From Know It All Religon to a simple Know It All?

AllTimeJeff

I was just curious for those of you who have left for at least a little time if you look back on yourself when you first left the borg and had this happen; Because you were suddenly free to think, you thought you were right about most things soon after you left.......

My JW experience groomed in me a disposition that I was always right. That personality trait didn't leave just because I left JW's. I realized one day last year that I thought in much the same ways I did as a JW, that is, I never questioned my own assumptions.

We were told that JW's were "the most educated people on earth". (which is great if you want to be the group of people who knows the most about Freddy Franz and his Freaky Thoughts) Then you go out into the world and see that you not only don't have the education you thought, but that because your world view was so narrowly defined, you know little to anything about things like the issues of the day in politics and government. About how to get along with workmates and any employees you have working under you.

It is one of the biggest crimes against JW's that the GB is culpable for, this self righteous "group think". I see it nab a lot of JW's and ex JW's. I guess its better to have some self esteem and stick to what you think you know, but sometimes its alright to take a step back and question whether if things are really as they seem to you.

Just curious what anyone thinks about this......

compound complex

Greeting ATJ,

Working in association with Christ's brothers was a gig I couldn't easily let go. All the Rutherfordian/Freddified types and antitypes were far too compelling to dismiss. Wasn't the holy spirit directing my every effort to assist those sighing and crying? I had no doubt that my earnest desire to bring happiness to the downtrodden would be recognized for what it was and be appreciated.

Well, I still believe in sincerity and helpfulness but take my role (a onetime messianic complex) far less seriously. It's impossible to sustain a high-level emotional and physical momentum, which, of course, a high demand organization requires of its membership.

I laughingly recall Elizabeth's cheerful and unquestioned assurance when Frederick Frankenstein demurred that she was right on a particular matter:

Of course I am! I always am!

I feel that I'm starting from scratch: I am no longer so quick to speak nor judge.

Thanks,

CoCo

drew sagan

A great way to put it. I know one person who left the organization that fits well into the 'know it all' category. Still judging the world based on the illogical assumptions taught to him by the WTS. Still thinks he knows better than everybody else, even though it's all based on information given to him by the Watchtower organization (the same organization he detests more than anything).

VoidEater

Things I have learned:

Validate assumptions.
Speak my mind.
Tolerate dissension.

And, most important:

Be willing to be wrong.

jamiebowers

I never was a know it all, pre-jw, as a jw & post-jw. Pre- jw, I had a high school friend who was a real genius who argued quite successfully against much of the WTB&TS doctrine while I was jw. Getting out of the cult was so devastating that I doubted my intellect & judgment for many years.

reneeisorym

Leaving had the opposite affect on me. I realized that I didn't know near as much as I thought. The more I know, the more I realize I don't know.

Awakened at Gilead

Nice to see you post again, ATJ....

I haven't had the same experience, as my feeling has been that I feel that there is so much that I as an ex-narrow minded JW do not know about. I feel a thirst to learn about the world and its worldlings...

One thing I've learned.... I really like "worldly" people much better than JWs... in fact I can't stand to be around JWs... (not that they want to be around me either, poor misguided DA'd soul as I am...)

A@G

snowbird

I cringe whenever I think about how self-righteous and pompous I was as a JW.

I'm with Renee on this one: The more I know, the more I realize that I don't know a blasted thing!

Sylvia

Hope4Others

So often I have heard it said through the years that "A bible trained mind is more valuable then any worldly education"

Of course there the problem lies, and many tend not to keep up to date with current events.

We can always learn something new.

hope4others

oompa

I was kinda loud about now knowing the truth about the truth...a phrase my elder/dad finally asked me to stop using...When somththing did not seem right to me as a JW...I would argue to the death about it.....but found myself doing this about the real truth too....not a good quality..........oompa

From Know It All Religon to a simple Know It All?

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