I have to admit that when I was a Jehovah's witness I had to avoid to use my brain so as to accept every Watchtower doctrine.
Thinking of Becoming One of Jehovah's Witnesses?
by The Searcher 14 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
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Alive!
This is a double standard for them as when they are studying with you they will tell you it is OK to questions everything and examine your beliefs but they don't tell you that is not allowed once your in.
So true. I was declared to be a fantastic study who asked loads of good questions and really checked everything.
When I look back - I just didn't ask the right questions.
I remember challenging the beard issue - somehow it got lost in the powerful 1914 equation which was embedded in famous quotes from historians about the new era following the breakout of WW1... So I let it go.... Somehow my instinct got submerged.
Working in the corporate world, I kind of got that beards were perhaps suspect.
How stupid. So dressing up like one of the mafia in a smart suit, tie and shirt or a money making business man is more Christlike than wearing a soft beard and a polar fleece?
I like suits. But really, how does a suit or beardless face reflect a more obedient Christlike manner?
Crooks wear suits. Clean shaven politicians where suits. Nice ordinary people where suits.
I remember how new "studies" would be observed.... How pleased everyone was when a new guy would come to the meeting in a suit and tie after wearing casual clothes.
The first step on the ladder.
I confess to loving the congregational approval as I "grasped" deeper spiritual truths.
Truths that are now old hat. Discarded. And I prayed in gratitude for being given 'insight'.
In the end, after 20 odd years, my conscience and dignity were being trodden down by men who couldn't care less about me or mine.
I'll never forget the day an elder gave the prayer after our Sunday meeting.
"Thank you Jehovah for all the new truths you have given us over the years".
It made no sense. And I couldn't imagine teaching others this.
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stuckinarut2
Great thread!
Those points sum things up well!
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Muddy Waters
That was an awesome post, Searcher, because these are the things which are NOT KNOWN when a person begins "studying" with the Witnesses.
The dubs will tell "the study" that oh my goodness, no, these things are not true at all. Everything you do is voluntary, these things are all personal choices that YOU make. Nobody is ever forced to do anything. We alone make these choices, based on our love for JehovahAndHisOrganization.
Yes, they will tell you that it is your "love for Jehovah" that motivates you to do his will... (Fine Print: "... His will as directed through his earthly channel of seven spiritually appointed men in New York who call themselves the Governing Body, because they alone are the faithful & discreet slave in fulfillment of a parable (in Matt.25) and these seven men are the only ones whom Jehovah is presently using today to dispense spiritual truths, but only when they collect themselves together in a group and never when alone.)
Ah. It already makes me nauseous.
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DATA-DOG
Isn't there a BOE letter from the 80's that says you can be DF'd for apostasy, just for believing something different? You don't have to tell anyone about it, just failing to believe the FDS is a crime in Dubland.
DD