Would you want to go back to that 'illusion and fantasy'?

Gill

Hi All, and especially Scoobysnax as I was just reading your post.

I saw a bit of the news yesterday and the Archbishop of Canterbury was giving a sermon. The newscaster said that he was warning about the world's obsession with youth. I'm not so sure that's what he was saying though.

He said, or words to this effect, that he felt pity for those who believed that they would never grow old, suffer illness and death in this life, and 'God help them' because of the illusion that they were living under.

I don't think he was talking about youth. I think he was talking about something else all together, which is the mistaken fantasty world that many christian fundamentalist chose to believe.

The fact is, that we're all chosing to believe what suits us and what we want to believe and in that way, maybe our wishes are obscuring whatever the 'truth' might be.

JWs in particular are living in an illusionist paradise and pay the price for it with their sadly pressured and miserable life.

Would any one want to go back to that?

The price of free thought is uncertainty but to me is worth every thing it costs.

the_classicist

It's strange, I choose to believe what is logical for me to believe, even if my gut feeling goes against it.

Of course, I wouldn't go back to the JWs, but I also think that freedom of thought and religion (well, not for the WTBTS) aren't incompatible.

Gill

Hi Classicist!

That's the problem though isn't it...you can never be quite sure whether what you believe is really true or not, or just something that you want to believe makes sense from the evidence as you see it. But the freedom to do that, to actually decide that for yourself is priceless.

talesin

we're all chosing to believe what suits us and what we want to believe and in that way, maybe our wishes are obscuring whatever the 'truth' might be.

belief is merely a way of looking at the world that excludes 'other' thought

belief is not in the vocabulary of the truly open mind ...

certainty is attainable if we look inside.

t

Sunspot

Even though I really thought I had "all the answers" a la WTS, I'd much rather be where I'm at right now. NOTHING would tempt me to go back.

the_classicist

But the freedom to do that, to actually decide that for yourself is priceless.

I totally agree, its one of the great gifts.

jula71

I believe the question posed is, ?Is ignorance bliss?? I truly feel the answer is, yes.

Many truly believe the end is almost here and the WT is very good at burying things such as the UN affair. So in other words, many have no reason to doubt do to the fact that research is so strictly discouraged. And one more thing I have noticed, the WT seems to attract people that are at a disadvantage mentally. Most of the rank-and-file publishers are people that truly need that kind of structure. Some people want to be told what to do. It?s makes life much easier. It?s Sat = service, Sun = meeting, ect?

Gill

jula71- That's an interesting point, that the structure and control that the JW system of living gives is something that some people need very much. It means they, in theory 'know' that their husband/wife won't leave them. They 'know' their kids won't take

Gill

My apologies again!

But what I was saying was that the 'truth' gives them what they believe are certainties. But the fact is there is nothing certain in life. I think that's why some witnesses over react when things go wrong or not the way they expected in life. The rug is well and truly pulled from under their feet and before you know it....the world has collapsed around them.

Country Girl

In that regard:

It's easier to deal with a true present than an uncertain future. I.E. "one day at a time."

CG

Would you want to go back to that 'illusion and fantasy'?

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