by Celtic 9 Replies latest jw friends
One or two of you I know have studied psychology. Those of you that have, and perhaps this applies to sociologists here too, have noted any differences in psychological makeup of ex witnesses between different countries cultures?
Many postings are USA. Quite a few are here in the UK, Australia features as well as a few others. Any identification of the healing recovery processes that you have noticed, particular to each country?
Any views please?
Good question Celt, although I can't contribute a lot I guess this reply serves to bring it to the top if nothing else. It is kind of a broad, general question though. I guess the one observation that stands out for me, which is no doubt also very general is that a large number of ex-JWs are hung up on religion.. Not everyone, and what I mean by that is that you're either religious or not religious at all, though the significance is that it's an issue to many exJWs - but only to the degree that it is more of an issue than the general population, or so it seems to me.
The Norwigs seem to remain VERY bitter, and won't lift a finger to help their fellow apostates.
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Hi celtic,
I think many ex Jw's now have a strong sensitivity and aversion at being lied too. More sensitive to scams and outrageous claims. Many have a 'show me,prove it' attitude,which I think is pretty darned healthy.
What they've acquired is a healthy skepticism. And this skill is carried over to all facets of thought.
I disagree w/ Intro(Hi!btw). I don't see it as obsessed with religion. Having been scammed and later researching and comparing various philosophies, I see this as those with a common bond- simply sharing their journey and experiences. It may seem like that from this board. Speaking for myself,this is the only place I have to discuss an issue that was so life encompassing. Religion isn't a part of my life otherwise,at all. (well,other than warning others about JWdom)Just my 2 cents. Tina
Carl Sagan on balancing openness to new ideas with skeptical scrutiny..."if you are open to the point of gullibility and have not an ounce of skeptical sense-you cannot distinguish useful ideas from worthless ones."
Hey Celtic,
Interesting question and one I don't have an answer for! But I do agree with Tina's comments above, although she said it much better than I could! ((Tina))
Intro you said:
I guess the one observation that stands out for me, which is no doubt also very general is that a large number of ex-JWs are hung up on religion..
I hope that made sense; just my .02
Dana
"I undid his head collar and took him outside for a drink, and felt, if not exactly a communion with him, at least an awareness of being a fellow creature on a lonely planet."
Dick Francis in "To The Hilt"
i think that there are also people from other countries who will be quite intereseted in ex-jws but maybe internet is not that accessible as compared to the countries you've mentioned....with regard your question, i think that there's this longing for truth and happiness which most people thought could be found in religion that's why there's a tendency to be hung up on religion (like me). we want to have specific answers for questions that could not really be answered......
Not 'hung up on religion' & as Tina says, its not much in my life except...
However, there are two things I have to add:
One, some of us have to do battle with the obsessed. This really forces us to deal with religion. I handle this by not becoming obssesed, myself. And as a front to those most dangerous, I DON’T DO DOCTRINE!!!!
(I have managed to keep out of doctrine w/ my obsessed Rutherford-ite father. He is just concentrating on ‘DO MORE’ and just escalated the battle. I’ll DO MORE: its time to send out those Legal Notices & Lawyer’s Letters I prepared last year for his zealot associate.)
The second thing is that you were never allowed to ‘dabble’ & speculate about religious alternatives in the Dub-dom. I get a kick out of doing it ‘recreationally’. Like drugs, I wonder??
Mustang
You know, I never said anything like "most" ex-witnesses, I just said a large number based on my observation. As I said, what I meant by that is simply that religion is more of an issue than those of the general population, again I admit it is simply my personal subjective observation, no doubt there are others who have more experience. Of course, you couldn't really go with a board like this for a sample population, I mean those not interested in discussing it will not be here. But, wouldn't this be expected and natural in the beginning, seeing as the whole issue is a religious one, being ex-JWs? It seems to me it would be quite unusual if it isn't an issue at all considering the depth of indoctrination involved. I mean damn, we had this whole eternal life/second death business going on. I'd say it would be just a bit odd if it doesn't cross people's minds or even if one gives no more thought to it than the average joe out there.
Aside from that, the observation is also just that, an observation. It isn't to say those who have religion on their mind, whether for or against are really messed up or something. I guess I could have said something other than "hung up on" but I think this should further clarify what I mean. It just so happens our experience was a religious one, and frankly I think most of us would agree it messed us up in some sense and to some degree. But then again there are other people from other religions like Mormons, or those who deal with non-religious issues who are arguably just as messed up but in different ways. All things being equal then I just don't see it as that big a mess even though it may be a part of the great mess of things. Frankly I thought what I said was kind of redundant, just pointing to the obvious in view of what we have in common.
Mustang; I meant to ask this when I first saw your profile photo; why Mustang, when that's a Maurauder (I think)?
Evening Abbaddon!! Start college today for the first time in my life as a mature student. Hope everything is going well with you and di'.
Kindest regards
Celtic Helford River cornwall UK
