"In association with" does NOT mean "subject to."
Jehovah's Witnesses Baptism Fraud
by Watchtower-Free 12 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
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steve2
My maternal and paternal grandparents were deceased by the time I "innocently" tried to disassociate myself from the organization so I will never know that particular pain of having any of them shun me. Oh, they would have done so, I remind myself, if they had been alive. As much as I miss them just on 30 years after I walked out of the kingdom Hall for the very last time, I still feel relieved that I never felt the pain of what would have been a united and deadly act of shunning their oldest grandson.
I so feel for the young woman in this video. Her sad and distraught state is totally understandable. Totally. Who would have the audacity to hurt her even more by trying to reason her out of her heartache over this cruel response? What I can say as a man who is now just shy of twice her age is this: Channel that sadness and anger into a stronger, more resilient you as the years pass by - for they surely will pass and one day you'll say, "30 years ago I walked out of the Kingdom Hall for the very last time..."
You'll never totally get over the loss, but you'll have the perspective of a woman who refused to be blackmailed and stood face to face with the threat that has kept far too many other people captive. Shed your tears, rail against those people who have disregarded the honorable and loving support inherent in the role of being a grandparent and hold your head high. Only cowards need cower - you are no coward!
In my biosketch on this forum that I composed about 9 years or so ago, I powerfully noted that my disfellowshipping was initially the very worst thing that had happened to me - but it was to become over time the very best thing that ever happened to me. It shaped a strong, kick-arse man who was also capable of deep compassion and resolve. I treasure the few family members who did not shun me, I discovered and developed a part of me I never thought I had: a toughness, a resilience that refuses to be broken by people's manipulative, sickening religious blackmail.
Hey, stand tall girl. Cry those healthy tears but don't you dare let those grannies rob you of anything else, especially your freedom and personal integrity. Humor may perhaps be premature for you - but oh it is a stress reliever without equal. I'd privately parody granny and have her talking her JW talk in a high pitched, venomous screech. Picture her on a broomstick and swirling past you like a bad smell cackling like a demented fraud. It works for me
Above all,I would see you becoming a compelling advocate for young ones - especially those who were dunked at an early age.
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Cold Steel
I wish some of you would make a YouTube video on shunning. First, how it's imposed and on who; then, how it's carried out. Shoot a scene showing what shunning is like. Have someone play a shunned person and then get others to play the parts of cogregation members. That way we can see what it's like. Then, finally, show what happens to someone who breaks the shunning rule and hangs out with someone who's shunned. Find former elders to play their appropriate parts. You might even start with a mock baptism interview, a baptism, the tighening of the noose, enstrangement, the warning, the trial, the announcement, the shunning, etc.
If it's an accurate portrayal, and if it isn't too heavy handed, it could be quite a hit, not to mention educational. Work out the video very carefully, avoid bad acting and take us through the whole gamut.
The biggest challenge is finding enough people, but it could be done. You also can legally take video shots outdoors of a Kingdom Hall on a Sunday as long as you don't step on church property. It's also a good idea not to identify individuals (unless they want to talk to you...unlikely). If someone sees you taking videos and tries to shoo you away, you can legally shoot that, too.
Anyway, I'd like to see it.