KISS-OFF letter to me from an old JW friend I recently saw again

by Terry 43 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  myelaine

  dear journey-on...

  I have received a commission like every other blood bought child of the kingdom of God, so yes, I have never made a secret of this. in Terry's particular case it required Matthew 10:16.

  love michelle
• 

  AudeSapere

  Terry wrote: What really HURTS, bigtime, is the realization that these "christians" don't CARE enough to risk a Q&A that would help them determine exactly what "my problem" is and try to help me with it.

  I'm not convinced that it's apathy that prevents them from taking interest and time. I think fear plays a bigger part. Fear of exposure to a fatal, faith-threatening disease.

  Also, many jw's are just barely holding on to their own spiritual lives and they very likely feel that the perceived 'burden' of hearing out a doubting friend could send them over the edge.

  Somewhere I think I may have even heard a talk about this once or twice - with the advice being to rat out turn the friend in to the elders refer the friend to the elders for assistance and guidance.

  It still hurts that they won't take the time, but they are spiritually ill in the full and true sense of the term and refuse assistance themselves.

  As far as the printing of the friend's letter, I have mixed feelings. During the initial awakening many of us are very dazed and confused. We are trying to do the right thing and trying to find something that we can hold on to. Finding a personal letter torn apart may cause a person to believe that apostates are evil and unloving. Some will soon see the light and grow from it, others may run back to the org and others may sink into deeper dispair.

  Personally, I think omitting or changing the person's name and other identifying info helps maintain a degree of anonimity and shows a little respect.

  Just my thoughts.

  Sorry you got the kiss-off.

  I got one back in the mid-90's - from people I considered my best friends. And I wasn't even apostate! I was just weary and trying to get out of depression. The most hurtful thing was that the wife had gone through serious issues herself and I was one of only a couple of people who maintained constant contact through those episodes.

  Cults suck.

  And I guess I've come late to this thread because I have no idea what the myelaine situation is. ...

  -Aude.
• 

  Carlos_Helms

  Wow...that was beautiful, Anewme.
  
  I have to be regularly reminded that where we are is most often an extension of who we are. I now know exactly why I participated in the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses. Some people need structure as a matter of survival, perceived or real. Some people learn to survive on their own (so to speak)...some never do because they lack the faith (confidence) necessary to succeed. The nature of the structure is entirely dependent on the individual's perceived or real needs. Who am I to deny those needs without providing support or an alternative? If the foundation is shaky, any structure built on top of it will be tenuous at best...so we do the best we can. It's been my observation that most Jehovah's Witnesses have not experienced much in the way of unconditional love (or they deny it as 'too good to be true' - reinforced by 'you'll never be good enough'). Yet unconditional love is the very foundation upon which a spiritual life must be built. The replacement mechanism is often a high-control, heavily-structured social environment which offers distraction from the inevitable pain felt at being loved conditionally.
  
  Some people "need" structure...other's appreciate structure...still others (within or without) have a reliable internal "governor," if you will...and the remainder are basket-cases who have none of the above. The former and the latter we usually keep at arm's length. One is needy; the other, dangerous.
  
  Peace,
  Carlos
• 

  myelaine

  dear anewme...

  "The level of religious zeal and piety displayed b humans is a very personal matter and we should only be
  concerned with our own."...

  ...disciples beget disciples...

  Then Jesus came and spoke to them saying,"All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.

  Go, therfore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

  teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen" Matthew 28:18-20

  love michelle