by joelbear 10 Replies latest jw friends
Each of us has the ability to discern the truth about ourselves and about life in general. We must use the ability to keep it strengthened against propaganda, manipulation and outright lies.
We know the truth.
Others will pressure us in all types of ways to think they have a better truth than the one we know. They can even persuade us to think untrue things about ourselves.
It continues to amaze me how the confidence a person has in an ideaology or organization can be the basis for "truth" seeking.
When studying with JW's you are allways encouraged NOT to rest your opinions upon feelings but instead weigh what you believe against Gods word. What if the things being taught by the Watchtower conflict with Gods word? I believe there IS AN EMOTIONAL ATTACHMENT between many of the members and their religion. They would never believe that a teaching isn't something clearly taught in scripture because they have allready handed over their deepest trust to their religion.
We must remember that simply because many have accepted the Watchtowers message of "truth" dosn't mean they have ever tested it's validity.
In marketing & advertising we know that most people make decisions emotionally, but usually they have a logical argument to back up their emotional decision.
Example: Most people who buy a Rolex are not doing so for logical reasons. Ten thousand dollars for a watch? It was for emotional reasons, which include the perceived status attributed by others when they see him wearing it. BUT... Did you know it takes a whole year to make a Rolex? Mmmm, you're kidding? Wow... The finest sapphire crystal known to man? Nice... Waterproof to a hundred meters? Well then, it's obviously worth it. When showing it to friends they're not likely to admit the emotional motivation--but they will share all of the logical window dressing.
Yes, the emotional appeal to be a JW can be strong in the beginning. People are willing to give up family, holidays, birthdays--an amazing number of things--because of the allure of everlasting life. Further, when one begins to question, there are lots of emotional reasons why they dismiss these thoughts, which may include being cut off by all of their family and friends and no longer feeling that they have "The Truth."
But basing important decisions entirely on emotion only happens in very young children or adults with profound mental impairment. JWs present a few teachings when you start to study with them, that seem to have a well-developed argumentation. (Trinity, Hellfire, Immortality of the Soul...)
Then the propaganda begins. Beautiful paradise scenes. (Deer, cute children running in dress slacks, Koalas...) Reports of people embracing the religion all over the world. Reports of persecution that seem to confirm Jesus' comments that His people would in fact be persecuted. Experiences of how the pastor of another religion has "seen the light" and become a JW. We lived in an environment in which it would have been inconceivable that we didn't have "The Truth." Everyone said so...
So, emotional attachment? Yes. Along with certain logically appealing explanations and the synergy of group propaganda, the mind justifies what the heart desires.
Joelbear said: Each of us has the ability to discern the truth about ourselves and about life in general. We must use the ability to keep it strengthened against propaganda, manipulation and outright lies.What is TRUTH? yours, mine, or their's? AcadianWe know the truth.
Others will pressure us in all types of ways to think they have a better truth than the one we know. They can even persuade us to think untrue things about ourselves.
I too believe we can all have our vision of truth. They don't have to look the same. We can all walk our own path and still live together. If you start perverting your path by having someone tell you how to believe, you are asking for much harm spiritually. A lot of good can come from looking within and learning to heal and be the best that we can be in living that truth. If we love ourselves it makes it easier to love others.
Thanks for sharing these insights, JB!
huggs,
Sherry
i've always felt there were different levels of truth
universal truths like gravity
cultural truths that determine with great probability how groups will react to specific stimuli
individual truths that we inherently know about ourselves that govern how we live and interact with others
i also think we all have an inborn sense of reality about the world we live on.
I dont know that I know the truth, but...... I can cross one big lie off the list.
Hey Joel, nice to see you doing well.
i also think we all have an inborn sense of reality about the world we live on.
You're on to something here. Notice that the sense of which you speak is v a s t e r than thoughts or thinking. Notice how thinking about life is not life. Life, is too big and grand to fit into the mind.
Peace to you, Joelbear.
j
i've always felt there were different levels of truth universal truths like gravity
cultural truths that determine with great probability how groups will react to specific stimuli
individual truths that we inherently know about ourselves that govern how we live and interact with others
i also think we all have an inborn sense of reality about the world we live on.
nice response.....
Pseudo-profundity. Saying 'You know the truth' is about as meaningless as saying 'You know how long a piece of string is'.
