After 44 years I finally found and spoke to my old prison buddy!

by Terry 39 Replies latest jw experiences

• 

  UN informed

  Terry,

  I too was in prison during 66-68. First in Tucson, then transferred by way of La Tuna, El Reno, to the MCFP in Springfield, Mo.

  In 2005 when I left the Borg, I tried to contact several of old dear friends with regard to the UN situation. NOT ONE of my former prison buddies listened AT ALL.

  It is like their should was stolen from them. I tried to reason with a couple of the on the verse, "present your bodies as a sacrifice to God, ALONG WITH YOUR POWER OF REASON."

  Heartbreaker for me too. One, a Tom V. From Colorado had even quit for 10 years over hurt feelings (like it's ok to quit over that) but over very important doctrinal issues, you can't have the audacity to require truthfulness and honesty from the organization.

  mind control is a powerful thing.

  Brant
• 

  BizzyBee

  Terry, I too, communicated with an old JW friend in the past year. I really thought that after nearly 50 years (!) surely some lighbulb had gone on. Her hubby was an educated non-JW and she had 4 children and they enjoyed a privileged lifestyle. She enjoyed material advantages but I thought surely the odds favored some change in her circumstances and therefore enlightenment on her part.

  A very nice e-mail from her disabused me of my wishful thinking - she and her hubby and children (save one) and grandchildren are dedicated witlesses. I haven't had the heart to answer her and it has been 6-8 months now.

  It makes me kind of sick.

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEStsLJZhzo
• 

  Simon

  Sorry to hear - I can only imagine the dissappointment you must have felt.

  Everyone has their own life to live though.
• 

  Simon

  I dont think intelligence has anything to do or not do with being a JW. It's an emotional thing that defies all logic or sense.

  No one joins or leaves because it does or doesnt make sense because you can make it into whatever you want. Want to be immersed in theology and dates? Sure, if you want.

  Have any opinion you want about anything ... as long as it includes 'the GB are the boss' then you're good.

  Intelligence? Irrelevant ...
• 

  smiddy

  I too have reached out to some former freinds after many years , no success yet .

  smiddy
• 

  Terry

  Terry,

  A person whom I correspond with via email read your book. He told me about Tollie Padget, saying:

  He woke up after prison and faded. He made a comment back then to a bunch of us young ones in our twenties, “ you all will turn 50, 60, and 70 and we will still be here because there is no 1914 Kingdom, walk away now before it’s too late and you waste your life” and then walked away and we never saw him again.

  You are the 2nd person to tell me something similar.

  I keep thinking--"What if?"

  But, when I wrote him the e-mail I sent him a PDF of my book.

  If he were a faded JW he certainly would read it and quickly know how I feel.

  Then, he'd have called me back or e-mailed me by now. Don't you think?

  I just don't want to come across as an Apostate asshole trying to insinuate myself into his life to turn him against the mighty Jehovah.

  I have a real "thing" about being misjudged, ya know?

  Another thought I have is him thinking I'm being used to smoke him out if he's faded. That crossed my mind as well.
• 

  Apognophos

  Didn't you say that he never replied to earlier messages you've sent him? Perhaps he's simply bad about checking or managing electronic communications.
• 

  Terry

  I did notice he didn't catch several references I made to popular culture.

  He was telling me all about his extensive library of reference books. I imagine his nose is stuck in those all the time.

  He loves to read about science and physics especially. But, he said he owns every book ever quoted in a Watchtower publication so that

  he could read it for himself.
• 

  Band on the Run

  Terry,

  I wrote my junior high school term paper by checking out every secular (ho ho ho!) source referenced by the Society in support of creation. The quotes exsisted. I've seen them distorted, too. I would expect someone drawn to a hard science, particularly physics, to be more hard nosed about references than someone with my background. Oooh, I just wanted to fit in. I kind of believed in evolution. Parental love was an issue for me. It is so embarassing to recall that I understood their history to be correct. Of course, we are supposed to be more mature as we age.

  You went through extraordinary times together. Give it a chance. Maybe he wants to talk with you, regardless of your standing. I assume he was going through rough times himself. You were not at a resort spa. Give him a chance to reject you. Maybe he won't.
• 

  Terry

  My hope springs eternal!