Ever wonder how seemingly smart people can be duped? (page 3)

anewme

I think in the back of their minds they think about their investment of time into the cult and like any investment they hope staying in a little longer will pay off.

After a short while you make friends, business deals, stature in the JW community, i.e. you're invested.

Like any abandonment of investment there is some kind of loss and for many the abandonment of the cult means to lose friends, family, position and stature, respect, etc. They just figure they have gone this far, maybe a little longer will pay off and Paradise will be here!

Each week they are being told just that "Hang in there a little while longer and the wicked one will be no more!"

On another thread a new one, a young one, just left the society and says she will never look back.
She has the right attitude! MOVE ON! DONT WASTE ANY MORE TIME OR TEARS ON THE CULT.

(I like that kind of talk)

Anewme

dawg

Someone posted this " No belief system has a monopoly on intelligence. It's not about intelligence or the lack of it".

I always disagree, so here it goes again... It shows a lack of intellect to be told by anyone that fact checking is wrong, evil in fact, and then for the one being told such nonsense to go along with that even to the point of cutting off ties to family and friends that have fact checked, and want to share what they've found out. I have too much intellect to cut off anyone I love that wants to share with me something they've learned about any subject. Including the things I presently believe.

Religion, takes away logic, period! You are told in all religions at some point that you just have to believe the nonsense they're selling-to have faith. I do not have any subject I feel the need to defend over the facts once the facts have been shown me...even long held beliefs I have had for years; once the evidence comes along that disproves them, that's it for me. I have no faith in anything that resembles religious reverence. I know I can be wrong and it bothers me not...no matter the subject.

By that very notion, the facts I've stated above is evidence against those still in the "faith"... any faith, that they are intelligent. Isn't intelligence the ability to think on your own? Do people in any religion do this (think on their own) void of defending the belief they already hold even to the point of foolishness? If they're defending something, ignoring evidence against it, then can they be intelligent? Clearly those in religion aren't intelligent if they believe that system, have no doubts at all about it, ignore evidence that clearly shows the faith is wrong, yet defend it to the point of shunning the evidence from the outside... How can anyone defend actions like these under the veil of intellect?

Conclusion, people in all faiths that follow the outline as mentioned above aren't intelligent... they can't be!

So what are we to do about it? When family members are showing signs of mental illness like all JWs do, then we have a solemn duty to care for them just as any mental patient. Sure, they function in society, so do alcoholics, maybe they can be cured... but don't kid yourselves, they have a mental illness that has cost them for the time being their intellect. I really have a hard time seeing how you guys out there can see it any differently... I'd love to hear how you get around this obvious fact.

journey-on

I have to agree a little bit with Dawg on this one. I think if you become a Witness as an adult in this day and age of ready information, then your intelligence (real intelligence) has to be suspect.

If you were born into this cult, that is probably a different story. You have to do an awful lot of mental housecleaning to be able to get this crap out of your psyche. This is especially difficult due to

the fact you are forbidden to use the necessary tools to do the cleaning. I think it takes a very strong intellect to be able to accomplish this task. Religion is like the gatekeeper that stands at the

door to your mind and forbids the cleaning crew from coming in.

Casper

I have to agree a little bit with Dawg on this one. I think if you become a Witness as an adult in this day and age of ready information, then your intelligence (real intelligence) has to be suspect.

I was not born into the whole witness thing, but as most here know, I was at an extremely low point in my life.

As I have posted before, I had NO prior real bible knowledge...and I trusted these people far too much.

I don't remember being told, while studying, that I couldn't research things, I used a different bible translation during the two years of my study, until after baptism. It was called "The Way". They didn't care for it, but didn't make an issue either.

Personally, I questioned and argued many points, Without the Internet and anyone to really talk to and discuss matters with, I finally just accepted most of what I was taught and let the rest go.

I really, really wanted to believe in that "Resurrection Hope" at the time.

Call me gullible... but, I don't think my intellect was inferior to any other...

Cas

Casper

I totally agree, in this day and age of information... I am surprised "ANY" one becomes a witness in the door to door work.

But, in the stone age, it was a different story. At least in my case.

Cas

journey-on

Casper,

My statement was directed at those that become witnesses now with the Internet available. If one became a witness

prior to this information highway being available, by no means would I question their intelligence. They just couldn't know

all the hidden stuff. Nowadays, there is no excuse for not doing the research.

summer

I agree with Casper. It has nothing to do with intelligence.

I was also approached at a very vulnerable time in my life. I had no idea what "love bombing" was at the time, but I sure was bombarded. I quickly came to look forward to the weekly study over a cup of tea. They were all so nice to me at a time when I needed it the most. I was encouraged to ask questions on anything that bothered me.

But when I came out of their mold and started looking for answers on the internet, my intelligence took over and it soon all came together. Cults are so popular not because they try to attract idiots and morons. But they seem to attract those who are vulnerable. Those who search for more. And unfortunately, they do it in a very subtle way that often takes a while to detect.

So yes, I can admit I was very gullible. But not that my intellect is inferior in any way.

jaguarbass

I think the answer is laziness. Normal people seem to have the capacity to be as smart as they want to be. But after a point being smart requires effort and research. The Witnesses like to let someone else do the thinking and research for them. They have the mentality if its in the Wactower it is true. Just like worldly people think, If it's on tv, if it's in the newspaper, if it's on the radio, it must be true.

Casper

They just couldn't know all the hidden stuff. Nowadays, there is no excuse for not doing the research.

I agree, hence, my second post. I misread too quickly...

I let it stand tho, just to point out the obvious, that people in the past didn't have much to work with.

Cas

Casper

But when I came out of their mold and started looking for answers on the internet, my intelligence took over and it soon all came together.

Good for you Summer,

In this day and time, we can find out anything we want to know. They can't hide their past any longer.

Cas

Ever wonder how seemingly smart people can be duped?

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