This is long but I hope it is well worth the read.
For those of you who are still active as JWs (be it due to your own will or because you are trapped), please consider the October 15, 2003 WT entitled, 'How Can I Make Wise Decisions?'.
Consider these points that come straight from the 'faithful & discrete' mouth:
First, they quote Napoleon Bonaparte: "Nothing is more difficult, and therefore more precious than to be able to decide." Then, the WT says:
You may agree on both counts, since people generally treasure being in control of their own lives.
If the WTS trully believes their OWN words, then there is nothing wrong with taking control of your OWN life. In other words, perhaps now is the time for you to determine WHO is really controlling your life: Is it you? Or, is the the 'faithful and discrete' slave?
Next, the article says:
In matters of major importance, it is vital to make wise decisions, since happiness is largely dependent on our doing so. Some people may feel that they are quite capable of making such decisions and may reject help when it is offered. Is that wise? Let us see.
What is more vital than to be in control of our own lives? As the article states, happiness depends on OUR making wise decisions. SO, I wonder why the article is beginning to hint that we will need OTHER peoples' input in order to make wise decisions. Hmm...
The next article is entitled, 'How Can You Make Wise Decisions?' First, it quotes Solomon: "A wise person will listen and take in more instruction," Then, the article states:
Most of us have at times made unwise decisions simply because we neglected to listen to the advice of others.
Continuing, the article says that Solomon and others wrote 3,000 proverbs. The article asks, "Can we benefit from knowing and heeding his wise sayings?" The WT reasons that, YES, we can benefit because they help us to "know wisdom and discipline..."
If you are in the "truth" but you have your doubts or if you are 'on the fence', why not try to follow the advice that the article next gives:
It may be helpful to put down on paper what the short-term and the long-term consequences will be.
Personally, I feel that the short-term consequences of becoming a JW is that you give up some good, non-JW friends and you stop celebrating the holidays. The long-term consequences are shunning relatives and also not giving anything back to the community. I'm sure everyone has their own opinions and experiences regarding the consequences.
The short-term results of choosing a certain job may be good pay and enjoyable work. But could the long-term consequences include having a job without a real future? Might it eventually require that you move elsewhere, perhaps away from friends or family? Might it subject you to an unhealthy environment or be so uniniteresting as to leave you profoundly frustrated? Weigh the pros and cons, and then decide what should have priority.
Please substitute the word 'RELIGION' for the word 'job'. Then, think ESPECIALLY about the JW religion. Might being a JW require that you move elsewhere (to serve where the need is great or to join the circuit work), away from friends or family? Might it subject you to an unhealthy environment (like, serving in disease-ridden area of Africa or in a congregation where a molestor dwells or in a religion that doesnt allow you to express your personal view or seek professional help) or be so uninteresting (the meetings, conventions, and assemblies) as to leave you profoundly frustrated (see the everyday life of a typical married JW).
The article goes on by saying something that ultimately takes the WTS off of the hook when it comes to decisions about taking a blood transfusion or going out in field service or shunning a loved one:
Of course, when seeking counsel and learning from the experience of others, we ought to do so in FULL RECOGINTION and also BEAR THE RESPONSIBILITY for doing so.
There you have it. The choice is YOURS. Which road will you decide on which to travel?
PS...The article went on to talk about how we need to make the wisest decision by studying with JWs and getting baptized. Believe me, there is a lot of pressure being put on the reader to get baptized. Phrases like "don't delay", "action is required", "what prevents you from getting baptized?" and "decide to study God's Word."
And I thought the decision was ours.