My disassociation story

by Roger Kirkpatrick 16 Replies latest jw experiences

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  jp1692

  RK: The elder body decided to reject the Branch's letter

  You have to obey, they don't. Nice. There's a word for that: hypocrisy!

  (BTW, the elders in your hall are spineless idiots).

  RK: I realized I could be labeled an apostate for expressing a viewpoint which had been published in the Watchtower

  Yes, and let's be absolutely clear on this. The label of "apostasy" is a convenient way to demonize anyone that disagrees with the control structure and hierarchy of the group. It has nothing at all to do with doctrine. That is just a ruse.
  

  RK: This illustrates the destructive effect oppressive religious cults have on the thinking and reasoning abilities of their adherents

  Um, yeah! Cult 101: Thinking is not allowed. Independent Thought and Critical Thinking are specifically the most serious of all "crimes" in a cult.

  Take note of the wide range of actual crimes a person can commit and be "forgiven" by the elders. This one is unforgivable.
  
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  EdenOne

  Thank you for sharing your story.

  The way the Witnesses are conditioned to hate so-called apostates trumps all scriptural reasoning. That mindset nearly killed my marriage as well, and my wife was being subtly lead by Bethelites to seek divorce from me.

  I hope your wife still come to her senses.
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  Vanderhoven7

  Thanks for sharing your story. I believe that dissociating was the correct move despite the repercussions. Glad your Christian faith is still intact.
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  DesirousOfChange

  Let's review: It's a Cult!
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  jp1692

  Hey DOC, I love it when you say that.
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  problemaddict 2

  Thanks for sharing. This really is amazing. In the not so grand scheme of things, this was such a benign (and accurate) statement. Yet it triggered their homophobia, and drove them to make a mountain out of a molehill.

  In the end its happy news for you. Ridiculous elders are the cause for many people to be able to see just a little bit behind the curtain.
  
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  Tenacious

  Had those elders scrutinized my Facebook I would have politely told them to go fly a kite.

  But of course, that's just me.