Posted by:
Nightingale
(
)
Date: August 08, 2018 01:06AM
I just felt like saying that. It means absolutely nothing to do with what we're talking about here.
Hie: Why do you say that the pacifism of the JWs is sinister?
You said:
"Think about it: Hey, we're not going to play any part in government, and we're never going to vote!"
I don't see that as sinister. So maybe I'm just needlessly quarrelling over a word. I know a lot of people don't care for pacifism - what if there's a war and all hands are needed on deck, kind of thing. I get that.
Hie goes on:
"How awful this government treats us horribly! Somebody should do something about it!
"Yeah, like vote to establish religious freedoms?"
I never heard a JW say that. True enough, my sample size is miniscule.
We do become complacent here in Canada as freedom abounds, for most of us. Careful though - we can see that is not 100% guaranteed into perpetuity (to my surprise as I have been naive about that, assuming that "we all" share common values which won't change no matter what else happens. Uhhhh...).
JWs in WWII, for instance, did go to war. As I said, they served in non-combat roles, also a necessary and valuable contribution. Many were imprisoned by opposing forces and mistreated (understatement), some unto death. They didn't whine or retract their stance or expect any human to rescue them.
So, sinister? No, not the way I see it. Whiny about wanting help in a pinch? No, don't think so.
In my own personal experience (again, admittedly on a small and sheltered stage) JWs took seriously their belief in staying apart from "the world". They didn't ask for outside help. Who knows what would happen, though, if all hell were to break loose - I get that. Easy enough to stick to one's program when all things are equal.
That was one of the main reasons I began to ask questions. I was fortunate to have a head start on that due to not having been brought up as a JW. I wasn't altogether isolated, as so many of them can be, as my family weren't JWs and I had work friends who also were not. I had a point of reference pre-JW, IOW, which was crucial in not sinking too deep into the mire. When JW leadership speaks (so much) about not being "part of the world" they are usually referring mainly to "worldly" (lack of) values or "immorality" which they regularly issue dire warnings against. I had a non-JW love interest at one point - tricky that - but it can help to stay afloat. To me, the literal being apart was not so much a strict injunction. No way was I not going to associate with work friends and my family. And I wanted to be part of community events and charitable endeavours. That type of "being part of" didn't seem like a bad thing to me.
Fortunately, I managed to walk the fine line, until I didn't want to do it any more. And I chose "the world" but in a positive way.
Still, as I've said, I enjoyed being a JW way more than being in the Mormon Church. More friends. Fewer negative or hurtful experiences. Until the end.
The end can bite in both groups.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/08/2018 01:09AM by Nightingale.