Outlaw's photo would make a great billboard.
WHY MANY GET STUCK IN!
by ADJUSTMENTS 15 Replies latest jw experiences
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Captain Obvious
Great point. It really isn't a choice at all. Yet when one decides to point it out, the JW will immediately point out that it was YOUR choice to get baptized, and YOUR choice to leave. Always blame the person, not the cult.
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St George of England
That really sums it up.
"Give me the boy until he is seven, I will give you the man."
Brainwashing and indoctrination from birth is the key, though I think modern kids with internet access are wising up earlier. I am heading up to 70 and still stuck in due to wife and to a lesser extent family.
The one good thing I did was to go to university when I got married. At least I can live in some comfort now.
George
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kaik
Everyone has a chance to escape. I was born in and left in my teens and lived on my own. I managed to get two grad degrees, good job, etc. Followed and fullfilled my dreams. Everyone can do the same. He or she in any industrial countries can go to any welfare office in the city and ask for assitance. Many JW while despise this world live on public assistance, housing and food stamps and other type of welfare, so almost any JW is familiar with it. If anyone is really dedicated to escape abusive cult, he or she can manage to do so. It is never easy, but strong will, goal, and perseverence pays offs.
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Frazzled UBM
Londo 11 - I agree - I don't see Steve Hassan's tactics working for my wife as I am her only non-JW family. It is soo difficult to get through to a born-in. If they accept what you say it is a repudiation of their whole life to date. For most that is just too much to contemplate.
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Band on the Run
I am shocked at the young age of baptism today. They mocked infant baptism so harshly. One had to be a mature. Teenagers, preteens, and elementary school children are not mature. The law recognizes that they don't have a full deck yet.
If you are born-in, you know no other life. The Witnesses keep us busy with multiple meetings and field service a week. Not one setting encourages Bible study or reflection. Indeed, doing so will call down wrath on you. All the Witnesses at the KH talk about happy they are. How the WT meeting was so insightful. I used to wonder if I were losing my mind. Just sitting through the proceedings is hell. The CIA should borrow some of their techniques.
Family members in makes it very hard. I lived a double life. Worldly at school. Interested in the Witnesses in front of family members.
I just happened to research the Mayflower Pilgrims last night. Only half the company were the religious members. I wonder what it was like for the nonreligous ones to accomodate the religious ones.