I'm Taking A "Newly Interested One" To Her First Meeting

by Zandor 12 Replies latest jw friends

  • Zandor
    Zandor

    I've been out of the organization for quite a number of years, and still feel that uneasy feeling that was washed into every cell of my being by WT indoctrination since birth. Never seems to go away completely, does it?

    I use to feel the need to talk about my experience in the organization to others, to worldlies, and they never quite seem to understand. Talking about it often seemed to sabotage my efforts in connecting with other human beings and forming friendships. I learned to talk less about it and become a student of what those without religious indoctrination do in order to start and cultivate relationships with other human beings. I'm getting more adept at this art. I sometimes falter, though, when doubt and that nearly intangible something akin to PTSD starts going off like alarm bells in my brain.

    I finally made a wonderful friend who loves me so much that she is quite curious and wants to understand how my experience in the cult has shaped who she sees standing before her. Have you ever been getting to know someone and there is a topic broached in a conversation in which you find yourself looking at the other person as if peering across a chasm of experiences, or knowlege, or understanding, and you have to stop and insert something about your religious upbringing in order explain why this common experience shared by every other person is missing from your frame reference? I've rarely had to do that with her. She is always drawing me out like some wonderful therapist/friend with genuine interest, care, and attention.

    We recently took a trip together to Washington DC, and while standing on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, and somewhere between talking about history and politics, she asked me what the experience of going to the Kingdom Hall was like. I joked that my description would make the experience seem innocuous and mostly typical of religious meetings. She asked how I would feel about going taking her to a meeting. I asked how she would feel about going? She is a JewBu. She really wants to check it out. I am taking her next Sunday.

  • Comatose
    Comatose

    They will convert her!! Jk

    have fun.

  • Hortensia
    Hortensia

    She'll find it bizarre.

    I remember when a friend attended my step-father's funeral. She asked me later, "they don't really believe all that stuff they said, do they?" She was especially appalled by the songs, and the singing.

  • Nathan Natas
    Nathan Natas

    What the hell is a "JewBu"?

  • NeverKnew
    NeverKnew

    I completely understand her. I, too, had no exposure to what was taught in your KHs. Now I feel like I know too much and it's crushing my relationships with those who are JWs.

    I'm going to assume you're no longer in so hopefully she will never have to be where I am.

  • Zandor
    Zandor

    "What the hell is a 'JewBu'?"

    Jewish and also Buddhist.

    LOL, I really can't speak to what harmony, contradictions or conflicts that might present in a practicing JewBu.

    I am no longer in. Going back to the KH is, for me, is merely an exercise in irony and mischieviousness for myself, and the gift of insight for my friend.

  • Finkelstein
    Finkelstein

    She really wants to check it out. I am taking her next Sunday.

    She may begin to hate and despise you later on if she does some research on this dangerous and maligning cult.

  • jgnat
    jgnat

    I can't imagine a JewBu hating anybody. My first impressions; more like a business meeting than a church service. Clean and neat. Deadly dull canned music. Bland talks.

  • Zandor
    Zandor

    "She may begin to hate and despise you later on if she does some research on this dangerous and maligning cult."

    Guess you didn't take the time to carefully read what I took the time to thoughtfully write.

    I am no longer in the organization of JW's. We are going just so my friend can understand the brainwashing process I went through from infancy. We will most likely crack jokes back and forth in a whisper, giggle like adolescents, then go out for coffee and discuss what she saw and what she might have missed.

    I want to study the WT article ahead of time just so I can insert some critical thinking-style comments in between the canned answers the rank and file regurgitate. Would love to very innocently cause some mouths to fall open in dismay as just someone who knows stuff in general

  • Finkelstein
    Finkelstein

    Yes I read the post too fast, my apologies.

    Interesting she may discover what it might be like to be a JWS with all the strenuous mental indoctrination.

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