Village Idiot: You need a combination of curiosity and integrity to find out TTATT. Most people don't have it.
I agree. I used to believe something similar about one's becoming a JW. I believed that people had to have curiosity, integrity, strength, honesty, and a willingness to be different to hear and act on the "ring of truth", which I thought JWdom had. And I believed most people didn't have that.
And, to an extent, I still believe that. Well, let me qualify that; I would still believe it if JWdom was the way it was a few decades ago. I became a JW because I was curious and concerned and I was seeking. I was concerned about world conditions including suffering, injustice, ruining of the earth, etc., and JWdom offered what seemed at the time to be good answers. But a main reason I became a JW is that I didn't like what I saw in "churchdom". I saw phony, money-loving, glory-loving preachers. I saw churchgoers who knew nothing about the Bible or their own theology. I saw guys who went to church for the required one Sunday per month so they could play on the church basketball team. I saw a bunch of churches teaching many differing doctrines with no unity. JWdom seemed so different. I analyzed it, accepted it (although with some questions that were never answered), and had the strength to act on my acceptance.
I really believe that my doing that was an indication of curiosity, integrity, and other good qualities. I think it was kind of like reaching a first level of curiosity and integrity. I thought JWdom really was accomplishing a separating work. However, I continued to be curious; I continued to question and seek. I grew in honesty and strength. My curiosity, integrity, honesty, etc. led me to where I am today. I believe that I have now reached a 2nd level, a higher level of curiosity and integrity, and I think they many, if not most, JWs won't be able to do that.
