Thursday 21 October 2004

Pic of the day: That's the Norwegian version of "Awake!", if that wasn't obvious. (The translators missed the pun, it should have been "Våkne", which would cover both the verb and the adjective just like in English.)

Watching the Watch(tower)

Yesterday as I was out buying soda for lunch, I met a man giving away small cheap-looking magazines. When you have lived as long as I, you would be able to recognize these anywhere. They come from Watchtower, the media center of Jehovah's Witnesses.

The man was satisfied to find someone who didn't run away screaming, I suppose. I certainly did not have to exert myself to initiate conversation. Although "monologue" may be a more precise term.

***

This Witness was interesting in that he did not quite fit my prejudice of Witnesses being one of two separate types. The most common type, in my experience, is what I think of as "glassy-eyed". These people seem only barely conscious, as if they don't know where or who they are. They seem totally dysfunctional in a conversation, as they know very little about the topics they supposedly talk about. I have had to help Witnesses find the 10 commandments and where God introduces his name in their own Bible, stuff like that. I have wondered what motivates these people, since it can't be fear of torture in Hell. (JW are among the few Christians who hate and detest the picture of a vengeful God who tortures people forever. They will use any opportunity to defend Him from those accusations. This is one of their most appealing traits.)

The other type of Witness is much like myself now: Bright, curious, interested in science and society, and fully aware that they are talking to a person rather than a "non-player character". These have been few and far between in my experience, but they seem to be the ones who write their magazine and their web site. It was two of these I had promised to meet one Easter Monday a couple years ago, but couldn't because my digestion acted up. If not for my microscopic gut bacteria, I might have been singing Jehovah's praises now instead of whining in my journal about my impending doom. Or perhaps they would be whining in their journals by now. Probably none of the above, for a discussion is the process by which each side becomes more convinced of being right. Or was that debate? I have problems keeping the two apart, even in practice. Then again, I rarely practice any of them these days, as I spend almost all my time alone.

Anyway, this elderly man fell somewhat in between the two groups. He seemed well informed for one of his generation, and had basic situational awareness, but no empathy. That is to say, the basic understanding that you are talking to a person as real as yourself. Most healthy people have this understanding with regards to family and some friends, but it is quite common to not think like that about strangers. I myself didn't until far into adult life. This Witness treated me largely as a figment of his imagination. The things he wanted to teach me were things I already knew, in some cases probably better than he. The things I wanted to know were hard to get across. In fact, out of five times I talked to him (short, concise statements or questions) I'd say he looked at his watch four times. This can hardly have been because he was in a hurry, because he would then continue for some minutes more. Perhaps it is technique to avoid being distracted by Satan speaking through the unbelievers. Or perhaps it's just an odious personal habit. I know from experience that it is possible to have those and then think that you are persecuted for Jesus' name when people take offense.

Now, don't think I was offended this time. I have been there and done that, or rather something like it. Know that I have not always been as I am now. Slower than most has been my climb through different levels of consciousness. As I wrote in my best entry ever, surpassing numerous destinies while one is alive. But you can't expect that from everyone, especially those who grew up in a simpler age.

So I asked him: "Do you really want to live forever?" He answered something deep and wise, but I did not let myself get distracted. "No, you personally" I said when he needed to draw breath. "Would YOU want to live forever?" "Of course!" he replied. I told him that most of my friends felt differently. They mostly wanted to live longer than a normal lifetime, but not forever. I have to admit I feel the same way as this Witness. I don't get bored with eating. I don't get bored with sleeping. I don't get bored with playing Sims2 ... OK, that may change. Although whether in my lifetime is an open question. I feel my mortality more and more acutely. But not enough to constantly watch my watch! ^_^