Jw Obsessed by Persecution

I hope I can share this clearly and fairly.

I think this topic should be analyzed on two levels: the religion itself and the personal level within the community.

The religion itself teaches that persecution, or any kind of opposition, is expected and accepted. It is seen not only as a result of being unpopular, but as evidence of having the truth.

They expect to be persecuted, disliked, and opposed because they believe this is part of being “no part of the world” as Jesus says.

They accept it, so they do not necessarily try to avoid it. In fact, they are taught that it is a joy to be persecuted, opposed, or mocked for God’s sake.

They glorify persecution, seeing it as a sign of being Jesus’ true disciples.

That takes persecution to another dimension.

Persecution and opposition become privileges opportunities to demonstrate loyalty. They are also presented as Satan’s attacks, especially against those who are beginning to become Jehovah’s Witnesses.

The organization often highlights stories of loyalty. Many Witnesses have genuinely remained faithful through imprisonment, torture, or years of suffering. That is a matter of fact.

But did every situation really have to go that far?

At a personal level, especially for those of us who were born in, these stories haunted our childhood. We imagined how we would react in those situations and even rehearsed what might happen. Some of the more creative families invented secret codes, tested hiding places, or created emergency plans for persecution.

This persecution culture is real.

I have personally met people who went through imprisonment, violence, or emotional and physical punishment because of their religious beliefs. I have looked into the eyes of people who carried genuine fear, while I looked back at them with admiration.

Ironically, many of those people are eventually forgotten by the congregation and even by the organization. Perhaps they receive a small space in the Yearbook with a faded photograph.

Someone who is persecuted is often viewed as being under direct attack from Satan. Maybe there is something special about that person. Surely Jehovah will bless them even more after proving their loyalty, or not…

This creates a strange dynamic.

The persecuted person may feel spiritually exalted, while those who have never experienced persecution wait, wondering when it will happen to them.

Some even question themselves:

“Is there something wrong with me? Why isn’t Satan targeting me?”

Then there is the Great Tribulation, which is expected to put everyone under the ultimate test.

What a relief. (🙄)

A couple of questions now come to my mind.

Why would an organization keep its members in a constant state of expectation and fear?

Why are some individual Jehovah’s Witnesses so focused on persecution?

In some cases, could the persecution have been avoided? Why encourage people to provoke intense reactions within already divided families? Why push situations that may escalate conflict?

Also within their own worldview, couldn’t a little more balance and common sense prevent at least some of these situations?

I think I now know my answer.

It seems to me that persecution is not only accepted it is, in many ways, romanticized. It becomes emotionally meaningful. It reinforces identity and creates a powerful sense of purpose and urgency.

These thoughts are surprisingly common among Jehovah’s Witnesses.