You note that MANY JW's who are going to Stanford, Harvard, Oxford" Could you give names? Their area of study? Are they still JWs? Are they creationists? Or have they become Evolutionists?
JW's that are smarter than you
by Preston 22 Replies latest watchtower medical
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SYN
It's not about sheer intelligence - many Dubs have that in spades, I agree.
What it is about is Information Control. Even the smartest of people can be influenced by the Tower's fear tactics.
Just remember, while there may be smart Witnesses, the only informed Witness is an EX-WITNESS!
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Farkel
Preston,
lol! At least you're a good sport! I admire that!
: I know, I've met many who were able to do cartwheels around me using reasoning and steel cold logic.
The only problem with that is they don't use that logic on their own beliefs and life-choices and therefore invalidate the very intelligence they possess.
Farkel
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amac
Good post Preston. One thing I try to remember is that just about every view point, no matter how extreme, has intelligent people in its ranks. Intelligence can be found on both sides of just about any valuable argument (that is why I am agnostic.)
Farkel seems to have seen the light since leaving the JWs. I find it interesting that he has so much confidence in himself after being duped for so long. My reaction has been quite the opposite in always questioning my own knowledge. He references logic, which in some unattainable objective form is universal, but in the minds of men is warped by subjectivity. So no one can claim a stake on pure logic. We all use logic to our best ability, it is just that some have let themselves be influnced by external ideas in different measures than others. That is how intelligent people come to such opposite conclusions.
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Trauma_Hound
I've met a few, glad you mentioned programmers, lol, as I am one, so is my brother, we both left. However at my various stints, I met brillian programmers that couldn't survive a few days in the wilderness, or know how to repair an engine, they couldn't think outside the box.
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Room 215
It's an interesting phenomenon, that even high-IQ JW's, many if not most of whom are born to JW parents, their loyalty to the WTBTS is bound up with a visceral, emotional attachment to their families; not unlke the Cathoics who used to tell us ``I was born a Catholic and I'll die that way,'' by reflex, they react defensively, treating any attacks on the Organization as though they were directed at their own flesh and blood.
Because they're bright and imaginative, it's no wonder they often excel at cognitive dissonance. Look how adroitly they ``dial out'' the all-but-incessant anti-intellectual diatribes of the Brooklyn/Patterson gerontocracy long enough to secure a university education while at the same time prtesting their loyalty to ``Mother.'' . Also, it's a sad fact that highly intelligent (bookish, studiou) folks are often marginalized and feel insecure, alienated and awkward in a world that venerates athleticism, self-assurance and good looks.
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Flip
If a Jehovah's Witness appears to have everything going for them, in this case intelligence, it doesn't necessarily mean they want to be informed of all things and risk losing their family and friends who remain Jehovah's Witnesses for less.
On the other hand, if a Jehovah's Witness, who exhibits mental depth, allows himself or herself to be properly informed outside the confines of the Watchtower Organization and doesn't act ethically by passing on that information, intelligence and disingenuousness can still coexist.
Edited by - Flip on 10 September 2002 13:59:13
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Farkel
amac,
: He references logic, which in some unattainable objective form is universal, but in the minds of men is warped by subjectivity. So no one can claim a stake on pure logic. We all use logic to our best ability, it is just that some have let themselves be influnced by external ideas in different measures than others. That is how intelligent people come to such opposite conclusions.
Obviously, by making such statements, you know little about the rules of formal logic. There is a big difference between the common usage of the word "logic" and its formal use based upon the principles established by Aristotle.
Farkel
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Dismembered
Room215
your vernacular/vocabulary is stunning. Great! use, of the many words that make up the english
language. A+
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hippikon
To be fair this was fairly recently,but right now there are many, (let me repeat that), MANY JW's who are going to Stanford, Harvard, Oxford, you name it...
Skipping feild service are they, Not preparing the Watchtower, Missing meetings perhaps - Whats wrong the the Awake and Watchtower being as good as a college education