Speaking to an Ex-Study later

KW13

An Ex-JW Study who still has some inclinations toward the Witnesses, respects them also but doesn't believe it to be the right thing has invited me and a friend (who is a Christian) to speak to him tonight. He knows my mum and several of the elders i knew - infact my mum and him know each other well, we met through my Christian friend who also knows him from the past, on the way to the pub the guy recognized me to be my mums son by chance because i look like her lol.

I wondered...

What process is there for making people into witnesses?

I thought...

Called on in the Ministry - someone desperate or keen to learn about God and what he wants
Study begins - indoctrination sessions
Meetings are introduced as a 'taste and see' what you think - actually from then on and even before its a pressure for people to progress
Contrasts drawn between other religions - Make other ones look bad and point out the positives in being a Witness...
Terms, expressions creep in like 'the truth' and before long your dressing like a Witness - Feel part of the same group and an equal
Leaving now means losing something amazing - actually meaning if you go now, we'll ignore you/turn back on you

changeling

You summed it up nicely!

KW13

thanks

quietlyleaving

Yeah I agree KW13. Your topic reminded me of how we were encouraged to find out people's needs (and even create needs) and then work hard to fill them.

drew sagan

Good summary.

The main point is that the JWs have a never ending list of things that the person needs to do. They just keep asking for more.

In no particuliar order are some of the things JWs are after people to actually do

-have a one on one 'bible study'
-prepare weekly for your lessons by underlining
- attend Sunday meeting
- attend book study
- give comments at book study
- become unbaptized publisher
- start studying for meetings
- go out in service regularly
- attend school and service meeting
- join theocratic school
- become more regular in service
- Get baptized

-----

I've noticed that once a person starts to do one of these things and then later stops they are really looked down upon by JW. When they are not making the kind of progress that the JWs want a lot of cynicism sets in.

KW13

Well it went well and he really wants evidence that disproves the Society's teachings, not because he believes in them but because it'd help him close it down in his mind.

He also intends to ask a friend of his (another ex-study) to meet up with me and my christian friend to help her like we helped him!

WOW!

hubert

KW, get him to read "Crisis of Conscience" by Ray Franz. That will remove any doubt in his mind that the WT isn't the Faithfull and Discreet slave, and receive their messages directly from God.

Hubert

compound complex

Hello again, KW:

Glad it went well for you folks. Just being a genuinely kind and generous person - apart from all the religious aspects - will lead the recipient of your help along the road to life. What has been touted by the WT as the true way, the [WT] way to eternal life, is an unreality. While I still believe in the Christian way, I am having to rethink everything relative to the New Testament. JWs - me for 40 years - think of life too much along the lines of the Old Testament, even insofar as how they conduct their daily affairs.

One of my siblings and I had different JW Bible teachers, but they were both "old school" and very high pressure - loving, yes, but high pressure nevertheless. We were putty in their hands. Neither missed a beat - besides their regular study with us, they took us to all meetings, enrolled us in the TMS, got us out in service and saw us baptized. We loved our teachers very much - good people - but I remember ignoring the "worldly" friends who tried to dissuade me from the Witnesses.

Forty years later, here I am - talking to you! That's great.

CoCo

KW13

KW, get him to read "Crisis of Conscience" by Ray Franz. That will remove any doubt in his mind that the WT isn't the Faithfull and Discreet slave, and receive their messages directly from God.
Hubert

Definitely! Thanks for the suggestion

Hello again, KW:
Glad it went well for you folks. Just being a genuinely kind and generous person - apart from all the religious aspects - will lead the recipient of your help along the road to life. What has been touted by the WT as the true way, the [WT] way to eternal life, is an unreality. While I still believe in the Christian way, I am having to rethink everything relative to the New Testament. JWs - me for 40 years - think of life too much along the lines of the Old Testament, even insofar as how they conduct their daily affairs.
One of my siblings and I had different JW Bible teachers, but they were both "old school" and very high pressure - loving, yes, but high pressure nevertheless. We were putty in their hands. Neither missed a beat - besides their regular study with us, they took us to all meetings, enrolled us in the TMS, got us out in service and saw us baptized. We loved our teachers very much - good people - but I remember ignoring the "worldly" friends who tried to dissuade me from the Witnesses.
Forty years later, here I am - talking to you! That's great.
CoCo

Yeah your right, just a different attitude and what you say is expected by God gives an amazing freedom to these people. Having to rethink and relearn is hard mate, but it'll pass and you'll be in a new position and stronger for your experiences with the dubs. Thanks for sharing your experience

Speaking to an Ex-Study later

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