GUMBERS NEEDS YOUR ADVISE.......

by Mary 86 Replies latest jw friends

  • Odrade
    Odrade

    The real question is whether or not he LIKES these people who are giving him the invites. (Outside of the whacko dub dogma that is.) If so, he's fighting a battle on two fronts: Trying to be in for his family that he loves, and trying to be out, in spite of friends that he also cares for.

    I think many (most?) of us left the organization from the position of being unpopular or excluded. There are a few here who were perhaps wildly popular, and if they went back would be welcomed with open arms. For them, the rules are different, and it appears likely that Gumby is one of those people.

    No matter what he does, he will always be "on the radar" because he is not just "well-liked" but one of those brothers who are extremely popular, makes-every-get-together-better guys. The ones who make other people smile just from being in the room are not forgotten. Ever. C'mon, think about it.

    He came on this site, after 5 years of being a prominent EX-jw, and out of the blue, (for some of us,) announced that he was going back to do the fade. He has been met with almost unconditional support for his choice. This is because we truly love him, isn't it? Can you imagine if a well-known but less popular poster suddenly announced they were returning to the WT? That person would receive a very mixed bag of responses. In fact, I've seen it happen that way... some saying "we support what you need to do" and others saying "what the hell is wrong with you? stupid fool." But look back through these threads about Gumby's return... By and large, all compassionate, caring, teasing, but SUPPORTIVE comments.

    Can you expect that it will be any different in the congregation where you are known and loved face-to-face? No matter what excuses you makes you will be invitee numero uno for a long time. No matter if you attend one meeting a month, no matter if you never give another talk, no matter if you never knock on a single door. People love you and want you there, in spite of not meeting the numbers. Your only shield from that was being df'd, and I suspect that Gumby had plenty of people circumvent the rules to chat briefly with you, or smile at you, while you were df'd.

    I remember people like this when I was a JW. So universally liked that it didn't matter if they were absent at every meeting but memorial. They were still invited to every gathering... year in and year out. Even if they turn down most of the invitations, you can be sure that when the next one comes around, you'll be invited. They'll give the invite to Mrs. Gumby, and put the pressure on her. It's how it works. Low risk to the inviter... you're not there personally to tell them no. It will be hardest on Mrs. gumby. (In fact, she may find it more difficult to have you around as a "fader" than it was when you were df'd.)

    Personally, I don't believe you will be able to "fade" in the truest sense of the word. By going back for family, you will have to accept that the whole congregation comes with the family. Unless you completely change your personality, you are "in for a penny, in for a pound" like Gill said. That being said, I also suspect it will be easier for you to stuff your hatred for the Organization and just go through the motions, than it was for you to deal with the loss of kids/grandkids. It's truly a case of choosing the lesser of the two evils.

    I don't have any advice regarding getting out of going to the meetings. You just don't go. Your wife will have to endure the questions "where is gumby, we love him and miss him!" at every single meetingthat you miss. That is the price SHE pays for your return. You will have to tough out getting invited to every social gathering from here to armageddon. That is the price you pay... being social and sucking it up when they preach at you or "encourage" you. I don't really see any good way to get out of it.

    As far as the other "Theocratic" activities, you need to embrace a tangent that runs just enough parallel and away from WT doctrine so that the elders don't want you on the stage or out in service, but won't tell you so. Instead they'll breathe a sigh of relief when you opt out. I don't know what that would be. Maybe you could get together with Ona and develop a doctrinal "thing" that is not apostate, but not acceptable.

    If you really do like these people for themselves, I don't see a way out of socializing with them. You're going to have to suck it up and lose the gag reflex for all things WT. There is no way to "just" get reinstated for family when you're popular. I truly believe that it only has a chance of working if a person is single, or at least doesn't have another JW in the family. You've walked back into the hornet's nest. Now you have to be one of the hornets.

  • undercover
    undercover

    Go...have fun...at least accept some of the invites from people that he feels he could enjoy their company.

    Try to forget that they're JWs and socialize with them as if they were neighbors. They can get along, have fun, but hey...he'll know they're not best friends and won't expect too much commitment from them later.

    The average JW isn't on some sinister operation to coerce him back to the "truth" by their being friendly and inviting him out. I'd say most of them think they're doing the right thing and are trying to be helpful and friendly, misleading though they are.

    Two things can be accomplished with the "fraternizing with the enemy": One, as time goes on, he can drop hints and questions that might make some of the more fringe dubs think or doubt. Two, as time goes on and he tries to slowly fade from meeting attendance and service, the friends will once again start a subtle form of shunning. He can use their actions as a reason to explain to his family why he can't trust people from the hall since they have demonstrated that their friendship is conditional only on his attending meetings. He can become "weak" spiritually, fade away, drop below the radar, be forgotten, have an excuse why he just doesn't feel the love of the congregation anymore but yet still have the family contact that he has so cherished.

  • Scully
    Scully

    Maybe he could develop an allergy to airborne chemicals like perfume or scented personal care products.

    I've known a lot of people who can't be around strong scents. Some get blinding headaches. Certain hairsprays make my eyes burn, itch and water profusely for hours after even a brief contact. I'll rinse my eyes out and leave the area, and be ok for a while, and it still comes back within 30 minutes. Not fun if it happens as I'm trying to leave work and have to try to drive home with my eyes all messed up like that. It's downright dangerous.

    As for avoiding social invitations, he could use a similar approach to the line that I'm famous for whenever staffing calls me to work on my nights off:

    "Sorry I have plans already."
    "What could you possibly have planned at 11 o'clock at night?"
    "Something other than working, obviously."

  • ButtLight
    ButtLight

    I didnt read the whole thread.............but maybe because he is "fresh" right now, this will die down after awhile. Maybe he could attend the functions here and there, and then see if the invites slow down a bit? I still give so much credit to you gumby for doing this for your family. Its gotta be tough. Good luck to you!

  • kerj2leev
    kerj2leev

    I was thinking about this today, I remember my Aunt use to have issues with her tail bone! She would miss alot meetings cause she had to sit so much. When she did come she would bring an inflatable doughnut to sit on! Don't know if it would work but it's worth a try!

  • Scully
    Scully

    Mary

    Maybe he could just be honest and say he's feeling overwhelmed by all the attention.... say it feels like he's being "love-bombed" and it's uncomfortable to him. He could say that he feels a bit confused by his own emotions right now - a little resentful at how easily "love" and "friendship" can be turned off and on like a lightswitch.

  • Scully
    Scully
    my Aunt use to have issues with her tail bone! She would miss alot meetings cause she had to sit so much. When she did come she would bring an inflatable doughnut to sit on!

    If I was in Gumby's congregation I'd switch out his donut cushion with a whoopie cushion.

  • kerj2leev
    kerj2leev
    If I was in Gumby's congregation I'd switch out his donut cushion with a whoopie cushion.

    Well then there is always the "I'm a bit gassy tonight" excuse!

  • mouthy
    mouthy

    So! What viable excuses can he use to get out of socializing with the congregation? He does not want to be rude as it's not in his nature and he realizes that he can't say 'No' to everyone for the time being. Any ideas or suggestions are more than welcome.

    He should tell them his grammie is dying in Canada. Then give them all my name and address & ask them to send cards as the christian should encourage those who in their opinion is lost.---tell them she should receive a witness from them so she can enter the paradise....Go to all the invites & make sure you spell my name right & the address I will be happy to make their aquaintntance

  • Mary
    Mary
    Scully said: Maybe he could just be honest and say he's feeling overwhelmed by all the attention.... say it feels like he's being "love-bombed" and it's uncomfortable to him. He could say that he feels a bit confused by his own emotions right now - a little resentful at how easily "love" and "friendship" can be turned off and on like a lightswitch.

    Actually, that's a good suggestion. I told him to try something similar for the old 'wanna-go-out-in-Service'. Unfortunately, I think Odrade has summed up the problem to a T: he's likeable, he was extremely popular so the congregation is willing to forego the 'trial' period and invite him out everywhere to make up for lost time.

    Mouthy said: He should tell them his grammie is dying in Canada. Then give them all my name and address & ask them to send cards as the christian should encourage those who in their opinion is lost.---tell them she should receive a witness from them so she can enter the paradise....Go to all the invites & make sure you spell my name right & the address I will be happy to make their aquaintntance


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