Are Jehovah's Witnesses REALLY Welcomed Here? (page 4)

minimus

There's a fine line indealing with JW's here. THEY have to behave a certain way in order to get any measure of respect here. If a JW inflames the board by calling us "apostates", you do know what is going to happen, don't you?

ozziepost

Are Jehovah's Witnesses REALLY Welcomed Here?

Sure you are!

little witch

Well, I think it all comes down to why someone chooses to come here. The fact that someone comes here to post means they arent buying into the whole org thing in the first place. They know outright that they are forbidden to be here by there religion, so by posting anything at all says alot about their confusion.

Then I suppose, the posters are broken into two camps. Those that are wanting to find answers and support, and those that are still in the "I am pissed off, and I am going to make you all pay for it" camp.

Those are the hardest to get along with. Are they 'trolls'? I don't know. I suppose they are maybe just angry, and confused, and have poor people skills due to their tightly controlled religion, but it is hard to find out about them, because of the hatred that they spew out.

I tend to try to be supportive, if I can, I know they have been judged enough. If things get too ugly, then I just ignore them, and allow them to get to know everyone a little better. I will call a spade a spade if they begin to hurt fellow posters though.

I figure even a loyal dub knows to treat others as they want to be treated.

Big Tex

There's a fine line indealing with JW's here. THEY have to behave a certain way in order to get any measure of respect here.

This is true. I would like to see more open-mindedness in talking with active or doubting Witnesses who come here. By that I mean less confrontation and more dialogue. I also agree in part with teejay but I think that attitude cuts both ways. If a JW posts here they better make sure their backside is covered since if the elders find out what they're doing they will quickly be DF'd. I think some pro-JW posters have been treated badly, Scooby being one of them. Although from what I recall of his first posts he was unable to defend his beliefs, which frustrated most posters. Now I realize he is conflicted in many areas in his life and that was coming through in his early posts.

As for how they present themselves, really if you think about it that statement applies to almost any experience we have in life. Think about it. If a cop pulls you over, and you're hostile, abusive, accusatory, etc. isn't it fair to say the odds of him arresting you (or at least treating in a more aggressive manner) go up? If you approach your boss with a question in a calm, respectful manner versus smug, self-righteous, arrogant which way will he/she respond better?

I do agree with you Minimus that HOW a JW presents themselves here goes a long way to how they are treated but I think it is unfair to say that this board exists in a vacuum. That statement applies to almost everything we do in all facets of our lives. I also think it's fair to say that they are treated better here, than we were at the Kingdom Hall. Think how long we would last asking the most basic of questions. Many of us were treated horribly by the Witnesses, so there is a lingering sense of anger, pain, even bitterness by some.

It's not fair to the individual pro-JW poster, but they do represent an organization that has been brutal to many people.

minimus

Good posts----Little Witch & Big Tex!.....Perhaps we have to think of the backgrounds of many that post here. But the real truth is----JW's KNOW that they are not supposed to be here so they post at their own risk!

Blueblades

Yes! Here is my take on your question.Jesus knew that Paul was zealous in his faith.He also knew it was misdirected.We all on this forum were once like Paul,misdirected and had a zeal as one of jw's.

Like Paul we really did not have accurate knowledge at the time.Paul needed Jesus to set him straight.We ,that is some of us, needed this forum to set us straight,.concerning misdirected zeal.

I prefer to learn toward compassion for those who are still jw's and who are misdirected as I once was.Remember that we use to walk the walk and talk the talk too.

So,I would welcome jw's here,knowing that I too at one time believed as they do.And if through compassion and patience I could be of help that would be most satisfying.

And in imitating Jesus' treatment of such ones would certaintly show that our augmentative ways are directed not toward them individually,but,toward the wt.society organization's leaders,the departments which consist of certain committees such as writing,service,legal and etc.

This is just one explanation as to why I answered yes to your question.Misdirected zeal and how to handle it.Other reasons are ,Family divisions and how to unite them ,abusive treatment,mind control etc.We need to keep these things in mind when a jw comes on this forum.

Blueblades

Room 215

I must say that I admire any JW who has the temerity to have a look-see here; it suggests that he/she retains some capacity to decide for his/herself.

little witch

Well said, Blueblades.

I think I will be more careful about using all inclusive words when dealing with active ones.

Words like "dubs" can and are probobly taken to mean "me" by an active member.

Perhaps we should all be careful to state flat out exactly who or what we refer to when we condemn an action or statement.

Thanks Min for bringing this up for us to talk about, I know none of us would want to intentionally hurt or offend someone who is already hurting.

Note that I am not referring to those who come here to "hit and run", or play games. There is nothing wrong in my eyes with defending oneself from abuse.

minimus

Little witch----I agree that regarding "hit and runners", they need to be exposed and deflated. Regarding those that post all pro-Watchtower, they need to see that even the kindest "apostate" will feel the need to defend himself against the untruth of the Watchtower.

dorkycrass

Scooby, I like you. I believe you're a nice person and I don't think of you as being a "true JW". So post as much you want. You're not taken as a "real JW" by all of us here (or else you wouldn't post here).

Mini, do you own the internet? I can post here as much as I want and you can't prevent me. Who'dya think you are, Bill Gates?

Are Jehovah's Witnesses REALLY Welcomed Here?

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