"But I am thinking. Things have gotten really hurtful in our home, the arguments and the like. She doesn't even know most of the basic doctrines like 1914 and when the 'slave' was appointed, yet she'll defend it to the grave. It's amazing to see how a relationship with people she isn't even acquainted with takes priority over her marriage."
That makes me sad. I went through the exact same thing a little over a year ago. My wife, for some reason, never cared to really put forth the effort to be able to explain the JW doctrines from the Bible. She was content to do the basic Wt/school/service/bookstudy studying. I did care. I wanted to be able to do what 1 Peter 3:15 said to "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." She was always impressed with my ability to explain our ridiculous doctrines. And then when I started to see the gaping holes in JW teachings, all of a sudden she came out defending them like I didn't know my ass from a hole in the ground. Even though she couldn't tell me where I was wrong. The simple fact that "God's channel" was providing the info was good enough for her. Her attitude was completely opposite from the admonitions in what you quoted above. Actually, the WT's attitude is also completely hypocritical in that regard as well.
'Examine your beliefs! Seek evidence! Use reason! And once you come to agree with us, chuck that sh!t out the window!' - That's a fundamental mistake the JWs make. They think that critical examination stops once you've arrived at the(ir) "Truth". They don't realize that intellectual honesty demands constantly testing the efficacy of any given belief against the best information/evidence available, and having the willingness to change those beliefs if proven false. Sure they pay lip service to the notion, but it's shown to be bullsh!t by the simple fact that researching in "worldly" publications is essentially forbidden. But the hypocrisy is even further revealed when they are shown to be wrong on a matter. Like you said, at that point you're simply required to "wait on Jehovah", a.k.a. follow the crowd. So it's all about "reason, evidence, and critical examination", UNTIL such things lead you to disagree with them.
And then there's this: "I could care less about 1914!"
I had elders tell me the same thing. That's cognitive dissonance at it's finest. They would like to believe that their world view doesn't rest on something as silly as a "foretold" year. So they'll say things like that while fully knowing that they must accept the "truth" of it without question, and keeping the implications of that doctrine being wrong far from conscious consideration. Not to mention that its a perfect example of them only paying lip service to the ideals quoted above. It's like they think that a building can still stand even if you knock out the first few floors. They're essentially saying, "My beliefs are founded on solid evidence, but even if that evidence is in error, I still know I'm right."
Anyway... yeah. Interesting thoughts. Sorry for the long rant.
Ben S.
