Doubting JWs ever approached you?

by greendawn 21 Replies latest jw experiences

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  zack

  I have had a few ask me. One is still in and a very close friend. In the end, she asked me to not discuss it anymore because it was creating too much mental conflict. She likes her life in the Borg even though the demands stress her out and she enjoys none of the routine, but all her family and friends are in. I very gently told her that SHE was the one who asked, not me.

  I also almost approached a long time elder on our body who resigned and within weeks both he and wife had totally dropped of the radar. I wondered how a smart, caring guy like that could suddenly lose his zeal. What happened? I have to ask! Well, I never did. I now know what happened: he got the truth about the Troof, no question.
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  greendawn

  It's understandable that a typical witness would be afraid to talk about doubts to another witness due to the strict social control mechanisms that are in place, if the other person tells that so and so has doubts that could lead to a lot of trouble. It's like a police state.

  The JWs may have some good things to offer but then again there may be otehr groups offering the same without the tight control, manipulation and exploitation under the WTS. They say of course that there are no other worthwhile groups but there certainly are groups better than them.
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  anglise

  Used to have some "interesting" conversations with some whilst we were still in the org. None of them have ever contacted us since we left. Maybe because we know what they really think.

  It is sad how people are so trapped.

  Anglise
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  Nellie

  Mrs. Smith - Nice to hear there are others who share my feelings. Even though we found out the water was dirty, we were able to save the baby when we threw out the bath water!
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  knock knock

  Interesting. When I had questions I would be careful of who I talked with not because of fear of being turned in to the elders but because I didn't want to make others doubt. Funny how times change.
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  NotaNess

  Yes, one must not forget, to NOT "stumble" your brother. On the flip side, it's ok to go to your "brother's" house for a party and stare at his wifes rear end until there was a hole burned into her britches! Just don't let anyone catch you.....too late!!
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  Mysterious

  I told my best friend a few things when I left..he turned out to be having a few doubts of his own which I fueled and is not a JW today. I don't think he did the research I did though so I always worry he might fall back into it some day. I trusted him and knew he had kept my secrets before over the witnesses, someone else I probably wouldn't have.
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  Marcel

  i would never talk to an other JW about my doubts. doing so is giving him/her the power. youve to trust him/her completely, because he/she can put you under pressure with that info.
  
  in (almost) all my life in JW talk when it comes to a topic which *could* lead to a critical view everyone senses it and start changing the topic the fastest way they can.
  
  im and was one of the JWs who believe in the "if its not the truth its a decent way to live"-thing. i would NOT say its a bad way. i believe there are some JWs who are pretty happy and live in the belief they are doing the right. the first time i believed this way was when i was a little boy and a sister of my congregation said in the biblestudy the very same sentence. "if its not the truth..."
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  sweet pea

  It's a good way to live UNTIL you suffer from a nervous breakdown due to living up to all the rules, regulations and meetings 3x week.
  
  It's a good way to live UNTIL your child/partner needs a blood transfusion or they'll die.
  
  It's a good way to live UNTIL your child/best friend/family member is disfellowshipped and you have to cut off all ties.
  
  It's a good way to live UNTIL you or your child is abused by an elder and there are no other witnesses to the crime.
  
  It's a good way to live UNTIL you realise you've given up education a career and have no pension and are approaching retirement.
  
  It's a good way to live UNTIL you find out you've been lied to, decide to stop attending meetings and all your friends cut you off overnight.
  
  Me? I'd rather be a Christian.
  But if it works for you, that's fine, just hope that you never come face to face with one of the above....
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  anglise

  Sweetpea

  that is a brilliant way of putting it

  Anglise