The average witness? When they also believe it to be too late
At what point would the average witness start to question their beliefs?
by skittles4u 23 Replies latest jw friends
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DanTheMan
I wasn't an average witness, so I don't know, but the Kora drama at the 2001 DC was a major turning point for me, the authoritarian nature of the org suddenly became so naked to me, the scales fell from my eyes I guess you'd say. It was one of the saddest moments of my life, I knew the dream was soon to be over.
I think many JW's have become so accustomed to and dependent on the tyrannical authority structure that is the WTS that they will never question. Others are just along for the ride, not really taking it all very seriously. Then there are JW's who are more thoughtful and kindly types of people, who recognize that the org is seriously flawed but feel that at core it is the trooth. But the org will continue to bleed its best and brightest as demonstrated by the many intelligent and thoughtful posters on this board.
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Scully
What often seems to happen among JWs is that as long as their life is plodding along without too many troubles, they are quite happy to remain JWs.
When life takes a bad turn, they blame themselves first. It's what they've been conditioned to do. Never blame Mother?. How could Mother? possibly be at the root of their problems, when Mother? has taught them that god's name is Jehovah, or the prophecies in the Bible, or shown them how to Live Forever in Paradise on Earth??? No, it's all YOUR fault.
Even when there are problems with other members of the congregation, whether it's hypocrisy or fraudulent business dealings - becoming the victim of a scam - or other things, if you can't overlook those things and Serve Jehovah for Him Not Other People? then it's YOUR fault. You look too much at the failings of the Brothers?, you don't love the Brothers? enough to forgive them, you have a negative attitude, If Someone Stumbles You, It's Your Responsibility to Get Up and Keep Going?, etc, etc.
A person can spend DECADES in self-flagellation, thinking that their problems as a JW are self-inflicted, trying to overcome their flaws as a Christian, and never feeling that they are doing enough or that they Lack Faith?. They feel that their misery is because they aren't doing enough to get Jehovah's Blessing?, which would make them happy.
The whole organization is structured and the thought processes are so warped so that the average witness never questions the belief system, only themselves.
For those of us who have left, it means that we were not "the average witness".
Love, Scully
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Outaservice
NOBODY CARES AND EVERYTHING IS FINE..........UNTIL.......'THEIR OWN OX GETS GORED!' THEN MAYBE THEY START TO 'THINK'.
OUTASERVICE
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Lostreality
Well, what really did it for me, was the fact that they always said we are in the time of the end. They always used the excuse, "Dont you see how the times are getting worse and worse?"
Well DUH. Times were getting worse and worse in the 40's, 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's ECT ECT
By any perspective, when looking at the bible, everything looks WORSE
ZThen it hit me...times just might "keep getting worse" Five bucks says that witnesses in the 70's used the excuse that times are getting worse!
Grrrr.
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skittles4u
When life takes a bad turn, they blame themselves first. It's what they've been conditioned to do
This is very true. That is why is difficult, almost unthinkable for the average witness to ever question their jw belief system, because they have been taught that it is impossible for it to be wrong, so it must be I. That in turn leads to mental and emotional problems because of always blaming themselves for everything that happens.
So, to start to question the jw beliefs takes alot of courage and a very open mind.
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minimus
Good question......I think the average JW always thinks about what's wrong with things but is trained to keep it way in the back of their mind. But as soon as a something traumatic happens, the excuse is already there to find fault. The key to how long one stays asfter that is the guilt factor.
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Markfromcali
So, to start to question the jw beliefs takes alot of courage and a very open mind.
Also we can say honesty. Its certainly true that because they are taught to submit to the authority of the organization, they never question that. But of course theres the question of "do I really know this is God's organization?" We're probably on the same page but I think its important to point out blaming yourself is different from questioning yourself, the latter is just a matter of being interested in the truth more than some false sense of security.
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gumby
At what point in time might you get hit by a truck?
The question is the same.....no offense.
Different events in different people lives cause a witness to re-think their religion. For some ex-dubs, ......had a certain event not have happened in their lives.....they would still be a dub. For some it's reading something or verbally hearing something that makes them think, for others it's something that hurt or stumbled them, for others, it's independent thinking that decides at some point in time to leave the group. Different events/circumstances, and different people.
Gumby