My Encounter with a JW couple this Morning

cantleave

I was shopping with Nugget in Sainsburys and I saw them in the bread aisle. A couple in their late 70's / early 80's who really I do have an affection for. He was an MS when I left, not sure if he still is, and she was just a very genuine person with decades of "faithful service" to the cult.

When I was a newly appointed elder, their grand-daughter had accused her step-father of sexual abuse, he was eventually DF'd but has since my leaving been reinstated. During the time between the accusation and the DFing the accusation had divided the congregation and this couple had been accused of promoting this division. They had in all honesty been treated in a most unloving way by half the edlers, although they were given a great deal of support by the other half. During this period I got to know them very well and I acted as their advocate, trying to be the voice of reason.

Their grand-daughter was also involved in reporting the the sexual misconduct between by the CoBE's daughter and another elder's son, which eventually led to me seeing the hypocrisy and political machinations that resulted in me waking up and leaving the organisation. Again this resluted in their family being accused of all sorts of misconduct. When my deletion was announced (I stepped down) he was the first person to call me and thank me for what I had done as an elder. So as you can see there is a fair bit of history between us.

So there they were buying their daily bread, I decided to approach them and say "Hello".

So I strode towards him presenting my hand and said " Hi XXX I know you shouldn't talk to me...."

"So what?" he said taking my hand and adding "we really miss you"

I responded by giving him a hug and saying "I miss you guys too, I love you, but what I don't love is the hypocrsiy of the organisation!"

His response was "I know what you mean, it is lovely seeing you"

Then I gave his wife a hug and asked how she was

Her response was"So-So" and then she added "we really do miss you both" and said we miss them and still love them and reiterated that we left because we could no longer support the organisation and again there was no indication of shock or surprise. They must know our stance, we haven't exactly been quite since leaving!!

There was no appeal for us to return (or invite to the memorial), there was no mention about what we had done, and i felt genuine love from the both of them. I didn't stay and converse as we were very much at the end of our shop and had to get home, I wish had a little longer to speak to them.

I wanted to share this just to remind us that our argument is really with the organisation and not the rank and file witnesses. There are some who genuinely feel they can't leave, they may even believe that there is no where else to go. We need to feel for these ones and where possible do what we can to educate and help them out of the org.

unstopableravens

good stuff!

Fernando

Too true, most of the R&F are sincere albeit misguided and deceived.

However it seems the evil ones often tend to climb up the ranks of the ruling religious clergy class.

Gayle

It is so sad how many are stuck in the WTS created 'limbo.' - the 'no where else to go' syndrome.

lost

Excellent thread. I love positive ones like this. It shows we are not bitter, and we do still believe, but ... there is a line of righteousness we must stand at. It's that simple. It boils down to LAW. Right and wrong. Good v evil. God v satan .. that is their argument all the time is their belief (supposedly), which they preach.

So we are only doing what we are taught to do spiritually, take a stand for God and truth and righteousness. not to become workers of lawnessness like sons of the flesh.

It may give others the courage to think for themselves and start expressing their doubts about the organisation. There is only ever one way to change something ... YOU make it change.... or you sit in the dirt and scratch your sores like Job did. Difference is you will end up staing in the dirt. Or you can chose life. Fulfilled happy joyeous life.

Lozhasleft

Lovely post CantLeave, I agree that our resentment should be directed to the org, and not those trapped or blinded within it.

Loz x

trujw

I would imagine 20 percent figured it out but are old and have Been in so long and it is not where else can I go but how do I start my life over. Most people would rather just go with flow then overturn their entire lives.

Kojack57

Your exactly right CANTLEAVE, we were blind also for awhile until we were either shown TTATT or did our own research which woke us up. Always good to remember our fight is with the ORGANIZATION and not the people inside who are captives to a concept. Thanks for you experience bro, it brightened my day.

flipper

CANTLEAVE- Very nice experience with this older couple. You handled it beautifully ! Sounds like they have doubts themselves but like my 80 something year old parents they have so many years invested in the organization it would psychologically shake them up too much to realize they spent years trusting a mere illusion. You were very understanding and kind with them. Good job friend. Feels great to be humane with no strings attached, doesn't it ? Peace out, Mr. Flipper

Phizzy

Well done Cantleave ! you showed that you are still the same caring, loving guy you were when you were fighting their corner as an Elder.

It must add to their Cognitive Dissonance, standing there is the two of you , happy, well adjusted, still the same fine people you were, but now, not JW's.

Boy that must make them think !

I do agree too that we have no problem with the R&F in general, though I do believe that JW's have in their ranks more assholes per square meter than you will find in the normal world, most JW's are O.K and some are really outstanding people.

The WT, the GB, and those pulling the strings are the ones I take issue with, they are the lowest of the low.

My Encounter with a JW couple this Morning

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