Did Armageddon Hold You Hostage?

by The wanderer 16 Replies latest jw friends

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  OnTheWayOut

  For me, this topic goes hand-in-hand with your topic of 1995- A turning point.

  I joined because I knew God cared about me and led me to this wonderful group
  of people right before (granted- some years- but still RIGHT BEFORE) Armageddon.
  I was confident that throughout the 90's, as the time of "this generation" ran out,
  the one true representative "Religion of God" would grow at a phenominal rate.
  They talked about the growth being such a positive proof that Jehovah was gathering
  worthy ones in the last days of the "Last Days."

  I made MS around 1991 after baptism in mid-1988, then elder in 1995. I was so
  sure the end was imminent.

  The "Armageddon-is-going-to-be-delayed" change of 1995 made me think that I might
  need to retire in this system of things. I don't think I was held hostage to the WTS
  because of fear of destruction at Armageddon, but rather that I wasn't sure that WTS
  was wrong yet. I changed my life without giving up my JW beliefs. I started to plan
  for old age and death in this system, and eventually made it a plan for the possibility
  that WTS was wrong.
• 

  greendawn

  That is what's fundamentally wrong with the WTS, they seek to make their members relate to God in a negative way that is based on fear which is a destructive emotion. Man should serve God totally out of his heart without a trace of coercion. It's astonishing to hear that even suicides occured out of the intensity of that fear. The WTS indulges in emotional terrorism against its victims.
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  chelleadam

  I couldn't have said it better, greendawn. I called them terrorists one time talking to my husband. He thought I was being overly harsh, but I meant it.
• 

  greendawn

  They are more subtle in the way they introduce fear in the subconscious mind they seem to have scientifically studied the subject of manipulating the feelings of the masses or else they got (spin doctor) specialists in the field such as E Bernays to design a manipulation policy for them. Everything they do in this respect seems to be carefully designed.
• 

  chelleadam

  I personally believe (as a christian now) that they are demonically influenced. I don't think there's any human that could manipulate such large scale evil, without demonic help.
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  abbagail

  I soooo agree with your observation, Greendawn. The manipulation is subtle but very sophisticated and all-encompassing. That's why I have trouble believing it is merely "window washers" up there at WT-HQ writing the literature.
  
  ---------
  
  As for Armageddon holding me hostage, yes. Not when I WAS a JW (though I was a tad bit anxious about "going thru" the trib, mosly dreading being cooped up in a Kingdom Hall -- our so-called "interior room" of protection -- with a crowd of people, complaining elderly sisters, and screaming crying kiddies, for who knew what period of time). But when I left the org to follow Mr. Worldly-Wrong, I was still in mental bondage to WT teachings, and so, yes, for the next 11-12 years I lived in fear and had basically succumbed to the fact that I would die at Armageddon if I didn't force myself to "go back."
  
  Thankfully, I stayed out long enough, and w/Mr. Wrong long enough, for the internet to come on the scene. A slow -growing combination of watching Christian-TV (where, believe it or not, you CAN still learn correct Biblical truth) and then the internet (learning about WT errors) SET ME FREE, first from the WT, and a few short years later, from Mr. Wrong! Praise the Lord, no more hostage status on either level! ;-D It actually pays to get older, as long as we keep learning!
  
  /ag
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  abbagail

  I'm just seeing your comment, chelleadam, and I soooooo agree with your observation as well. It is eerily evil.
  
  /ag