The Hooks: Which One Did You Bite?

ezekiel3

I have a theory that recruited JWs (not those born into it) all have a specific reason why they converted. I also believe that it is still these "hooks" that keep them going - in the face of so many facts that prove JWs are ridiculously wrong. For those who were raised a JW: was there a hook besides the negative "You will lose your life, family and friends?"

What got you hooked?

1) Never having to die

2) United organization, including racial or anti-war issues

3) "It will all work out in Paradise" answer to crisis/stress

4) Disbility or chronic illness cured

5) Bad taste from other religions

6) "Love bombing" from the congregation

7) Analytical reasoning or "having an answer for everything"

gitasatsangha

I don't think you need a hook if you are born into JW-ism. You are socialized as a JW, taught JW teachings as the one sole truth, and you are isolated from the world at large.

Nosferatu

For those who were raised a JW: was there a hook besides the negative "You will lose your life, family and friends?"

I'm guessing I would sorta fit into the "raised" category, since my mother became a JW when I was five, but my dad didn't start going to the meetings until I was about 12 years old. My meeting attendance wasn't great up until that point.

When I was 13 and in grade 7, I was picked on big time. What really kept me going is knowing that all the kids who picked on me would be destroyed at Armageddon. That alone increased my faith. I was also hoping that Armageddon would hurry the #$%& up. Satan was certainly putting me to the test! Then again, maybe it was my lack of self-confidence. Either way, Jehovah didn't help me when I prayed to him. Jehovah can lick my poop chute.

finallyspringlol

hmmm...what hooked me was:

that one day all the wrongs would be made right

everyone would have there own home...

peace in the world at last

no more starving people

the love and encouragement shown to you when you are new

the feeling that you were pleasing god, even though it was so hard to do so.

and living forever...because really...nobody wants to die....

so it was those kind of things that got me convinced.

joanne

ezekiel3

I don't think you need a hook if you are born into JW-ism. You are socialized as a JW, taught JW teachings as the one sole truth, and you are isolated from the world at large.

Gita: You are right, I was born a JW as well. With all the hooks embedded. My awareness of what was actually reality involved removing one hook at a time, each was a psychological trama to me. I just always been curious about those who came in from the outside.

Doubtfully Yours

#1. Definitely!

DY

Sunspot

**7) Analytical reasoning or "having an answer for everything"

The main "hook" that got my interest was when (at my door) I was offered a home bible study. I had always wanted to understand it, and your #7 fell right in behind. OF course, numbers 1-6 were part of the package! I had NO CLUE what I was getting into, needless to say.

L_A_Big_Dawg

Raised in the troof. Ergo I was never a in that emotionally needy state.

I think that is why so many J-Dub kids don't stay in. They have no emotional investment like their parents did or do.

LABD, of the emotionally wealthy, class

kls

I felt that if i didn't join and it was the truth , that my children would suffer and die

I thought i was saving my kids , instead i made their life miserable. That was the hook that took me in.

blondie

3) "It will all work out in Paradise" answer to crisis/stress

One parent was a JW/one was not, so I didn't get the full treatment.

But I grew up in an abusive household.

Blondie

The Hooks: Which One Did You Bite?

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