Sound familiar?

carla

This sounds familiar-

http://gma.yahoo.com/fla-woman-says-church-scientology-ripped-her-family-165522676--abc-news-topstories.html?vp=1

I remember watching a Tom Cruise interview a while back. When they brought up the scientologists you could physically see his defenses kicking in. Exactly the same way it would happen for me when I was a dub.

carla

It would be great if a bunch of ex jw's would post a comment about jw's & shunning, families destroyed by the wt, etc...

DATA-DOG

This is what I think we should do. Take this article and add quotes from WTBTS literature in the appropriate places. If anyone wants to help make it spot on, that would be great. We can then send it anonymously to family members. Below is a rough example just to let you know what I am thinking. I would actually send this to my family if it was succinct and powerful.

DOES THIS SOUND FAMILIAR?

http://gma.yahoo.com/fla-woman-says-church-scientology-ripped-her-family-165522676--abc-news-topstories.html?vp=1

Photographs and memories are all that remain of Sara Goldberg's relationship with her daughter, Ashley, a situation the mother is blaming on the Church of Scientology.

The Florida resident says she spent 36 years in the church, reaching the top level of spiritual progression. She says the problems began when her son, Nick Lister, developed doubts about the church. He started associating with vocal critics of the church, including Marty Rathbun and Mike Rinder, former high-ranking officials who quit and are now condemned by the church as liars and apostates.

"Keep in mind that to be disfellowshipped, an apostate does not have to be a promoter of apostate views. As mentioned in paragraph two, page 17 of the August 1, 1980, Watchtower, "The word 'apostasy' comes from a Greek term that means 'a standing away from,' 'a falling away, defection,' 'rebellion, abandonment. Therefore, if a baptized Christian abandons the teachings of Jehovah, as presented by the faithful and discreet slave, and persists in believing other doctrine despite Scriptural reproof, then he is apostatizing. [ So failing to believe “current” ideas is “apostasy.”] Extended kindly efforts should be put forth to readjust his thinking. However, if after such extended efforts have been put forth to readjust his thinking, he continues to believe his apostate ideas and rejects what he has been provided through the slave class, [ There is no “class.” Only the 8 Governing Body members are the “Slave” according to current ideas. Disagreement with those men, not God, is considered apostasy.] then appropriate judicial action should be taken. BOE letter 9/01/80

"I didn't like the way they recruited," Lister said. He also had concerns about the church's theories about life and the universe. As a result, he said, he was labeled a "suppressive* person."

.* Well, apostates are “mentally diseased,” and they seek to infect others with their disloyal teachings WT 11/07/15 “Apostates” are anyone who disagree with current ideas, even if those ideas are wrong.

His mother says church officials actively and repeatedly pressured her and her Scientologist husband to "disconnect" from her son, to cut off ties completely. She feared that refusing meant that she, too, would be labeled "suppressive" – likely leading to the loss of her relationship with her daughter, still a devout Scientologist.

"What if we have a relative or a close friend who is disfellowshipped? Now our loyalty is on the line, not to that person, but to God. Jehovah is watching us to see whether we will abide by his command not to have contact with anyone who is disfellowshipped…”

Consider just one example of the good that can come when a family loyally upholds Jehovah’s decree not to associate with disfellowshipped relatives. A young man had been disfellowshipped for over ten years, during which time his father, mother, and four brothers “quit mixing in company” with him. At times, he tried to involve himself in their activities, but to their credit, each member of the family was steadfast in not having any contact with him. After he was reinstated, he said that he always missed the association with his family, especially at night when he was alone. But, he admitted, had the family associated with him even a little, that small dose would have satisfied him. However, because he did not receive even the slightest communication from any of his family, the burning desire to be with them became one motivating factor in his restoring his relationship with Jehovah." Watchtower 2012 Apr 15 p.12

The situation, Goldberg says, forced her into a quandary.

"No mother should ever have to make that choice," she said.

shunning contradiction

The church has long maintained it doesn't force anyone into disconnecting. In a statement, Church of Scientology officials said, "The Church cannot and does not dictate or manage the family relationship of parishioners.

[ insert WT quotes that tell Jws to avoid doubters or to shun family]

"Any accusations or inferences that the Church interfered in the private affairs of this family are untrue."

But Goldberg showed ABC News a document – one she first shared with the Tampa Bay Times, which first broke the story – in which a church official says he cannot approve of her continued relationship with her son, explicitly using the word "disconnection."

Assist those having undue association with disfellowshipped or disassociated relatives. ... If members of the congregation are known to have undue association with disfellowshipped or disassociated relatives who are not in the household, elders should counsel and reason with those members of the congregation from the Scriptures. ... If it is clear that a Christian is violating the spirit of the disfellowshipping decree in this regard and does not respond to counsel, it may be that he would not qualify for congregation privileges, which require one to be exemplary. He would not be dealt with judicially unless there is persistent spiritual association or he openly criticizes the disfellowshipping decision. pp.114-116 Shepherd Book

Ultimately, she says, she and her husband chose to stand by Nick. As a result, they were both labeled "suppressive*," she said, and their daughter chose to cut ties. *mentally diseased, or apostates

"She says, 'Y'know, until it changes I have to disconnect* from you,'" Ashley said, according to Goldberg. "And we held each other and cried."

* Disfellowship, or shun.

What do you think of that approach? With the right quotes added in a more professional way, it could be very powerful.

DD

chicken little

Excellent comparisons/parallels.

BU2B

Great job DD! Marking

DATA-DOG

I need some more quotes, and more time. I think there are some new quotes about "false apostles" and doubters in a more recent WT article. These cults are eerily similar. If anyone can think of a better way to do this, or has some good quotes, just let me know. I think this is a good method. How could someone NOT see what is happening? Just think, when NOTHING happens after 100 years of JWism, something like this article could really have an impact. Especially as the ORG gets wackier.

DD