What bothers me most about DF'ing is not only the shunning, but the constant verbal reminders (by elders and the JW pubs) that Jehovah has 'taken his holy spirit' away from you. Its sad cause the whole scenario of being a JW is like living with an abuser:
ABUSE: Abuser comes on strong - is sweet and falls in love quickly vs JWs: Love bombed and drawn into the org by association
ABUSE: sets the stage for isolation from family and friends vsJWs: sets the stage for isolation from 'non JW' family and friends
ABUSE: Once you marry/move in with abuser, you are HIS property vsJWs: once baptized, you are the WBTS's property
ABUSE: convinces you that HE is the authority on all vsJWs: convinces you that WBTS is authority on all
ABUSE: threatens that if you leave him, NOBODY will want you vsJWs: if you leave JWs, you are threatened with NO association
ABUSE: You are constantly trying to do more to make HIM happy vs JWs: you are constantly trying to do more to make WBTS/CO/elders happy
ABUSE: Uses power and control to manipulate you to see things HIS way vs JWs: use power and control to manipulate you to see things THEIR way
ABUSE: make you believe HE will leave you if you don't do as he wants vs JWS: make you believe THEY will let you go (DF) if you don't do as WBTS wants
ABUSE: Trying to leave him is not as easy as walking away vs JWs: leaving the org is NOT as easy as just not coming or walking away
ABUSE: takes everything away or witholds from you when you leave HIM as a ploy to get you to come back vs JWs: takes everything away from you when you are DF'd in order for you to come back
ABUSE: expects YOU to make amends (beg and plead) with HIM in order to go back vs JWs: expect YOU to make amends with them (reinstatement letter) to 'beg' for forgiveness to be accepted back
ABUSE: the threat of losing everything will keep you locked in the bad relationship out of fear vs JWs: the threat of losing your whole association and standing will keep you in the org out of fear
ABUSE:you are NOT permitted to talk to any exes of his (for fear of him being exposed) vs JWs: you cannot read outside publiscations or talk to ex members because the org does not want to be exposed
Am I wrong here? I just feel like there are TOO many comparisons...it's actually kinda scarey. Anymore to add?????