When ever I visit with relatives that are still Witnesses, I tend to hear one comment more then others. That being, "we would really love to see your face in Paradise with us." It might not always be in those exact words, but it is along the same thought. That thought being, "unless you change your ways, you will not be in the paradise earth that Jehovah has promised." They do not say this to comfort me, or to encourage me, no they say this to scare me and make me feel bad enough to walk into a Kingdom Hall again. Does the idea of a Paradise earth sound bad though?
In all honestly, I spent a lot of my day dreaming as a Witness, thinking about the "Paradise Earth" we preached about. When times were rough, and did not look the way I wanted ... my mind would travel to this world. I would think of the societies views on it ....
"No war, no hate, no anger, no pain, and no death. People all working in a paradise world of gardens of beautiful nature. There would be cascading waterfalls, and beautiful people all living in joy and happiness"
... what I find interesting in this view now. Is that this is the same view of Utopia, as seen in Greek mythology.
Utopia : An ideally perfect place, especially in its social, political, and moral aspects
The idea that there is some place or time in the future when all will be better. Perhaps some Christians see this in heaven, whereas Witnesses pictured it here on earth. They took on the views of the Greeks, that that place would be perfect in all respects. It would be full of love and correctness of every kind and characteristics. So to spend the day, or to work your way out of hard times with a positive thought, would seem like a wonder thought, right?
Well if you have ever studied Greek, you will know that often the definition of the word, is not the whole meaning. Sometimes they show a word to mean something, and in the meaning of the word, combined with the meaning, is the irony. For you see "Utopia" actual means "no place." Thus the meaning, "a perfect world is no where, or unattainable."
So when I am with my Witness relatives and they make a comment like "we would love to see you in Paradise." My favorite thing to say to them is, "yes, that does sound like a Utopian world ... doesn't it" Which in their mind sounds like "Yes, that sounds like a great and wonderful world ... doesn't it " In reality though, I am saying. "That does sound like a place of fiction that is no where ... doesn't it." Perhaps it is a little thought that means something to me, and gets them to thinking they have me thinking about Jehovah again. In both cases, they are right ... just not the thoughts they think I am having.
It is nice to have a positive view of the future. I have one myself, but dwelling on a thought that is not going to happen ... is a waste of time. The world is the paradise you make it now, and waiting for someone to fix it, makes no sense. Do not waste your time thinking all will get better tomorrow, make it better today. When people use this thought to work with your mind, think next time what they are really saying.
Utopia : "No place"
... and think "do you want to go no where with them, or some where with reality?"
Just my thought
Edited by - kenpodragon on 28 September 2002 19:25:59