I am a teacher and coordinator in Brazil. The school (it's for adults) I work for requires that our students donate food (rice, beens, pasta) or clothes or toys every month. Then, at the beginning of the next month, we take all of the donated goods and deliver them to places that exist on receiving donated items.
Two months ago, we delivered the items to a home that cares for kids with cancer. It is run by the Catholic church.
Last month, we delivered the items to a home set up to help get people off the streets. This place is also run by the Catholic church. While delivering the items along with one of our students, the director invited us to sit down and explained to us how the program works. hey even had three guys share their experiences from living in the streets to helping others turn their lives around.
These places have made me think about how JWs do ZERO for the community, specifically for any who aren't part of the JW circle. They have no programs set up at all. But why?
I certainly don't believe in a Christian god, but it's okay if you do. I do care about people, though. Taken from JWdotOrg:
While on earth, Jesus fed the hungry, healed the sick, and restored life to the dead! (Matthew 15:29-38; John 11:38-44) As the future Ruler of God’s Kingdom, Jesus provided a beautiful preview of what that Kingdom will do for its subjects.
As we have learned, Jesus showed what a wonderful king he will be by feeding the hungry, healing the sick, and even raising the dead to life!
Thus the JW mindset. They ignore the part how Jesus fed the hungry and focus mainly on healing the sick and resurrecting the dead and tie it in to a PREVIEW of the FUTURE. Nothing is about the "now" except the so-called preaching work.
JWs are not motivated by what they see around them on a daily basis (homelessness, people with cancer, starvation) because that's something only God can resolve. It's more important for them to tell them how God will one day feed and clothe them.
Case in point, my cousin sexually abused my older brother who is now a devout JW. After I left the JWs, I suggested to my brother that he ought to see a therapist to help him deal with any hurt feelings or internal/mental pain). He told me it isn't necessary and that everything will be resolved in the New System. I said to him that that is well and good if that's what you believe, but in the meantime until the New System arrives, there's no harm in getting some help TODAY. His response was merely dismissive silence.
And that, my friends, sums it all up (in my opinion). The JW belief system is all about chasing a future pipe dream while ignoring the everyday issues encountered. If Jesus existed and he fed the hungry, why is it only about what he WILL be instead of what he WAS?
In the end, helping others feels good. I hope that anyone who has read this (JWs or otherwise) does his or her part to help others. Seeing those kids smiling when the donations arrived was a game changer for me.
Have a great day!
