Yesterday, I had a chance meeting with an acquaintance from the KH we used to attend.
After being away from the meetings for so long, and really starting to feel like I've almost entirely shed their false teachings, I have somehow lost sight of the fact that there are actually still people who really believe it. I read the magazines now, and find it virtually impossible to comprehend how anyone can actually swallow those ideas. It seems so warped and twisted to me now.
I guess the best way I can describe this encounter, was being "cornered" in public. I listened and had an enlightening discussion with this woman. Enlightened, in the sense that I realized how completely convinced most JW's are.
I think I needed a reminder that the majority of JW's are completely blind and ready to obey. I felt compassion and concern for her.
She offered to come and visit with me several times, which I accepted, but then she would take it back. It was bizarre really. At the very end of our conversation, she finally made a comment about how "I know some people will read apostate information, and then ... " (I forget what she said).
I said, "Apostate means... ???"
Apparently an apostate is someone who has known Jehovah but has left and is now PUBLISHING information, trying to make the JW's look bad. So I did ask her if JW's were allowed to leave. She told me a few times where she had spoken to disfellowshipped people, when she didn't know the details of why they were disfellowshipped. She seemed obviously frightened of these people.
At the very end, when I literally had to leave for an appointment, I made mention of my sister and how she now refuses to speak to me because I stopped studying. I guess this got her interest, as she said, "I'll come by and we can talk about it."
Anyway, I took the magazines but don't really expect to see her again. I think she will go back and talk to our old BS teacher and he will tell her how hopeless we are. I think I made the comment that he had "given up on us." She can mark another hour on her pioneering time card, a mag placement and a return visit. Bonus!
The one thing that I did ask her about, was why they have to keep track of all their efforts, to be recognized by men. She said it was important to keep track, since that was how they knew they were following Christ's commands to preach to the entire earth. I simply asked, "Why do the men have to keep track? Don't you think Jehovah can keep track?"
She was very good at her street witnessing. It will be interesting to see if she shows up on my doorstep. I'm not sure I want to invite this into my house again.