The elder at my door today........omg

by LyinEyes 17 Replies latest jw friends

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  LizardSnot

  Dont let those guilt feelings settle in. Remember these things:

  1. You arent going to prison for leaving the Dubs.

  2. This is a free country and you are free to worship or not worship as you choose

  3. You know about the lies and deception that are within the organization. Take comfort in knowing that you arent apart of them.

  4. That elder most likely has a good heart...he is just seriously mislead...by all means...show him love and respect...but dont be afraid to disagree with him. Show him that you appreciate his concern for you and your family.

  5. Remember the reasons that you left the organization. Find strength in that.

  Lizard
• 

  The Alchemist

  Two things;
  Read one chapter from 'C of C' or 'In Search of Christian Freedom' and then, if you must, one of theirs. This will help to potential brainwashing.
  Try to avoid contact with elders if at all possible. Don't return their calls, don't answer the door, hide behind your answer machine, and if you run into them smile and if they want to set up an appointment tell them to call you at home for this and ... I tried this and in a few years they forgot all about me. It's the best way. We have all got enough to worry about without having their mental games going around or heads. Out of sight out of mind.
  Dave
• 

  Marilyn

  :::::::::::they are sitting here and my hands are shaking, just to see the books , and hold them, make me so afraid. What if I read it and get sucked back in by it? I just wont read them. But will my curiosity get the better of me?

  I mostly feel unnerved when I have an encounter with Witnesses (and I left in 1979). I feel it's because it's taken such a huge chunk out of our lives in oh so many ways. I think some of us suffer post traumatic stress of sorts over the whole deal. Please don't be afraid to read the books. They have no power over you now. In fact you should read them. It won't take you five seconds to see the manipulation and pathetic attempts to coerce you to their way of thinking. You have learned how to think critically now - you won't be seduced by their shallow efforts to draw you into their house of cards. YOU CANNOT UNRING A BELL - you have seen thru them and you will never be able to buy their crap again - even if you wanted to.

  I feel sad for you over your love of the elder. Life is very full of sadness. So many things make me want to cry. That's just something we all have to live with. I am jsut back from a walk and I pass a neglected dog each day - he's so beautiful and so intelligent and so lonely that my heart just breaks for his sad life. I'm not even a dog lover for god's sake. Life is harsh - but we have to accept the things we cannot change.

  Hugs to you,

  Marilyn
• 

  not interested

  Hey Lying,

  sounds too familar, i have many friends still in, and many i love dearly, its very hard when they ask when your comming back andwant to give literature. a couple months ago my 7 year old nephew asked my dad the elder,(one of thoes good elders that actualy cares ) to give me a watchtower cuz he misses me, talk about heart breaking.

  and about every other month the one elder from the cong. i attended that actualy has a good heart calls to ask what they can do to get me back its very hard to say i dont want to talk but you just have to make your stand

  as far as getting sucked back in, is ther anything they can say that can make you forget the reason you left? rember the books are written carfuly to get into the readers mind, so think with a open mind, dont just read and accept, the message they write is very appeling

  sincerly

  N.I.

  Edited by - not interested on 10 July 2002 21:50:52
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  Siddhashunyata

  Marilyn, Your feeling of powerlessness needs to be looked at very carefully. Firstly, it means that you fear that you will not be able to choose and that you will be swept away by convincing arguments and emotional feelings. Please try to understand that ideas and the process of forming ideas is where our weakness lies. If you were able to step outside this process then you would not be vulnerable and you would retain your power. If you could recognize the "hold" that ideas have on the elder that visited you then, you would see that his emotions are a result of these ideas. If you allow these ideas to become part of your mind and you do not recognize that they are merely ideas then you will be like him. Therefore practice making the distinction between ideas and actual perception. What I mean is that you should be concerned with the life that is around you and let that teach you through direct perception. Ideas confuse and limit our understanding. Just look! Sounds easy but you will find that it is very difficult. Very few choose to stop "ideation" and, for them direct perception remains a mystery or of no value at all.
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  messenger

  Read the new United book, it is the most powerful thing you can do to keep you from going back.
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  Marilyn

  Dear Siddhashunyata, I think you have me confused with LyinEyes. I liked your comments though.

  Marilyn
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  Siddhashunyata

  Marilyn, your right. Thank you for your kindness.