Most witness's don't even look at the pictures in their books. (page 2)

jwbot

I was not scared by the pictures, I liked that sort of thing (drama, violence) even as a kid, not that I wanted to see people die, but I liked the illustrations in terms of an art value (yes even as a kid). For instance, in a museum, my mom would let me see the large paintings of naked people as a child...why? Because it is ART, and I could, even as a child, not only separate reality from fantasy, but see the value in these paintings and other expressions of art. The thing I hate, is that JW's teach the illustrations as reality..and that little girl falling into the crack could be the friend from school that I never converted over to the religion. She could be a nice person too, but because at a young age, she didn't know God. These illustrations made me not like the JW god or the biblical God. Even still, the biblical and JW God is an evil, angy God, and if he exists, I do not want to be on his side.

I will admit, the demon stories were more detramental to me. Even still, they give me nightmares. Somethings I still think that the noise I heard in the kitchen is a demon that wants to rape me unless I call on Gods name...even though I know logically that there is no such thing, and holy crap I need therapy.

maxwell

It is true, when I was a JW, I never really thought about the violence depicted in the pictures of the publications. I don't remember nightmares about demons, but that was definitely the most scary thing to ever go through my mind. Most kids at one time or another may be afraid of the dark, or monsters or ghosts in their closet under their bed, etc. But their parents will assure them that those things don't exist and they will be ok. JW teach that demons are real and although they teach that silly saving method of "calling out on the name of Jehovah", I used to be afraid that I would freeze up or that the demons would cover my mouth somehow. All silliness. But one must admit the that the violence in Watchtower publications, while perhaps not appropriate for children, only reflects the violence of the god depicted in the Bible.

dmouse

Here you go:

It has an almost dreamlike quality about it, as if it's happening in slow motion. Strangely, as a kid, I was more traumatised by the dog being killed than the humans!

The modern images of destruction are far more graphic and disturbing, especially the one in the new children's book. The old pictures don't really get you to emphasise with the people, but the new ones show all the agony and confusion and terror in blinding full-colour glory. The JW artists are so full of hate it's unbelievable. I think it's frustration at Armageddon's delay that's making them get more violent in thought each year.

RunningMan

Growing up as a Witness kid, and nurtured on the "Paradise" book, because we didn't have anything that could remotely resemble kid's literature, I can honestly say that the pictures never bothered me. Demons, on the other hand, were everywhere in JW folklore. Man, it took me decades to get over the fear of them.

As for this picture, I love the dog falling into the crevase. What did he do to deserve God's wrath? And the dolly. Was that really necessary?

little witch

There is a big difference between kids watching violence on television, which they know is make believe,

and seeing pictures of an event they are taught is a real future.

Religion plays a central role in a JW childs life, and they do not have the authority to decide for themselves if this sort of dogma is real or not.

Of course I can only speak for myself, and how these pictures made me feel and act. No movie ever scared me that bad. Of course as a dub child, I was severely restricted about what I could watch on tv, although I was thoroughly educated by the horrors of armeggedon 5 times per week from the age of two.

lurk

i remember a group of sisters comparing stories of how their children while out shopping among worldly people have blurted out " you going to get destroyed" . they laughed their heads of thought it was so funny. i sat by thinking man this isn't funny .

FlyingHighNow

And the bicycle? Christ! What did the #$%^&* ing bicycle do??

I'm with JWBot. I have upset a dear ExJW friend of mine because I tell her that if there is a god who has a burning hell, for people who don't accept Jesus, to burn in tortured agony forever, well maybe the joke is on everyone. Maybe Satan is the creator and the demons live in heaven and in the end, evil triumphs over good. Because if there was a real Armegeddon where billions of innocent people, children, dollies, dogs and bicycles are destroyed.....because if there is a God who could send all kinds of wonderful people to burn in hell for not being sure if Jesus is their saviour.....IF either of these is true, then I don't think God deserves to be served.

I believe it's all about controlling people with fear. In the WTBTS case it's all about fear ruling people, young and old. Far easier to scare people into submission, and so far very legal to do so, than to physically force them into submission. The illustrations in the pubs. are all designed with psychological impact and manipulation in mind.

I had demon nightmares. If I was doing well then I could call on Jehovah's name and they would go away. But if I was guilty of some secret sin or weak in anyway they would mute me and taunt me and tell me I was no more righteous than them. I am happy to report those dreams are rare if not non existent now.

Hey, does anyone have a link to that website where the answer to every problem of mankind is to kill 99.9% of earth's population? The site was run by an exJW and has some good illustrations and hilarious and thought provoking captions. If you have the link please post it.

Heather

Lapuce

The poor dog looks pityful on that picture, I don't see why they need to punish animals, since god created them for our pleasure, the more I think of this the more I become sick!

Lapuce

sens

I will admit, the demon stories were more detramental to me. Even still, they give me nightmares. Somethings I still think that the noise I heard in the kitchen is a demon that wants to rape me unless I call on Gods name...even though I know logically that there is no such thing, and holy crap I need therapy.

me 2...

the nightmares i had as a kid were ....horrid

SanFranciscoJim

Here is a more updated version:

Most witness's don't even look at the pictures in their books.

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