Have the JW's been dehumanized by the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses, who speak for the WTBTS?
Does WT practices, doctrines, beliefs, and dogma dehumanize its followers?
by Honesty 4 Replies latest jw experiences
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PaulJ
Depends what you call human I guess. But in conventional terms most definitely! They make a point of standing out and being different. Im not saying JW's cannot lead a rewarding life (in their own mind), but surely life outside is better.
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AK - Jeff
I was a witness for better part of 40 years - I do not feel dehumanized as a result of that.
I feel decieved, cheated of most of my life, but not un-human.
In fact, most witnesses are very human. Although mislead, they feel a need to help others to get what they think is the 'truth' and life forever. They have been badly misinformed, turned into human judges, and have become callous to the idea that billions will die so that they may have life. But they are very human - and the ones who finally get out are proof of that. I doubt many would say they felt less than human as a witness. They were just like all other cultist - living in a fantasy or lies and deception. Eventually it is the very humaness of them that makes them see the WTS for what it is.
Jeff
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JamesThomas
You may be on to something; and as usual you are quick to point out the speck in the Witness eye.
In general embracing religious beliefs diverts attention and awareness away from the actual reality and present moment of life and places it on a make-believe past and future. Even without religion, the mind has a strong tendency to entomb us within an interpretational narrative about life, which religion takes great advantage of. So, perhaps you are correct in a way. For if we are not really present with life, are we really alive?
So, perhaps the question is better served when ask: Does my religious "practices, doctrine, beliefs, and dogma dehumanize me?"
Almost always -- if not always -- wisdom is derived by directing questions inward at ourselves, rather than outward toward others.
j
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out of the box
Eventually it is the very humaness of them that makes them see the WTS for what it is. from AK Jeff
In general embracing religious beliefs & diverts attention and awareness away from the actual reality and present moment of life and places it on a make-believe past and future. Even without religion, the mind has a strong tendency to entomb us within an interpretational narrative about life, which religion takes great advantage of. So, perhaps you are correct in a way. For if we are not really present with life, are we really alive?
So, perhaps the question is better served when ask: Does my religious "practices, doctrine, beliefs, and dogma dehumanize me?"
Almost always -- if not always -- wisdom is derived by directing questions inward at ourselves, rather than outward toward others. from James Thomas
Great words of wisdom that reached me and got me thinking... Thanks! JWs do NOT look within, they want sheep that look for leadership.
out of the box