by Mrs Smith 17 Replies latest jw friends
I have been asked to talk to a group of people about JW. What would you say is the most important thing non-jw need to know about the WBTS.
This is what I have in mind, please feel free to comment.
1) JW history
2) Mind control - how they inforce their doctrine
3) Fase prophecies
4) Child abuse- sexual and physical
5) Death due to no blood rule
I really want them to see that JW are not just a religion with slightly different beliefs, I want them to see that it's a high mind control cult.
That's a good topic list, Mrs Smith.
I would also speak about how those who fade or leave altogether are treated - shunning etc, and how the elders and parents of teen and sometimes pre teen jw kids are pressured into baptism, even though they most likely have no real concept of what such a step entails.
Good luck with your talk
Thank you. I will include the shunning practices with the mind control issues. I haven't given a talk since I stopped going to meetings so I'm a bit nervous.
How about a childs life of isolation. Living a different life compared to the majority of children.
I agree with DJK. Childern have no choice how they are raised, and being raised a JW can cause scars for life. Parents join and have no idea, next thing you know that are so gung ho that they drag their kids down with them. The silent lamb stuff is awful, but you dont have to be beaten or molested to suffer as a child. To live with their impossible standards. To have crazy rules enforced on you. Im talking about a lack of social development. Im talking about depression. Being raised in isolation can cause so many problems.
but who cares if the world is going to end, right? ...
1) Their pathetic doctrine of "theocratic warfare" which is just an excuse to teach the R&F to lie through their teeth.
2) Shunning front and center, because even JW's like my mother in law can't argue the fact that it goes against nature for a parent to reject a child. It is clearly unique to the JW's. It strikes a chord that everyone can understand, even the "Live and Let Livers".
3) The baptism oath to the organization
4) Child abuse- sexual and physical
I would be sure to give 'equal billing' to "wife abuse- sexual and physical [and emotional]" along with the child abuse info.
I'd point out how when you are to be baptised as a JW you are doing it as an agreement that they are the 1 true religion representing god....its not just that your are being baptised as gods servant ......sorry if that sounds confusing....having trouble wording stuff. I would deffinatly bring up how children are raised...ie spanking and homeschooled(i was homeschooled...totally screwed me up).2 witnesses for issues.. good luck
What should people know about JW?
...that they are blood sucking parasites, by the time you leave their ranks you'll be lucky if any life you've got left and even that will be plagued with germs they left behind so you'll be human walking carcasses for long time before life restores to normal, but scars will be always there. And when you tell someone that then ask them if that is really what they want in life. Talking about doctrines and other blah blah doesn't hit home until you engage people on personal level and what that would to do to their lives.
I'd say much depends on who your target audience is; all the points mentioned are good ones, but you may want to skim a topic or two, or emphasize one the most, depending on who this group of people is comprised of. A group of lawyers and police would be very interested in hearing about what theocratic warfare is, clergy will probably be more interested in failed prophecy than others, etc. Of course, some of the things JWs do or believe are rather alarming, and will be interesting to any group you speak to-like the blood policy. A support group for non-JW spouses would want to hear a little bit of everything, I think.
