by Leander 33 Replies latest jw friends
Roybatty - I gave a lot of thought to just DA'ing myself and being done with it, but I think the way I going about it now will be much easier for me.
Simwitness - thanks for that info, especially the baptism questions and the scripture. my argument will be airtight
Amazing - great suggestions, I think you're right about the need to talk with my Mom face to face. Maybe I'll get the both of them together and just make a brief announcement. *sigh* I'm not looking forward to that at all
Hi Leander,
Amazing gave you lots of good advice up above. I think it is well worth following.
Have you heard the saying, "Trust Allah, and tie your camel"?
It is always best to ask yourself "what's the worst possible outcome in this situation?" and plan to deal with it while hoping for the best.
The alternative is to dreamily anticipate the best outcome only to be blindsided by the 200 ton freight train of reality. Ouch!
Be prepared.
It is unfortunate that you and the rest of us here and in Dubland around the world, have to deal with the insane legalisms of a tract publishing company, but that's the reality. I wish you the best, and that your family will join you in your decision. Your life as a happy and progressing prosperous "apostate" will bear a strong witness to them. You don't need an archaic war god to be ethical and happy.
I've always maintained that those that ask such questions can best be handled by asking questions back. For instance, Who else is doing the work the JWs are doing? Response, "You mean who else is a major publishing company under the quise of religion?" and "Who else is propagating a god that will kill 5.5 billion people just because they don't use the correct misnomer?" Hopefully, noone!
Or, "If I did tell you would you lsiten?"
As to the discarded doctrins that the JWs vaunt as unique to themselves, again they are so ignorant of other religions that it is laughable. Muslims for centuries used the terms heaven and hell to mean a spiritual condition, not a geographic location "ie lake of fire". Resurrection and other terms the Jws use is a contradiction and on and on...
Me thinks the answers could fill volumes if they would listen...
carmel
Its really interesting that people always use the phrase "the organization is perfect its just the people with the flaws".
Come again?
The organisation is perfect? The mind boggles.
Cheers,
Ozzie
I did the slow fade, and did not make any announcements to friends and family. When they would ask about my inactivity, I would say that I did not want to discuss it, as I did not want to stumble them. This bought me a lot of time with them. Some accepted it and me and some did not. Some distanced themselves from me initially, but some of them eventually became friendly again.
Leander,
I'd like to second Amazing's Advice. He's a smart man.
\
WHere is Harvey Illinois? IS that close to Chi town?
YERUSALYIM
"Vanity! It's my favorite sin!"
[Al Pacino as Satan, in "DEVIL'S ADVOCATE"]
leander,
my best friend, an inactive JW going on, oh, 6(?) years now, did exactly as larc did. When questioned about her inactivity she replied that she did not want to discuss it, as she did not want to stumble anyone. This, despite letters and phone calls where I tried to draw her out, despite a vacation together where I tried to draw her out... She just resolutely refused to discuss it. She has had a few visits by her book study conductor and the circuit overseer, a few invitations to the Memorial over the years, but she's still in that nice fade away state. Me? I DA'd myself last year and am properly shunned by all in my congregation!
Think carefully before you write ANYTHING! Even to your own mother.
Best wishes for a successful exit, however you go about it!
outnfree
It's sad that one must maintain such a legalistic view in order to maintain friends and family in the WTS.
"As every one knows, there are mistakes in the Bible" - The Watchtower, April 15, 1928, p. 126
Believe in yourself, not mythology.
<x ><
How I wish I had the benefit of the Internet when I began to question the validity of the 'Amway' of religions...the WTBTS!
Flip
Do the fade thing Leander. Always be too busy for a visit by anyone from the "bossman club". Do not answer questions. Be too much in a hurry for conversation if they catch you unawares. As far as your family is concerned, be too tired to go to the meetings. If you have just a little ache, you can even be too sick to go. haha
That is the advice that was given to me. It works for me. Doing it the other way that was mentioned, writting a letter, will put you in the position of being mistreated by 6,000,000 folks.
Think of facing a ferocious animal. You might not have a great fear of animals and may decide to face and fight it head on, or you can run. If you decide to run that may be the best thing to do. If you decide to face it, maybe that might be the better thing to do. Only you can estimate your circustances and determine what the outcome might be.
Don't let no one take your dignity, and don't give it away.
Pureheart
