Do JWs actually believe the things they're taught?

by R.F. 12 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

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  R.F.

  The Governing Body has much control over the lives, thoughts, actions, etc..of many.

  I was thinking of the "New Light" policy and this gives the GB virtually unlimited power to do what they want.

  Take this for instance: We know how doctrines such as No Trinity, No Hellfire, and No Immortal Soul, are all considered the core beliefs that will NEVER change. Lets just that today the GB just happens to reverse them all...what would happen? I'm willing to guess that most JWs would accept it with NO QUESTION, just because it came from the GB.

  I was talking with some older ones in the org that were saying some years back, there was a flip flop with a doctrinal change where a doctrine was reversed twice (can't remember exactly which one they said) but they were saying how they had to go and apologize to someone they argued with that actually had it right all along.

  But the point is this...a few verses taken from the Bible gives this group of men much power. It's even said that what the GB gives us is from Jesus and Jehovah, so even if it's not in the Bible it must be obeyed and followed with full support simply because it comes from the "faithful and discreet slave".

  It only makes me wonder how far the GB will go before many more actually smarten up and realize how they really are.

  So here's the topic question:

  Do you think that JWs actually believe what they're told? Or do you think they for the most part may follow strictly for obedience's sake?
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  eclipse

  I think the GB are very very good at wording it so SLY and sincere, that the R&F lap it up and believe it....

  for instance, the generation doctrine change in 1995....

  my thoughts were that this new doctrine made more sense than the literal generation of 1914,

  so I didn't question it...I was a gullible JW back then

  I think if they flipflopped on a major doctrine, they would believe it. That's how brainwashed some of them are.
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  megsmomma

  Honestly....I don't think that JW's even know what they are taught. I think they understand the RULES they are taught....and the results of not following them...and they know not to question the doctrines (or feel somehow inferior for not quite understanding how they come up with some of the doctrines). I remember doing my research into the religion to decide about going back in it and I was amazed at the things I did not know. (Like Jesus mediating only the 144,000, How they came up with that number, how the scriptures are made to seem so cut and dry...yet are used out of context, the way they come up with their "facts and figures") It was shocking to me!
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  Alligator Wisdom

  About 10% ~ 20% of JWs believe "everything single thing" that they are taught from the GB in NY.

  The rest have doubts in one way or another. I'm sure that many of us do/did.

  Most JWs believe what the entire Bible teaches, but not everything what the GB teaches. If the R&F aren't sure about an issue, they may opt to try and understand the reasoning from the GB. From that point, they are willing to accept such teachings. However, some may have doubts and will still harbor these.

  For example, I mentioned to several in the congregation about Jesus being our Mediator. They agree because that is what the Bible says. When I told them and directed them to the WT articles and Insight Book saying that Jesus was mediator only for the annointed, they acknowledged that fact as WTS reasoning, but they still didn't believe that Jesus wasn't their personal mediator and Savior.

  There are many issues and a variety of teachings in WTS theology. If you were to lump them all together, honestly you will only find 10%-20% of all JWs who believe every single tidbit of it. If you were to filter out any who don't believe, then you'll have various ones who can't line up the Bible's reasoning with the WTS.

  They only doctrines that almost every single JW believes in is the non-Trinitarian view, no Hellfire, no immortal soul and living forever either in heaven or on earth. Funny, isn't it? These teachings that haven't changed since the conception of this religion are the teachings that most Christian religions don't accept. The core doctrines of what JWs don't believe in are the ones that never change. All the other "understandings" are just that, understanding. Not truth. Truth and understanding are two different things.

  Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously)
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  BizzyBee

  Do you think that JWs actually believe what they're told? Or do you think they for the most part may follow strictly for obedience's sake?

  Both. JWs are increasingly being spun that obedience is more important than truth. It is somewhat chilling to see how much emphasis is being placed recently on unquestioning obedience to the elders, right or wrong.

  If the JWs ranks are mostly 'born-into-it' dubs, say at least 50%, there hasn't been much intellectual investigation done. If another 25% are of the 'disenfranchised/lonely/love-bombed' variety, then it is an emotional rather than intellectual choice. These two groups are in it for the people, not the doctrine. Of the remaining 25% - a mixed bag - who are in the borg for a variety of reasons and some only half-in at any given point.

  Believing BS is, to a great degree, about the willingness and desire to believe (and belong), not about applying critical thinking skills.
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  38 Years

  I agree that people believe for different reasons. Some are emotional and some out of pride. My mom is an emotional believer and feels there has to be a true religion and the dubs are it because "they teach right out of the Bible" . My sister is hardly even practicing but keeps going to the Hall on Sundays. She believes because of pride, not wanting to admit that she's been wrong all these years. Anyway, whatever purpose it serves for them, they will believe or at least have to pretend that they believe.
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  choosing life

  Those raised in the religion tend to pick and choose how they react to the various doctrines and rules. They seem to have made a way around many of the restrictions, I have seen them celebrate most of the holidays, maybe on a different day or in a slightly different fashion, but they still do it.

  I think they do believe the core doctrines. Their minds have been trained that any other doctrine can change, so they are programmed not to get too attached. This almost becomes an art form for them. Whatever "Mother" says is their mantra.

  Really, it is a big social club. The rewards of being in a group and being accepted are what drives most of them. They are even willing to tell on themselves when they feel they could lose that acceptance. They are willing to go through the ritual behavior of shunning to maintain acceptance.

  The ones who entered as adults, I think are more apt to question when doctrines change. They chose this religion at a particular time and expect it to continue as they chose it. They also know what life was like before they joined and as they grow older, they remember the past with more fondness. Things are not as black and white as they are expected to believe by the organization.
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  Marcel

  many JWs thank god for his wonderful new light when a doctrine changes.
  i remember the district convention when the new light regarding the generation was told. everyone was so happy. applaus, applaus!
  
  in the end a doctrine change is proof for gods blessing.
  
  incredible but true.
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  logic

  My wife is the perfect example of a typical JW. We got into another 'discussion' today. You think that I would learn to just forget using any kind of logic with her. I brought up a study artical in one of the recent watchtowers. In the first 2 paragraphs it said we should follow Jesus over anyone, that Jesus is our leader , etc, etc. basically corret information, sounded good. Then it goes on the rest of lesson on how we should follow the organization. I was trying to explain that you cant have it both ways, that it did not make any sense that you should not follow any man but at the same time you follow the org. After a while of this conversation she tells me she doesn't want to discuss it anymore, that she knows she has the truth. So being the dummy that I am, I said, 'at what time in the history of the org. do you pick for the start of the truth. That is far as I got. I went outside and talked to my dog, she is a better listener, and I did just as much good.

  The point is, her mind is just blocked and short of the org. completely dispearing, I am never going to get through to her, so to keep peace, I give up.
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  OnTheWayOut

  Honestly....I don't think that JW's even know what they are taught.

  This is a very correct statement. Most JW's have no idea how to explain doctrine, and they read it
  from the Reasoning Book or the Insight Books if they need to explain it.

  I won't get the exact words but Ray Franz said in ISOCF, "Some believe because others have believed
  and some accept the others' claim that they are correct." Many JW's think that the elders and the CO and
  the GB are experts, and they accept that those men KNOW what the truth is. But the JW member himself,
  he doesn't know how to explain the truth.