Aren't Jehovah's Witnesses just living in a ''Comfort Zone''?

by RULES & REGULATIONS 23 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

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  RULES & REGULATIONS

  My immediate family,aunts,uncles,and cousins have been members for over 25 years. They attend every meeting,put in their 10 hours of monthly sevice,attend assemblies out of state every year,give talks at the Ministry School,avoid "worldly friends'',and do everything the WTS requires of them. They really can't see that the WTS has lied to them and will continue until someone steps back and opens their eyes.

  What needs to happen in order for someone to get out of the ''comfort zone''? Aren't most members just happy being there that something drastic has to happen in order to get out of their comfort zone? And don't most members see the many problems that the WTS have but refuse to leave because they are in the ''comfort zone''?
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  Mum

  Dr. Wayne Dyer says that failure can be good because success reinforces superstition. As long as things are going well, people believe they are on the right track. It usually does take a personal crisis for people to look at other ways, other ideas, and the world of possibilities they are shutting out.

  Regards,

  SandraC
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  tinker

  It is a rut.....but it's a fur lined rut. Think about it, no BD cards to buy or send, no Xmas gifts to buy, no charity work or money to give out. The list goes on and on. I've been saying this for some time now. The 5meetings a week, 10hr service, and assemblies.....I can do that in my sleep. Now that I'm out and sending BD cards, well, I understand why the Rut was so comfortable

  btw.....BD cards used as a symbol here.....the issue is much deeper.....I'm just to tired this morning for all worldly activies.....phew!
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  icyestrm

  Not all are living in a 'comfort zone' some are 'more than meets the eyes'
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  stillajwexelder

  ABSOLUTELY - even our PO who is diehard seems to be just keeping in the comfort zone these days
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  WeAreDying-Ophelia

  I'm one of Jehovah's Witnesses, I don't think we are living in a comfort zone. I don't think it's easy to try and apply the fruitages of the spirit in our lives. I know for me it is a battle every day to be patient and to respect my father when we disagree, I fail in that a lot.

  When he was young my father pioneered in a territory where at least 2 brothers worked together and no sisters were allowed because it was so dangerous, this also is not keeping to a comfort zone. He conducted several Bible studies with men who were drug or alcohol dependent and who did not care for their families but who came to realize hope and that they were not without love and friendship. They became better fathers and husbands. I had a study with a young girl who was on drugs and now she is free of drugs and getting married soon.

  Jehovah's Witnesses do not live in comfort zones because if we did we would not be going door to door in territories many people would prefer to not even drive through.

  Ophelia
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  outnfree

  There IS something comforting about what our newbie MentalClearness called the religion "a neatly wrapped burrito" -- that is something that is familiar, comes with instructions, and which is supposed to be good--nay, the BEST--for one.
  
  However, as a Witness Sister with an un-believing mate and four children under my roof (who did her 10 hours of service and conducted a family Bible study--often under duress) I felt anything but comforted at the Kingdom Hall. As the years went by I felt more and more guilty for not doing "enough," for not having children who wanted to pioneer or go to Bethel, for not being a perfect wife while trying to be an obediant Christian. I would come home from Conventions and assemblies depressed that my family would never be the one on the platform. The CO came and instead of being refreshed I felt like I was drowning in a wave of guilt. I was Sister Always-Prepared for the meetings and made them, despite my then-husband's objections and still got told at my last Shepherding Call (which had to be held at the KH since my husband didn't want a Witness to step foot inside our home) that I needed to be doing more with my children. Nope, no comfort zone there!
  
  I suppose it is different for those who grew up in the religion with extended relatives also members. Then the religion becomes your culture, and it IS what feels most comfortable to you.
  
  out
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  Mum

  outnfree: You make a good point about the difference in comfort zones between those with extended family in the org versus the ones struggling not to be an "outsider." However, once we are "out and free," life is much sweeter if we don't have family shunning us and trying to make us feel like dirt every day.

  It is also an advantage to have had a pre-JW life versus having been brought up from birth as a JW.

  Regards,

  SandraC
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  WeAreDying-Ophelia

  Outnfree,

  Yes, there is pressure to excel beyond our limits at times. You are right about this. I wish it was different but there is nothing I can do about it. There is a sister in our hall who wants dearly to pioneer but she cannot find the way, I'll try to relay to her your experience and feelings as best as I can.

  Ophelia
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  exwitless

  I wish it was different but there is nothing I can do about it.

  Well, you're right and wrong. It's highly unlikely you personally can do anything to change the "society's" tunnel vision approach to things. But you can do something about the direction your life is taking. Despite what the WT compels you to believe, you do have a choice to be educated, to make choices, and to prove for yourself that you are on the right track. Do you really think you can and/or want to spend the rest of your life the way you do now? Because it isn't going to get better under the control of the WT. It will only continue to become more oppressive, controlling, micromanaging, and without concern for the "rank and file" JW's.

  I believed in my heart that I was doing the right thing by becoming a JW 15 years ago. But the pieces of the ugly puzzle started coming together, once I allowed myself to actually entertain the idea that the JW's may not have "the truth". I am no longer a JW, since Sept. 2006. I have been happier in the last 10 months being free of the WT's control than I ever was in my 14 years as a JW.

  Think about it. You seem to be open to outside ideas. Open your mind to the possibility that you might want to jump ship before it (or you) sinks. PM me if you want, anytime.