When people in general or perhaps your friends start talking about their religion, does this get you riled or do you some how want to still defend the JW's way of thinking or do you leave the room all together, not knowing what to say.?
when people in general/friends talk about
by orangefatcat 6 Replies latest jw friends
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Phantom Stranger
A few years back (OK, about a decade, wow), I was asked by a HS friend who became a youth minister with the Methodists to come and explain JW's to his youth group. I warned him that they wouldn't pick me as their representative, and he replied, "Well, since they won't come, either, they get you by default".
So I was explaining to these kids what Witnesses believe. I found that I was able to explain to them objectively and calmly what they believed. They would ask me what I beleived, and I would tell them. I was asked if I believed in God, and I said, No, I don't. (More on this later.)
This one punk-wannabe kid got very mocking and disrespectful towards JW's, and towards me a bit too. I found that I could be supportive of the Witnesses' right to do things that I don't want to do. He wanted Witnesses arrested for going door-to-door, and I reminded him that the US Supreme Court had found it legal, so he couldn't blame the Witnesses for that.
I left feeling... not apologetic, but as if by explaining it in the third person I had lifted a weight from my shoulders. I didn't throw them under the bus, but I objectively described what JW's beleive, and when people expressed amazement and amusement, I reminded them that I had left.
Anyway, afterwards this 17-year-old girl (as I recall, a dead ringer for Gillian Anderson) went up to the youth pastor and privately expressed worry about me, because she thought I was a nice guy, and since I was going to go to hell because of my atheism. Cracked me up when I heard about it.
Hope this is relevant to your question.
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Nosferatu
I've had nothing but negative experiences with religion. I dated a lot of religious women, and every one of them seemed to be a little nuts (no offense to anyone here).
People talking about religion don't get me riled. However, there was a time when I was living a double life, and people at school would mention how messed up JWs were. Naturally, I'd start shaking in my boots hoping they didn't find out I was one of them. I have no problem with my past now. In fact, I'll freely tell them I was part of the JWs once, and how horrible it was. This was a huge step for me.
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Nikita
In the beginning I was very defensive of JW's. Through the passage of time, I have changed. I'm more "go with the flow" willing to listen to others viewpoints/experiences and share my own.
However, when I left it wasn't for the child abuse, UN, 1975, etc-if I were to leave now because of the things I've found out through this website, my brother & others, I would probably be very angry and intolerant of them and others beliefs. I can see myself being one who would just leave the room if it were casual friends and "discuss" with closer friends and family.
Nikita
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freedom96
I am facinated by other viewpoints so I would stay and listen. I would never defend the witnesses faith.
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gumby
When people in general or perhaps your friends start talking about their religion, does this get you riled
Not anymore. I smile within myself when I see it coming, and I like the thought I know a little about the matter and enjoy seeing and hearing their viewpoints before I speak. If I don't have the time, or am not in the mood.....I can change the subject pretty well.I also agree with freedom. ( I do correct a person if they have a wrong understanding of what a witness really believes. I stand up for them in that way only)
Gumby
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breal
If it is friends ~ listen and learn. People in general (strangers) talking about religion ~ walk away. I have no desire to be part of any religion but find it interesting to know about other peoples beliefs.