Is it me or do you share my thoughts about life seeming so simple when were--------------kids and when we were----------------die-hard jw’s?
As a kid we trusted our parents explicitly. Their word was truth and we believed everything they said. We believed them when they told us of Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, and the Tooth Fairy. How else did we receive toys on Christmas, chocolate candy on Easter, and a half dollar under our pillow when we lost a tooth? Why did we believe them? Because we relied on them to nurture us, feed us, and love us. We felt safe and secure because our parents protected us. They were so smart. They knew things. They could foresee the future and they were never wrong! Life was so simple. Just do what your parents tell you to do and everything will be wonderful. Your life will be long and successful. But it wasn’t all that disappointing to grow up and realize that our parents were just normal humans.
As a die-hard jw we trusted our heavenly father jehober and our “mother” organization. Their word was THE “truth” and we believed EVERYTHING they said. We believed them when they told us about jehober, jesus, and satan. How else did we get here, receive an opportunity for everlasting life through the ransom, and also have someone to blame for all bad things? Why did we believe them? Because we relied on them to nurture our “weak” conscience; feed us what we thought was nutritious “spiritual” food and we even though they loved us. We felt safe within the confines of the wt organization, knowing that jehober would protect us no matter what. They were so smart and “knew” EVERYTHING. They knew that as young persons (in the 60’s) we would never grow old in this system. They could foresee the future. Remember? They knew that the 1914 generation would end within the 20th century and we would be in the new world by 2001. They knew that the “faithful and discreet slave” was ALL the anointed still on earth. They were NEVER wrong (were they). Life seemed simple. Get baptized, go to meetings, go out in service, donate to the worldwide work, don’t smoke, take blood, or commit adultery and everything will be wonderful. You will live forever in paradise!
The fairy tale myth our parents taught us about Santa, Easter Bunny, and Tooth Fairy didn’t really do too much damage because we grew up and learned things for ourselves. But what if your parents insisted that you to still believe in Santa, Easter Bunny, and Tooth Fairy? Wouldn’t your life be much simpler?
just saying!