Do You Look Down on "Religious" People Now That You're No Longer a JW?

by minimus 64 Replies latest jw friends

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  JT

  Do You Look Down on Jehovah's Witnesses now That You're No Longer One"?

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  O MY GOD NO_ i feel only pity esp for the rank and file, the old jw out in the cold selling worthless books, the kid getting picked on for no reason other than his parents have him following some of the goofiest rules ever made-

  the single sister who WILL NOT GET MARRIED due to wt rules- the couple that will watch thier child die due to wt not allowing factor xyz this week, BUT NEXT WEEK THEY DO-

  AND THE list goes on and on
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  minimus

  JT, obviously you've got heart! Someone else might wonder what's wrong with these people-----forgetting we were once just like them.
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  jgnat

  <-------------------- religious. But not blatantly so. I hope.

  The best you can feel for me is pity?
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  jgnat

  Maybe I have garnered enough respect on this board, that nobody wants to admit they feel pity for me.

  How about rephrasing your question like this, "Do you look down on Know-it-all Jerks who don't know when to shut up?"

  I met one at the Subway the other day. My JW hubby and I were having a nice dinner, when I noticed a JW was mentioned in a newspaper article. I commented loud enough that a passerby heard us. Unfortunately for us, the passerby was a self-proclaimed evangelist, who proceeded to:

  • Declare all JW's as whack jobs and destined for hell.
  • Asked if we were JW's.
  • When told we were Christians, asked what church?
  • How long?

  He then declared his long history as a Christian and his dedication to God through evenglism. He even uses his God-given gift to correct the pastor in the fifth church he as graced with his presence. If I had not used enough evangelical passcodes in my responses, we would have been fodder for his meat-grinder message. Disgusting.
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  LittleToe

  They've been fooled and haven't caught on yet. Some never will.

  I find that kind of comment condescending at best, and unfortunately I hear plenty of it.

  I agree that "in your face" evangelism can be obnoxious, however, so is the counter. It's a passive-aggressive kind of intolerance that belittles another. It's the kind of double-speak that we were guilty of as JW's, claiming "tolerance" but happily thinking less of another individual.

  Narkissos put it well, and I'd add to his comments thus: You haven't walked a mile in another's shoes, no matter how similar your experience. We are all unique, with our own realities to contend with. To denigrate someone because they have finally "found" belief (which is a more realistic appraisal, I suspect, if they were raised as a dubs) is as conceited as the Fundies.

  The bottom line, with me, is that I find myself inwardly reacting to folks who are bigotted - period (regardless of religious persuasion or lack thereof). I try not to look down at them, but God know's it's difficult! As for anyone else - who am I to look down on anyone? Aren't we all in the same boat, trying to improve our lot and make the best of our circumstances with whatever means at our disposal?
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  Billygoat

  Undercover (and other that are judgemental towards Christians),

  They've been fooled and haven't caught on yet. Some never will.

  I have to agree with Ross. These type of comments just show me that some exJWs are no different than when they were judgemental JWs. I hope it's not rude of me to quote myself:

  But more often than not, I see exJWs that are just as rabid about their being ex's as they were about being Watchtower peddlers. They've jumped from one lily pad to another, thinking they are in a different world. But they're not. They're in the same pond.

  Judging people with comments like yours is no different than being a JW and saying all of Christendom will die at Armageddon. I'll put you on the spot: do you find your comment at all judgemental or condescending? Because I find it offensive. Especially when it is cloaked in a passive-aggressive tone as Ross mentioned. I'd rather you come out and say you think Christians are a bunch of idiots. At least it shows you have the courage to state your belief without trying to make yourself look good.

  As one of the few Christians on this board, I do EVERYTHING I can to love, live and let live, and respect your opinions, no matter what your beliefs. For some reason, that rule does not apply to some of you that don't believe in God or have a religion. Do you hear me making judgemental comments about the atheists, or agnostics? Do you hear Ross or mouthy or the other Christians making those comments? Sometimes I really wonder how much we've progressed. Or maybe it's how little.

  Andi
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  Brummie

  I find many believers to be intelligent considerate people, only shortsighted people can look down on someone who doesnt believe the same as them, I admire thier faith and their kindness, when I grow up I wanrt to be just like them :)

  Brummie
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  LittleToe

  Andi:

  I'd rather you come out and say you think Christians are a bunch of idiots.

  Ironically enough, we're probably the first to admit it

  I think it's fair to say (given the breadth of the subject) that there are some people who need religion, and it's a crutch to them. I would say they are probably in a minority, though. To be just as candid, most church-goers I know do it out of habit. It's almost like a regular TV show, to them. Like most things in life, you pay your money and take your choice. At least most churches have a community input function, as well as a social one.

  I enjoy what I hear, and if I disagree with it, so what? I can do that now, and discuss my disagreements. It's liberating. I can walk where I like, in this world (even into a previously condemned church) and it doesn't give me palpitations!
  This isn't a perfect world, and religion reflects that fact. But ya know what? I can live with that

  Brummie:We have to grow up???
  Tell me it isn't soooooooo!!!!
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  ozziepost

  I do wish that the people here that are not church-goers would ease up a bit on being judgemental towards church-goers.

  Don't worry too much, Andi - it will always be thus! I must say though that there does seem to have been a plethora of such posts in recent times. I take the view that people who need to get the comfort of "knocking" believers as being insecure in themselves.

  As far as "looking down" I get the feeling it says more about the questioner than the responder.
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  iiz2cool

  I don't look down on people for their beliefs, religious or otherwise, as long as those beliefs don't affect me. But once someone tries to impose their beliefs on me, or in any way hinder my getting on with my own life, there are bound to be problems.
  
  Walter