From those I chat with still the majority are just going through the motions. I don't see as many hardcore Jdubs as before. Especially in service. I hear alot of people praying for better times. The meetings just don't bring them the joy that it used to do.
Are most Jehovah's Witnesses zealous,fence sitters,or going thru the motions?
by RULES & REGULATIONS 30 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
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shopaholic
Based on the congregations I've been in over the years. I would say about 80% are going through the motions and 10% fence sitters. The zealous group, 10%, is quite small but does the bulk of the work. However, even many them are phantoms when it comes to their ministry. Ha, the service numbers are so inflated. If the org only knew how many aux and reg pioneers and publishers pad (more like super-cushion) their timeslips.
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shamus100
I would say more like Shopaholic said - 10, 10, and 80.
What people fail to realize is people go through phases of self-righteousness. When they feel bad about themselves due to they're self-esteem issues chronic to the organization, they do bad things. When they realize how 'bad' they are, they over-compensate for, sometimes years by being over-zealous. They become extremely self-righteous. Then, pride before a fall, they drop off again when they can't live up to impossible standards; meetings, FS, kinddumbhall politics, etc. etc. etc.
The 80% just can't face reality and actually leave. Human beings are creatures of habit, after all. And doesn't that scripture from the bible get quoted so much "where else shall we go?"
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Seeker4
Being a Witness is like being a member of a tribe or a club. We are programmed by our DNA and a million years of evolution to move in groups of about six to eight active adults and 25 or so people total. That's how humans lived up until about 10,000 years ago and the advent of agriculture and religion.
So, we have a social need to belong to a group, and being a JW fills that need. Others get it through family, or by joining a club, or by fervently following a sports team.
I don't know that it's based all that much on zeal for the beliefs. Probably not for the vast majority. If fills our need for social contact and friendship. I would say that's the true of most of my family that are still in. They are not especially zealous, by any stretch, and I would say they privately question a lot of the teachings.
But, they've got lots of friends and things to do.
S4
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besty
they've got lots of friends and things to do
what an existence prior to death....
I have had a friend who believes next to none of it, other than the usual apology of 'well even if its incorrect its not a bad way of life' - what meaning to his life?
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Dagney
I agree with shopaholic's comment, and how the hours are padded. I think I was the only honest low hour reporter I knew, and paid for it.
I still am surprised when fence sitters sign up to auxiliary. Most I know no longer discuss any doctrine. They just are hoping for the big destruction so they can have their faithfullness rewarded with the obligatory swiss chalet and pet lion.
It's crazy to me. Like besty said, "what meaning to his life?"
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Doubting Bro
If fills our need for social contact and friendship. I would say that's the true of most of my family that are still in. They are not especially zealous, by any stretch, and I would say they privately question a lot of the teachings.
I totally agree with that statement. My wife has admitted to me that the main reason she's a JW is because that's how she was raised and its part of her culture. To some extent, I get it. If not for the harsh shunning, blood transfusion and door knocking, I would agree with her that it doesn't hurt. The main pull of any religion is the social part of it and I don't necessarily have a problem with that.
I really think the WTS would be in much better shape both membership wise and financially if they dropped some of their more extreme teachings and mainstreamed. They may lose some folks, but with a 2/3rds churn rate, they must budget for that anyway.
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megaflower
Honestly, does it really matter? If you are either sitting on the fence or going through the motions then a part of you knows(even if you are not willing to admit it out loud) that the whole thing is BULLSHIT!!!!!!!!
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yknot
I would say very few are true believers anymore....
Most of those who act zealously do so to eclipse that nagging feeling of doubt in their guts....
Occassionaly you do have some zealots who do it for the love of the game and not actual belief.......
The rest of us are just seat warmers continuing a 'tradition' rather then actual belief
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wobble
Shamus 100 mentions the concept of "Where shall we go away to?"
This is not a scripture, Peter asked Jesus "WHO shall we go away to, YOU have the sayings of everlasting life" (Capitals mine)
but I think that idea,(I even said those very words myself some three yers ago,)is what keeps a lot in,and it is difficult to help them see the glorious freedom that comes from going away from being a captive of a concept,to steal a phrase.
They may be forced into doing something by the ever more desperate measures being taken by the Borg,but it is human nature to take the easy route,and sit with brain in neutral within the organisation.
Love
Wobble