JW's oversimplifying the complex

by Phantom Stranger 2 Replies latest jw friends

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  Phantom Stranger

  According to Mike Kropveld, director general of (of Info Sect), this decrease in popularity could be due to, among other factors, recent accusations of negligence in sexual assault cases that have given Jehovah's Witnesses bad publicity... Recruitment seems to have been fruitful at the last international convention of Jehovah's Witnesses, which took place at the Olympic Stadium this past June 26-29. Close to 35,000 members, from Canada, the United States and several francophone countries gathered there. "People join the ranks of these groups mainly during transitional periods of their lives, when they have existential questions," explains Mike Kropveld. "They need to have something to believe in, to belong to a group. They need to simplify a life that has become too complex." (Italics mine)

  The quote above is from Scully's fine post of a translated article. Kropfeld's final quote here seems to mirror my feelings about why people come, and stay, in the WTS.

  I welcome all comments on this topic, and...I am especially curious about those who have been out for five years or more. It seems that there are many newly-ex JW's who post here, and I enjoy reading many of their posts... and based on my own experience, it takes a while to re-invent an existential belief system from the ground up. It's possible that many here can benefit from hearing about the process of value-system invention. OK, you veterans, with your hard-acquired perspective on the above quote, whaddya think?

  Speaking personally, I find that life is far more complex than I was raised to believe. I regularly have to resolve paradoxes, take positions with incomplete data, and flexibly deal with changing realities - none of which seem to get taught to JW kids :)
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  joannadandy

  I have only been out three years...so I don't really qualify .

  But I have a big yapper and will respond anyway.

  it takes a while to re-invent an existential belief system from the ground up.

  No kidding! And frankly, mine is ever-shifting. I like it that way tho. I as a person am going to always be changing and growing and there will always be room for tweeking as I learn who I am. (The essential life question that dogs us at every turn of life). People who lock in on anything kinda creep me out now. And that's where all this dissention comes from when a religion does change, or finds new light. Example; apparently my devout catholic grandfather went ape-shit in the 50's when the Catholic church said the whole eating fish on Friday only counts during lent as opposed to year round. It's why people get pissed off when the organization says, 1914 children will not die--no wait, we think a generation means something else. It's hard to have the proverbial rug ripped out from underneath you. Are these people wrong for being pissed off that mid-game the rules have changed, hell no! Of course you should be angry. BUT, that's the nature of religion. They have to evolve and change as social climates do or else they will die all together. The price of loosing a few as opposed to the many is a price they have to pay in order to stay functional. Which is why my new belief system is one that holds to, "All religion is bunk!" Hee hee!

  Speaking personally, I find that life is far more complex than I was raised to believe. I regularly have to resolve paradoxes, take positions with incomplete data, and flexibly deal with changing realities - none of which seem to get taught to JW kids

  I think you have hit the nail on the head here. And I think is why ultimately I questioned the whole religious faith deal anyway. There always exceptions, there are always different perspectives, there is always that shade of grey. There were way too many interpretations of the Bible that claimed to be right--without REALLY examining others interpretaions, to say nothing of the hundreds of other religions that we can dismiss right off, and I didn't think it was fair that anyone have a monopoly on God, which is what all religions at their core claim to do.

  Anyway I think I have successfully posted totally off topic rubbish. But it felt good to puzzle that stuff out "out-loud".

  My new belief system is simply this...be a student of life. Learn as you go. Be excited about the possibility and change available tomorrow.

  (But call me when I am 65 have decided I have all the answers and the "right-and-only-way" to do things!) Hee hee!
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  Phantom Stranger

  Not off topic at all... nice post, and thanks.