JULIA- Here is another theory I have on why your friend still attends. Perhaps she is a " selective JW " who believes that some of the WT Society's teachings are garbage- yet the part about living in a paradise earth and getting healed permanently from her disability or health problems is a real possibility to her still and she keeps hanging onto some glimmer of hope that it's true justifying belief in Bible promises about that as taught by the WT Society. So her hanging on inside the Witnesses may be out of shear desperation in her own persopnal situation. Kinda how I see it. JW's ae really good in their minds categorizing ceratin things in their life and accepting things, yet alienating other thins in their life and chucking it. Peace out, mr. Flipper
Ok so my best friend fully knows TTATT and her JW parents have been inactive for years- why the hell does she still go to meetings!?
by Julia Orwell 16 Replies latest jw friends
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ABibleStudent
Good idea Flipper to explain why a JW with a disability would want to remain a JW. How would you suggest overcoming it?
Also, is it possible that the WTBTS's indoctrination of doing repetitive tasks of going to meeting, going out in FS, and reciting WTBTS platitudes creates neurons in the brain that are difficult to overcome for some people? As people age they feel comfortable doing what is familiar to them, even if they know it is killing them (i.e., smoking). If there is no strong desire to break those patterns, they will continue to do them because they are in their comfort zone.
Recently I moved. I'm use to going to specific places at specific times where I use to live. Now I must meet new friends, go to new places, and learn what I like in a different city in another state. It is not too difficult for me, because I want to make new friends and enjoy life. For JWs it could be terrifying to move to a new place if they did not have the comforting idea of meeting new friends at a local KH.
Maybe the best way to reverse witness to JWs is to help them learn how to enjoy life, embrace thinking for themselves, and to overcome fear of doing something new that they might like to do or are curious about doing. If I had a JW friend who did not know how to leave the WTBTS, I would invite them to go out and do something fun and new where they could make new non-JW friends. It might take a few years to help them learn how to think for themselves, but if they are people who you enjoy being with then it should be fun.
The internet is a vast source of information that can help inspire people with new ideas. Visit websites like www.meetup.com to learn where to go to meet people with similar interests. Sign-up for local promotions at www.travelzoo.com to receive daily emails about special promotions in your local area. Sign-up at www.groupon.com for discount coupons to go someplace that you like for less. Use a web browser like Google to locate groups, plays, clubs, or events to attend with your friend.
Peace be with you and everyone, who you love,
Robert
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blondie
Why do some women stay with their abusive husbands.
Fear?
Loss of financial stability?
Losing custody of their children?
That the abuse will increase?
It took me awhile to leave...I had to design a safe exit plan to leave the WTS
Many people have to reach their limit, where staying is more painful than leaving
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Julia Orwell
Good thoughts guys, I think I understand better now. Thanks! I guess everyone is different. I couldn't grasp why she'd stay cuz I've always been a,decisive person with little to lose but I think I can understand my friend better now.
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Watkins
Strange, isn't it, that the mind-warp indoctrination is THAT strong in some - even if they know ttatt they STILL feel 'there's no where else to go'. Everyone un-learns at a different rate, too - maybe she just needs more time. Continue to show her your unbiased friendship, all the while showing her there IS a good and FREE life outside of the borg. You're probably her best example!
Best to you, Julia
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Julia Orwell
Ha ha yes! My dfd friend heard I'd gone apostate and called me up because she thought my life must be miserable, I must be depressed and doing silly things, and what a surprise it must have been to her when I told her I've never been happier, life is great, my mind is free and I'm able to have better bible discussions than ever before!
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ABibleStudent
Hi Julia Orwell, If you like spirited Bible discussions and do not mind your friend being upset with (and possible shunning) you, how would your friend respond to the following questions about John 6:60-70?
- Why did Jesus Christ waste time teaching disciples who he new before hand would leave him about Our Father in Heaven?
- If shunning is important to keep Christians pure, why didn't Jesus Christ direct his remaining disciples to shun those who left?
- Why does Simon Peter respond to Jesus Christ with “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.” in the Bible, instead of with "Where else shall we go Lord" like the WTBTS teaches?
- Where in the Bible does it say that the GB is the mediator between believers and Jesus Christ?
NIV John 6:60-70
Many Disciples Desert Jesus
60 On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?”
61 Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you? 62 Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! 63 The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit [ e ] and life. 64 Yet there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. 65 He went on to say, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them.”
66 From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.
67 “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve.
68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.”
70 Then Jesus replied, “Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!” 71 (He meant Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, who, though one of the Twelve, was later to betray him.)
Peace be with you and everyone, who you love,
Robert