When Religion leads to Trauma
The simple answer to the question, i.e When does religion lead to trauma is this, viz: The moment a church member tries to be an individual.
A church membership is like a tribe. When you deviate from the tribes norms you become an outcast. If you speak up against the tribes chief or chieftains you are also likely to become a pariah.
Jehovahs Witnesses
There are religions that permit you to have an opinion as long as you do not share your opinion with others. One such religion is the Jehovahs Witnesses. Their Watchtower publications speak out against anyone having their own opinion on doctrines and certain teachings . The reason for this is that the Governing Body (also known as the faithful and discreet slave) believes that they alone are Gods spokesperson on earth. Ref:
- Wt, 2/1/1952, pg 79, 80, “If we do not see a point at first we should keep trying to grasp it, rather than opposing and rejecting it and presumptuously taking the position that we are more likely to be right than the discreet slave. We should meekly go along with the Lord’s theocratic organization and wait for further clarification.”…..
In 1957 they even went so far as to state that the organization ‘’ The faithful and discreet slave ‘’ is Jehovah’s wife.
Ref: Watchtower May 1, 1957 “ With thankful hearts we acknowledge God’s mercy and gratefully and willingly show our respect for Jehovah’s Organization. For she is our mother and the beloved wife of our heavenly father, Jehovah God’’
- 1983 “Avoid independent thinking…questioning the counsel that is provided by God’s visible organization.” (Watchtower, Jan. 15, 1983 pg. 22)
- 1983 “Fight against independent thinking.” (Watchtower, Jan. 15, 1983 pg. 27 )
Favourite Buzzwords
One of the favourite buzzwords, which is consistently used by the Jehovahs Witnesses members is, “the truth”. If a member from out of state bumps into another member in an informal setting and religion is being discussed it is normally quite easy to recognize a fellow witness. The stock standard response or question is, “oh, so are you also in the truth”? The Watchtower articles repeatedly use the words ” the truth ” and so anyone who has been exposed to this religion for decades will never question its doctrines as in their minds what they are reading is indeed the truth.
Social Media and Religious Trauma
In the last 10 years or so thanks to modern technology and social media this truth has been challenged by hundreds of thousands of Ex Jehovahs Witnesses.The Governing Bodies lies and failed prophecies are now available for anyone to see. Their biggest mistake is putting their prophecies and teachings in print. Ex members are now able to post PDFs of Watchtower articles as evidence of the lies and the cover ups.
Although members are not permitted to do any research on the internet many have ignored this instruction. Ref: Kingdom Ministry 1999 par 11.
- “Having association via the Internet may not be consistent with the recommendation found at Eph 5: 15-17. The apostle Paul wrote: Keep strict watch that how YOU walk is not as unwise but as wise [persons], buying out the opportune time for yourselves, because the days are wicked. On this account cease becoming unreasonable, but go on perceiving what the will of Jehovah is.”
Going Down the Rabbit Hole
Those members who went down the rabbit hole opened up a whole can of worms which lead to feelings of anxiety and despair. Can you imagine the feeling of trusting your whole life to a group of individuals in New York who you thought were Gods special people only to discover it is all a lie. The deeper they went the more they discovered lie after lie.
Failed Bible prophecies starting from 1914 – 1975 , erroneous teachings and false doctrines have come to light over the last few decades but never at such a rapid pace as we have seen in the last 10 years. Exposure to all of this information for some Jehovahs Witnesses has been overwhelming to say the least. An acronym for witnesses still in the truth i.e. showing up for services on a Sunday but not believing in the organization any longer is known as P.I.M.O. This stands for physically in but mentally out.
Leaving The Jehovahs Witnesses
It is very difficult for a long standing member of the Jehovahs Witnesses to leave. Any member who opts to leave , “the truth” is immediately shunned by the congregation and their family members. A mother of a member who has dissociated from the congregation is not permitted to talk to her daughter no matter what the circumstances are. If the daughter is living at home, her parents must ask her to leave as soon as possible.
Unfortunately there is no law in society which protects an individual from religious bullying. A church is seen as a social club. Any social or sporting club today has the right to bar members from attending any events held by the club. Club members in private settings can also opt to exclude ex members from any business arrangements or private get togethers. In a sense the individual becomes an outcast and enemy number 1.
Conclusion
The next time a Jehovahs Witness knocks on your door please consider the harm this religion does and give them a wide berth. Don’t fall for their charm and their so called Bible knowledge. Spare a thought for the hundreds of thousands who have left this organization over the last 10 years and more and know that their journey has not been easy. Religious trauma is real.