Zero Tolerance Versus Namby Pambying.

by Englishman 22 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  Englishman

  I don't humour Jehovah's Witnesses anymore. I don't care if they label me 'apostate' or whatever, it's just great to be completely open and honest whenever I come across one.

  "What do you think of this business with the WTBTS being part of the UN, eh?" causes some consternation.

  "That whole generation thing being tied into 1914 turned into a real farce, didn't it?" leaves mouths hanging open in amazement at your temerity.

  "Are you still pushing that Peace and Security thing yet again?" stops 'em dead.

  See, my days of appeasement are finally over, I think that the last time I actually suggested taking this wishy-washy course was when I suggested to H20 posters that they should leave JW's with SOME thing. I was mistaken.

  Appeasement (or humouring) only makes the appeased more angry still, because they know what you really feel. Now, whenever I meet a dub, I just come straight out with a statement similar to the above.

  The first reaction is one of disbelief, a reaction almost as though they have been literally stunned with your words. Some snort and walk away, but others - much to my surprise - actually begin to justify their beliefs. I've even had some say that the WTBTS is trying to improve!

  One stunned sister said: "How - dare - you!" and gaped at me. I laughed in her face and said: "Of course I dare! Dont tell me that you believe in all that gagging stuff, please!" Then she calmed down and we spoke reasonably to one another.

  Attack is the best form of defence. I stopped being Mr Nice Guy when someone told me that my wife 'would make a lovely sister'. (Said lady was outraged, "I don't simper", she said).

  I think that many of us are being conned into not saying what we mean because we assume we know the way that active dubs are thinking. We're also half expecting them to call us apostate. IMO, this is a trap, because as soon as we go down that road we just end up enabling their dub mind patterns. We need to remember that they are the one's who have the problem, it is not us. We have seen the light!

  I say "Sock it right to 'em" at every opportunity, ignore their silly imprinting, and make them face up to the fact that it is high time that they grew up and learned to live in the real World!

  Englishman.

  Nostalgia isn't what it used to be....
• 

  Pathofthorns

  I understand what you are saying. I also feel that a direct approach and a more tactful approach have their time and place.

  Most choose the tactful approach with family and friends so that they wear them down subtly without them turning on them. A more direct approach with strangers or less familiar dubs will make an impact down the road when the info sinks in.

  I sort of wonder these days if many dubs are starting to have a "even though its full of flaws, its still the best way of life" attitude. Or maybe an "I made my bed, I'll lie in it hoping it turns out okay" attitude.

  Its almost like any kind of tactful reasoning or exposing of the flaws is meaningless, because they just don't care. Many are in it just for the social club or whatever, and others are just plain brainwashed or stupid.

  Path
• 

  OUTLAW

  I`m with you ENGLISHMAN!I say pull no punch`s!They have no problem looking their nose down on someone,being condecending or out right rude in the name of their religion.They also have no problem threatining the lives of you or you family.So if you`ve got something to say to them,nail`em right between the eye`s!!!...OUTLAW
• 

  Englishman

  I sort of wonder these days if many dubs are starting to have a "even though its full of flaws, its still the best way of life" attitude. Or maybe an "I made my bed, I'll lie in it hoping it turns out okay" attitude.

  Path,

  OK, I know that maybe you can't act that way all the time with your family. Or maybe you can! Sometimes the very strength of your conviction is what is needed to "make the sale". Dub's actually don't get much persecution when you consider what crap they really teach. The are just imprinted to believe that they DO get persecution, but in reality they don't.

  Straight, hard and forceful talking is something that they never have to deal with. All they get is a mind numbing mush of repetition being forced into their addled brains.

  Wake 'em up! One day they'll thank you for it.

  Englishman.

  Nostalgia isn't what it used to be....
• 

  metatron

  Good Point, Englishman.

  I wish I could remember the quote (I think it was Bruno Bettleheim)
  in which he said that the Nazis could be 'rattled' or feel upset
  if someone actually stood up and faced death by vocally refusing
  to cooperate in anything that was immoral. Open defiance of
  their totalitarian rule forced some to examine what they were doing.

  Your counsel is good, here. It might force some WitNazis to
  actually think about the intolerance and ignorance they wallow in.

  metatron
• 

  OUTLAW

  WITNAZIS,thats a good one metatron,I`m going remember it!...OUTLAW
• 

  Amazing

  Hi Englishman: Excellent!!! You made my day. I too have long pushed being totally tactful, evasive to some extent, and using carefully worded questions. That worked in getting my family out, and Pathoforms is correct in saying each has their time and place.

  But, I believe that the time has come that the next time I run into a Dub, especially one that is out peddling magazines, I will use your style. I have reached the point where I agree that maybe we have been to timid, and we need to be more assertive without being aggressive.

  Zero Tolerance ... yes, our new motto! - Thanks again, - Amazing [8D0
• 

  ISP

  Hi Eman!

  Cool! But its the softly softly stuff for us. If I was Da'd/Df'd I would blast away! Hey there's enough of us and them for both don't ya think?

  ISP
• 

  Englishman

  ISP,

  Why should you be gentle? They are the ones who are out of line. They are the ones who are at fault. They are in your debt, they owe you.

  What did Jehovahs witnesses ever do for you?

  Oh God, all the Monty Python fans will start up now, groan.............

  Englishman.

  Nostalgia isn't what it used to be....
• 

  Frenchy

  I think someone can be direct and nice at the same time. Don't you?

  -Seen it all, done it all, can't remember most of it-