Selective Memory

EmptyInside

I don't know if this is the case with everyone. But,most Jehovah's Witnesses I know seem to have selective memory. They will deny straight to your face that in 1995 ,the generation, was explained to be the wicked contemporaries. That is until you have to find the article that explains it.

There are more examples of this,but it seems to come up a lot. They conveniently forget what they used to believe. Of course,sometimes it is the opposite and they still believe the old explanation. They don't even realize there is "new" light on the matter.

This happens a lot when dealing with family,or maybe it's just the older ones,I don't know.

AllTimeJeff

Welcome to Orwell's world.

ScenicViewer

Witnesses' memories are always convenient, unless they are not up on the latest, as you pointed out. What is embarrassing is virtually always forgotten.

DesirousOfChange

The fact is: THEY DON'T REALLY KNOW!

That's right, a lot of JWs just really do not know what is taught. They plod along without having or wanting to do any thinking of their own. The "new light" at conventions goes in one ear and out the other without stopping anywhere inside. That's why the WT has to have a footnote * that says "this is an adjustment in the earlier view expressed in WT95...etc etc" Otherwise, most wouldn't know that there had been a change in doctring. DUH...........

DOC

EmptyInside

True DOC,I blanked out myself a lot of times,just to get through the meetings. But,some "new" light they choose not to remember are major changes,not just small things.

But,sometimes,I'd think to myself,how did they get that from that scripture,or how did they know that prefigured that,and so on. I figured it was too deep for me and let it go. Or maybe they would have "new" understanding.

But,even my brother who has the memory of an elephant,chooses to ignore past changes. He remembers many past details about his life,good and bad,but can't remember the changes the org. makes. He's not really an active Witness anymore. But,I wish he would wake up about the truth,so he wouldn't have to carry the guilt complex for the rest of his life. Plus,feeling like his family is going to be destroyed because they are inactive.

DesirousOfChange

EMPTY, a close friend shared with me abut 7-8 years ago (2002+/-) that he was out in FS with an elder who was still at the door harping on "this generation will not pass away" meaning those old enough to remember WWI. I know of the elder. Not an old dude with dementia, just your ordinary, sincere kind of guy - "good elder". Average middle-class desk job guy. Not dumb. Just totally out of the loop. He evidently had missed the memo in 1995 when the change in the "generation" was addressed.

My friend was to intimidated to address it with him, but it wouldn't have mattered. He probably still wouldn't have gotten it. Just going through the motions. Not awake enough to discern the changes, let alone question if they make any sense!

Ding

Selective memory example:

1975? Who said anything about 1975?

sabastious

Who said anything about 1975?

"It must have been people who ran ahead of Jehovah, since that date came and went."

DRONES!

-Sab

designs

Its simply tough to keep up with the changes, in part because a new change is crouched in language that rarely mentions the former position. Back in the 60s Fred was flipping nuts on the Sheep and the Goats and the Pens and who was what when and where.

ScenicViewer

Who said anything about 1975?

"It must have been people who ran ahead of Jehovah, since that date came and went."

Yes, they did run ahead of Jehovah. Who are 'they'? They are the Watchtower Society and it's Governing Body!

Selective Memory

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