by LongHairGal 57 Replies latest jw experiences
Imitate Jehovah in regard to grudges. He is still pissed about that apple.
Forgive if the person and or religion meets these requirements.
Abandonment of wrong doing.
Repent and apologize for past wrong doing.
Asks for forgiveness.
Compensation for the harm.
Unfortunately in dubland,, forgiveness doesn't come so easily. Now,, does it?
At Bethel, there was a saying that "Bethel forgives, they just never forget".
It was a tongue in cheek comment that Bethelites knew to be true. Bethel kept a tally of all known offenses so that any offense could be referenced when they needed to kick someone out or deny a privilege, or get leverage they needed in a matter.
They nehhhver really forget.
MOOMANCHU:
Right. As you said, the person/religion should only be forgiven if the four things you mention are fulfilled..
If these things don’t occur then there is NO basis for forgiveness and, in fact, somebody would be opening themselves up to more and worse abuse. It’s called being a glutton for punishment.
I got out ages ago. No regrets!
Longy -- you're right -- they treated the non 'born ins' as 'less thans' with an attitude non-BIs were so fortunate to be around them - gag me! I felt sorry for them -- what weird people.
You caused FEAR among your insecure associates and we newbys are expected to conform to their comfort zone. I had a few of them approach/inform me they checked out the lines of clothing I purchase and the amounts. I dressed conservatively - nothing provocative but attire was not from their allowed stores. One even told me to shop at 'X' like everyone else. As you know, it would not have mattered what we wore. I had a skirt, jacket, blouse on with boots (flat/very low heel boot - cold, windy, weather) and a CO glared at me like I was a harlot. I didn't know he was the CO -- assumed some gawking misfit so I snubbed him. One of the do-gooders informed me he only liked low-heeled pumps -- all were trying to accommodate his desires and not happenin' in my world. The next meeting I made sure I wore boots with the higher heel - not sleezy boots!! My fave 😂 were a couple of JWs (one older and how she rocked spike heels at her age is beyond me) fashioned with textured hosiery -- now that's a tad on the trashy side at a place of worship in my book -- she could pull it off okay. The ole goat must have lost his vision checking them out.
Congratulations you're a free woman -- WOO HOO! If you lived near by we could visit a hall - oh my.🤣 No, we could commiserate and have FUN.
LV101:
Thanks. I am glad you can understand!
Yes, there was a bias against newbies from the ‘world’ 🙄. But, I think I got it bad because I was a single woman, I worked - plus they had issues about my figure! It might have been different if I came in with a husband. I would have been viewed totally different. But, it was what it was. Worse yet, I did not follow in the footsteps of other single women there. You know the type: did housecleaning and favors for all the Users and were on the fast track to pioneering.👎
When I rejected this path, I was on the shit list . But, because I worked full time and was tired I didn’t notice or care much. My weekends were taken up doing errands, dr appointments or getting my car serviced. Any idiots who thought a single person had more time didn’t know what the hell they were talking about. I was lucky I got a nights sleep.
But, when all is said and done, I am Glad today I stuck to my guns and ignored the fools.
I have a very mixed opinion of Jehovah's Witnesses. Most are welcoming. I attend meetings every few months or so. I'm usually made welcome. I have Witness family. Mom's constant complaint was that their elders are inadequately trained. They are. They 'teach' procedures, but do not subject their elders to a chapter by chapter study of the Bible. Ask them a question they find difficult and most of them will turn you off as if you asked for their firstborn. I agree with their basic doctrine. The Faithful Slave doctrine torchers the scriptures. Elders seem to have a club. some nice things; some irritating, and some just stupid.
LV101
Wow, I did not realize the extent of social control among the JWs! To the point of where you buy your clothes and how much you spend and a CO only approving of low-heeled pumps. I attended in the early 80s, but I was also pretty young, in my late teens, so maybe these things escaped my notice. I have to laugh at your "not happenin' in my world" attitude--the CO must have been a little irked with your nonconformity! I admire that. The thing with the JWs is that everything is about outward comformity. There is no inward change of heart or motivation to do things out of love. It is all a matter of being fed what is "right" and "wrong" so that you are programmed to their faulty doctrine, and a person is conditioned to react to the perceived right or wrong. No love, care, or concern...just rules, rules, rules. I am SO, SO thankful to have left when I did...
vienne
Hi. Just curious about what basic doctrine of the JWs you agree with?
