An internal moral compass...

changeling

or common sense, or intuition...whatever, I think we all have it, to some extent. But as witnesses, or members of any religion, really, we let an instutition call the shots. Someone else decided what was right and what was wrong, and what the rewards and consequences would be.

Those of us that are no longer witnesses nor members of any other religion, how are we doing? Have we tapped into our inner strengths? Have we come to terms with what WE find good or bad, acceptable or otherwise? Or are we running amuck? Are we "experiencing" life without regards to natural consequences and the toll it takes on our loved ones or our own bodies?

Where is the freedom in a broken marriage, or losing our jobs, or damaging our health?

Have we substituted one form of servitude for another? Gone from the proverbial frying pan to the fire?

I am in no way advocating "finding religion", as I am an atheist. Nor am I saying that religious people have higher morals. But the shape some of our posters are in makes me wonder if the WT has crippled our ability to self monitor. There are people on here that I really fear for.

So, maybe we should pause and take a deep look at ourselves. Are we really free if our current lifestyle gets us into trouble?

Don't let the WT have the final say. They would love to look at us and say: "See, I told you you would have a rough life away from Jehovah".

Let's rise above. Let's REALLY live. Don't f'up the only life you'll ever have.

changeling :)

Awakened at Gilead

Don't let the WT have the final say. They would love to look at us and say: "See, I told you you would have a rough life away from Jehovah".

I agree changeling...

It is a challenge though when all the "prohibited" things are no longer prohibited... its human nature to want to taste the forbidden fruit (whatever that is for each person).

But we still need to have moral standards... many non-JWs I have met in the past few months seem to have excellent morals...

But each person must decide for themselves...

A@G

Gopher

Since leaving the JW's, I grew less afraid to listen to my inner voice. It took a while to trust it, as we were told while in the JW's not to trust ourselves -- that the heart was wayward. There are still conflicts between mind & heart, that hasn't changed.

While JW, I was guided by nonsense like "how will I please an organization" and "this world will end soon" and "I may never die". Now I'm more likely to listen to the "common sense" voice I hear when needing to make decisions.

Awakened07

I live more or less as I did when I was 'in', when it comes to ethics. I have changed my views on certain things of course, but not to the detriment of myself or others around me.

Not that I'm an expert on other's lives, but I think a lot of the ex-JWs that have gotten alcohol, drug, etc. problems have gotten them not as a result of 'testing out all that sinning stuff I've heard about', but rather as a result of needing something to fill the void after a belief system disappears, and as a coping mechanism. So I don't think it's for a lack of moral compass, although of course there are some that 'broke free' in a less than healthy manner as well, wanting to 'test' everything.

Some just leave and are truly lost; they leave but have nothing to replace it with, just the knowledge that they can't be there anymore. They don't know what hit them, so to speak. So they start behaving like they imagine it's expected of them as a 'worldly' person, as they've been told all their lives. The Watchtower continues to whisper in their ear.

megaflower

I agree with you 100% channeling. The Org use to monitor us and they did all of our thinking for us. I think for some they do not know how to cope and they have much pent up aggression and frustration. It is a learning process to learn to listen to that voice and trust it. I for one having been getting reaquainted with myself( I have been out for 6 months) and it is refreshing to listen, learn and move forward.

VoidEater

Wonderful posts...

Those of us that are no longer witnesses nor members of any other religion, how are we doing?

An average life of an average human...good things, scary things, hurting, healing, living, loving...free of the shackles of an institution, I find I am competent, confident and reliable - all the things I hoped I would be.

Have we tapped into our inner strengths?

Some...but there is both strength and brokeness. There is perfection and difficult times. It is a typical life.

Have we come to terms with what WE find good or bad, acceptable or otherwise?

Absolutely. I take responsibility for what I find good or bad, rather than attributing it to a higher power. More important, there are things that I have no opinion about.

Or are we running amuck?

Never happened to me. Not in my nature. I have never followed Loki.

Are we "experiencing" life without regards to natural consequences and the toll it takes on our loved ones or our own bodies?

There are always consequences - outcomes. I try to be aware of them when coming to decisions, and allow them to inform my decisions.

Where is the freedom in a broken marriage, or losing our jobs, or damaging our health?

I have not experienced these as consequences of my choices.

Have we substituted one form of servitude for another? Gone from the proverbial frying pan to the fire?

I have stepped over to the side of the stove and perceive the flames. I have developed my "observer", something not allowed by many institutions.

So, maybe we should pause and take a deep look at ourselves. Are we really free if our current lifestyle gets us into trouble?

We are free when we can make choices. Sometimes we make choices with negative consequences. Hopefully we learn from those. But running on automatic - either in concert with, or in opposition to, an institution - is no choice.

MissingLink

Good point. Because we've always relied on someone else to supply our moral code for us, when we're set free perhaps there is more of a chance that we won't be in the habbit of THINKING about our actions. I'm very conscious of this. I'm re-evaluating all of the things I thought were "right" and "wrong". It's not a free-for-all. We need to think about others, and what is just obviously wrong.

oompa

Or are we running amuck?

Thank goodness oompa is just rock solid steady. I even have updated my moral compass.....it is now a Moral Garmin GPS......state of the art.......and it has a fish, finder, water temp, too.................oompa

WTWizard

First, I can honestly say I had an even rougher life under Jehovah, so that is not going to work on me.

Yes, they complicate morality. There is always a washtowel or Kingdumb Misery telling you to do something immoral (a waste of your time), citing that it is immoral if you do not do it. Going to this Grand Boasting Session is one example of an immoral act (aside those who have to be there or are there to report "new light" to us apostates) that is a total waste of time and energy. Field circus is another.

They also clamp down on amoral (and sometimes totally moral) acts as immoral. Homosexuality, fornication, masturbation, and marrying whoever you love are examples of moral and/or amoral acts that are pegged as immoral by various washtowels and asleeps. They clamp down on independent research (which is moral, since it gives one a better perspective on the issue of religion) and free discussion (also moral, since it shares different perspectives with others). So many other things are outright banned as immoral that are either amoral or perfectly moral.

And there are the "conscience" issues. Usually, these are issues that are completely amoral (I define amoral as a volitional act that is neither good nor bad for self or society and is totally none of anyone else's business). They issue guidelines and call them conscience matters, but then they hint to the hounders and hounder-hounders that they should be houndable issues. It is no wonder most witlesses have no clue when it comes to true morality.

An internal moral compass...

Share this