Hi Sirona: It all depends. In principle, helping people to get out from under a cult environment is a good thing to do. The JWs are not an extremist cult, so the dangers are not as urgent. Notwithstanding, the state of mind of a person may dictate what level of help, if any, we try to offer.
I moved to an area where I am not known. So when a JW comes to my door, I don't jump out and tell them of my 27 years of JW experience, or having been an Elder, and how they need to leave a bad religion. Instead, I ask questions that I know will stimulate those searching, and if they are wanting more, they will come back.
On the other hand, when I was leaving the religion, I faced getting my family out. And, while respecting their individuality, I made damn sure they knew the 'truth' about the religion in a way that they could make an informed choice. They all left with me, including my son-in-law (former Bethelite) and a good friend (former Presiding Overseer.)
There are two sayings that guide my actions, "You can lead a cow to water, but you can't make her drink." So, no matter how much we may try to feed JWs information, they will not begin to drink until they are ready.
"A man convinced against his will, is of the same opinion still." I learned this saying from Jim Penton, who wrote the book Apocalpyse Delayed. So, even if we get a JW to listen to us, until their own heart is ready to reevaluate their beliefs system, they will still hold the same opinion, no matter how much information we jamb down thier throat.
I suppose the real trick is to know when to hold'em and when to fold'em. I think this goes back to gently planting seeds of information in a kind and inconspicuous way. When a JW is ready, they will respond, and will seek out more, and will get bolder about doing so.
I appreciated what one former Circuit Overseer told me. He said, JWs are like unhatched chickens. If you crack the egg before they are ready to hatch, you will kill them. Rather, try to keep the egg warm with care and love, and some information as they wish, and in time they will hatch on their own."
I used to raise chickens as a hobby, and relate to this. So, I take each case as it is and try to tailor make how I deal with the JW. The only exception is Fred Hall on this forum. I believe that Fred is already an ex-JW, but loves to heckles us by pretenbding he still believes the Watch Tower religion. Freddie has become an icon of affection for everyone.
{b]Damaging results?: More to your point about the impact on giving information to JWs that might lead them out of the religion, and the resulting damage to them. I liken it in someways to this: Would I help a hooker or drug user get away from a pimp or or dealer? What is the pimp threatened harm if the hooker tried to leave?
The Watch Tower Society is a Spiritual Pimp of the worst kind. Why? Because they are not so extreme as to present any immediate dangers as would a 'David Koresh' type of cult leader. Yet, they are very dangerous to their members in the long term. Wasted lives, high risk for needless persecution, death from lack of blood in an emergency, placing the organization's reputation ahead of the need to expose child molesters in their midst, and most common of all, a twisted view of reality and the world around them. So, the JWs pay homage to their Spiritual Pimp, by giving time and money to keep the pimp living on a "high" of power and presteige.
So yes, I think it is loving to help them out, even when there is risk of some harm. But, while I will try to gently help the JW to get out of the religion, I will not push[/b] them out. I think that is the balance. Anyway, hope these points are helpful. - Amazing
