Are Jw's trained to be just plain mean spirited? (page 2)

OnTheWayOut

I like the way you framed the question.

JW's are TRAINED to be just plain mean-spirited.

I try to remember that when I read of grandparents shunning grandchildren.

Your stories describe company-loyal cult members. I try to remember that
this could have been me hiding from you in the store, but I doubt I would
ever have worried about a disfellowshipped customer. I always felt that normal
business matters with DF'ed ones were okay. (You gotta look normal in front
of the worldly people- otherwise you look like bizzarre cult members)

My best friend was DF'ed for awhile. I tried to convince him to appeal.
He just wanted to become a company man again, so I refrained from speaking
to him for about 18 mos. until he was reinstated. I wonder what my loyalty to
a friend would have caused me to do if he didn't pursue the reinstatement. I
would have been divided at a testing point between the Borg and my friend. I
deeply regret allowing myself to shun him, but that's what he wanted. Now, I
suppose he will feel an obligation to distance himself from me. Both of us are
able to think for ourselves, put family relations high on our priorities, and don't
screw over friends or family. Both of us were warped by WTS, and one of us
probably still is. That's JW TRAINING.

Mysterious

JWs do not know how to interact with people on the outside so they fall back on the only thing they know, their indoctrination.

Ténébreux

It's nothing peculiar to JWs. Do a Google search for the "Milgram Experiment". It turns out MOST people will obediently do hurtful things to others when someone in a position of apparent authority tells them to.

MadTiger

Nuremburg defense.

carla

I believe being a jw and the thought control that goes on does something to their emotional compass. I can say that because I have seen first hand how it has affected my jw. Inappropriate responses or abnormal (in my opinion) to world events, inablility to truly empathize with fellow human beings, the mere fact that they could and do cut off family members even children for simply not believing as they do. Being a jw does something to their ability to love. Quite scary actually. Not to say they cannot love but the way they do or the amount 'allowed'? As if, if they love others 'too much' it will somehow be disloyal to the org and jah. Or possibly they put up their own wall to protect themselves from loving too much because after all, most of us won't be there with them in their utopia they create in their own collective mind.

As someone else brought up before if you were to treat a jw as they treat others they would be screaming 'persecution!' They are unable to put the shoe on the other foot and see. They don't know what to do with someone who treats them with kindness even if they have acted childish per the org. Kill them with kindness is sometimes the best way about it. Even if all you want to do is shake them, smack them upside the head and tell them to wake up!

BlackSwan of Memphis

I really think that the organization attracts those who like mean spirited thinking. They like a God who slaughters billions so they can live. They like an organization that expells people for acting like sinners act. They enjoy calling people who reject their 'truth', 'goats'. They lap up comments from others that tear down instead of building up.

Yep.

The JW religion is an exclusive club. An elitist group.

It attracts people who looks at others and picks apart their weaknesses. And it's a very hard habit to break. I have found that I can still really fall into that.

When people pick apart the weaknesses of others, it keeps us from focusing on our faults and weaknesses and we can really start believing that we are really all that, when we aren't.

AK - Jeff

Someone used the phrase 'a cult of Hypocricy' in this thread. That seems to sum up the attitude pretty well, huh?

Jeff

restrangled

One thing is for sure, they aren't trained or encouraged NOT TO BE.

R's hubby

Mrs Smith

Sounds about right. The guest speaker at our church the other day said something that made me think. He said "You become like the God that you believe in" If you believe that God is vindictive , wrathful and mean you will act that way towards others. If you believe that God is love, kindness etc you will act that way towards others. JW have a god that is judgmental and mean, so it would make sense that they would act that way. You can apply that to any religion or faith.

Are Jw's trained to be just plain mean spirited?

Brain Dead