I just wonder what they will think?

by Tammie 4 Replies latest jw friends

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  Tammie

  I was thinking of my JW relatives. Before my husband and I was dissocated, my brother in law was begining to have doubts about the JW religion. We did not know this at the time. After we walked away, an aunt told us. But let me go on. When we told him of our decision to leave he got all rightious, and very judgemental. He said that he was going to tell the elders on us, so we would get df'd. And he was true to his word, before we even told the elders our decision they had already been contacted by him.

  Now to the part of where I was wondering. Lets say in another 20 or 30 years when we are getting older, assuming we don't die of some cause. That would put my brother in law around 60 years old, and a grand parent. And the same goes for all my other JW relatives. I just wonder what they will be thinking when the "end" is not here yet. And they are growing old, and all those who was not suppose to die, has already died. And those who are not suppose to get old, has grown old. I just wonder if they would come to their right mind, or if they will still be stubbernly hanging on to their religion. I just wonder what the will be thinking, when it dawns on them they have been living a lie?.
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  Kristen

  Tammie,
  I wonder that too. And that makes me think of all of the people who have been following the JW religion since the early 1900s — they too have been thinking the "end" was right around the corner... decade after decade. Wow, can you imagine never having a life of your own, but giving it all to the organization?

  Kristen
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  cornish

  Hello Tammie
  My Auntie who is not a witness told me that back in the early 1950's,when my father joined the witnesses,he told her that the end would be in the next few years,and he moved in to a caravan trailer and pioneered,living like a hermit,he was a young man then,now he is in his late 70,s and still believes the end is just ahead,the Watchtower heirachy,seem to have the ability to instill in their members that the end is always,just ahead,and frighten the members with a deep fear that the moment you stop believing this is when it will come and you will loose out.
  I also believe that there is a great deal of pride involved for many,for instance my father would have to admit to himself that all those years of investment in the Watchtower have been wasted and he will not get the promised payout,and also it is hard for a proud human being to admit they have been taken in,too much to bear,so it is easier to contiue contributing to the delusion than face the facts.
  When I was a witness I came to the conclusion that if the Society ever back tracked on the literal generation of 1914 then I would not swallow it bearing in mind they had staked Gods name on that promise,actually I left about 6 months before they back tracked on the so called,'Creators Promise of a peaceful and secure new world before the generation that saw the events of 1914 would pass away,'and was not supprized when they did.
  I think it is so sad when I think of all those people who have died who trusted so much they would live to see the Watchtowers promises,I can think of so many,and also those who are old and facing death and thought they would never have too.
  Back when I fist left the Witnesses myself and some friends did a demo outside the Kingdom Hall,my banner read,'Millions Who Thought They Would Never Die,Are Now Dead!
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  TweetieBird

  Great post and comments.

  I think cornish hit the nail on the head. However, when some do put their pride aside and make a stand against the borg, they are angry and bitter with good reason. I know my dad was when he first da'd himself. It took him several years to get over being taken in.

  It was especially hard on him as he found himself in his 60's with no retirement plan because "armageddon was always right around the corner." The rank and file were always admonished to "store up treasures in heaven" while the head honcho's were buying up every prime piece of real estate they could find. Un-friggin-believable.
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  thinkers wife

  Tammie,
  On a kind of related subject. My Dad is 64 years old and Mom is 59. Dad has been a witness since he was sixteen, Mom fifteen.
  I had a lot of unhappy years. Since I left the WT, I am happier now than I have ever been.
  Since I disassociated myself in June of 2000, my relationship with them has been weird at best.
  (also wanted to mention they are both pioneering Dad for over forty years) They are missing out on the happiest years of my life. Thinker thinks they keep hoping "I will come to my senses". How sad is that.
  Anything could happen at this point in their life and what are they doing? Wasting it on pointless rules that a cult has ingrained in their minds. I keep trying to think it is their loss. But it is very difficult. I would love to be able to share my joy with the two wonderful people that brought me into this world. But I can't.
  TW