Does the averageJW really believe it is the truth?

by whatistruth 36 Replies latest jw friends

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  DazedAndConfused

  I believed in it ten-fold...until no one, except one CO, believed that I was being abused. Even at that point it was glossed over and ignored. I think generally people believe it is the truth until the "truth" hits you smack dab in the middle of the forehead. It is so easy to be swayed by the "love" being shown by the ones in your congregation. Many do not realise when they are experiencing that, that it is conditional.

  I think that you do believe until something smarks "rational" thinking. I was told years ago by an elder in my congregation that "if you look around you see that we are a group of misfits". This did not hit home t me until I was out. Of course we are a group of misfits...it takes a person who is a "misfit" to fall for the "false sense of security" that the witlesses offer.

  I remember one family who was contacted door-to-door. It was amazing! They had a constant stream of people at their door. But...when they got baptised...no one showed up. It was when they were trapped that they realised that they were duped. He eventually went on to become a servant despite their misgivings. I remember distinctly what happened when they left. At the time I was both appalled and held great respect for the man. His last part in the service meeting he addressed the lack of love in the congregation, despite the fact that his "part" had nothing to do with that. Way to go Joe!!!
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  eyeslice

  What an excellent thread with some great comments!

  I think dh's comments are interesting

  My parents for example, my mother particularly will openly admit that she does not think the 'End' is as close as she used to think it was... If I pushed the question I know she would admit to knowing that her life will end before any New System appears... I think deep down she probably knows my life will end before any New System comes either, yet she still goes.

  I think many of the older ones, including older elders, are feeling that way. The younger ones probably haven't thought that deeply about it yet.

  Why do they stay and not investigate their beliefs further? It is because of the consequences.

  Most of us here have had a really hard time freeing ourselves and as a result have been either ostracized, shunned or disfellowshipped. Many have lost the association of family and life-long friends. A lot still in the organization are not emotionally strong enough to go through that; so they hang on in there. They are happier with the 'head in the sand' approach than risking upset and so they convince themselves it is still the truth.

  Eyeslice
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  Room 215

  I think that many JWs believe what they consider to be the core doctrines -- restoration of a paradise earth, soul sleep, no hellfire or trinity,etc. but have had their faith in the Society's chronologcal underpinnings shaken with the passage of time and the watering-down to meaninglessness of the ``this generation" teaching. Also taking its toll is the incessant repitition, monotony and total absence of fresh insights or any depth in understanding from the page and KH platform -- tons of behavior modification, self-praise and precious little spirituality.

  This is particularly true of the older JWs, many of whom, whether they admit to it or not, are dismayed and deeply disturbed by the prospect of their own imminent mortality, after decades of reassurances that they would not grow old, much less die. Anyone here old enough to remember the pretty young things who attended assemblies in the 50s with ``AAA" (``Available After Armageddon") emblazoned on their lapel cards?
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  Doubtfully Yours

  I would reply 'yes' to this question. However, in today's world everyone gets so busy just plain living that it's somewhat difficult to do the love-bombing constantly.

  Here in the U.S., live is designed so that people are constantly busy at work, or taking care of their home and bills, etc.

  People must stop being so needy all the time, and just learn to fend for themselves in all aspects of life.

  DY
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  jws

  I don't know about the average JWs, I can only speak for myself.

  I wasn't too fond of a lot of it. Meetings were boring. I hated field service. I was afraid of public speaking and did not want to be part of the Ministry school (but my parents forced me). I did not like studying. I did not like reading the Watchtower and Awake. I liked my worldly friends better than JW ones. There were times I liked it more than others. At some points, I tried to get more involved, hoping I would cross some barrier and "get it". But that was all the mechanics of JW life, not the belief.

  I believed we had "the truth". I didn't agree with everything, but thought that in the end, it would all be corrected. I was actually kind of an elitist because "I" had "the truth".

  I think there are a lot of JWs that think they have "the truth". They just don't like the motions.
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  whatistruth

  I really believe for the average jw that it isn't so much about it being the ultimate truth but it is a life, a life that is excepted by everyone that they know. Their parents, friends since the age of conception, etc.. So, it is much more to do with their little tiny uncomplicated world that the average jw cares about the most. The fact that it is the truth or not I believe comes in a far second place. Without this world, for most, they believe that they will cease to exist.
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  whatistruth

  bttt