Watching Worlds Apart

by man in black 3 Replies latest jw friends

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  man in black

  About a year ago I saw this movie for the first time.

  And while watching it, most of the points showing how controlling the jw's are did not really stick out to me, (shunning,emotional abuse, etc.)

  But last night I was bored and watched it again, and wow was it amazing to me how strange this religion can be.

  I find it somewhat amusing how long the wt mentality can remain in the subconscience unnoticed.

  For example at the end when Sarah attends the funeral of her good friend who died because of the no blood policy, her father walks up

  and tells her that she is selfish for attending. I would have agreed with that 110% ,,, no question. But last night I was shocked that he said that to her, and she just throws that comment back into his face and walks away .

  Remember in star trek 2, the one with Khan and those little worms that enter the ears and grow on the brain ? I kinda was thinking that the

  belief and mind-controlling tactics of the jw's are very much like that.

  Has anyone else had a somewhat unconscience awakening perhaps years after leaving the witnesses ?
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  Broken Promises

  People seem to not bother responding to your posts, even though they're insightful and interesting (to me anyway).

  I watched "Worlds Apart" a few weeks ago when it was tv and it was the second time I'd seen it. I came away with much more the second time round. I guess maybe it's because the first time I was watching it I couldn't believe they were portraying JW life so realistically.

  I will disagree with you (and her Dad) in saying she was selfish for attending. Her friend's mother didn't seem to mind (she gave the girl a hug and let her sit with them at the front of the Hall).

  As for the "awakening" some years after, yes, I think it can happen. We tend to only allow ourselves deal with as much as we can handle. Later on, as information filters through our grey matter, things will suddenly "pop out" at us, even though we may have consciously had known it for ages. Sometimes something will trigger a realisation, or suddenly we're able to put 2 and 2 together.

  I like to think it's just part of life to continually learn and understand things. Otherwise life would be rather boring, wouldn't it?
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  sizemik

  I watched it for the first time a few weeks ago on youtube. I too was impressed how it managed to capture the reality of what this cult does to a family. The movie was able to subtly include so many of the elements of JW family life. The loveless marriage, the total rejection of eldest son by his father, the eldest's sons pain, the wife's secret disbelief, the teens double life, the Elders false love and legalistic mindset. I could go on . . . but I've seen all of those elements myself . . . and sometimes in the same family . . . and on this occasion it looked . . . well, evil and debasing.
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  alias

  I saw it a couple years ago with English subtitles. Good story, one that I identified for the heartwrenching relationship with an unbeliever. It really captured the emotional and spiritual challenge of trying to live two lives, one devoted to an ideal that's wrapped up in life and death and your standing with God (real or not), and the other following the yearnings of your heart and all its desire.

  There's so much at stake when you leave all you've ever known with its attached family and social structure, where all of who you are is judged good or bad. Good movie.

  alias