Nature of the Word "Spiritual" Amongst Witnesses

freemindfade

Even as an atheist I consider myself spiritual, always have, metaphysics and spiritual discussions about enlightenment and so on I find interesting, even if belief in a YHWH is not in me. I want to propose this simple definition of the word "spiritual" among Jehovah's Witnesses.

Spiritual = Indoctrination or Indoctrinated

I have been told how I'm "just not a spiritual man". As I am sure many others have been accused of. Or phrases like"spiritual matters". Many uneducated (both secularly and theologically) witnesses feel they are spiritual beacons of understanding, when really they know nothing more, or in most cases much less than your average "apostate".

Unknowingly to most dubs, "Spirituality" in the context of witnesses amounts to:

How well you follow the Watchtowers rules
How blindly you embrace their dogma and their doctrine
And how far you will go to demonstrate the above two points

Simply put that is all. It is no great search for enlightenment, or even coming to understand "God". Or in concerns about a spiritual realm.

Crazyguy

The JW religion is a works religion, there are many sects of Christianity that are works based.

ToesUp

Spiritual ='s Field Serve Us (# of hours you get), pioneering, reaching out to become a MS or Elder, Baptism (the earlier the better), assemblies, attending Bethel, being a part of the RBC (or whatever they call it today). A showy display. It doesn't matter what is in your heart as long as your actions can be observed by others. It's one big competition! We left the competition. They can all just WOW one another now!

done4good

Even as a JW I never ascribed to the JW definition of "spiritual".

d4g

sir82

For JWs, "spirituality" = "how much do other people observe you performing certain acts approved of and/or required by the Watchtower Society".

A JW who meditates, prays, studies, and works on improving his character & helping others is not considered "spiritual" if he is not observed doing things like meeting with a group for field service, commenting at meetings, volunteering at assemblies, etc.

Meanwhile, a JW who writes "70" on his field service slip, shows up for field service meetings (then hangs out at the coffee shop for 1 hour +), and comments at meetings by slightly rewording printed sentences, but who beats his wife, never prays, watches porn, and plays sick & twisted video games in the privacy of his home, is viewed as a sterling spiritual example for everyone.

freemindfade

We could all write volumes I am sure on their skewed idea of "spirituality". That's why I was trying to encompass all this in a simple

Spirituality = How well you demonstrate you're indoctrination.

Love the discussion and seeing everyones ideas, and I would love to hear more.

Tempest in a Teacup

For JWs, "spirituality" = "how much do other people observe you performing certain acts approved of and/or required by the Watchtower Society".

comments at meetings by slightly rewording printed sentences, but who beats his wife, never prays, watches porn, and plays sick & twisted video games in the privacy of his home, is viewed as a sterling spiritual example for everyone.

On point! I'd add: In short, doing to perfection what you know is expected of you, and making sure you're watched doing those. If they're not watching you, devise ways of attracting their attention and make sure you are within earshot of others to make "spiritual comments"

Clean the hall after meetings
In ALL conversations, remember what this brother said in a talk 5 years ago, or what an obscure bible aid said about it 7 years ago.
Generously and often poke up jw traditional comments such as: "the Org is doing so well", "this system this, this system that", "the new system this, the new system that", "Jehovah this, Jehovah that";
Hold up your watchtower so that everyone could see how you have used 3 colors to highlight the answers, meaning that you have studied it 3 times and filled the margins with observations/bible verses.
Generously and often poke up comments about how many hours you did in fs during the week and how many bible students you were blessed with.
Comment on how you left work tired and panting and yet made time to go visit that one bible study.
Comment on how you help brother x or sister y do this or that.
You know bible versed so well that you can poke up any at any time in a conversation or in fs
Comment on how "rewarding and sweet" today's ministry was.
Comment on what you gathered from today's text, or yesterday's, or even the one from 10 days ago.
As faithfully and boldly as possible, give a comment explaining and supporting beyond measure that obscure and far fetched doctrine which has everybody raising an eyebrow.
Make comments which show the others in the hall that you consulted 5 heavyweight-and-not-easy-to-research "bible aids" and old watchtower edition when preparing you WT article.

Will come back if I get more. Cathartic!

the comet

sir82 100% right! Spirituality for a jw is all about what people see you doing. For guys trying to get promoted in the company you have to be "spirtual" what does that mean? The elders need to see your wt underlined, comment, out in service and be willing to clean toilets. That's what being spirtual means to them.

freemindfade

When I was doing fairly well in most aspects, I remember someone telling me the new reason that I wasn't being used was I didn't "comment enough". If it wasn't getting over the monthly average it was that (mind you I was working full time and supporting a pioneer wife).

I was told this is how you show your faith, by commenting. In other words if you don't show it no one will believe it. So what if you are faking it? whats the difference? Needing proof shows how their idea of spirituality is based on external factors of what others think, not internally whats really happening with you. In other words you could do nothing and be really spiritual, or you could be a fake and pioneer and make every comment.

Oubliette

It's all about appearances and conformity

Nature of the Word "Spiritual" Amongst Witnesses

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