High Standards in "the world" ??

by IWish4Truth 13 Replies latest jw friends

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  Seeker4

  Ah....Wish4, Wish4, Wish4,

  You really ARE a newbie! "Yes, people individually may or may not have a certain code of conduct that they abide by, but for the most part, it does seem that anything goes. This attitude does not bring true happiness and usually still leaves the majority of mankind searching for something to feel that void." Wow - where could THESE ideas have come from!! I'm not upset - just laughing outloud here.

  And then this one: "Although I have many resentments toward the WTS, did not putting forth effort to reach high standards produce a high quality of life?" High standards in the WTS? High quality of life? What WTS did you serve in?

  Let me echo the posts here - you really need to get out more! There are people with high standards everywhere! Actually I've been a bit shocked at HOW high "worldly standards" can be.

  I'll bet that your thinking that because sexual immorality was discouraged and punished that that means that JWs have high standards. Right? Well, I happen to believe - along with most of the rest of the world - that intellectual dishonesty, unethical journalism, unethical scholarship and not allowing dissenting views are also immoral. And those happen to be only four areas where the WTS has extremely low standards. In fact the Society's standards in these areas would be totally unacceptable in the "world" that it looks down on.

  You are confusing rigid rules on sexual conduct with high ethical standards. You also seem blinded to the fact that there are confused people everywhere (PLENTY in the WTS, trust me), and there are people who are content and focused and fulfilled everywhere. Look around, my friend!!

  I'm afraid you're still suffering from a WTS mindset and worldview, and parroting ideas that may seem original to you but that are really just rehashed Watchtower articles. You could use a great big dose of "worldly" reading, filled with "worldly" ideas from "worldly" thinkers. Just the fact that sentence makes you cringe a little should tell you something.

  Good luck!
  S4
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  Utopian Reformist

  To "IWish4Truth":

  Standards are created to organize functions, methods and processes into adaptable and recognizable concepts for external use and acceptance. Hence the existence of organizations like "The American National Standards Institute" (ANSI) and "The International Standards Organization" (ISO).

  Many of these organizations arrive and/or develop global standards for the things we do in everyday life by forming joint committees made up of experts, leaders, scientists, business people, etc..

  If the ISO did not exist, this post would not be visible to you right now. You couldn't play a CD-ROM in your computer (ISO Standard 9660), nor do much else.

  There are millions of standards in place, created by thousands of committees working within a few dozen major organizations like the ISO. Whether a religious fanatic believes it or not, humans are capable of organizing and standardizing for things other than religion.

  If your issue concerns standards of conduct and personal behavior and moral codes, that is another topic altogether. Even there, you will find many surprises. Namely, you don't have to be religious to appreciate and understand the benefit of responsible human behavior and being a productive member of society. Investigate, don't magistrate!
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  Lady Lee

  Hmmm from my perspective 23 years in the JWs and now 18 out that I have met more people with healthy moral standards since I left. I have been supported and cared for ina more unconditional manner than I ever experienced in the JWs. I have met people from all walks of life and a wide variety of religious belief that try to do good to others and live good healthy and happy lives. I have the honor of calling some of them my friends.

  On a more personal level I would have to say that if the elders were to examine my life at present there is nothing they could disfellowship me for regarding my moral standards. For the most part the JWs do teach a healthy moral standard but for them it is carved in stone. There is no room for personal differences or needs. Morality for the JWs is a matter of following a set of rules (which by the way can change tomorrow or next week - and yup change back again just as quickly). Morality at this point in my life comes from within me. It is not fear or guilt directed. I live morally because I feel better and am happier this way.
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  patio34

  Hi Wish4!

  Nice to meet you.

  I'm still in a quandry about "moral standards" and who defines them. If you mean honesty, etc., then that's one thing. If you mean extra-marital sex, that's another.

  A lot depends upon one's view of whether there is a creator or not. if there is and (s)he wrote the bible, then there are definite standards, if not conflicting at time.

  If there is no creator, and humans evolved, then 'morals' are pretty much dictated by the society that one lives in and is a very subjective view.

  IMHO, there is no room for others to judge anything beyond what is in the secular law in one's country. But even that is questionable (e.g., the Taliban rule and treatment of their citizens).

  I guess my point is that it's all very complicated.

  Pat