Before I tell you about the conversation, I need to give you some background. I am 62 and my JW sister is 58. I left the religion when I was 22. That was 40 years ago. In 1981, she read the hard stance article about those who have left and did not talk to me in more than a cursory way for 15 years. Then, my mother had a serious medical problem that required the cooperation of my sister, my wife, and myself. Since then we have been on good terms and converse on a regular basis. Now, in our last conversation we got into the subject of JW beliefs. She maintained that all the signs were there for Armageddon. I maintained that all of it is cyclical and we go through bad times and then we go through good times. She said life is awful. I pointed out that life is better than ever in terms of human history, and the 14th Century was a better fullfillment of Matt. 24 than our time. She pointed out that it was a "composite sign' which included the preaching work. I pointed out that the JWs have not reached China, India, or the Middle East in any significant way. She pointed out that it could happen any day under Jehovah's direction, after all, look at the collapse of the USSR and the new preaching work. I conceeded that this could happen, but it has not yet happened. Well, it was an interesting conversation, but neither of us changed our opinion.
A conversation with my JW sister
by larc 9 Replies latest jw friends
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myself
Always looking for signs aren't they? It is sad because they look so hard they can't see or enjoy anything else. I am glad you and your sister were able to return to a state of good terms. Sometimes you have to learn to agree to disagree.
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crownboy
I pointed out that life is better than ever in terms of human history, and the 14th Century was a better fullfillment of Matt. 24 than our time.
Excellent point larc, I've never quite thought about it with that twist . I'm also glad to see that you and your sister are still speaking, as you did express some concern that maybe she might stop after the August KM info.
JW's can only stay motivated if they believe that the world is about to end, which would have to mean that we are in the worst state of affairs than at any other time in history. However, I'm sure if you got a JW to honestly answer the question :"would you rather be living now, or at any time in the past?", they'd choose the present. They constantly ignore anything positive that happens today. They'll tell you how many people are starving right now, but won't tell you how much worse it was before. They'll tell you how many people died in WW2, but won't acknowledge how relatively peaceful the post WW2 era has been in the history of the world. This unhealthy outlook obviously cheats them of much joy in this life, and needlessly depresses their outlook on life.
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expatbrit
What will it take to get through to them?
When you find out, let me know.
Expatbrit
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deddaisy
She said life is awful.
Sounds like my JW sister. I hate that too, don't they think that maybe God is insulted by such a lack of appreciation for life? Anyway, I personally believe the world was in worse shape when the wicked angels were supposedly coming down and having sex with women. I guess that must not be the opinion of JW women. ummm...
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Thirdson
Larc,
If "preaching" is part of the sign then JWs are not fulfilling it as you pointed out. Even if communism collapsed in China there is no reason reason to believe JWs would make much of a difference there. They will simply be another "me too" Christian religion trolling for converts. Russia is/was a Christian country and JWs have done well in countries with a Christian history. However, in 50+ years in democratic India JWs have grown from a tiny religion to a very minor religion. So why would an ex-communist, non-Christian country embrace Watchtowerism?
If China changed dramatically where will JWs look to find a power to be the "king of the North." But then again, despite communism, China is the "King of South's" second biggest trading partner and partners don't go to war.
Oh well, there's always Iraq, but don't count on Iran which is likely to go through another revolution soon as it's young population begins to gain a voice.
Thirdson
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rei
Hmm all too familiar to me... the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society never lets go of their bleak outlook on life today, this is how they maintain power and control of their followers. My sister would say the same thing, it's a direct lack of education and it's fear that stops them from expanding their knowledge of the world and life around them. Sad when I think about it, I guess I try not to.. Larc it's great that you and your sister are talking after 15 years of silence (sad when I think about the wasted time) but still nice to have that connection again.
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neyank
Hi larc,
"She pointed out that it was a "composite sign' which included the preaching work."
Every believing JW says this.
Why?
Because the are 'programed' to.
But they don't understand that the good news thier preaching is NOT the same good news that was preached by the appostles.'Armageddon is coming any time now.'
It's coming real soon.
Just around the corner
And if you want to survive, you MUST become a JW or else.
So for a JW to even bring up thier preaching activity is almost laughable.
I see more Mormans preaching than I do JWs.
What does this say about thier preaching?neyank
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jws
Thirdson,
To clarify, JWs believe their message must be "preached in all the inhabited earth". Technically, they don't say people have to listen and convert.
If they aren't preaching in China or Iraq, then obviously they are not preaching in all the inhabited earth. But if they do get in and start preaching, then they will count this, even if nobody listens.
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deddaisy
JWs believe their message must be "preached in all the inhabited earth"
jws, you hit the nail on the head here. and its sooooo irritating when the WTS reps try to come across to the "world" that they preach out of love for their neighbor. Granted, some of the sincere Witnesses may, but most believe that the sooner the world is preached to, the sooner all their worldly neighbors will be destroyed and they can have the earth to themselves.
Larc, forgot to add good for you and your sister. life is just too short for that dark ages nonsense.