by minimus 22 Replies latest jw friends
Some people need to lead and some people (imo) have a NEED to be good followers. I truly believe many JWs
are the type of people that want to be guided and directed. They simply want a strong leader to tell them what to do,
when to do it, and how to do it. They don't have to do anything for themselves. The rules are laid out for them and
all they have to do is follow them.
There are many still in the religion who are not happy in it, and have doubts, but know that if they leave then their family and so called friends will shun them.
They are certainly victims of emotional blackmail
Now I like to think I am the sort of person who says "screw you" to anyone who wants to be my friend with nasty conditions attached. But there are a lot of people who are vulnerable and timid and not use to standing up for themselves, particularly not to familiy members who are JWs.
Me? I refuse to be trodden on anymore! And woe betide anyone who tries!!!!
Although with genuine friends I like to think I am a real sweetie!!!!! But then with genuine friends I have no need to be on my guard!
I agree that most of the witnesses have been manipulated by the false promise of a " paradise " and eternal life . The watchtower society and governing body appeal to the basic desire people have to preserve themselves. So, yes they are victims of the deception, but once proved to them it's wrong it's on them to get out of it and stop the deception. Then the resposibility falls on them ! Then if they choose to stay in, they victimize themselves
The CHILDREN of Jehovah's Witnesses are the real victims.
I think many Witnesses are victims of deception. I do not believe that the vast majority of them truly understand the folly of their religion. Like many good Roman Catholics or devout Muslims, they believe that their faith is the true one.
Many JWs are basically "good" people. The leadership is corrupt but many of the faithful have truly been decieved and because the mind control is so powerful, they can't see it.
Do you agree???
Back in the 70's and 80's, absolutely, I agree.
I dont know anything about modern day JW's other than they dont have computers and dont surf the net.
The CHILDREN of Jehovah's Witnesses are the real victims
Amen to that V.
I would have to say that my inlaw brothers in law's who are elders and were raised in the Wactower back in the 50's& 60's have to know that something's not right.
I suggest that while my hobby is playing in a rock and roll band on the weekend. Their hobby is getting up in front of 75 people and preaching. While I like women coming up to me a flashing their breast. They like to hear about marital problems and various family problems and give counsel.
Everything has its price. I have to haul my guitar, pa and amplipher to the music venue on the weekend to get my power. And they have to go to the meetings and cast their spell over the mindless sheep to get their power.
It's all a labor of love.
Regarding elders that should right from wrong, remember that many elders truly aren't very bright.
They enjoy being a part of the Boy's Club. Window washers and cleaners tend to be like that.
Ignorance is bliss...... I'm a 3rd generation Witness, ex-wj. I couldn't even reason with my mother because she has spent her entire life following her partents, siblings, etc. To find out it wasn't the truth would ruin their lives. Why even go there? Why not just know it's the truth without doing any research? It's much easier to continue knowing (hoping) it's the truth than to look into it with an open mind. I think the example of my family is very common and why many will never even question if they are victims. They DO NOT want to know! If the real truth isn't as good as what they believe, why seek it?
It's too bad when we see people remain ignorant because they'd rather not know.
People are lazy.
The majority are in some way or another.
I think the phrase 'captives of a concept' fits the situation quite well.
What is really hard to discern is where the leaders are mentally. It's easy to see how rank and file members become victims of the system, but the leaders are another story.
According to Franzs books, the leaders are basically captives to the concept and are honestly believing they are the center of Gods organization. On the other hand there are so many tricks, lies and misquotes in the publications and policies it's hard to see how such people can be doing them deliberately. One thing that comes to mind is how the Proclaimers books was deliberately made huge, being about 1.5 to 2 inches thick. It was made to look intimidating so JWs don't read it. Yet on content there is none. Fifty pages are dedicated to showing pictures of their facilities! The word count in the book is equal to about three or four knowledge books. All a deliberate trick in order to make JWs think they are open about their history, without getting any of them into it.
So I think with the leaders it is very hard to tell. So much seems like deliberate fraud, but who really knows. The members are victims though...
A neophyte Scientologist isn't told about Xenu trapping thetans in human bodies and implanting engrams stimulated by images of volcano explosions. No. They are approached with a personality test and one on one attention from a member of the opposite sex!
Mormons aren't approached with descriptions of how the American Indian is decended from the lost tribes of Israel. They aren't told about initiation rites that require holy undergarmets either. They are told that there were apostles and prophets in Jesus' day and that the true church should have that now. Go pray about it, they are told.
Householders studying with JW's aren't told that religious conventions held in the 1920's were the fulfillment of the Book of Revelation in pouring out plagues on christendom. They aren't told that aluminum cookware was once described as poisonous or that disease isn't caused by germs. They aren't told that Pastor Russell refused to have sex with his wife, was sued for selling Miracle Wheat and peddled charts of the Great Pyramid with absolute confidence that Jehovah implanted prophecies in the number of inches between courses in interior passageways!
No person approaching a religion or a secret society has any idea the layers of ridiculous nonsense those institutions are built upon!
Jehovah's Witnesses start off hearing something in their "bible studies" that amounts to an expose' of lies on the part of "other" parts of religion. This startles them. They research and find out they had been lied to! But, instead of extended their investigation to JW's too---they go back to their study and start buying in with eagerness.
JW's are great about demonstrating what was wrong with Christianity from the beginning. They can expose false religious ideas historically. But, they hide their own lies. They bury their own history and conceal the nuances and the finesses carefully.
I heard a discussion the other day with an ex-Mormon who was being interviewed. He said that the growth of religions such as Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses started to slow down and reverse with the onset of the Internt!
As investigation in the background and veracity of religions is more abundantly available with the click of a mouse, the possibility of having dirty laundry hidden has decreased geometrically!
The number one enemy of Jehovah's Witnesses right now is their own duplicity, flip-flops, false prophecies and distorted history made available on the Internet!
Their best ally is laziness and ignorance on the part of a new member.
