Would It Have Been Better To Remain In Ignorance About The Organization?

by The wanderer 53 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  hillary_step

  Wanderer,

  Perhaps it would have been better to ask the question, "Are Some People Better Of Staying Within the WTS?". I think this is really what you are trying to get at.

  The problem is that Minimus has asked this question before.......three times.

  For the record, I do believe that there are many who would live even more dysfunctional lives outside the walls of the WTS than they do within, and yes, I do believe they are better off remaining where they at least have some social support.

  Imagine being frail and in your later life, having spent most of your life in the WTS and having no friends or family outside. A balance of miseries might lead one to conclude - better the Devil that you know than the lonely one you do not.

  HS
• 

  Dogpatch

  I remember walking through the pressroom at Brooklyn Bethel in 1979 after it dawned on me through study that the Watchtower had lied numerous times and covered over so much... I said to myself: "If this is the TRUTH, then it's worth all this sacrifice... but if it's NOT, it's evil and I can't stay in it!

  My decision was made at that moment. 8 months later I turned in my DA letter and went surfing, which was real!

  Randy

  http://www.freeminds.org
• 

  The wanderer

  Thank you both hillary_step and Dogpatch,
  for your exceptional insights.
  
  Much appreciation.
  
  Richard
• 

  jaguarbass

  In my case and those who were in the wactower in the 60's and 70's, we could not function as humans if we were ignorant abut 1975. We'd be vegetables. Maybe thats what the wactower society wants. But I cant immagine a vegetable quickly building a kingdumb hall.
• 

  FreedomFrog

  This is a tough one for me...

  On rare days I'm happy. Those "happy" days are normally because I see my kids are not being deprived from things, such as their birthdays. For me...am I happier? To be totally honest...I'm not happy anymore.

  Even when my ex and I were going through a divorce 5 years prior to the one that just happened, I had my parents to cry on. I had support out the azz. Many days I'd drive to mom's house and just chill. I'd spend the night with her several times in a month. We'd get up earlier than the rest and have coffee, just the two of us. I don't have that anymore.

  I've thought about your question many times. Sometimes I do wish that I had never done my research. Sometimes I wish everything could be back to where it was. True, I had some days that I felt guilty for not going to a particular meeting or service but those were on "some days" unlike now when I cry inside everyday.

  Ask me this question in a few years when I'm well into my career, well over my ex, and well over losing my family to the JW's. I may feel different then.
• 

  truthsearcher

  Imagine being frail and in your later life, having spent most of your life in the WTS and having no friends or family outside. A balance of miseries might lead one to conclude - better the Devil that you know than the lonely one you do not.

  I couldn't help but think of Ray Franz with this statement. I suspect that if he were asked the question, he would say he would rather know the truth than remain in ignorance. Those who have read C of C and In Search of Christian Freedom can verify that.
• 

  hillary_step

  truthsearcher,

  Imagine being frail and in your later life, having spent most of your life in the WTS and having no friends or family outside. A balance of miseries might lead one to conclude - better the Devil that you know than the lonely one you do not.

  I couldn't help but think of Ray Franz with this statement. I suspect that if he were asked the question, he would say he would rather know the truth than remain in ignorance. Those who have read C of C and In Search of Christian Freedom can verify that

  'Crisis of Conscience' does verify a number of things regarding my statement, but rather than undermine my point actually underlines it :

  1) Raymond Franz fought like a tiger to remain inside the WTS. I believe that very few on this Board have fought as hard not to be expelled from the WTS, once finding out its dark side as did Mr. Franz. Much of the reason for this, is by his own admission due to 2).

  2) In C. of C. Mr Franz frequently draws attention to his own status as potentially unemployed and in many ways unemployable, without savings, insurance etc. a situation he took into account and tried to plan for in weighing up his decisions to leave the WTS.

  3) He did not leave without outside support. In fact he had support from the first weeks of his departure from the WTS, and has had such support to this day.

  I am not slighting Mr. Franz journey from the WTS, on the contrary, I merely indicating that his expereince does not bear much of a comparison to the example that I illustrated in my statement above.

  HS
• 

  steve2

  Richard you've asked a salient question. We know that some people actually do cope extremely well with ignorance - they simply lack curiosity about other points of view and readily dismiss any idea that goes contrary to their conception of truth.

  Those who have a harder time "remaining ignorant" are usually individuals who have a few extra brain cells than the usual dull-minded sheep.

  If you've got even just a few extra brain cells that others, it is almost impossible to feel comfortable in a state of ignorance: For example, when something doesn't add up, it creates discomfort. The lone individual can try his or her hardest to suppress the emerging awareness that all is not what it is made out to be, but sooner or later....ignorance vanishes.

  My view is, it is virtually impossible for those with extra brain cells to choose to remain ignorant. Choice has nothing to do with it. Extra brain cells has everything.

  It is not stretching things to say that the more intelligent the individual is, the harder job he or she has suppressing personal ignorance.
• 

  B_Deserter

  Would it have been easier? Absolutely. Heck, I haven't even begun to break away yet. I haven't been to a meeting for 3 months, and haven't been in service for far longer, but my family (who know about my doubts) thinks I'll pull through this. I don't want to lie to them, but I can't think of any way to come out of this other than putting on the facade for now. I'm planning on building up a network of friends outside the org. before leaving.

  I could have probably kept going on, gotten married, raised a family, etc. etc. My parents lived through 1975 so their big piece of advice for life to me was "SAVE FOR RETIREMENT!" They tell me to be ready for the end to come soon, but plan my life as if it isn't. I guess I'm fortunate to have parents that aren't 100% behind the program. I went to college (though only for 2 years) and my brother is going for a bachelor's degree at a university. So, I could have had a decent life in the witnesses if I wanted to, albeit with some deviation from prescribed witness living. However, honesty and truthfulness and very important to me. One day the blinders fell off and I read the Witness literature without the Watchtower fog in front of my eyes. For the first time I saw through the circular reasoning (that interpretation would contradict our beliefs, therefore, our interpretation is correct because our beliefs are correct) and the leaps in logic (selectively declaring prophecies to have dual fulfillments whenever convenient).

  Just because something makes you feel good doesn't make it the right thing to do.
• 

  The wanderer

  Dear FreedomFrog:
  
  You experience was very touching and moving. Certain
  individuals felt that this question was ridiculous,
  however, your experience confirms that it was not.
  
  May I suggest reaching out to those on the board
  that have faced similar trials such as yourself.
  
  I wish you well and hope you never give up the
  fight.
  
  Very respectfully,
  
  Richard
  
  (The Wanderer)