Hi I have been reading everyone's posts for a few days. I've been away from being JW for about 10 years, but only recently has it occured to me what a bunch of crap the whole thing is... I am still young, and so therefore it seems odd to me that all of my family are strong JW's. Especially my dad he was an elder), who I always associated with being a very intelligent person. A few years ago he wrote me a heartfelt letter asking me why I do not wish to be a part of the orgaqnization any longer (I disassociated myself prior), and how he would hate to see me die at armaggedon. I cried when I received his letter, and then I let him study with me since I wanted so badly to be accepted by him. But I would always find myself asking questions that were just for fun, such as, "dad what does beastiality mean exactly." (even though I knew what it was, at the time I thought it was funny to put him on the spot). He would always go into this biblical detail of whatever we were talking about. At that time I didn't think about religion deep enough to even realize how I truly felt, and why I didn't take anything seriously back then. It's been a couple of years since I have done anything, studying or meetings and lately I have felt like it is all so surreal. The whole idea of the truth and/or any organized religion. I feel like all of it is just a controll mechanism, and surely I am not one to be controlled. I know how I feel, and believe me I am holding back here on my feelings, but as far as my parents are concerned I just don't understand how they could buy into it. How could my parents really believe all of this stuff? Does anyone else have a problem believing their parents really buy into this or what? I sometimes find myself thinking maybe they just feel like they have invested so much of their lives into it that have nothing else. Either that or my dad doesn't want to admit they were wrong and change every aspect of their lives now, being that they are getting older and all... Any thoughts on this would be very appreciated...
Has anyone else ever wondered about.........
by t297crazy 19 Replies latest jw friends
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Netty
How could my parents really believe all of this stuff? Does anyone else have a problem believing their parents really buy into this or what?
I drive myself nuts, asking myself this question. I mean, my parents are so intelligent, about other things. Just tonight I called them up to ask about something medical, and they are wise. So why??? Why did they fall for this crap? yes, you are not alone, sometimes I just get so frustrated thinking about this, I literally have to tell myself to stop it, and think about something else.
Yes, I think the fact that they have invested so much time and energy into it, must keep them in involved now. Their status, being an elder, the wife of an elder, I think that has alot to do with it too. The importance of it all, the being a "somebody". But still, I think love for their children should be stronger than this. oh well.
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Frog
Hi there lovely:) thanks for sharing with us your thoughts, you're very fortunate to have gotten away from the org when you're young enough to make a real go at your life.
It sounds as though your father really loves you, but he is of course wilfully submitting to the mind warping teachings of the org. It's so easy to see the WT & GB for all that they are when you've been away for it for some time, we almost forget what it was like to think as they once did. The WT teachings are subtle, simple and effective, and they have your family gripping on through absolute fear of loosing all they've ever known and all they've ever loved.
I can only suggest that you take out some time to write a letter to your father with your own heartfelt feelings on the matter. Take your time with it, and be sure to immerse yourself in what it was like to think as they do so that you can try to appeal to them on their level. Here's a link to the letter I wrote to my family members earlier on this year.
http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/6/87881/1.ashx
Hope to see you around the board. It's a really great to place to hang out when you need to. Full of very sincere posters. Frog x
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MerryMagdalene
First of all, welcome to the forum.
Second, yes, I have wondered that about my mother, aunts, uncles, cousins (who always seemed a lot smarter than me growing up). But I think there are actually more than a few reasons they continue to buy into it so heavily.
For one thing, they are constantly indoctrinated with the same things over and over and over, book after book, magazine after magazine, meeting after meeting, and they are threatened with the loss of everything they hold dear (friends, family, God, the promise of Paradise) if they don't at least try to, and appear to think and do exactly as they are told.
And the longer they are in, the more dependent they become on that sense of belonging, that sense of being right, and the feeling that all their sacrifices will soon pay-off.
It kind of reminds me of a relationship I was in once. I got sucked in at a vulnerable point in my life; he gave me a job and a place to live; he alternated tearing me down and making me feel worthless and stupid with building me up and telling me how special I was; he worked to isolate me from my own friends and interests, replacing them with his friends and interests; and he made sure there was an ever-present, underlying threat of violence coupled with great plans and goals for the future.
That's just my personal take on it.
~Merry
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t297crazy
What i don't understand also is how they don't check into things for themselves just because the society tells them not to. RED FLAG! if I had not been so afraid of looking into things that were not approved by the society, I would have realized how I felt about everything so much sooner. Instead if you mention anything like "thnk for yourself", its like a switch that turns off in their heads.
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Netty
What i don't understand also is how they don't check into things for themselves just because the society tells them not to
Exactly! I said this to my mother, and she said when they first started studying, they went to the library to verify that Jesus did indeed die on a stake not a cross, just like the societies publications said. And it was infact confirmed! Guess that settles it all then, doesn't it. Yes, this part of it is soooooooooooooooooo frustrating.
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kgfreeperson
Not about my parents, but certainly about the few JWs I know. From my point of view, the "know too much" to believe this--but, obviously not. All, by the way, were "born in." I have decided that they have decided that, forwhatever His reasons, Jehovah wants them to follow this path, so they are following it.
But it is very painful to watch. -
greendawn
Why did this society succeed in deceiving so many people? Because they offer a very seductive package of a soon to be paradise and eternal life, and that enticement paralyses critical thinking especially at times when one feels down due to adverse circumstances. Then the other reasons mentioned here of having invested so much and the fear of losing all those you know in the society once you get shunned.
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katiekitten
Hi there Crazy.
My dad left before me, and what I wonder is hoe the hell someone as intelligent as me (hahahahah) could buy it for so long. If I could work out the answer to that one I'd know why everyone else buys into it.
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ESTEE
how he would hate to see me die at armaggedon. ... I feel like all of it is just a controll mechanism, and surely I am not one to be controlled.
Hi and welcome to the forum. I feel the same way ... that borganized religion is just a means to control and manipulate. Obey the rules or die. Tow the line.
Oh ... and give money.
Who needs it?
Not me
Gone dancin'
Love
ESTEE