Thanks for all the responses ! Was working all night, have time to respond now.
WHA HAPPENED- Very true what you say. I noticed quite a few JW's who were hung up on porn as well . Got strange , kinky vibes from some when I was still in. Also- Like you , I had fellow witnesses turn me in to the elders without ever coming to talk to me first about the alleged " offense " I had committed. Like I said - With friends like that, who needs enemies ?
JAMIEBOWERS - I second your comment.
MRS PEACHES- Very true . The witnesses friendships ARE very shallow and conditional - they really are closing their minds and missing out on prospective great friendships outside the cult. They are such a CLOSED society. Really sad .
BALSAM- It is amazing isn't it when we have been away from the witnesses for some time and we notice it even MORE SO how demeaning the WT organization is to people outside the witness cult. I've been out 6 years and they get meaner every year it seems. It is so hard to believe I was ever in the witnesses.
MATTIEU- I agree with you. I thought it was pretty laughable also when the article spoke of the " unshakeable friendships " these witnesses claim to have. Conditional for sure, but NOT unshakeable. I also saw lots of people alienate each other and refuse to speak for months, even years on end. And elders and their wives moving to different congregations to go get in hassles with other people. Truly a lack of love and caring.
WTWIZARD- The WT organization really has been hateful towards its members kicking them out for stupid offenses , forcing families to shun one another , and forcing young people to get baptized at too young of a age . Also - In regards to people counseling you on listening to Led Zeppelin - I wish I had been in your congregation - I LOVE Led Zeppelin, one of my favorite, if not THE favorite group of mine ! Me and you would have given the elders and others what for ! I definitely would have had your back ! I would have hi-jacked the brother playing kingdom songs and taken the CD player hostage and force everybody to sing the lyrics to " Stairway to Heaven ".
MOSTLY DEAD- I felt that was interesting also that they used the expression " people in general " to indicate most " worldly " people are selfish and not good friends . But of course they didn't include themselves ( JW's ) in that " people in general " category. They are very smug about themselves.
OUTLAW- Exactly. The outside world DOES look like crap to the witnesses. But what the witnesses don't get is the witnesses look like crap to the world ! LOL!
KURTBETHEL- Very true. This article is a TOTAL projection by the WT society onto the world because the witnesses act exactly like they are spouting off about in the article.
WOBBLE- It really is sad that in 58 years of cult indoctrination it affected your view of non-witness people for awhile. It shows how harmful and destructive the JW cult is. I'm glad you feel comfortable now with non-witnesses as we can really have some great relationships. I agree with you - this cult is evil.
BOYZONE- There is no trust inside the organization, I agree. People are always ratting each other out, can't share ANYTHING confidential with friends as they will go to the elders at the first hint of alleged " spiritual weakness " they see in their friends. Also , it's very true what you say about depression in the organization. People are perceived to be " spiritually weak " when in actuality they are seriously depressed. Then the unqualified elders try to be amateur shrinks and psychoanalyze the publishers by telling them to read their magazines more and do more in field service. Like that will help. Not. Makes it worse. This article is mentally unhealthy mind control at it's worst.
CANTLEAVE- I'm sorry that friend of yours tried helping you by making you feel guilty that you weren't doing ENOUGH to get over your depression. It's a tactic of the witnesses AND mind control cults to make the members feel uneeded " guilt " when problems arise. There could NEVER be possibly anything wrong with the organization - so it has to be you the individual who has the problem. You have to adapt to the org, not the org adapt to you. Sad, but true. In answer to your question of whether your friend will stand by you if you fade. I wouldn't bet my life on it. Not even the ranch or your house. Just giving you the honest truth here. But, hey ! We are here for you bro ! Just remember that our caring is unconditional. And I mean that.
LEPERMESSIAH- Exactly. Nowhere is lack of caring MORE apparent than the congregations of Jehovah's Witnesses. So you areright- people need to pull themselves from that abusive environment right now !
CAMEO- D- It is true that JW's don't even realize I believe what "natural affection " is. They think it's JW induced affection. The problem is the love and committment JW's have goes more to the cult than it ever does to their individual family members. It's one reason, among many, they are so screwed up. Good questions you asked there. Hopefully some lurking witnesses will ask themselves those very questions.
LOUBELLE- I'm with you sis . I cherish my non-witness friends as they never hold me in judgment just support me. The only JW's I deal with are family that I have who are still in it. If not for them- I'd NEVER deal with witnesses.
DUTCHSTEF- I agree. I second your opinion