Now that you know

by Kool Jo 6 Replies latest jw friends

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  Kool Jo

  This question is primarily geared towards those that are "still in" or trying to "fade" like myself....now that you know the "truth about the truth"...if their is someone that knows you or your family are associated with JW's and ask you for your opinion of the religion or ask about studying with the JW's...how would you respond?

  My reason for asking is that a girl I knew for many years now (since childhood) was invited to the KH by her coworker...she knew that my family and I are JW's since childhood...she went to the meetings and stated how she's learnt something new and she got "love bombed"...she's a fanastic girl and don't want her sucked into this cult...if she asks me about my experience as a JW, I want to be honest with her, but if I tell her how I feel, she may go back to my parents or the coworker and spill the beans...how would you handle it?

  The second part of my query...we know that the WTBS bashes education...here's my situation....I got a college degree, I have a decent job for my age with possibility of further progression...there were many persons who were critical of me for attending college....saying how I could go to bethel, or pioneer or some other rubbish...now that college is done and you're working...you're ask to help out someone in the congregation financially...even the person who was critical of you...the person fell on hard times and needs a hand with their bills...would you assist this person out of the goodness of your heart, or would you abstain from helping because they were critical of you during college?

  Kool Jo
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  Gayle

  do you know her address? Could you 'mail' anonymously a printout that jwfacts.com has? Somehow she needs to get on Internet to research,,is she the type to do it?
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  wasblind

  Ha Ha, let's see, this person was critical about your education and because of this education you were able to get a good

  job and now have the ability to help them out

  And yet these folk think you woulda been better off in Bethel instead of bein' able to help them out

  Like I said before Jehovah's Witnesses have an unbalanced sense of reasoninGGGG. Tipped scales

  I call 'em

  When I attended the Hall, they would always try to incourage the young people to

  not go to college but to become full time preachers, or encourage folks to choose between

  their jobs or servin' Jehovah. and if they had to work try to get a part time job to

  acommodate the preachin' work

  If everybody took head to this, who could they ask for help, when what little you did

  make went to support the preachin' work

  The bottom line is this person can't pay thier own bills cuz they're spendin' what they have

  in the same preachin' work that persecuted you for makin' a way to earn a decent livin'

  .

  As for your childhood friend I would tell her the things that would be required of her

  if she joined. That way you would be tellin' the truth that no-one could dispute

  or reprimand you for

  .
• 

  happy@last

  if she asks me about my experience as a JW

  To me it sounds like she might not, if it were me I'd initiate the conversation and ask what she thought and wait to see her reation. If she then says she is thinking of going back, I would say "before you do, why not check out both sides of the story, you might find a few facts you didn't know about"

  As to helping out, on this occassion it would be a conscious decision (how institutionalised does that sound!), but I would weigh up amount needed/why needed/who is it for etc.. Nothing wrong in being charitable, but another being taken for a mug
• 

  BluesBrother

  Personally, I found it so liberating to be able to speak from the heart about what I knew about J W, rather that reciting the mantra.

  I did have this experience at work. A co worker was being "return visited" and got very interested. I took her to one side and explained that if she gave them my name I would be finished with my family, but she had to know what I had to say. The dire warning had the effect and she saw the dark side of the movement . The other things I explained hit home too and she stopped the visits. ...Later on whenever the topics of religion would come up it was great to be able to speak as an ex Witness to my workmates who were suitably warned....

  I had a plan to deny everything or put it down to misunderstanding if ever it got fed back. After all, they cannot act on the word of an outsider on the doors. It is important, for their sakes, to do your bit to debunk the WTS . I could not have had that on my conscience.

  As for the money thing, they have no right to ask you. Tell them that if you do, it will be secretly...After that just do what you want to do....
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  wasblind

  Some may think you should help, cuz it's the christian thing to do

  I say don't let your heart rule you head in this situation

  Case in point: When a person choose to fore go a payin' job to work for free

  they got two choices. askin' for monetary support from others or welfare, if they're not sick or disabled

  keep your dollar in your pocket

  And let the WTS mail 'em a check

  .
• 

  dreamgolfer

  "Rock and Hard Place"

  Question #1 - no win deal, if you want to fade, you CANT discuss anything - trust me it will come back and "Bite you big time"

  Let her go, find another gal to dream about.

  Question #2 - that is up to you mate, people do have legit needs and sometimes they ask who they feel will help them, if you know the person well and you want to help them - do it!

  Being Genrous is a great thing, and you know the story - more satisfaction in giving than getting

  Happy Turky Day ya'll