Do Jehovah's witnesses have a global view of their organization?

by dgp 7 Replies latest jw experiences

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  dgp

  The Watchtower is a multi-national organization. It makes it a point to translate all of its literature into as many languages as possible. And, considering the travels of some brothers and sisters, one would think that learning other languages is also encouraged, and preaching away is encouraged, too. But, do average witnesses really have a global and holistic view of what happens in their world? Would a Swedish brother, for example, understand what it is like to be a Japanese witness, beyond adhesion to the rituals and meetings? Would the Japanese understand the Swedish, too?

  This question of mine is related to a previous thread. If there's only a small group of guys who can rule the organization, and these guys are the Governing Body and the Attorneys (or just the attorneys), how can they achieve the global understanding they need to rule over this worldwide organization? How can they benefit from the intelligence of a brother in Malawi, for example?

  Thanks for any posts.
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  snowbird

  Interesting thoughts and questions, DGP.

  Maybe it's the natural reserve of the Deep South, but the JW's I've known possess quite a parochial view on ALL matters.

  I found it disturbing at times.

  Sylvia
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  Mad Sweeney

  Dubs everywhere are told they think, feel, and behave the same worldwide. Therefore that is what they believe.

  I have STRONG suspicions that this isn't the case on the ground in most lands.

  For instance, I doubt a brother in the U.S. or Europe could remain in good standing after disowning his 5 year-old son for taking a court-forced or hospital-forced blood transfusion. In Ghana, the Borg pays his bail and he presumably remains an elder.
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  snowbird

  To expand and expound, back in the mid 70's to 80's, when the WT held the Japanese JW's up as banner Witnesses, I often wondered, given their cultural background, if they really grasped the concept of monotheism. Or, were they simply emulating all things Western?

  I never spoke about this to anyone, but the thoughts used to haunt me.

  Also, I'm from a rural beginning - daughter of sharecroppers - and I just couldn't wrap my head or heart around the idea that a GB composed of White males (at the time) could speak for me.

  I just couldn't.

  So, you see why I left.

  Sylvia
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  Heaven

  I can only speak about my own family and experience. To answer your questions, that would be a 'No.' All the time I was growing up ('60s and '70s), even the Governing Body had little to no influence on me or my family.

  I learned way more about other cultures once I left home and started working with people from those various cultures. When my parents found out that I eat sushi, as one example, they were very appalled. They thought I would get sick or infested with worms. Uh, yeah, ok. They were horrified that I worked with transgender and homosexual people as well. They weren't too happy that I worked with Muslims either.

  About 6 or 7 years ago, my Dad visited me at my workplace. He made racist comments to me about the Asian people in the building. I was not impressed.

  So in my experience, the JWs I know have a very limited view of the world and are definitely prejudiced. JWs do not embrace "Seek First To Understand, And Then To Be Understood". Their mentality is "We're right, and all of you are wrong." I think the only way to gain any sort of different cultural experience is to go out and get it. Read and interact. Have friends that are from different cultures and truly listen to what they have to say. Attend festivals and events. Go out and eat at different cultural restaurants with your friends.

  But that will never happen because JWs are isolationists. To do anything 'worldly' is discouraged and so, they stay in their own little worlds, waiting for Armageddon. I don't think it crosses their minds that there are any other cultures involved with the JWs than their own. They may be aware of it, but it doesn't affect them and therefore, has no real significance.
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  snowbird

  Very well said, Mad Sweeney and Heaven!

  Sylvia
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  JWoods

  It may be completely ironic, but perhaps the most "global" thing they have yet done was the scandalous approach to become a United Nations NGO - Which of course, they are in complete denial of now.
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  snowbird

  Ironic, indeed!

  Yet they are going to people the New Earth.

  Alas and alack!

  Sylvia