by stuckinarut2 36 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
The more they hate what is "bad" (especially apostates) the more they prove themselves to be "good". JW's must always be proving themselves righteous and better than others.
I think it's completely self serving.
Personally, I never hated apostates, but I was scared of them. I probably already had a strong intuition that we weren't that different and it wasn't going to take much to take me to the "dark side".
I knew of two local apostates before I left (but I had never met them), one was called "a liar", the other "self-centred". But still I wondered if I were ever to leave, would the local JWs come up with a fair and loving "label" about me? Surely such loving people would! I was wrong. I soon heard from still-in friends that I had been labelled "mental".
It shouldn't have shocked me - but it did. I had once believed that, because JWs themselves had been so poorly treated and labeled by wider society (back in the day before they were more widely accepted as a legitimate religious group), they of all groups would have some sensitivity about the need to avoid labelling and to treat the individual with fairness and kindness, even when their paths diverged.
My youthful idealism suffered a sad but necessary wake-up call about what people are capable of saying (and doing) in the service of their precious "true" beliefs.
The ancient Israelites had the 'Goat of Azazel' to cast their wickedness and sins upon.
Jehovah's Witnesses have Apostates to cast their wickedness and sins upon.
Hence modern day Apostates are the scapegoat for Jehovah's Witnesses. Anything that Witnesses don't want to face, own up to or recognize as true and real is thrust upon the modern day Goat of Azazel (Apostates) and the goat is cast out from the camp( the modern day congregation). It's an easy 'fix' for simple minded dullards that are intoxicated with the religious pontifications of the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses.
People who have woken up to the fact that it isn't the truth are the biggest threat to them that need to be silenced.
These dissidents know both sides of the arguments and are uniquely able to deconstruct the belief system and destroy their authority.
They want to protect their power, position and control.
I knew of two local apostates before I left (but I had never met them), one was called "a liar", the other "self-centred". But still I wondered if I were ever to leave, would the local JWs come up with a fair and loving "label" about me? Surely such loving people would! I was wrong. I soon heard from still-in friends that I had been labelled "mental".
If it's any consolation, my labels are "womanizer", "headstrong" and "proud"... but to be fair i am all of those things. And loving every minute of it.
There are several comments to the effect that the WTBTS's hatred comes from the weakness of their own belief set. That is to say, they cannot present a watertight case for certain of their beliefs. So they take the easy option and make an outright adverse judgement of those who have left. I left some years ago, after a period of 'inactivity', because I found clear scriptural evidence for alternative and coherent doctrines. So although I left the WTBTS I most emphatically did *not* leave Yahweh.
It was reported to me that a lady in the local congregation had asked "Does he believe in evolution ?" This illustrates the mindset - "We cannot possibly be wrong, whatever next !!! Somehow it is *his* fault." Just for the record - No, I do not believe in evolution ! And yes, those who were a part of the WTBTS are indeed in the best position to present the real truth of the Bible's teachings, knowing the inside workings.
But here we have a sad scenario, as many who have left appear to have become embittered against any spiritual frame of mind, some even appear to have rejected God himself. But please be aware that the pain has not been caused by God, but by an organisation that is overly generous with self serving expressions, expressions of self-aggrandisement. Please do not abandon God on account of human wickedness.
The watchtower is scared of losing people
Excellent comments!
Steve2 and PE, you mentioned that in your cases, the Elders have spread (or allowed to be spread) negative insinuations about your character?
I know that the same has occurred for us. One still in shared that the Elders had said quietly to individual witnesses things like "Oh, we cant really share much with you, but its best that you don't have anything to do with bro stuckinarut2...or let your children see him and his wife. We have things under control. - just leave it to us as elders"
I mean WTF? What sort of insinuations and innuendo does this imply??
Character assassination is the only real tool that the society or elders can attempt to use!
Punkofnice righteous indignation(tm)',
Punk, when we were young-'uns ( and we come from the same part of the world) that was the term used if you disapproved anything, or one.
It is my concurrence that the Borg is becoming more and more cult-like, especially in the last 25 years. Now, they are told not only to hate what is bad but to HATE the person, as well.Something Jesus never taught, and neither were we, as kids.
The vitriol is getting worse.
Jo-Ho pale emperor "Similar practices ... have been recognized by courts of law as a fundamental right."
Courts of law? Yeah, maybe a "judicial" court held in the back room. To the rest of the world and humanity, this very practice is a VIOLATION of basic human rights.
Unfortunately, Jo-Ho, I think what they mean is that under our present ' Common laws', well certainly in the US and the UK etc , religious groups have the right to expell members as they are considered as "private clubs" to which members sign up, and agree to, the rules when they get baptised.
In other words, we do not have recourse to the legal system when they choose to disfellowship us. Stinks I know.
