Hopefully I can explain what I'm talking about here.
A few yrs after I left the JWs, I went to college and spent a semester abroad. The combo of studying world history, along with seeing historical stuff in person and exposure to new cultures really led me to realize even deeper how egocentric/ethnocentric the JW belief system is.
By that, I mean:
- Everything centers around white Americans. The belief system, the HQ, literature, etc. As one poster points out, whites are in the minority worldwide, yet the entire GB is white.
- Beliefs center around modern-day JWs being the center of everything important, ignoring world history.
The failure to put things into historical perspective, with an understanding of human/societal history, allows for people to think:
- There is one true religion.
- Christianity is automatically superior to other religions because it is based upon the Bible (which is superior because.........).
- The one true religion is in the country of the current "world power".
- Our culture is better than others.
- Society is different/special now.
- The end of the world will come in our lifetimes (ignoring the dozens of past groups who believed The End was imminent and they were the only ones to be saved).
I wonder what the WTS would be like if they were based in the Middle East where Jesus lived? (assuming they were allowed to exist there)
Just spouting off some philosophical thoughts for your Friday.