by Gopher 27 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
While I was a JW, around this time of year I would often hear JW's saying that non-JW's live only for their holidays, because that's all they have to look forward to. After all, they don't have the wonderful hope of living in paradise on earth forever under the loving direction of Jehovah's organization !!
So, for those of you who are former JW's or never were JW's, what would you say about that idea (wordly people only live for holidays), and why do JW's really say that?
I think they should get their heads out of their asses and see what life is really about.
I think it has to do with justification like everything else. They need to feel and convince themselves that their suffering will be worth it in the end. I saw a form of this yesterday when a very weight-conscious friend and I were having lunch. She made some comment about a heavier lady eating a full-fat meal as she sat w/her salad. She needed to feel that her suffering put her on a higher level than the person enjoying their food.
I think the WTS and the witnesses feel compelled to make out holidays in the worst possible light at all times mainly to avoid letting themselves feel a little jealous of people who get to celebrate them.
Remember these?
Christmas, besides being Pagan like all the others, is: materialistic, selfish (hoping for presents), demonistic (Santa Claus looks like Satan)...
Thanksgiving - this is the scene of legalized gluttony
New Years - this is the scene of legalized drunken orgies
and so on.
In reality, I think this is all compensation for missing out on the fun, or worse - having to go out in service on these days and bother the festive celebrators! I sure didn't live for those special service days when I was a dub!!!
for those of you who are former JW's or never were JW's, what would you say
about that idea (wordly people only live for holidays), and why do JW's really say that?
I am answering as a fader, still attending most meetings.
"Worldly people just live for the holidays"- This can be true of many people, from
a so-called spiritual person. In other words (longer ones), a person who has no
relationship with God, but loves decorating and going to parties, could very well
be viewed as someone who has no other hopes or understandings about the
God he is serving.
That said, SO WHAT? I know JW's don't have the answers. I know I am going
to keep looking for them the rest of my life. If I don't know, and they don't know,
what's wrong with participating in a celebration of the search for spiritual truth or
in a celebration of freedom, liberation, thanks, love, or whatever the holiday is
about?
I posted awhile back something to the effect that said- people for the most part
have forgotten that Christmas was supposed to honor Jesus Christ, born as the
saviour of mankind. They now focus their positive thoughts on gift-giving and
hopes of finding solutions to mankind's problems. They manage to focus on
love and family and giving and peace during this particular time of year. If I
don't share their religious views, I could still join them in their celebration and
focus.
I hope I don't live for the holidays, but someone who does- at least they have that.
As a former member of a mind-control cult, I don't know what I have, so until I
find out, I will join them sometimes.
(This is not a flame of your question. I just get excited sometimes, and
bitter sometimes, and both sometimes.)
Anyway, even though a lot of Witnesses say this, it is not for the most part true.
Almost all worldly people I know just view it as a day or two off work. Many view the ritual of presents or making big dinners as just so much work to be done for the sake of the kids. So, they are not that much different than witnesses...I know very few who really "live for the holidays".
Witnesses I knew viewed it as a day or two off work also. Many secretly did the dinners, at least Christmas, New Years, and Thanksgiving.
OTWO, I apologize if I worded the question badly. Faders like yourself are mentally "out" even though physically "in", and likely you don't share the JW "we're better than the rest of the world" mentality.
I think that this type of talk among the JW's serves two purposes: It helps them continue to feel special and better than worldly people who they believe are condemned, and also this kind of talk helps them feel like they're not missing anything. They want to believe this, and if they say it often enough, it becomes their belief. (And once they have a belief, nothing else can be considered.)
James, what you say about them putting every holiday in the worst possible light is true. They do not consider that people are legitimately just trying to enjoy some good times with friends and family, and must take worst-case scenarios (like people getting drunk during holiday celebrations) and portray it as the average experience of non-JW's. To me it's a case of focusing on the straw in someone else's eye while minimizing their own mistakes, which is part of belonging to the JW's -- you have to keep up your best appearances.
KLS has said my sentiments so eloquently! Hi kls and Merry Christmas!!
Well I think a lot of people look forward to it all year, partly because that's the only time they see some of their family members. Just my 2 cents.
It helps them continue to feel special and better than worldly people who they
believe are condemned, and also this kind of talk helps them feel like they're not missing anything.
Fully agree. No offense taken on the question. I just thought you were looking for those
who had distanced themselves from the JW's- to see how they answer. JW's are trained
to condemn outsiders. JW's know they are missing out on things, it's especially hard on
the kids, so they convince themselves it is okay. Hanakah and Kwansaa (sp) were
expanded and invented, respectively, so outsiders to Christianity would not feel that they
are being left out. In the spirit of focusing on peace, love, family, and gift-giving at the same
time the rest of the world (well, alot of the world), more power to them.
Imagine if JW's did that. Instead of knocking the outside world's celebration, they decided
to honor Christ or Jehovah in December- and while not participating in Christmas, they were
able to wish outsiders a happy holiday, regardless of what you celebrate. I liked my earlier post
so much that I printed it to send to a worldly family member who's helping me exit the cult.
