To Question is to Learn

When I was a young JW back in the '70s and I pioneered between school breaks; one of the points we would put forth is questioning the original beliefs of the people we talked with. the Watchtower had articles like these:

Are you just as careful regarding your beliefs about your own relationship to God?

w64 1/15 pp. 35-36 - The Watchtower—1964

If you are faced with the question, “Why should I accept my parents’ religion?” why not compare their beliefs with the “eternal truths” found in the Bible? g86 11/22 pp. 13-15 - Awake!—1986

Even JW's after 1975 have questioned their beliefs and have had to make adjustments in their understanding, and these new understandings have come from more intense studying of the scriptures when things don't exactly pan out. I won't touch those subjects, maybe on another occasion. The issue is when something doesn't seem right, questions arise and motivate one to study more to understand them.

This is nothing new with humans. During Roman times the treatment for ophthalmia—inflammation of the eye—and how doctors treated it with a bit of egg yolk. Sometimes opium for various pains and illnesses in old age. Needless to say, none of these treatments are accepted or prescribed anymore. Try to find a doctor today in the west prescribing oxycontin. Good luck with that. In the 1930s smoking cigarettes was good for relieving sinuses infection. Today it is a known fact it may give cancer and CPOD.

Why the changes in the understanding of science and religion? because something that is established was questioned. It forces one to learn, to do research to change one mindset for the better. Science has done so, and so has my religion as well as others. If you don't like to question, not a problem, but don't bash others who do, they may find something that may save your life and that of your family.

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