Individual Differences

larc

You know something, we are all different. I guess I just gave you a blinding glimpse of the obvious. Now, as a Witness, there was no room for individual differences, or individual talents. There was no reward for musical talent, academic talent, athletic talent, or any other talent you can think of. The only skill that was recognized was the door to door talent. Some had it, and took to it. Many did not and felt quilty over this. How sad. How sad, that the relgion could not recognize individual diferences and individual talent. There are many ways to contribute or "praise God". It is too bad that it was not recognized. It makes me sad.

LDH

Larc,

I think you will like this thread.

http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/forum/thread.asp?id=24517&site=3

Lisa

refiners fire

I am always reminded of Hitlers choices in art, and how those choices, the monumental,the cold, the unfeeling art and sculpture that he personally was drawn to came to BE art under his regime. freedom of creatrivity died, and petrification of the absolute as to what constituted "art" took place very rapidly.

Introspection

I see your point Larc, it just makes me think of another angle to this though.. Most of the time it seems like we like people we have something in common with, and frankly that's why we're all here - we all have some experience that involves JWs. I guess it's just more comfortable. Talents are one thing, but I say don't ignore the fact that your experience may be different too, atleast in leaving. Sometimes you'll see a poster make a comment to the effect of how a newbie is at a certain "stage", yet I can't help but question whether they know all the stages that all people might go through in leaving. Ultimately, it's just a matter of stages of life, isn't it?

And though we might have things that mark us as different individually, as a group what is different about us is that we used to be witnesses or have had some association with them. So I think there's two sides to this: We're different as a group, yet have something in common individually. So maybe what I'm getting at is that yes, I agree individual differences are great and should be appreciated, and that difference, among us, is not going to be anything having to do with the fact that we were witnesses. Talents are great, but sometimes what makes us different (non-talents) will also indicate that we are alone in a way, and maybe that's scarey to many. But what else are you going to do, you have to be true to yourself, right? So how about here, do we really appreciate each other's little quirky differences? Sometimes what makes people unique is nothing spectacular, not special at all. But just because it is ordinary I don't think it is worth less, and I hope we can see that in each other. Otherwise, we're just trying to fit in another way, even if it isn't nearly as restrictive, it is the same kind of thing.

larc

Intro, I have some specific questions for you. When you were a JW did you enjoy the door to door work? What were your talents as a Witness and were you allowed to express them?

Amazing

HI Larc: The Jehovah's Witnesses seek "unity" ... they have been mislead by their leaders to think that lock-step uniformity, a forward moving army of preachers, means unity ... when it is anything but unity ... because genuine unity comes from the heart, and is a bond of the spirit.

waiting

Hey Larc,

"There was no reward for musical talent, academic talent, athletic talent, or any other talent you can think of."

Not only was there "no reward" - to some persons, particularily the young who excelled in any of these areas, including intelligence, it was a matter of spirituality - and looked at suspiciously.

If one were spiritually mature, one would not try to "stand out" "make a name for themselves" "make others feel uncomfortable." In other words - try your best to cover or keep secret any talent which would make you look different from the Group Unity - which is as bland as most of the lifestyles/clothes etc. of the average jw.

A good plan by the WTBTS Masters - much like communism, wouldn't you say?

Animal Farm - pig: "We are all equal. It's just some of us are more equal."

waiting

jaccilynn

i'm so glad that this was brought up because it's something i think about all the time.

the WTS puts so much emphasis on being ONE of a WHOLE, instead of an individual... it's all about conforming to be something else. and realisticaly, it's impossible. no two people are the same, they may have the same talent, interest, quirkiness, what have you, but people are not cookie cut outs.

i remember when i got my first guitar, when i was 14... the woman i was studying with told me not to let it distract me from personal study and meetings... WHY NOT? why do those things have to be important to me, just because they're important to you? it was the societies brainwashing mentality to have her tell me to not get caught up in a hobby, something i ENJOY doing, and am now somewhat decent at.

but that doesn't matter to them, because it's not service, or a bible study, or meetings. i was never encouraged to persue any of my hobbies while i was a part of the WTS, they were deemed "unimportant" in their eyes. now that i think about it, everyone who told me that my hobbies, dreams were unimportant are probably (subconsciencely even) jealous that i can persue them and not feel guilty.

ugh, glad i don't have to deal with that anymore.

larc

Good comments all. If someone gets some recognition from the "world", such as a promotion or a special award at school, the first thing the congregation wants to do is "humble". Humility is one of their keys to conformity. They don't understand that to be proud of an accomplishment is not the same as the sin of pride.

DanTheMan

It all goes back to the morbid "this life is all for naught and the only thing that matters is faithfulness to the org" mentality.

I wonder how the Purple One feels about the lack of creativity/spontaneity among those in his newfound faith? Or has he noticed yet? He will.

Individual Differences

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