When I walked into the doughnut shoppe...

G Money

I had forgotten to look for Toyota Camrys in the parking lot as it was a Saturday at noon. And lo and behold... who should I see sitting at a table but a group on break. I knew them all well but only 2 recognized me.

They said they missed me and wanted to see me back. The one older couple, he used to be the PO and is an elder and the other couple was an elder and wife.

When I think of all the crap I went through, I do get mad, also when I read here about the hell some of you were put through, I do get mad. I do harbour rancour at the jerks in the organization and there is no shortage of them. However, there are a few who don't have a mean or bad bone in their body. This puzzles me. They have to deal with the bad ones. These ones are humble and kind and prefer to err on the side of love.

I see all the BS teachings and lame stuff that goes on but to think of the good people really softens me. They have never harmed anybody and perhaps if the organization was full of people like that, well it wouldn't be too bad of a place.

The elder that didn't recognize me had this look in his eye. Probably wonders why I stopped going. Dang it, I'm back on the radar again.

I don't think I'll ever go back, probably never unless I am lobotomizes and even then they have to drag me in.

I guess I wonder if any of you have people you know who are still in that make you question your leaving due to their good behaviour and conduct. For me I do think about it but its not even nearly enough to make me think about stepping foot in a KH again.

GoingGoingGone

I guess I wonder if any of you have people you know who are still in that make you question your leaving due to their good behaviour and conduct.

Yes... lots of them.

I had some really, really good friends. Lots of them, in fact. Truly good people who love their families and their friends and who show it by their actions. Most of them live far from me now because we've moved, and they still don't know that I've faded, so we still talk by phone. But if I'm ever DF'd, they will stop talking to me immediately, because they believe that it's the right thing to do.

It doesn't make me question my leaving, though. I know without a doubt that the WTS is NOT teaching 'The Truth', in fact I believe they are a destructive cult. I will never go back.

GGG

DigitalFokus

I know exactly what your saying. But, I take it your inactive and not da'ed or df'd right? Now would those same kind hearted people have said a single word to you had you been DF'ed or DA'd?

There is my answer. I had some close friends who I might have thought to be REAL friends, but they consider me dead because I smoked? As much as I can relate with what your saying. IMHO F them all.

DF

AuldSoul

There are many that I now "mention them also with weeping." But it never makes me think they may be the right religion. G Money, think about how the conversation and followup would have gone if you had been completely open with them about why you aren't going back. Would they still be friendly and courteous?

Love that is conditional on accepting every ink droplet from the presses of the Governing Body cannot be evidence of truth, so they cannot have truth because that is what their version of love requires.

Respectfully,
AuldSoul

IronClaw

Love that is conditional on accepting every ink droplet from the presses of the Governing Body cannot be evidence of truth, so they cannot have truth because that is what their version of love requires.

Conditional love is what its all about. One of my youngest daughters friends asked her father (not a witness) how come people dont talk to me anymore. His answer was almost verbatim of what AuldSoul cited above.

GoingGoingGone

But, I take it your inactive and not da'ed or df'd right? Now would those same kind hearted people have said a single word to you had you been DF'ed or DA'd?

Ok, here's my problem:

I totally understand what you're saying. I'm not DF'd, and thus my friends still talk to me. If they were to ignore me, though, I know that (initially at least) I would be angry and hurt. But my friends would still be good people.... right?

This is what I think now, as a not-DF'd person. I'm trying to prepare myself so that if/when I'm DF'd, I won't become judgemental of the people whom I care for so much now. Yet, the person whom I considered my best friend here has been avoiding me since I stopped attending meetings. In her mind, I'm sure that I'm bad association. I'm annoyed with her because I'm the same person I always have been.... but she's the same person, too. And I know why she's avoiding me - she's brainwashed. So what right do I have to be angry?

I'm just kind of rambling here, I'm trying to work thru this in my mind. I love my friends, they're great people, and yet I know that they will all shun me if I'm DF'd. I'm trying to figure out why that makes me so angry and hurt.

GGG

freedomlover

I am right there with you GGG. same boat.

It upsets you because like YOU said.....you are still the same person! why does some *label* of DF'ed make you unapproacheable and evil?

It's truly frustrating the depth of brainwashing that is involved.

DigitalFokus

I understand.But are they not judging you? Are you saying that you don't want to get too judgemental with them when they do it to you? Its a very hard thing to go through, having your friends disown you. But again, IMHO if they shun you, what kind of friends are they in the first place.

I don't know though, I am just the kind of person who doesn't offer respect to those who do not respect me. I am not a "turn the other cheek" kind of guy i guess.

I hope the best for your situation though

DF

freedomlover

I agree DF.

if they can drop you so quickly how *good* of friends were they?! brainwashing aside....what about just being a human being!

like I told my sister the other day about friends who are demanding "why are you doing this to me?!" (ugh.....) I told her "they will shed more tears for me, than I will for them...."

GoingGoingGone

But are they not judging you? Are you saying that you don't want to get too judgemental with them when they do it to you?

Yes, they are judging me. But I know why they are. They don't know why I have left what they consider to be the one and only way to please God, and I can't tell them either. They are still JWs, they are still great, fun, loving people who would drop everything to help a friend. I'm just not their friend anymore.

brainwashing aside....what about just being a human being!

The reason for brainwashing is to take away the natural human aspects... It's so twisted. It's so evil.

GGG

When I walked into the doughnut shoppe...

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