just as false as everything else it speaks about. I used to have that mindset, "I'll never go to another religion". This was said in ignorance and in the fear of being destroyed at armageddon!
The Watchtower is a effective tool of the original slanderer and he gets you either way, in the Borg or out of it with no faith at all. Of course, we can all remember the sneering at 'born-agains' and that is the biggest lie of all. The only way to God is through a personal relationship with Jesus-in my humble opinion.
Later!
Rex
Greetings,
Thanks Ozzie for pointing the way to freeminds as a good start in exploring this issue.
Randy has written a great article there titled,'Women who must Recover Years Lost in the Watchtower' an excellent piece of work!
here's a quote from the article regarding WT thinking patterns:
'Black and white mentality that oversimplifies the moral issues of everyday life.......attitudes of suspicion,resentment and self-righteousness.........'R Watters.
A must read for all women out there. I'm mentioning it(like Ozzie) in case anyone wasn't aware of the great articles t that can be found under 'Psychological Issues'...regards,Tina
My husband and I have talked about this...I believe after your baptised as a JW, the brainwashing is in full affect and you train your life around the organization. Therefore, everything you do is thinking like a JW.
"I shouldn't see fireworks on the 4th of July because the Society doesn't think it's a good idea."
"The religious music on the radio is a complete hoax--only we have the truth."
On so on...crazy. It is total mind control.
I shouldn't see fireworks on the 4th of July because the Society doesn't think it's a good idea."
You've hit the nail on the head, Vienna. What a Witness chooses to do or not to do has as more to do with what is stated in a bound volume than on personal decision. Witnesses are encouraged to go first to the publications.
I agree. It's mind control. And remember, the elders who recommend that you "look it up in the Watchtower" are themselves victims of mind control.
As has been said "followers following followers of followers" or "they're all victims of victims".
Cheers,
Ozzie
"Evil is the absence of empathy"
Movie (2000), Nuremberg
Prisca,
I find JW's have what I call a brick wall mentality.As you talk to a Witness you become aware that however persuasive your argument, however irrefutable the facts you present, seldom will anything you say reach his or her mind, if they listen at all. It can be like talking to a brick wall.
A normal mind will listen to all the facts and then form an opinion. Witnesses will not allow the facts into their minds, either by walking away from the attempted breach of the wall or letting the wall prevent the attempted intrusion. As far as they are concerned they already have all the facts and their commission is to convince you that they have the truth.
To reach the mind of a Witness one has to overcome this wall. Trying to take the wall down seldom works because for every brick you remove, the Witness has a counter move. In most instances the Witness can rebuild the wall faster than it can be torn down. Should you start to get through, the Witness will withdraw to the safety of the other members who will help to rebuild the wall. This is called “strengthening a weak member.”
They are afraid to think and reason in an honest way, because whatever they learn, they must return to the mindset that is required of them. They are simply not free to think. They have brains but they have become brittle through the brainwashing they are subjected to.
Trevor, you have definitely given a good analogy. Sometimes, too, the protection mechanism seems more like one of those metal shades that small businesses use to deter thieves when the business is closed.
Initially, the shade is up and the JW appears to be open and eager to discuss issues. If arguments are presented for which they have no pat answer, the shade begins to come down. Eventually, the "Closed" sign comes out, and they shut off altogether.
The black and white thinking is extremely rigid. If the Society says that something works in a certain way, then THAT'S the way it is. If actual experience shows that the thing is NOT working the way the Society said, then the experience itself MUST be invalid and a lie, because the Society said that THIS is the way it works.
On several discussion boards, I've brought out points that JWs couldn't satisfactorily answer. In every case, the JW just disappears rather than take the chance that they might have to adjust their perception of a matter.
