by caligirl 33 Replies latest jw friends
Does this "non-cult" member realize how many Watchtower catch phrases she used in her review? Duh.....total giveaway for the JW cult mindset.
Somehow, I think that a review like this from an acknowledged active JW just might cause more people to look into the book. Whenever someone is so adamantly against something, it tends to pique curiosity as to what is being said that got them so hot and bothered.
There are an overwhelming number of positive reviews for Diane Wilson's book. It's too bad the Barnes and Noble site lists the first two from Watchtower lackeys who dismiss everything she has to say. Fortunately it's followed up by over twenty positive and supporting opinions.
It reminds me of the first review from a young JW on Amazon.com regarding Penton's book, see here: (you might have to cut and paste the link into a new window.)
For those who would rather see the quote, not the link, the reviewer says:
I wouldn ever waste my time reading this book, I can just sum it up instinctively by reading the title and some of the thoughts contained in the book, and safely say that this man obviously loves wasting his time. You know, it's funny really, Jesus was the son of God, but he was murdered, they never believed in him, they hated him in fact! The weird thing is he was right, but most people then thought he was wrong! Sounds familiar doesn't it? People hate witnesses, they chastise, persecute, ridicule, and they never stop to think really what their actions might be telling them. As history tells us they play a big part in getting religious freedom for everyone due to their various court trials defending the preaching work. Jehovah's Witnesses do not hurt the community, they are not involved in crimes of hate towards anyone, they simply preach Bible Truths, and people want to sit their and write books about how harmful they are. It's just insanely hilarious, I thought cults liked to spend their time trying to milk money out of people and getting them to do harmful things to themselves and others, and you know what, I don't see either of those things going on with the community of Jehovah's Witnesses. So if you want to waste your time, go ahead and read it, but if you want to find actual truth, talk to an actual witness and observe the way in which they behave, then you tell me who is living life in the way it should be lived.
Reviewer: Melina from sylmar, CA United States
LOL. she reviews a book she hasn't read. I think most JWs would do such a thing, maybe not post it publicly though. As a good little dubby I remember saying much the same kind of tripe when confronted by material about the Witnesses; I would reply, "I don't need to see that, I already know what it says, and it's all apostate lies." The blinders are creating some of the most ignorant people we will ever encounter. It's embarrassing me right now how ignorant I was then. Shame too, so many have such great potential if they would just wake up and think.
On another subject: Is Diane Wilson/Noble, the same Diane Noble/Amanda Macleahy? who writes Christian historical fiction? Just curious.
Odrade
Or she must be the fanatic type that will never ever see the real truth about the WTBTS. I should know because my parents and husband are some of those too.
And, yes, the WTBTS is quite secretive indeed. Take for example the reporting of abusers of any type to the local authorities. Never ever has any member been told, or has any elder taken the lead in actually reporting these awful people to the authorities.
The reading of the letter indicating that reporting it is the right course of action was nothing more than a legality to cover their butts; but in actuality nobody dares report a thing because it might "bring dishonor to God's name", as they put it.
Members are always counseled to pray and leave matters in Jehovah's hands and in time he'll correct the situation. This my friends is the real truth about the WTBST.
DY
Jehovah's Witnesses are the happiest people on earth today.
If this is true, all JWs will be living in Disneyland - The Happiest Place On Earth
I think escape is a very fitting word indeed. If the reviewer wasn't so brainwashed he/she would understand that the author is using the word escape in a figurative sense.
All of us who left had to escape the WT mentality.
As for the charge of mind control, I wish that were true, since that would make it much easier to do what is right in a world that constantly wants us to do wrong.
It is a shame Jehovah didn't make this person a robot that runs on batteries instead of every single word that comes out of the "faithful and discreet slave's" mouth. It often gets real confusing trying to follow the bible and a man.
And as for the freedom that we enjoy... Some religions do give extra laws regarding dress, such as not allowing women to wear pants, make-up, etc. But Jehovah's Witnesses do no do that. We have only the laws that are expressed in the Bible.
Where in the bible does it say men must wear suits and ties to the meetings and women should wear dresses?
As such we have much freedom. Many decisions we make have to be made according to our personal conscience, and the Watchtower Society will not get involved and will not tell us what to do, even if we ask them to.
What the hell is this person talking about! The society doesn't get involved? I guess if you consider them using words like " we strongly discourage" and " we encourage all" as non- involvement.
And I can tell you from 30 years of experience that Jehovah's Witnesses are the happiest people on earth today.I think she meant to say "And I can tell you from 30 years of experience that X-Jehovah's Witnesses are the happiest people on earth today."
I had already reviewed Diane's book on Amazon.com when I read it last year. I have edited that review and reposted it at Barnes and Noble
By the logic of that reviewer (who did not actually read the book), anyone who is persecuted is RIGHT. I guess that makes me right since the WTS is persecuting me.
I sent this in...so sue me Watchtower. Should be up within three days.
[email protected], January 7, 2004,
Finally, the Truth about 'the Truth'
This book confirms the stories I've heard from scores of people; including my wife and step son who also escaped from the Society. The use of emotional blackmail and peer pressure to conform to the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society's version of Christianity can't be understated. Fear of 'Star-Chamber' like judicial committee hearings in which only the Elders know the rules printed in the secret Elder's Manual; fear of being shunned by family and friends, even fear of financial loss or the loss of children in divorce settlements has trapped many in this organization. The pain of physical, mental, and psychological abuse covered up by the Elders to protect 'the Organization are drug into the light in this book. A must read for anyone considering joining or studying with this group, or those with family or friend currently inside the Society
As history tells us they play a big part in getting religious freedom for everyone due to their various court trials defending the preaching work.
Indeed. Of course, one of the best historical reviews of that subject is Penton's first book.
Ironic... I strongly doubt that if that Melina was reviewing Penton's Jehovah's Witnesses in Canada: champions of freedom of speech and worship, she would have said that the author "loves to waste his time."
