The most powerful thing about apostate literature is...

by slimboyfat 17 Replies latest jw friends

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  slimboyfat

  ...that is drives a wedge between you and other Witnesses as soon as you read it. There is fear of discussing it openly, and even if you are wanting to try to argue against apostate ideas there is simply no outlet for such open discussions. You are left guessing what other Witnesses know, and how much apostate information they have been exposed too. What a horrible situaton that is, especially when it concerns people you care about who are thoughtful and intelligent - but you simply can't discuss this with them.

  Let's face it, a lot of apostate books are pretty crap, especially the stuff written from "Christian" point of view. It often sensationalizes, distorts, and contains poor argumentation with the rather unfortunate goal of "winning a soul for Christ from the Watchtower cult". Nevertheless even this type of apostate exposure remains tremendously powerful. The power largely lies, not in the intrinsic value of the material, but in the GB's own ban on reading it which forces even those who stumble on apostate writings to go 'underground' mentally. It drives a great big wedge between whoever reads apostate literature and the other Witnesses they know which cannot be repaired without fear of sanction.

  For a while I found solace communicating online with other like-minded Witnesses who had read apostate books and Internet sites and wanted to argue against the points made on the side of the Truth. But that is only a comfort for so long when the cold reality is sitting in the meeting week in and week out not being able to share relevant comments when people are making dubious Witness statements left, right and centre.

  Slim
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  Shawn10538

  excellent observations!
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  Mum

  I thought the greatest body of apostate literature was old Watchtower publications. They hang themselves better than anyone else could do it.

  Regards,

  SandraC
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  journey-on

  Just another reason so many JWs have mental problems.
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  changeling

  If it's well written and "true", it can open the eyes of the blind. If it's a bunch of hogwash it makes us all look bad and can serve to re-inforce the notion that we are a bunch of lying lunatics.

  changeling
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  MadTiger

  Good thought, changeling.
  
  
  That's why I have thus far only argued things backed up by the Governing Body's own words, and third-party documents (from courts, UN, etc.)
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  bigdreaux

  i agree madtiger. the society hangs themselves better than we ever could. they are such morons. when they write something, do they not look back at what they previously wrote?
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  quietlyleaving

  slim

  ...that is drives a wedge between you and other Witnesses as soon as you read it. There is fear of discussing it openly, and even if you are wanting to try to argue against apostate ideas there is simply no outlet for such open discussions. You are left guessing what other Witnesses know, and how much apostate information they have been exposed too. What a horrible situaton that is, especially when it concerns people you care about who are thoughtful and intelligent - but you simply can't discuss this with them.

  I can identify with you re the above.

  I've started sharing experiences from on here with my JW family. It helps me keep a connection going between the two worlds. They don't seem to object to that as much as they did to me discussing 'spiritual' info.
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  Narkissos

  The power largely lies, not in the intrinsic value of the material, but in the GB's own ban on reading it which forces even those who stumble on apostate writings to go 'underground' mentally.

  Insightful.

  I never came across "'apostate' material" before I left JWs, and I can only wonder about the impact it might have had on me as a Witness. It might have helped me question some things sooner, it might also have muddied the waters with guilt for a long time...

  Otoh, any group claiming distinctive values and behaviour is bound to have most of its members experiencing "underground" mode sooner or later, with potentially harmful social and psychological consequences. Just think (or remember) how the average masturbating JW teenager feels. Or the agnostic part of the average churchgoer's mind which can never come out...
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  Gordy

  that is drives a wedge between you and other Witnesses as soon as you read it. There is fear of discussing it openly, and even if you are wanting to try to argue against apostate ideas there is simply no outlet for such open discussions. You are left guessing what other Witnesses know, and how much apostate information they have been exposed too. What a horrible situaton that is, especially when it concerns people you care about who are thoughtful and intelligent - but you simply can't discuss this with them.

  Its another example of their control over members. Like any totalitarian government, you make it a crime to speak against them. You do not know whether the person you confide your thoughts with maybe an agent for them. Will your own family denounce you?

  Then you feel even worse because you have to do things in secret. The quick look at apostate sites, gathering information. Lurking on forums like JWD, then anonymously posting.

  At the same time attending meetings, assemblies, conventions, going on field service. Maybe giving talks, knowing what you are saying is a load of lies. Sitting in a Watchtower study, after having read one of Blondies "Comments you won't hear..."

  Then one day it happens. You realise you can't go on anymore believing. You eyes have been opened. You realise the talk you have just listen to is the same one you have heard umpteen times before. You realise what a load of rubbish it was. You know that what the brother said was changed about 5-10 years ago, it is now the opposite of what it was back then. You wonder if you are the only one who noticed.

  You leave the Kingdom Hall that night knowing you will never return. .................Thats what happened to me.

  Just a little aside

  The above quote speaks about when you learn about "apostate" things etc, and you can't discuss them with any one.

  I used to find it strange in the years I was a JW that it was very very rare to even have a discussion about WT teachings. The WT said that when you are togethr with other JW's say having a meal etc, you should talk about "spiritual" things. But when we used to have brothers/sisters for a meal. It was the last thing if ever we talked about. No one ever said "Did you see that point in the WT magazine/study book about XXX What do you think about it?"

  Because no one could turn round and say they didn't agree with it. You couldn't say "Well I think the WT was, wrong or I don't agree, on that point."

  This would also be seen as questioning the organisation.