Confirmation bias at play.
They all confirm to one another that they are indeed God's Channel on earth.....therefore they believe it wholeheartedly
Why are the individuals who make up the Governing Body so deluded
by UnshackleTheChains 33 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
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unsure
I give them the benefit of the doubt that they are actually deluded and beleive their own teachings. Many of us were deluded at one time too.
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Finkelstein
One can understand the acceptance of this delusion in the realization that these men have been subjectively brainwashed in typical fashion as the rest of the JWS.
Add in the acknowledged power, control and money set in their hands as the organization's top leaders and it becomes a happy delusion that they are more than willing to continue with.
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UnshackleTheChains
I give them the benefit of the doubt that they are actually deluded and beleive their own teachings. Many of us were deluded at one time too
Yes, but I find it incredible given that so much has gone under the bridge so to speak. As a group of men, they surely have meetings to discuss serious matters. Eg the many court cases re child abuse allegations, the ARC hearings, the large amount of critism coming at them from all angles through the media. Yet life goes on at JW.Org like nothing has or is happening. We still see the members of the GB smiling and talking into the camera on jw broadcasting like everything is just so very very perfect. It reminds me of a colleague who always humourously said 'oh well....Never mind' regardless.
What's' more, you never hear a whisper about 'anything' at the hall between members, even close friends! It's simply astounding.
Any psychologist would find JWs and their leadership an interesting but baffling study group in relation to cognitive thinking and behaviours!
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HowTheBibleWasCreated
Because as GJ said at the ARC the governing body is TRYING to fulfill its role as the faithful slave (Truthful words) Also he said he COULDNT speak with Jesus.
Thus he is like every other deluded Christian and JW the difference is the GB is the figurehead in a corporation ruled by the lower committees...
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Finkelstein
I dont think the GB men are deluded in the realization of what their positional responsibility is within the organization, they are the ones to make the doctrines of faith up and feed the awaiting flock.
Sure it may be inaccurately false and pretentious but since they have pulled it out mostly from the bible, people have a tendency to eat up like spiritual food from god.
Take the overlapping generation doctrine which was created to answer why nothing has happened since 1914. Most bible scholars would have a laugh at this doctrine based from the lack of evidence contained in the bible but JWS just nodded their head in total acceptance and servitude loyalty.
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Lostandfound
The Governing Body puzzles me, how 7, largely uneducated nor professionally qualified, can manage a global business worth billions is a question I have often considered. Who pulls the strings, aside from the need to keep up a stream of 'scriptural' explanations, the almost criminal yet so convincing slight of hand over congregation funds, Halls, the per capita fees hidden in Assembly costs , could this lot have devised all this, I seriously doubt it. Somewhere are some brains but not with this lot, Rolexs for some, worldwide travel, yet usually dressed in suits that could be from a charity shop, not huge evidence that they have fingers in the pie, lack of openness about finances and the cross border money shifting lead me to believe someone or a group, uses the GB as cover, all the while swindling freely. Deluded or Sincere, they are not innocent and are stained with blood and the suffering they supervise. Russian saga a perfect little distraction that does them no harm at all.
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UnshackleTheChains
deludedɪˈl(j)uːd/verbpast tense: deluded; past participle: deluded- make (someone) believe something that is not true."too many theorists have deluded the public"
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Esse quam videri
UTC "...Surely these men must see what's going on. If they can afford fancy pinky rings, they must have smart phones. If they have smart phones, they must be inquisitive as to how they are perceived. If they are inquisitive as to how they (the GB) are perceived, then they will be reading all sorts of things about them - critical or not!..."
You are in the theatre. You have a show that is selling out every night. People love you and they tell you that, often. At each show a couple of hecklers sound off in the back rows, in the distance. You can barely hear what they are saying but you ignore them. What are going to do? Cancel all your fully booked, sold out shows because of a few hecklers in the background? Pack your bags and call it a day? I don't think so.
I wouldn't put it past the GB to look at the internet 'hecklers' comments just to have a good laugh. I would if I was in their place.
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Half banana
@ Punkofnice, I'm glad to see that you're still prepared to give up your free time and volunteer for things!
I suppose the answer to the OP's question is to say that delusion goes with the territory.
If you run a doomsday cult, you probably know in your heart of hearts that it's a con trick but since all of your comrades at arms believe the same rubbish, well that sort of makes makes it legit--what you have to do is switch off your conscience and just focus on the business perks.