One of the biggest things that the Governing Body hangs their hat on is a simple concept. "We, the GB, are the only ones authorized to interpret the bible, what it means, what to enforce, and what not to enforce."
Joseph in the book of Genesis told the Pharaoh after a perplexing dream "Do not interpretations belong to god?"
And therein lies the choice, esp for those considering leaving JW's, or who have left and are trying to keep their heads straight. Whose job is it to interpret.... whatever?
It's not just Jehovah's Witnesses on this one. I have seen bumper stickers on cars that says "Real Catholics Don't Support Abortion." I guess that's true, if you want to ignore the millions of Catholics who actually do support a womens right to choose. I know Catholics who absolutely support a womans right to choose. And use birth control.
With groups, it's all or nothing. How much of the responsibility to decide on what to believe in are you willing to farm out to a group in order to fit in?
One of the reasons I think that internet forums involving former JW's can get so heated is simply that, for better or worse, most former JW's have accepted their responsibility to interpret things for themselves.
The concept is foreign to practicing JW's, and I have a sneaky suspicion that it is the abdication of the responsibility to think for themselves, to interpret for themselves, that keeps most JW's in. I am not one who thinks that most JW's think their little club is perfect. I do believe, esp in western countries, that JW's are very aware that something is at least a little off. They hear the whispers in their heart...
"Do not interpretations belong to god?" That's the other whisper. Except that the GB speaks for god. Or so they claim. And so you listen. It's not up to you to question, or even (gasp) to disagree with the GB. Maybe for whatever reason, you do think that Jehovah is the true god. But you want to worship him in your own way. Maybe you think blood transfusions are alright.
Can you say those things? No. Think them? Sure, but you will go through the very lonely, and mentally unhealthy process, of never sharing what you really think with anyone.
Even in little things that really don't matter, a JW must be careful. If it's sex, it can't be oral. Thats perverted. Why? That's their interpretation of perverted. If it's a TV show, watch what you want. Unless an elder makes a big deal about it. Because it could be considered "worldly". Anything that is interpreted "worldly" by the local elders, on up to the GB, is all it takes to make an activity, anything really, via an interpretation by an elder, or esp, in a Watchtower, to make something forbidden, or worthwhile.
Exiting JW's seem to struggle at first with the concept that they are ever allowed to interpret anything. It used to be as a JW, if someone was an idiot, but was a pioneer, or an elder, they could get away with acting like a jerk, because they were spiritually minded. Of course, if they were jerks and were inactive or irregular, they were bad association. (Later on, Ihave considered the possibility that these jerks were also fading. But I digress.....)
Now, if someone acts like a jerk, you can safely assume that its probably because they are. No need to consult with a Watchtower, or an elder, to make up your mind.
Do you want to agree with Catholics? Agnostics? Atheists? Republicans? Democrats? Tea Party members? It's up to you.
Just remember that interpretations belong to you, and you alone. It always has been that way. The more willing you are to accept that and run, the more potential you unleash, and the more powerful you will become.
