This is an interesting article. I can certainly see some of the similarities between the JW's and the LC. Actually, WL himself said that he studied the Mormons and JW's to develop his method of door-knocking for the new way, so the LC is more similar to the JW's than some might realize. Here is a quote from the article that I think could easily be applied to the LC:
Quote:
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I think Jehovah's Witnesses believe they are happy, at least in the Jehovah's Witness version of happiness. Problem is, this happiness resides outside of themselves in a facade, a pious Potemkin Village where members are simply aping the smiling happy people and fellowship depicted in Jehovah's Witness literature designed to elicit emotional versus rational responses. In short, their happiness is informed by their own propaganda.
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On thing that I have come to realize recently is that much like the JW's, those in the LC have a very different view of themselves than the way in which they come across to the general public. I'm sure when JW's go door to door, they feel they are doing God's work and have something very special to share with people. Of course, when people see the JW's out, they quickly shut the blinds or make sure they won't have to interact with them. There is a huge discrepancy in how the JW's see themselves versus how people see them. I think the same can be said of the LC, even though most don't know what the LC is. Something I have seen countless times is when a new contact is invited to a meeting. The view everyone in the LC has is that the meeting will be so "captivating" that the person will definitely be back. I have seen new people countless times where they have this look on their face like they want to run for the door, and more often than not, you don't see many come back a second time.
WL certainly did a good job at instilling the belief in everyone that the LC is special and unique. Because of this, I think those in the LC have the expectation that it will provide happiness/contentment in their personal lives, and the more bold members might also feel that they have a special message to share with friends or people that they meet. Looking around in the LC, this view is all just a guise. In reality, people act happy because they feel that is how they are supposed to act. It is an expectation they are trying to meet. I have sung that song "Splendid Church Life" countless times and I used to really believe that song reflected my experience. Later on, I had to admit to myself that I felt that way because I was conditioned to feel that way. It had nothing to do with my experience.