When is it not worth helping JW's out of the org?

sleepy

Being an Ex-Jw who would love to see my friends and other out of the Jehovahs witness organisation I face a dilemma, is it always in a persons best interests to know the truth about the truth?

When I first decided to leave the organisation, I was happy to speak to my family about why I disagreed with the organisation.Then about 6 months ago my father was diagnosed with terminal cancer of the lungs (due to asbestos poisioning.If you think the Governing body are corupt they are nothing compared to the people who produced this stuff).I have desided it best not to mention anything about the organisation untill my family recovers from my fathers death.

So since then I have not said a word about the "truth".That would be so counter productive to my fathers mental health, his and the rest of the families happiness can be only be found in the hope of a resurection , no matter how unfounded that hope is.

I have bumped into some elders from time to time who are in their late 70's and spent all their adult lives in the truth, how about them?There are many in the congregations suffering from depression and other mental problems, what would our knowledge do to them?Should we be taking the intiative to help these out, or could we do more harm than good to them?Of course I can't know how knowing what know about the truth will effect some people.Will it make their lives better or worse.Will it free some to fufill their ambitions and desires living a full and happy life or will others be full of regret , deprestion and sadness, maybe even some would comit suicide.

What part will I have played if its me that persuades them?Should I wait to be asked about the organiasion, or should I take the initative, is it really up to me to judge who can "take" it and who can't?

TR

Good questions, Sleepy. My strategy with my 'hovah brother is, let him know I believe it's crap, but wait for him to ask questions, or bring up minor things in a conversation about something else. Let them make up their own mind wether they want to stay in the cult or not.

TR

larc

My wife and I have pondered this question many times. We have decided not to bring up the subject to any of our JW family members. They know where we stand, and they can talk to us, if they want to share any doubts they may have.

Lin

I'm with Larc on this one. I have zero communication with my jw family, so I don't have any experience in this situation. I don't hear from them, other than hearing stuff through my neice who wasn't baptized/df'd. She hears stuff about the family and tells me, which sometimes I don't want to hear about because it's just a reminder of the non family I now have. Like, my parents were thrown a 50th wedding anniversary party this past weekend, and my brother made a point of showing my niece the list of those invited and commented that no one df'd or da'd are invited or welcome to come. Part of me wants to know how the family is doing in general, but then again I don't. Not hearing about any of the goings on is easier for me I guess. The only thing I hear about is usually sad stuff, like my "sister in law" has cancer of some sort, or like when my aunt in ohio died, things like that. All through the grapevine or through my niece, never directly. If they wanted or cared if I knew, they'd tell me directly, so why should I care to know?

freedom96

I agree, that it is tough to decide whom to talk to. I have also had the chance to talk to some elderly witnesses, but, I sit and look at them, and their entire lives have been wrapped up in this religion. It is their life. I cannot sit there and take that from them. I think many could not handle it.

For those whose personalities are just plain assholes, and have no regard for anyones feelings, I have no problem with blasting them on issues.

You must be aware of the circumstances and why someone is in. Many are in for emotional reasons, and you take that away from them, the results could be bad.

archangel01

I think of it this way there are some points you agree with and some you don't.Who cares, if someone ask you a Q you can choose to tell or keep it to yourself.The only people you answer to is to God or his Son and to NO human.Remember you confess to God NOT MAN. So if someone ask you a Q just say I confess to God not Man.Those are Q's that are not appropriate to ask and make that plain an clear. Just be nice and tell them who is man to judge man only God judges man.I think of it this way don't give anyone any Fuel to fire, just don't say anything, I mean what is it going to fix......Nothing.Just do your only thing from what you see is the real truth from the bible, thats all.Take care and hope all is well!!!!!

meadow77

I am a christian, so most of my concern is that these people are being led astray. Most are sincere, and believe they are worshiping correctly. How could they ever know differently if no-one points it out to them. Sometimes though the best thing you can do is plant seeds, love them unconditionally, and continue to be there for them should they have questions. I struggle on a daily basis between trying to plant seeds with my family, and knowing when to back off. It is hard to have so much information, and see people like lambs led to the slaughter. I always suggestprayer too, because no-one can turn hearts like God. In the end it is their decision, but you can feel better about them, by doing what you can. I can see how it would be depressing at first to realize that you had been decieved for many years, but I think in the end, people gain much more than they lose.

AlanF

Sleepy said:

: ... is it always in a persons best interests to know the truth about the truth?

Probably not. I agree with Karl Marx's opinion that religion is the opium of the people. Like opium addicts, religious addicts can only be weaned away from their addiction slowly. And of course, most of them don't want to be. Like opium, a strong immersion in religious belief numbs the mind, which makes the difficulties of life bearable.

AlanF

Gig

This is a very timely question for me. I have gotten to the point with my JW friend that I wonder if she's better off not knowing than to go through what it would take to leave. Everyone, as opposed to what the WT teaches, deserves the truth. I believe God will forgive ignorance but I have shared enough things with her for her to search for herself, so I don't know where she stands in His eyes... not my call anyway. My hope has been for a long time that I could open her eyes and then really be there for her when it all starts falling apart. I also hoped that any resentment and anger would be directed at the WT, where it belongs, helping her to get through it. For myself, the truth is the only thing. It disturbs me to no end how they continually represent themselves as having the truth, even calling themselves "in" the truth. The big picture suggests that it would be better, no matter how hard, to get away from the WT. I just wish I knew the method.

mouthy

My 2 centworth on the subject is>>>. I believe we should not give out the info unless they ask .My honest opinion is THE HOLY SPIRIT teaches us & them( if they are praying)If they have a 'meek" spirit-they listen to "that little voice" which I believe is from GOD. Some may want to stay there-because they want to "be right" all the time-It would be very hard to say "OOPs I goofed"

I was so sure this was the truth!!!!but I kept getting that "voice"( not verbaly) saying ."JESUS didnt come invisably in 1914" It wouldnt go away- then when I expressed it to the loving elders -they kicked me out......Hey ! Then I saw the LIGHT!!!!!!Wonderful light. So leave them to the HOLY SPIRIT but keep praying for them all...

When is it not worth helping JW's out of the org?

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