I'm very hesitant about starting this thread . . . because I don't want to judge anyone or inspire hatred myself. Also, I believe I'm past the anger/bitterness thing well and truly.
So I'm asking this question not out of emotion . . . but as a genuine question.
Here's why . . .
Jehovah's Witnesses are very seperatist by virtue of their doctrines and beliefs . . . we all know that. And that seperation has the obvious implications ie; 7 billion people will die soon because they refuse to worship "Jehovah". Also, the world in general is a Satan-controlled bed of iniquity and godlessness and fully deserving of it's fate. That's true for JW's right?
So what does that view of the world engender?
Well . . . Anyone who leaves the religion for whatever reason is despised, shunned and often slandered . . . even hated.
Also, . . . Suffering in the world is seen as the fault of man alienated from God, so therefore any sorrow for those who are suffering is dulled. Children die a horrible death in Africa and the JW sees this first and foremost as "fulfillment of prophecy" . . . foretold, and inevitable. Sadness for their plight is severely mitigated . . . even absent.
180 people died in this city recently from an earthquake. A couple were known to me. One was a Doctor who left behind a middle-aged wife and three young children. He was the kindest, caring, most gentle and principled man you could hope to meet. But an earthquake is just another sign of the end . . . something to feel good about . . . the end is getting close right?
An earthquake occurs in Japan . . . JW's must check to see if "the brothers" are OK . . . but what of the others? . . . the 70 year old man who was prepared to work on the nuclear plant, in the place of a younger man? Is there greater love? But once again . . . to JW's it's simply a sign the end is close . . . praise Jah for that!
The same can be said for all manner of things . . . natural disasters, victims of crime, debilitating diseases, poverty. It's all just a sign of the last days . . . and JW's seem indifferent to it. They don't mind seeing it actually increase.
They show an indifferent attitude even to those within their ranks . . . the disabled, the mentally ill, the shy and reserved, those in need.
This hating of some, and indifference to anyone suffering outside and inside the religion . . . just seems to fly in the face of everything Jesus Christ symbolised and represented.
Now . . . I know that many JW's are good-hearted people at their core and are very loving most of the time . . . but this religion just seems to snuff out any natural affection for fellow humans. Does anybody see what I'm saying?
When I look at most other Christian religions, certainly mainstream examples, I see groups with a keen social conscience. Often they work hard to provide for the disadvantaged, the impoverished, the downtrodden, the grieving. I think of the Sallies, CCF, and all kinds of other Christian support services that serve the community voluntarily, providing health care, schools, hospitals and hospices, emergency services, retirement homes etc etc. . . . for people they don't even know . . . unconditionally. They just seem to reflect more readily the principle to "Love your neighbour as yourself"
It's not a judgement on the individuals within . . . but is the Jehovah's Witness religion, by virtue of their beliefs, doctrine and outlook, the most hateful Christian religion on earth today?
Am I off-beam on this? What do you think?