by minimus 38 Replies latest jw friends
My mother made me go to the meetings from the time I was born. Neither parent gave me any guidance or direction. The watchtower said school was bad. So I looked to the watchtower and Awake magazines until 1975 came and went. Then I left and raised myself.
Why are there smart people in the Jw's? I would say people are compartmentalized. People are specialized. Nobody's got it all down or has the perfect life. We are all just fooling each other.
My mother made me go to the meetings from the time I was an infant. Neither parent gave me any guidance or direction. The Kingdomhall said education was bad. So I read the watchtower and Awake until 1975 came and went. Then I left and raised myself.
Why are there smart people in the Jw's? I would say people are compartmentalized. People are specialized. Nobody’s got it all down or has the perfect life. We are all just fooling each other.
Sorry about the double post. I dont know how to get rid of it.
Well, it's brilliantly send up, pure evil genius.
But i think it's people who are either searching for answers and structure, and/or people who feel grief and loss. Emotionally weak would cover it (I can say so, I joined when i was 17)
VIVAMUS, So nice to see you here again! Long time no see.
Hello Minimus Nice to see you (and the question posts) too. I hope you have been well
When I had pneumonia, I was called and asked to donate to one thing and re-subscribe to another. I did both. Honored the donation, then cancelled the subscription. Being sick makes a person vulnerable. Mental illness doesn't go away as fast as a cold or pneumonia, so by the time folks realize they were NUTS to join, they feel well and truly stuck.
They have answers. Many people feel a yearning for spirituality and emotional cleaness and ritualistic behaviour can fill the niche. Modern city living moves us far from our touch with nature and there is a void, a missing vibrancy that religion , especially tough religion can fill. Many have an inate feeling that something is only worth the effort you put in and want a 'paid for' relationship with their god - JWs pay through field work , rigorous training and continual mental commitment. The JWs are the judo of religion - its tough and most can't make the training regime so it provides exclusive benefits (your special when maybe no-one ever told you that before), it provides structure where structure is craved and it has some darn fancy moves that look good. Its a shame that kung fu kicks it's bott.
The Organization makes people feel special in the beginning and then guilty forever after.
The ANGELS bring them in! :)
I guess it's partly because they offer something differrent to the established mainstream religions. At least, that was the case with me. They offer, or appear to offer, hope for those who don't feel they have any and, unlike most cults, don't expect you to give too much up at first. Their indoctrination technique, studying with their victims in the comfort of their own home, is also very effective. Once they think they've hooked you, they then start letting you know what's expected of you if you join them.
