by LDH 9 Replies latest jw friends
Well, unlike some, I don't begrudge the Williams sisters their fame or fortune.
On the other hand, I am thinking of how their example can be used to set some JW kids free.
For instance, "Dad, if Venus and Serena can listen to Ol Dirty Bastard and Mystikal, why can't I?"
Or how about, "Dad, look, this article here says that Venus and Serena are JWs and yet they participate in sports. Why can't *I* be on the track team?"
Any suggestions?
Personally, I think that they suffer from the same thing that seems to befall most famous dubs. I don' think that most JW's think that they are "real" witnesses.
I know that growing up, we all "knew" that the Jackson's weren't "real" witnesses. It wasn't until I was grown that I knew better.
I think that the mind control on the kids get's clamped down every time that they would ask a question like that.
Slipnslidemaster: "I don't know why we are here, but I'm pretty sure that it is not in order to enjoy ourselves."
- Ludwig Wittgenstein
It was my understanding that V&S are not baptized, aren't even unbaptized pubs, and neither is their father, who evidently has been the primary influencing parent, rather than the Mom who is the only JW in the bunch.
Is this incorrect?
Certainly Venus and Serena wouldn't let Newsweek print an article about them if they weren't JWs?!?!?
This is confusing.
Well, as usual I come down somewhere in the middle. I resent them saying they are Jehovah's Witnesses and then doing something like draping themselves in the American Flag. I despise hypocrites in any form and this action to be is certainly hypocrisy.
What I found out as I grew up and opened my eyes is that most JWs are hypocrites. They go to the meetings and talk about how near the end is, blah blah blah, but if they really believed that in a matter of months or years that billions of people would die if they did not learn the basic truths of the bible, then they should be preaching constantly, living together in communes to take care of each other's children while the majority of adults went out preaching. Instead, the great majority does a tacit amount of preaching to insure their place in the new system and then basically just live like everyone else lives with perhaps more moderation on the type of entertainment they have and of course no holidays or voting (although not voting doesn't stop witnesses from having very vocal political opinions on every subject).
But, on the other hand I agree that Venus and Serena's modern Jehovah's Witness views will cause a lot of young people to move further in the direction of following their own dreams and I think that is a good thing.
It was my understanding that V&S are not baptized, aren't even unbaptized pubs, and neither is their father, who evidently has been the primary influencing parent, rather than the Mom who is the only JW in the bunch.
Exactly my point. Nobody thinks they are real Witnesses.
p.s. Joelbear, I agree with you on the hypocrisy thing.
Slipnslidemaster: "I don't know why we are here, but I'm pretty sure that it is not in order to enjoy ourselves."
- Ludwig Wittgenstein
The Jackson family is probably similar.
Some months back (can't remember exactly when -could have been 6 months or 2 years ago), I was channel surfing and stopped at TBN, which I seem to recall was having another of their perpetual fund-raising telethons. They evidently were drawing attention to such by interviewing a series of celebrities-turned-fundies.
I was stopped by hearing the name "Jackson" directed at the interviewee at the time. It turned out to be one of the older Jacson brothers, but I don't recall which one. It was in he middle of the interview, so I may be off somewhat in my understanding, but he evidently was espousing "fundie" beliefs, etc.
Now, for the point of my post: He made some sort of comment that the general public was aware that he had been "raised" as a "Jehovah Witness". That's correct, no "apostrophe S".
Now, how much exposure to "Jehovah's Witnesses" could the Jackson children have had if they don't even know how to pronounce the name correctly?
Same thing probably for V&S. Just because their mother holds "membership" (Likely not even active or regular), and they attended a few meetings and assemblies as they were growing up, didn't celebrate B-Days, holidays, etc., etc., doesn't make you a JW as far as JWs are concerned. Maybe as far as everyone else, but not to the WTS.
About 3 years ago, I read in Sports Illustrated that they do go door to door and try to pawn off the magazines on the other players on the tour. It was on the last page of the issue, in Rick Reilly's "Last Word" column. I'm 90% sure it would be a 1998 article.
Madapostate,
Interesting point you make on pronunication. You'ld be surprised how many JWs persist in referring to themselves as ``a Jehovah Witness.'' When I was growing up, I was constantly coached into saying that I was ``one of Jehovah's witnesses;'' even referring to oneself as ``I'm a Jehovah's witness'' was a no-no.
joelbear:
Well, as usual I come down somewhere in the middle. I resent them saying they are Jehovah's Witnesses and then doing something like draping themselves in the American Flag. I despise hypocrites in any form and this action to be is certainly hypocrisy.
First, I'm not sure what you mean by "draping" themselves in the American Flag. I recall seeing Venus run her victory lap at the Olympics carrying the flag of the country she was sent there to represent. Exactly how does this make her/them hypocrits?
Secondly, what right have you or anyone else to "resent them saying they are JWs?" Sounds like you're more indoctrinated with the Party dogma than you care to believe. The Sisters and anyone else have the right to profess themselves JWs if that is what they consider themselves to be. There's no scriptural foundation to suppose that the fact that one doesn't define him-/herself by nor shackle his/her life to every jot and tittle of the WTBTS Law Code and ridiculously unsubstantiated pharisaic pronouncements disqualifies him/her by Jehovah to be witnesses of his. If there's any hypocrite in this scenario, it's the WTBTS for secretly and dishonestly sanctioning different standards for different "levels" of worshiper---the multi-level salvation plan. Personally, I say bravo to the Sisters and anyone else if independent and conscientious conclusions are what guide their actions, decisions and choices.
What I found out as I grew up and opened my eyes is that most JWs are hypocrites.
They go to the meetings and talk about how near the end is, blah blah blah, but if they really believed that in a matter of months or years that billions of people would die if they did not learn the basic truths of the bible, then they should be preaching constantly, living together in communes to take care of each other's children while the majority of adults went out preaching.
Instead, the great majority does a tacit amount of preaching to insure their place in the new system and then basically just live like everyone else lives with perhaps more moderation on the type of entertainment they have and of course no holidays or voting (although not voting doesn't stop witnesses from having very vocal political opinions on every subject).
Back on the serious---
"Great majority?" Great majority??? Where are your statistics for this outlandish observation? Such wild and unsubstantiated declarations as these you make remind me of Brooklyn-speak and cause me to marvel that you ever thought your way out from under its control.
What choice do those JWs have who don't embrace the "entire range of revealed truths" but are bound for various reasons to remain among the ranks? I don't know your age but am assuming you may be quite a bit younger than I. Has it never occurred to you (or is it so beyond the boundaries of your compassion) that, yes there are many mindless drones among JWs, but there are many others who have been at this seemingly forever but, unlike you and others here who are able to congratulate themselves for their independent thinking while severely judging others, who don't feel they can quit outright but actually don't believe anymore???
But, on the other hand I agree that Venus and Serena's modern Jehovah's Witness views will cause a lot of young people to move further in the direction of following their own dreams and I think that is a good thing.
It is not really my intention to pick on you, joelbear, but I admit to having had something stuck in my craw ever since I started lurking here. Your post pushed buttons of mine that are often rubbed raw on this forum. There are many current JWs who both lurk and post to this board. Obviously they are doing their own thinking and are not being led around by their nostrils by the "fds." Yet, rarely a day passes when either you, no offense, or other posters here voice broad, derogatory, misinformed and/or, pardon again, largely ignorant opinions about all or most JWs. Frankly, I resent it as much as I resent the same unethical and misleading tactics so relentlessly practiced by the WTBTS against their "opposers."
I know you've been hurt by this religion, joelbear, and I do understand. I'll even bet that I can match you hurt for hurt with plenty left over for a rainy day. That's no justification, however, for making this place as objectionable as the KH has become. Surely you and others don't intend to do that. Please be careful.
Respectfully,
-AMNESIAN
