I live in a city with a few major universities. Last Thursday, I got off work, and as I hit the main avenue on my way home, I noticed people with their graduation robes and caps on. I saw parents ecstatic that their children were now adults, and had accomplished something both they and their parents could be proud of. It got me to thinking, about the different phases of life we all go through, and questioning where I stand in life at this very moment.
Tuesday night, I sat in the meeting thankful I didnt have to do the Bible Highlights, or the Book Study, or anything on the Service Meeting. It's nice to sit back and just listen for a change. I commented twice. Personally, I'm sick of that platform. If I never deliver another outline again, it will be too soon. I sat there listening to the Bible Highlights, and thought to myself, "how many times have I heard this?" The brother doing the highlights picked the easiest subject to spend 4 minutes on. I know cuz I've been lazy at times and did the same thing. Later on, I listened to the #3 talk, and listened to a younger sister explain why JWs don't celebrate Mother's Day, or Valentines Day. On one hand, I'm proud of her because I remember when she was an unruly teenager, now she's a regular pioneer fudging her hours. She's come a long way. At the same time, I found myself disgusted because she only presented one side of the argument against holidays. My brain was screaming, " where was Romans 14?!?!?!" What she explained to the householder, was what the WTS had indoctrinated in her. She doesn't have her own educated, conscientious belief system regarding holidays. She believes what she was taught to believe, right or wrong. During the Service Meeting, a younger Ministerial Servant gave a part on practical assistance in the ministry. He used the typical catch phrases, "joy", "encouragement", "beneficial", etc.. He pretty much followed the Ministry School Book word from word, occasionally looking up at the audience to make it appear natural. Later the meeting ended with a prayer, and the brother who closed the meeting prayed "for the faithful and discreet slave", and for forgiveness, "when we fall short", and "for the pioneers", how much longs for when Jehovah replaces "this system of things", you get the point.
It hit me, that if I missed all the meetings for the next year, I could pick up where I left off of relatively quick. The WTS isn't producing spiritually mature Christians as much as they're programming robots, or zombies who can repeat whats been repetitiously ingrained in them several times a week for year after year. When presented with an argument that makes more sense than what the WTS has ingrained in them, their brains sound a warning, "does not compute! Does not compute! System Error!" At some point, some realize as many of you have, that they don't have any beliefs. They've been trained to repeat someone elses peculiar beliefts. Many, despite being adults, are incapable of reasoning, debating, and thinking. Going back to transitions in life, our parents raise us to one day become self sufficient, and responsible adults. People seek education to help them advance in life, whether it be financially, economically, or just to make them more well rounded in life. JWs on the other hand, don't have that possibility. There is no graduation from Mother. An "independent spirit" is strongly discouraged. So its a lifetime of the Theocratic Ministry School, The Service Meeting, the Watch Tower Study, etc.. A JW never makes decisions based off his individual conscience, but rather makes decisions based on whats been ingrained in him, and what the local herd congregation and his indoctrinated family pressures him into.
Am I crazy? Or does any of this make sense? I'll be honest, I typed this with some assistance, or lack thereof from Brother Jack Daniels.