GOOD JOB JEFF!
Printing this one out!
Thanks.
mem
AN OPEN LETTER TO THE GOVERNING BODY OF JEHOVAHS WITNESSES
by AK - Jeff 32 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
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mcsemike
I think you have captured the core issues that the WT suffers from. (Or should I say that WE suffer from.) Anyway, all the things you said are true and need to be addressed by the WT if they are to survive. They might continue to ignore criticism and to DF people, but they will be left with hard-liners who will be suffering mental illness, poverty, and broken spirits. Jesus acted like a person's life would be one of happiness if he followed his teachings. But anyone listening to the WT will add many times to his already crushing burdens that this life can inflict.
The WT won't change, in my opinion. To do so would mean that change can come from the bottom and work its way up. This is exactly what they refuse to acknowledge. Their pride and mistaken belief that God deals directly with THEM and not through suggestions of the rank and file will keep them from changing something. I firmly believe that even if they were going to announce "new light" and a DF'd person published something demanding that they change and proving that the WT was wrong, that the WT would then purposely leave the errors in place rather than admit that anyone tells them what to do. It reminds me of that childish game we played as kids. "I can make you smile" while you made faces at the person. Or in this case, "WT, I can make you breathe." They then will hold their breath, even if they died doing so, rather than give anyone the satisfaction of being "right" before they were.
If a person actually sits down and tries to picture in his mind (if you were a GB member) that you hold power over 6 million people and maybe 10 million more who are DF'd or interested (if you count the Memorial numbers) and that you believe that God talks directly to you, can you imagine the pride and arrogance that this would produce? Very few people are modest enough to handle that responsibility, even if God operated that way. Why else does the rank and file "ooh" and "aah" when someone claims to be anointed or if a GB member gives a talk in their Hall when they spend a weekend out in the territory? People love to worship others. That is why we see even JW's idolizing sports figures, rock stars, and other famous people. The WT even printed articles telling teens not to have posters on their bedroom walls.
Since as said, these men live in ivory towers, they cannot possibly comprehend what they are doing or how it appears to others. You can't put yourself in another person's shoes if you won't take yours off first. It's like Dorothy in the Wizard of OZ. She was told not to take off the red ruby slippers or she'd lose her powers. The GB won't take off their shoes and "walk a mile in another person's moccasins". It is too demeaning to them.
Finally, the aspect of mental illness comes into play. My clinical analysis of these men leads me to believe that most of them need years of therapy. The rate of mental illness among JW's averages 40 times that of the general population. If the truth will set you free, why are so many JW's mentally ill? Where are all these blessings that the Bible promises to those who serve him? Low paying jobs, no education, social misfunction, mental problems, family breakups, children using drugs and sex to protest how their parents treat them, and much more. You cannot cure insane men be using sane reasoning with them. They simply don't speak "normal-ese". I see no hope for the ones in power. And new elders, even if they see these problems, mostly stay elders hoping that they can change things from within. But they won't be allowed to change anything or they'll be out on their butts as well.
I truly don't know how this cult will die or when. As long as there are people who need to feel the hubris when they say, "I'm saved, and you're NNOOTTTTT!!!", we will have cults like the WT. Many cults apologize or die off. However, the WT is the proudest group of fools that I've even encountered. Nothing I studied while getting my psychology degree fully explained the mindset of the JW's. When mental health experts cannot figure out how a delusional person thinks, then how can the rank and file? Most of them barely finished high school.
I know many people with doctorates in psychology. They told me that the JW's are one of the most difficult cults to understand or to help individuals who wish to leave. I cannot improve upon their opinions. In my case, I am free to participate on all of these forums because I'm being shunned by my wife and 22 year old daughter. Since I'm getting divorced and my daughter might not speak to me again in this world, there is nothing else that the WT can do to hurt me. (I've heard stories of JW's trying to harm others who quit the WT and were active in exposing the WT, but I think most JW's I know are not foolish enough to confront me in person. We are allowed to defend ourselves here in Florida.) So I am "safe", so to speak.
I offer my sympathy to any and all who are on the fence or who are suffering due to the WT's actions. My suggestion is to learn from all the information on the Internet and to seek professional help if needed. I know it saved my life. A few things need to be realized. The WT is not the only way to live. There IS life after leaving this cult. Also, you don't need the WT to have a relationship with God. The WT doesn't "own" God, no matter what they say. There are many support groups for ex-JW's and I hear they are effective. Hopefully, many more will quit this "cult from Hell" and reclaim their lives. I wish everyone well.
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BONEZZ
Jeff...
A fantastic letter but alas...an exercise in futility. How could "God's mouthpiece" ever admit fallibility? (I'm in "F"-mode today)
-BONEZZ