I am writing a college report on JW and need information. I am trying to focus on the false ideas that non-JW's have about JW's and compare them to the truths. But...any info anyone can provide would be great!
Do you mind telling us what kind of course you are taking? If it's for a history of religions class, for instance, you would probably approach the topic in a different way than if you were writing it for a psychology or sociology class.
May I ask if you have any family background or personal acquaintance with JW's? I was curious about your focus being on "the false ideas that non-JW's have about JW's." As a non-JW who has had a lot of experience meeting with JW's, my personal observation is that the "false ideas" thing cuts both ways ... plenty of JW's have lots of false ideas about Christians and "Christendom" because they've been presented with such a slanted picture in the Kingdom Hall. (Christians and Christendom really tend to be demonized in WT literature.)
You say you want to compare the false ideas (that non-JW's have about JW's) with "the truths". But how are you going to decide what the truth is? How will you know for sure if an opinion held by a non-JW is really a false idea? You might want to think about the somewhat surprising idea that the non-JW or ex-JW may actually be a better source of what "the truth" is, since the JW is going to feel obligated to paint a rosy picture and defend his religion by putting a good spin on things.
For instance: suppose a non-JW had the idea that JW's are members of a high-control religious organization, and that JW's must follow the rules laid down by the local elders and Governing Body or suffer the consequences. Is this a false idea about JW's or a true idea? How would you decide? If you ask the JW or if you consult JW literature, you would probably be told that individual JW's follow their conscience and that no one forces them to be a member or follow certain rules, etc. In other words, they would tell you that the non-JW has a "false idea" about JW's being members of a high-control group.
However, the non-JW or ex-JW might be able to explain what they mean by "high-control" (as defined by behavioral scientists or religious historians) and give examples of "high-control" incidents which would demonstrate that theirs is actually not a false idea.
As Bebu said, there's the so-called "Troof" and then there's the truth about the "Troof" <s>.
Marjorie
