WTB&TS Stymies Emotional Growth!

by Golf 24 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  greendawn

  As far as I know it is not just recent converts but also those that served the org loyally for decades that are abandoned in their old age.
  
  Your observation that new converts are socially destitute in the JW world is very real and telling on the nature of this org.
• 

  Gopher

  Reflecting back on my youth as a JW, I see that the WT teachings do indeed set a person back in many ways emotionally.

  I was told that everyone around me would soon be birdfood at the war of Armageddon. How could I ever develop healthy relationships with people when being fed such lies and scare tactics?

  Also I was taught to be "sheeplike" and "turn the other cheek" whenever anything wrong was done to me. These teachings led me to allow selfish people with their own agenda to do whatever they pleased and not stand up for myself. These "selfish people" included many within the congregation itself. I didn't assert myself, feeling that it would be "unChristian" to do so.

  Additionally, my life as a JW child included a long list of things you cannot do. Such lists have been published elsewhere on this board. Such authoritarianism issuing from Brooklyn headquarters surely dampened my enthusiasm, curiosity and spirit of adventure. After all, if you thought about pursuing anything not officially approved by WT leadership, you were in danger of being viewed as "worldly" and therefore at risk of not living forever.

  And about that 'living forever' idea -- it's so obviously a carrot the WT dangles in front of you to motivate you to do Jehovah's their will. Once I learned that the WT was teaching a lie (that only their followers would inherit an earthly paradise) it was difficult to adjust to the fact that life is temporary and that you cannot wait until some later time (after Armageddon) to pursue worthwhile and enjoyable things in life. I've had a lot of catching up to do!

  Thanks a lot, Watchtower.
• 

  Golf

  I find this to be more a crime than their doctrinal changes. To me this is comparable to what pedophiles do to children, you ruin their lives! How many years will it take to restore one's emotions to a level where they can handle daily problems without being pissed off and not knowing why?
  
  When I visit this forum that's what I mostly see, pissed off people who have been dehumanized by an organization that preaches love, yes, preaches love but doesn't practice it, this is destructive.
  
  
  Golf
• 

  diamondblue1974

  The Watchtower do all they can to actually stifle emotions in their entirety; this is clear with comments like 'the heart is treacherous' and other such comments which are indicative that they simply do not want their members to feel. This way their members accept legalistic dogma as loving counsel and accept that disfellowshiping is a natural and loving thing to do.

  I remember having such a conversation with a JW some months back about this very issue and I respectfully pointed out that feelings come from a portion of our brains and that if we were simply to keep our hearts (i.e feelings) in check then surely what the WTBTS is asking us to do is in affect turn off a natural part of our functioning brain....I asked him whether he thought that was appropriate...to say he didnt have an answer was almost an understatement.

  DB74
• 

  Golf

  d1974,in all the years of knowing the witnesses, I was always under the impression that they were giving from their heart. I've come realize later in life that fear controls their lives.
  
  I'm glad sports and work played a huge part of my life. Through sports & work I was able to see issues from a different perspective. My obstacle was my mom, very domineering, but I got to handle that problem early in my life.
  
  Thanks for your input.
  
  
  Golf