I agree with some of the points of the original post. The carpe diem (minus the carpe) attitude does get to me. I resent it a bit now, although I managed to get a university education, I really just fell into it, and had little direction. For my JW mom and JW supporting dad, university was just a stop-gap till I married a JW guy...didn't happen. LOL, yes the dreaded college education did help to open my mind (much to my mom's dismay).
So it frustrates me now to see my highly intelligent nephews and nieces just sort of floundering around, not preparing themselves for any type of successful career (obviously college is out). To me it's a big, unfortunate waste and a mindframe I cannot relate to...now, anyway.
As for the obesity thing, interesting observation. A couple of my witness family members ARE quite overweight. And I won't hesitate to acknowledge that obseity in this country in general HAS reached alarming proportions: the JW's don't have the market on it. But oddly enough, I really think in my sister's case, hers is the result of an eating disorder, of suppressing and/or repressing a lot of feelings. And, she's obsessed with her weight--my mother is also obsessed with my sister's weight. When I was a witness, I too, had an eating disorder: anorexia. I believe it was directly related to my inability to "control" my life; all control came externally.
So, I do think that JWs (particularly women, who really DON'T have any ability of really achieving anything in the organization. As lame as these posts might sound to some, at least MEN--rank and file type guys--can aspire to be M/S's, elders/go to bethel, etc.. Have some JW status of sorts...Women? What do they have accept the chance to marry and subject themselves to their husbands. Or maybe pioneer...whoopee.
Just my thoughts.
