by Abandoned 40 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
We all know the kingdom melody, Keep Your Eyes on the Prize. Do you think the witnesses place too much emphasis on the prize? Why go out in field service? Why go to meetings? Why get baptized? Isn't everything to get the gift of everlasting life?
Some say they are doing it to thank Jehovah, but is it customary to thank someone repeatedly for something? After the initial "Thank you" isn't the rest just to make sure they still qualify for the prize?
It's carrot and stick, like many other religions. Carrot -- promised reward for do-gooders (life in heaven or paradise or whatever the supposed reward is), and the stick -- is the punishment for those who somehow don't measure up (hellfire, death at Armageddon, reincarnation as an insect, etc.).
The JW's, more than most others, use works as the basis for gaining the carrot.
Good point! Methinks children are so conditioned to think abou seeing loved ones after death that then it's used to make them feel guilty for all sorts of things till it takes over living life for real. So each person associates love for their family with how they follow a set of religious rules, coupled with fear of rejection. And the funny hah ha comes when the family dis you or vice versa - now that really is the cherry without the cake!
And it is ultra tough to rebuild ones own psychology from scratch when you realise much of your foundation was laid in an imaginary childhood ideology.
Why else would anyone put up with all of the crap associated with JWs if it weren't for some ultimate reward?
After attending meetings in several states, I can only ever recall folks talking about getting the prize of eternal life and avoiding the stick of eternal destruction. Oh, once in a while a talk might say something like, "And doesn't ministering to the psiritual needs of our neighbors show our Christian love for them?" - but none, not one, even of the ones I liked, none of the Witnesses I know talk about doing this service out of care or compassion - it's always been put in terms of paying the price for the prize.
I would hope that I'm wrong, that there are hordes of Witnesses doing their service in the spirit of love - but that would seem to show too much care for "the world", to preach or whatever because it makes the world a better place. We all know only God can make the world a better place, so why evern try? Isn't WRONG to try to make the world a better place?
I think my Christian upbringing is coming out...
In my experience, it was all about the prize. At least it is for my parents. Withought faith in the prize their lives would make no sense.
If my mom thought for one moment that she won't one day be young and beautiful again she'd melt like the wicked witch of the west.
changeling
I really feel bad for my Dad. The only reason he stays in is that he is convinced that in the last days of the destruction of this system of things that he will need to rely on others to survive. It keeps him trapped.
I think my mom only stays in out of habit and for the social relationships.
i think its fear of not getting 'the prize', aka, death by a god sodomy @ armageddon.
ABANDONED- Great thread guy ! I agree with you. I have maintained for years that the JW's only push as hard as they do in service, meetings, assemblies, pioneering, etc, etc, because they know they will get the fantasy " everlasting life " ! I have suggested before hey- to check the sincerity of their motives, how about having them go out in service and not requiring them to turn timeslips with hours into the congregation ! Bet you would see a drop off in service, ya think ? Or tell them, hey we think armageddon may come in 1,000 years. the governing body made a 1,000 year mistake, gawd, we are sorry but, the time of the end does not come till 2107 ! LOL! Do you think many of them would knock on people's doors then ? Don't think so ! Peace out, Mr. Flipper
I would hope that I'm wrong, that there are hordes of Witnesses doing their service in the spirit of love - but that would seem to show too much care for "the world", to preach or whatever because it makes the world a better place. We all know only God can make the world a better place, so why evern try? Isn't WRONG to try to make the world a better place?
There are some who preach and really want to make the world a better place. However, if you are one of those people you are quickly reminded that you are out to preach and not be part of a social or community outreach program.
