hey normie.
I respect your opinion, whole heartedly. Now imagine almost every other person with your same thoughts about the situation. Multiply that and spread it around to all JW congregations, and you will see why so much unity/conformity of thought exists. Now. Remember all of the things that people have said on this forum about hidden agendas and things that you think are silly right now.
Let some time pass, but keep these things in the back of your mind.
When you become an elder, then think about some of the things that are being said to you now, and you will see what many are talking about.
You won't know these things until they literally hit home to you. (i.e. something happens that effects you or your family). You will then understand the delema of people both in and out of the "Truth".
Normie. Good luck to you, and whatever you persue in life. Don't take this personally, but if you are just a rank and file or MS, then you have the answer for why you can't comprehend the motives behind any falsehoods. It's because YOU JUST DON'T SEE THEM YET.
Here is an example:
I had an in depth discussion with a JW at my job today regarding pedophiles in the catholic church. The JW kept telling a potential convert that pedophilia in the catholic church by the clergy is what's wrong with the religion, and he kept saying that things like that don't happen in JW congregations. He referred to catholic priests who were charged with molestation of church members. His point was that cellobacy (sp?) in the catholic church was causing the problems with the molestation (penned-up sexual tension for the priests). Looks real good for the JWs right?
Well, this poor rank and file JW has NO CLUE that the elders of his congregation have a manual and other letters that give instruction to NOT notify the local cong of any previously-convicted pedophiles. This rank and file doesn't even believe that such manuals or documents even exists. He ridicules any outsider (me) who even mentions it. He also doesn't know that victims of such abuse are encouraged NOT to bring reporoach on Jah's name for the sake of the congregation. How so? By shutting up! By not reporting it to the authorities! By dealing with it oneself, or letting Jah handle it himself in his proper time. In other words: "It NEVER HAPPENED". And we won't even go over the slap on the wrist that the person accused of the crime may or may not get, depending on circumstances, accountibility, and repentance.
So he goes around spouting about how pedophelia is rampent in the catholic church, because you can read about it in the newspapers every now and again, and how these kind of problems are rampent with most religions in general. Not with JWs! That's on a personal level! VERY few stories, if any about pedophelia in the one TRUE religion! Sounds real great right?
Wrong!
What the guy doesn't realize that he is propogating a FALSEHOOD on two counts.
#1. If JWs were as BIG as the catholic church in numbers, they may end up with just as much of a pedophile problem as the catholics.
#2. Pedophiles cannot be considered practically non-existant in the JW religion. It's at LEAST misleading to even say so, and it's almost an impossibility to predict, as the local rank and file ARE NOT EVEN TOLD that this person may have been a previous offender. If he DID do something in the local cong, and could NOT be convicted, the people have to BE QUIET and not say anything, FOR THE SAKE OF JAH'S NAME AND THE CONGREGATION. ONLY THE ELDERS KNOW THIS INFORMATION. And *if* the perpatrator IS an elder (in good standing, with high clout, as is fitting of this pond-scum) then chances are, nobody is going to say anything for fear of being SUED for slander, or bringing reproach upon the congregation.
(am I rambling? I would say so. Sorry.)
anyway, I figure that he will either find out that I am not a liar about the elder's book once he becomes an elder, or he will put it in the back of his mind and FORGET about it, oh so convieniently, because by that time he might have far more friends/family tied up in his religion than he does even now (he was born into this, raised by his mother), and it will be disadvantageous for him not to PLAY THE GAME.
What's sad is, the game is "FUN" once you are an elder, because you have more of the 'secret knowledge' and a sacred duty to "protect the flock". Even if you DID think something was wrong, you would be AN IDIOT to back out! AND JUST THINK ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITIES OF ADVANCEMENT!!!!
Or, he might realize the errors of his ways, and realize the contradicting nature of his entire existance, step down, and leave the religion. Who knows?
A love of God and convienience of living is what keeps a 'red-neck bible-belt baptist' ignorant and on the 'straight and narrow path', JWs are no different. Fundementalists literally slamb the doors on mellinialists for the SAME reason that mellinialists pshychologically slamb the doors on fundementalists. Nobody wants their world-view shattered. ALL religions love their illusions.
Edited by - ianao on 21 March 2001 18:12:1
