Are caricatured portrayals of JWs counterproductive?

scout575

Years before I stopped being a Jehovah's Witness I came onto sites like this one, out of curiosity. I found that alot of the postings were depicting the JW organization as a harsh, unloving, brainwashing cult. I found this portrayal to be completely opposite to my long years of experience as a JW ( and still do ). I remember thinking at the time that it was if if these postings were describing a religion other than Jehovah's Witnesses. This meant that I just couldn't take seriously what the postings said, and therefore they never made me call into question whether I should continue as a JW.

Whilst I don't want to minimize the very real trauma that many ex-JWs have experienced, if one of the main aims of this site is get JWs to question whether they should continue 'in the truth' would it be better ( As many already do ) to use more measured language in our postings and to have a more forensic approach to our criticisms of the Bible and the WTS? Had that been the case years ago, I suspect I would have left JWs much earlier than I did.

BizzyBee

if one of the main aims of this site is get JWs to question whether they should continue 'in the truth' would it be better ( As many already do ) to use more measured language in our postings and to have a more forensic approach to our criticisms of the Bible and the WTS? Had that been the case years ago, I suspect I would have left JWs much earlier than I did.

I see your point. However, I suggest that there a numerous sites with varying degrees of "forensic" scholarship for the serious student. Many (most?) ex-JWs on this site have made up their minds long ago - over 30 years for me - and seem content with a place of support and a place to vent and, well, fellowship - like grateful survivors of a horrible disaster. Being a JW has bonded us in a unique way.

I personally am not a "serious student" of the fallacy of JW dogma - it would be, for me, like spending my time proving that the earth is round - why bother? I am convinced and have experienced

the JW organization as a harsh, unloving, brainwashing cult.

I believe that getting out is often just a matter of timing - "when the student is ready, the teacher will appear."

Glad you're here with us, scout.

carla

to use more measured language ......... Had that been the case years ago, I suspect I would have left JWs much earlier than I did.

so you didn't leave because some exjw's were too harsh on the org? and therefore you did not question? and it isn't a mind control group how?

slugga

I disagree. I faded away and never really stopped believing it was the "truth" I had to find other ways to convince myself it wasn't the truth and to get on with my life. Its no good hitting me around the head with heavy scriptural based augments as to why the org isn't the "truth" for me that approach is wrong. I see scripture and I know that scripture can be bent and twisted to mean anything, i see scripture and I turn off.

Show me someone thats been hurt by the org, show me someone thats lost their family and friends to the orgs judgemental way of life and I'll sit up and listen. I would much rather see personal experiences in here than a bunch of stuff arguments over something that was written down around 2000 yrs ago

Matthew 7. 15 “Be on the watch for the false prophets that come to YOU in sheep’s covering, but inside they are ravenous wolves. 16 By their fruits YOU will recognise them. Never do people gather grapes from thorns or figs from thistles, do they? 17 Likewise every good tree produces fine fruit, but every rotten tree produces worthless fruit; 18 a good tree cannot bear worthless fruit, neither can a rotten tree produce fine fruit. 19 Every tree not producing fine fruit gets cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Really, then, by their fruits YOU will recognise those [men].

Matt

Gopher

You could also ask about the Watchtower's caricatured portrayals of non-JW's. They demonize everything they do not approve.

Most of the criticism here is directed at the Watchtower leadership, and not the rank-and-file membership. There is an important difference. The organization deserves the criticism, and they deserve to be put under the harsh spotlight that they attempt to use against outside institutions.

I think a person coming to this discussion board will find what they want. If they feel the need to continue in their religion, the ideas posed here (whether "measured" or "caricatured") will not reach them. If some are having doubts about their religion and are READY to consider alternatives, then most likely they will be able to sift through the information and find good points to consider.

This place is a safe haven for those who have been demonized and not approved by the organization to which they devoted much of their resources and the best years of their life.

joelbear

my aim here is to help people including myself live a fuller and more satisfying life. my posts range from angry to sad to distraught to happy to euphoric depending on my mood and the subject matter.

and slugga, will you marry me, wowser.