by Englishman 6 Replies latest jw friends
On a number of occasions over the years, although not recently, I've seen JW's turn up their noses at my copy of Desiderata that hangs inside our house.
The only comment I've managed to elicit has been a snorting "Humph"!
Do they perceive it as a threat do you think?
It is after all, a wonderful piece of writing that has an appeal to both Christians and atheists generally.
I like it, don't you?
Englishman.
"you are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars, and whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should"
I have always loved Desiderata.
It was considered a mystical teaching (read above quote) and therefore 'demonized'. I couldn't understand this as a child. I thought it was beautiful.
Now I 'understand'.
It promotes self-awareness, and a one-ness with other life forms. This is a no-no for JWs.
tal
Desiderata was considered "evil"? Well, I'll be. I never knew that in all my twenty years as a Witness! I always thought it was a lovely poem-did a calligraphy copy of it for one of my sisters when she graduated from high school, and had a copy on my bedroom wall.
Cicatrix,
It was very popular when I was in Junior High - there was even a song on the top 40 quoting parts of it.
And I was not permitted to have a poster or play the song, nothing, nada.
Perhaps a regional distinction? I'm not sure. That's just how it was here, 'back in the day'.
t
Well, it was a good thing that the aspiring circuit overseer's wife didn't see it when she "invited" herself in to my bedroom. She was too busy being incensed about my king sized waterbed with the mirrored canopy to notice my little poem on the wall, lol.
Until this morning I had never heard it. Now I that I have, I understand why I never had: It is beautiful but goes against their teachings. I also think it is too deep for them. To really understand it requires the deep thought they are forbidden to have. It's sad.
It doesn't have Brooklyn's stamp of approval. In JW-land, what isn't sanctioned is forbidden.
