This was a conversation between me and my x-girlfriend's sister that I dug up from the depths of my messenger program. It happened a while ago during the big convention where they read the “resolutions”. I highlighted by underlining certain words and phrases that I feel expose her true thoughts and the inherent feelings and thoughts of most witnesses. I also highlighted a few hard-hitting comments on my part. The conversation gets a little heated later on. I was trying to act nonchalant about the whole thing, as if I was still attending meetings and I still believed everything the Watchtower said. I was trying to act joking and not too serious – but she smelled a rat and I'm sure she gossiped about me after this was over. I just thought it would be fun to share. I'm Ryan by the way. I made a few comments in brackets at the end of some sentances, don't confuse those with part of the actual conversation! Enjoy!
[14:48] Ryan: Seventh:..We will resist with all of our strength the 'spirit of the world' that manifest itself in such things as materialism, unwholesome entertainment, overindulgence in food and alcoholic beverages, the plague of pornographic material and the curiosity or temptation that lures one into association with outsiders through internet chat-rooms
[14:48] Ryan: wasnt that part of the deliverance at hand resolution?
[14:49] Dalsey: yes, why?
[14:49] Ryan: like, are we not supposed to be talking to people online?
[14:51] Dalsey: no, I believe that is referring to the fact that there has been a big problem with witnesses associating with people outside of the truth more than neccessary, people who are not going to be spiritually upbuilding. you know?
[14:55] Dalsey: like last night there was a part on the meeting about how close to worldly people is too close. And how obviously we have to deal with them in our daily life and we should be kind and polite to them of course, but we dont want to be closely associating with them because they are not going to build us up spiritually, kind of like th whole one bad apple in with all the good ones? the good apples dont make the bad one good, it works in reverse. it was a lot about how cautious you have to be, that they dont drag you down or into something that isnt right.
[14:56] Dalsey: does that make sense?
[14:58] Ryan: yes, but i have a comment
[14:59] Ryan: i know that we have said before that the good apples dont make the bad ones good, ive actually heard those ideas before and its why we should stay away from worldly people
[14:59] Ryan: but the bible says that with every trial god will not allow you to be put in situations you can not bear
[14:59] Ryan: so... shouldn't it not matter that much? because i mean, the "spoiled" people are the ones who need the most help
[15:00] Ryan: i mean, being chummy with someone is one thing, but how can we be teaching truth to people if we are avoiding them ?
[15:04] Dalsey: yes I see your point, but at the same time, you have to be spiritually strong yourself and helping others to learn about Jehovah is what we are supposed to do you are right, but its not saying we avoid these people its saying we use caution,and we wouldnt just go and hang out with these people, because that would be in a sense seeking them out and that is something that we are told repeatedly not to do. and we are told that because it in many situations it doesnt wind up being beneficial for either party.
[15:06] Ryan: i see... so then, what does it mean "the curiosity or temptation that lures one into association"... curiosity of what exactly?
[15:10] Dalsey: the curiosity about the world and the things in the world. This is a bad thing, because it draws people away from Jehovah and out into the world.
[15:11] Ryan: thats true
[15:12] Ryan: i guess i just dont understand, because if you have faith in god nothing can break your faith
[15:12] Ryan: because god will not let you be tested beyond what you can bear
[15:12] Ryan: so dont we have an immunity with faith?
[15:12] Dalsey: thats true but Jehovah also doesnt tell you to go put yourself in a bad situation and he will protect you. (uuuhm -- sheeps among wolves?)
[15:13] Ryan: lol
[15:13] Ryan: yeah, i understand, but isnt that what going door to door is? actually going to peoples houses and making friends
[15:14] Ryan: i mean we go out for the express purpose of meeting as many people as possible
[15:14] Ryan: how different is the internet?
[15:15] Ryan: i guess what im saying is, remember when Jesus was condemned by the Pharasees because he ate with the tax collecters?
[15:15] Ryan: and the people who were viewed as really bad people?
[15:16] Ryan: jesus didnt care who he talked to on a daily basis because he had a message and whoever wanted to befriend him did so
[15:16] Ryan: if jesus did it whats the problem?
[15:20] Dalsey: because jesus was preaching to the people...not hanging out for fun
[15:20] Ryan: hm, it just didnt say that
[15:20] Ryan: i guess im confused by the vauge application
[15:20] Ryan: it just said "dont be curious of chatrooms"
[15:21] Dalsey: Jesus wasnt seeking to be their friends though, he was teaching them, he was spreading the truth about Jehovah
[15:22] Dalsey: Well, if you have questions about it, I think to have them answered in the best way possible, you should talk to an elder maybe. Because they obviously will have the correct view, and be able to explain or just talk to you about whatever.
[15:24] Ryan: yeah youre right, i was just wondering cause it sounded like it was saying "dont use the internet" maybe i just misunderstood it or maybe they didn't clarify what their point was
[15:26] Dalsey: think about this though, Bad associations spoil useful habits. the bible didnt say dont talk to people of the world because obviously we have to to some degree, but its saying associate, is referring to continual contact with people outside of the truth for recreation, and if your not discussing spiritual things with them, your just with them, outside of work or something, what else can you call it??
[15:28] Ryan: right
[15:30] Ryan: i just think its funny
[15:30] Ryan: i met krystal on the internet
[15:30] Ryan: two happy years so far!
[15:30] Ryan: lol
[15:33] Ryan: i guess a lot of people can't control themslves on the internet or something... but thats their fault
[15:33] Dalsey: that still doesnt mean its a good idea. Nikki met her husband online too, and shes been married a year and half, but she looked outside of the congregation and i know it killed me personally so think about how much more it hurt Jehovah.
[15:34] Ryan: yeah, but its not him thats stopping her from coming to the meetings
[15:34] Ryan: if he is a nice guy and treats her well, maybe she will decide to one day come back
[15:35] Dalsey: excuse me Ryan but you do not know about that situation. and even if he didnt outrightly tell her not to go, is he supporting he at all? No, he is not
[15:36] Dalsey: because he doesnt have a love for the truth, he doesnt understand the importance of it. and going to the meetings is hard enough when you have a family to support you, but when you have to go alone all the time while your spouse stays at home, its hard isnt it:?
[15:37] Ryan: well, i mean i dont know anything about whats going on, and im not trying to step on toes here... but no one made her look outside the org. either... please dont take offense to that but its the truth isnt it?
[15:38] Dalsey: no you are right, and i dont mean for it to sound that way. But, why did you? (asking why i looked outside the org.)
[15:38] Ryan: who said i did?
[15:38] Dalsey: im sorry not trying to step on toes either (BACKTRACKING)
[15:38] Ryan: no its ok im not getting mad
[15:38] Ryan: i was just curious
[15:39] Ryan: its pretty hard to piss me off you should know that :P
[15:40] Dalsey: heh, well I'm not trying to say Krystal is a bad person, please dont take
it that way, she seems very nice, but is she a witness Ryan? Does she help you spiritually?
[15:40] Dalsey: Maybe its not fair of me to say anything about any of it, I guess its not my business.
[15:40] Ryan: actually she does help me spiritually... but id still like to know who said she wasnt a JW
[15:40] Ryan: no, if your my friend it IS your business
[15:41] Dalsey: no one said she wasnt. (LIAR)
[15:41] Ryan: but you made the comment like you knew
[15:42] Ryan: im not going to go around busting heads, but i just wanted to know who
said she wasnt
[15:42] Dalsey: I apologize, I assumed and that wasnt nice, and if she does help you, then that is wonderful. But I just thought she had grown up around the truth but wasnt really a witness (TRYING TO ESCAPE)
[15:42] Ryan: you dont have anything to appologize for
[15:43] Dalsey: well, no to assume something like that wasnt right of me. And I feel bad for saying something like that when its untrue. (tricky)
[15:44] Ryan: i wont accept your appology because it IS true... she isn't a JW ... but why defend the person you heard it from? I won't get mad... its not like i dont know people talk
[15:45] Dalsey: Ryan I honestly didnt hear that specifically from anyone, it was just what I gathered. I believe Tyler and Cody told me she had grown up around the truth, but the rest was just my own thoughts. (still won't fully fess up, and I'm being nice!)
[15:45] Ryan: ah
[15:46] Dalsey: hey im sorry I just realized im late, good grief. I have to go for now, ttyl (suddenly she has to go)
[15:46] Ryan: ak
[15:46] Ryan: ok
[15:46] Ryan: holler at me another time
[15:46] Dalsey: mmk
[15:46] *** "Dalsey" signed off at Fri Aug 18 15:46:34 2006.
Session Close (Dalsey): Fri Aug 18 15:54:15 2006