Dssynergy,
It sounds like you are a member of the conscious class. I hope you are able to find peace.
on the fence
by In 39 Replies latest jw friends
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dssynergy
Truthseeker,
Thanks. I hope I do too.
DS
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VoidEater
In: So, let me understand...the occasional apostate rant keeps you glued into an organized cult?
Are there really just the two choices: mindlessly obey, or scathingly attack?
I rather think the two choice choices are: stay in the mind-control group, or realize there's a huge world outside of that to choose from. After all, the WTS only claims .1 percent of the world's billions.
Inside the WTS 6 million you know exactly what is there. I can't imagine that you can pass judgment on the rest of the world's nearly 6 billion based on a few rude comments from some random ex-JWs.
As for me: if I have to hide what I believe to be friends with someone, obviously it's not a friendship. It's something else.
And: sure, if I hear something I disagree with, I don't feel the need to bolster my ego by hearing my own opinon all the time. At the same time, I don't let people voice utter nonsense without sharing balancing thoughts. Without the ability to express dissent, there is no respect or mutuality in a relationship.
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In
Linp24 and Donny: As MadSweeny’s post shows in paragraph #3, The Watchtower directed us to not develop an “independent spirit”, which makes sense if you want to create a harmonious organization. It’s basically saying, ‘please cooperate, and if you don’t agree, don’t be an ass about it.’ Unfortunately, the way the wording is, it often gets applied as a ‘no questioning’ kind of policy. Like, an elder said so, and we have to obey… crap like that.
No one will tell you not to ask questions, but if your question seems to suggest maybe you don’t believe the “faithful and discreet slave”, then you receive ‘strong counsel’. Like intervention… and its annoying sometimes because all I really want is someone to reason it through with me and talk to me about it, not to act like I’m a rebellious kid.
Don’t get me wrong, some dubs can give great answers, and that’s why many of us ‘on the fencers’ are still here. But a lot of them get hysterically upset that a baptized witness is asking those questions.
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In
Dssynergy: That’s almost EXACTLY why I stay. My family would be torn up, and I’d be put in the trash hole… I love them dearly, and don’t want to go through that pain, or put them through it. I’ve done this my whole life, it’s not too hard, and I’m good at turning my brain off, so why not stay for now?
I participate in a foreign language group, and it kind of lessens the brainwash aspect.
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flipper
IN- I commend you for going to college. That will help you develop critical thinking ability and expand your views outside the WT society little square box. The problem you are facing is the WT society controls the information it wants Jehovah's Witnesses to be aware of. In one of their Kingdom Ministry's a couple years ago they told witnesses that there was no need for them to do ANY outside research in any publications aside from the ones the WT society prints. That they allegedly had ALL the information you need access to to help you in this world. Ask yourself - What do you think the WT society doesn't want you to find out ? If they have the " truth " wouldn't the " truth " stand up to scrutiny and research OUTSIDE the organization as well ? What are the leaders of the WT society in fear of ? Something you should ask yourself. Don't limit yourself. Do ANY research you need to do to inform yourself. I highly recommend Steve Hassan's " Combatting Cult Mind Control" & " Releasing the Bonds- Empowering People to Think for Themselves " . I think you may find those books VERY eye opening. I wish you the best on your education and journey . If you have any questions for us on the board- please don't hesitate to ask
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In
Let me establish one thing: I haven't got issues with mind control. I'm on the fence for other reasons.
I'm doing things exactly how I want to do them. Yeah, sometimes the rhetoric at the KH just kills me, but you know I've decent reasons for staying right now. I'm building my case. I have to do this a certain way, otherwise it will be unnecessarily destructive to both myself and others.
I visit this site to maintain sanity... and it's a welcome relief from the rhetoric.
Best,
In
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AllTimeJeff
Hey In. Go at your own pace. It is a process, and it sounds like you have a lot that you don't want to throw away. Keep your mind open and your education going! I wish you the best.
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Mad Sweeney
"Let me establish one thing: I haven't got issues with mind control."
Do you mean you don't believe that's what the org is doing? Or that if they indeed are a mind control cult that you don't have a problem with that? Or do you mean that if they are really a mind control cult, you have no problem maintaining a mind of your own, anyway?
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In
Mad Sweeny: It's a process of learning to differentiate the good material from the 'mind control' material. I've been through some tough times in which the elders lost their halos, and then the pioneers, and the bethelites... and once they are just other normal people to you, it's easier to treat them kindly and not be intimidated. (The intimidation is part of the mind control). Some of the stuff we're told, like 'be courteous to your family and neighbors' is perfectly sound advice, whereas 'don't read anything but the literature' is wack.
I don't really believe they are intentionally a mind control cult, but I do believe in the effort to be united and harmonious, they have gone radical against dissention, and some people have suffered unneccessarily at the hands of cruel men.