by minimus 31 Replies latest jw friends
As a fader,I'm around more Witnesses,unfortunately,and they still talk like they believe it.
Although,a brother of mine,thinks that he may not live to see the end and he is in his 50's. But,he always adds,it's still the best way of life. I kind of tell him,to speak for himself.
One can believe that WT is wrong about a particular doctrine/rule, yet firmly believe that all other religions are from Satan, and that salvation can only be gained by being one of Jehovah's Witnesses.
On the other hand it is also likely that some Witnesses who no longer really believe in the religion nevertheless refuse transfusions because of peer pressure.
From Ray Franz's books we know that even prominent Watchtower leaders have expressed very skeptical views of the organization, such as when Knorr said he believed in Jesus and the Bible, but all the chronology and stuff he was not so sure about. And Swingle who said that Fred Franz's articles on prophetic patterns were just more evidence that the Watchtower is fallible.
As another poster mentioned, I get the impression that whereas most Witnesses once ardently believed that Armageddon was coming any day, now many are more likely to express a general belief that it's the best way of life regardless of when the end comes.
No. They would never admit that because they believe that no matter what happens....it HAS to be the truth.
"I think that many of them begrudgingly admit that they ARE going to die."
This is the key. Many now DO admit they are going to die.....but it is still the truth to them. "The end" being far off in the distance is just another example of the light getting brighter. Many will say there is no better way to live your life. Now instead of dreaming of making it through to see the wonderful new world......they dream of waking up in it.
It is amazing how this cult can change a person's beliefs and hope for the future with the swipe of a pen.
now many are more likely to express a general belief that it's the best way of life regardless of when the end comes.
Other New Lite twists are:
There never should have been ANY date setting for Armageddon because that goes against the Bible. (No one knows the day nor hour.)
You're not supposed to be serving Jehovah with a date in view. You serve Jehovah forever because you loved him because he loved us first.
Why should we think we are so special any more so than all the millions who served Jehovah faithfully and fell asleep in Sheol awaiting their resurrection.
[NOTE: I guess they forgot that the reason we thought we were "special" and never going to die is because THAT IS WHAT THE WT TOLD US?? DUH?]
Even if it isn't The Truth (TM) , it's still the Best Way Of Life.
Yada yada yada
DOC
"On the other hand it is also likely that some Witnesses who no longer really believe in the religion nevertheless refuse transfusions because of peer pressure."
I suspect that this is true. This is even worse. It's one thing to die for what you believe in. It's quite another to die because you're afraid to displease your cult overlords conditional friends and family.
Peer Pressure: If you don't view someone or some-group as a peer they can't pressure you.
Interesting responses!
Maybe, I just want to think that JW, at least some, might be understanding the reality of things.
I've heard about many disillusioned Witnesses that gave their lives to work at Headquarters, only to be let go to "serve" into the field. I very much doubt such ones are true believers, at least not like before!
The Bethelites I have personally known who were sent to the field are still drinking the kool aid. They were told they were to be of help to the local cong's due to their experience and that the downsizing is part of the outworking of Jehovah's purpose. They went back to cong's and were treated like royalty.
During my time in everything revolved around the 1914 generation. Now it's completely changed and only those in denial can't see that it was to prolong the false expectations of this cult. Many realize they have been duped.....many more must be at least wondering if they have been.
Think About It
Many realize they have been duped.....many more must be at least wondering if they have been.
In JW land, THINKING is one thing, SAYING it is another.
George
