Short update(s) on my neighbor

by bebu 34 Replies latest jw experiences

• 

  bebu

  Thanks, all, for comments.

  I thought some more about this last night, and came to the same conclusion as Gary Buss. "Waiting on the Lord" coming out of a witness's mouth means they have been artificially halted by their doctrine or elders from doing the best they know they should do; what God is prompting them to do. Somehow, they feel that they are martyrs for not doing what is obviously the right thing to do!

  (I remember reading advice from an ex-Mormon who said that their "elders" went into a sort of near-trance when giving their testimony. This was what they retreated to when they knew they were licked; it hypnotized them a bit and protected them from really listening to the reality you were presenting. He recommended butting right in and saying, "But where's the EVIDENCE that I can see?" every time they started. ...I think it has helped for them, and I felt that it was a similar situation with this "wait on the Lord" BS.)

  If Christians "wait on the Lord", it means they have done everything that they KNOW they should do first, and have exhausted all the ways to influence a matter for good.

  Loved your examples, Gary. Memorized now for future use!

  bebu
• 

  RunningMan

  If the witnesses truely practiced "waiting on Jehovah", why would they run to court to protect their rights. You can probably cite hundreds of cases where they have appealed to courts when authorities have tried to limit their preaching. Why didn't they "wait on Jehovah".

  And how about when they are the agressors - like when countersuing Vicki Boer for legal fees?
• 

  bebu

  Good point, runningman. Which reminds me: I've got give her the news article on Vicki and give it to her. I'm using the one at http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2003/06/30/123687-cp.html

  It's a wonderful thing to be able to actually GIVE her the things that I've been accumulating. Sheesh, so many papers about cover-ups and scandals accumulating here that I've been running out of office space!

  bebu
• 

  Sentinel

  Lately, I've been making an observation about situations like this one that you are involved in. It's encouraging to hear of yet another instance where someone is willing to "listen to reason".

  Being in an organization like the JW's is like wearing a tough brand Bandaid. For whatever reason, the bandaid was affixed to help us in some way. Some bandaids are bigger than others, depending on the "injury" suffered--(our life's experiences). We put that bandaid on, or allowed someone else to put it on. Alas, the bandaid became permanent, and trying to remove it is very painful. One might curiously attempt to remove it slowly, but feel the pain and stop. Some just decide to rip it off and be done with it.

  Once it's off, it feels so great, and we realize that what we used it for to begin with is in the past, and we have grown and we don't need it. Many have "healed" but they just don't realize it. They keep that bandaid on because they are afraid to remove it. They are afraid of the pain, and they are not sure what's underneath. Some even end up putting on a new bandaid themselves, or allowing someone else to. Some try a new style of bandaid....a new belief system.

  Wearing the bandaid made us believe that we were still open to the "infection" of new ideas and living in the "real world" with all the other "germs" would cause us to become infected and die. We are much stronger than we give ourselves credit for. We don't need that bandaid after all!
• 

  Disheartened

  Great Story, Bebu.

  Incidentally, when I was 14 years old I had a friend who confided in me that one of the "ministerial servants" came to her house when he knew her parents weren't home and tried to force himself on her. Fortunately he didn't have the opportunity to rape her, but when she told the elders they didn't believe her. I even mentioned it to a ministerial servant in my congregation (I was only 14-didn't know I should keep quiet about this) and he told me, "There's NO WAY he would do that! She's a liar!" Well, about 7 years later the same "brother" (I use the term loosely) exposed himself to one of my friends. Since he didn't invite 2 other witnesses to view it, she was never able to prove this. As far as I know, he is still in the congregation with his wife and 3 daughters. How sad. I think it's a great thing that you are trying to help your neighbor and friend to see the real truth about this organization and all the cover ups. Hopefully, she will see the light soon.
• 

  bebu

  I guess I'm still feeling some adrenaline. Seems like I have more adrenaline after the event...!
  

  I guess these verses probably got omitted or mistranslated in the NWT...? ...
  

  MT 18:10 "See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.

  JAS 2:14 What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? 15 Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

  James 1:27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

  ...And what about a religion that kicks abused children in the teeth in their distress by silencing them, and protecting their abusers? Purely evil.

  Y'all know I can go on and on... but I'll spare you further. I'll get some coffee and spend this energy on HOUSEWORK.

  bebu

  edited because the quote things are working funny... ? I give up if this doesn't work...
• 

  A Paduan

  • Wait on jehovah = We haven't worked out a remotely believable answer for that yet
  • Wait on jehovah = My own brain doesn't have an answer for that either
  • Wait on jehovah = Our ideas on that have become too embarrasing
  • Wait on jehovah = I'm not going to risk any face over this
  • Wait on jehovah = No way I'm going to risk my belongings for this other person
  • Wait on jehovah = I'm not going to be risking myself for this person either
  • Wait on jehovah = The perceived payoff for this doesn't seem worth the effort
  • Wait on jehovah = The revenge righteousness of this doesn't seem worth it
  • Wait on jehovah = That's your problem, don't look at me
  • Wait on jehovah = Just do as we say and shutup

  Wait on jehovah = life wasn't meant to be easy so just do what I say and leave me alone
• 

  shotgun

  Bebu..You are fantastic

  Can you pack your bags and move to Canada.Its great that this JW is willing to listen to you.

  Keep up the good work, your approach and method of delivery is impressive.
• 

  rocketman

  One thing that seemed to impress her was that it was through the internet that victims came forward, who had no idea that there were other victims, and 5000+ all were telling the same story: shut up, don't go to the police or you will be disfellowshiped. This was not an anomoly, but a policy.

  Excellent point bebu! You made many, and this one really got my attention. It's very true and shows that indeed it was their policy at work.
• 

  bebu

  A Paduan, your list is so sadly true. I mentioned in an earlier post about the Mormon retreat to their burning bosom testimony, and how I noticed the similarity with "wait on Jehovah". Yet, I thought it wasn't an exact parallel until this very moment. This has a serious implication, I think, because the area of retreat is important to effectively dismantle while using whatever other tactic of reasoning and information to unveil the WT as a fraud. It has worked for me with Mormons, anyway, to deny them the refuge when they attempt to go there...

  Shotgun, may I say, with complete honesty, that I have not invested myself into many relationships as deeply as this, and this particular relationship has required much. I've given her my ear, a lot of cousel, and my shoulder as well over these last 5 years. However, there are just certain people that you understand that God has intended for you to build a deeper relationship with, being put so close to you in life, and she totally struck me as one such a person. She has been a delightful friend to know and to be with; it is hardly a trial(!) for me to assist her or to invest my time in her. The thought that she will find joy in freedom, and the metamorphasis into an even more lovely, sparkly person motivates me.

  * * (Freedom!)

  But even if she doesn't become free, she has become like family to us all, and she knows that we won't change that fact.

  ....BTW.... Before she came yesterday, while I was waiting I flipped open the Bible nearby to read. It opened to Psalm 127 which begins,

  "Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen watch over it in vain."

  I began to laugh aloud as I realized it again: The Watchtower Society is totally, absolutely doomed!

  bebu