What have you done to counteract the 'cult of Jehovah's witnesses?'

by AK - Jeff 28 Replies latest watchtower scandals

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  AK - Jeff

  I know that many here would place Jehovah's witnesses on a list of 'cults'. Personally I don't think they meet all the standard definition - but would class them as an 'authoritarian sectarian movement'. At any rate, most of us would not want our neighbors to get caught up in the mind-twisting that we endured and from which we finally removed ourselves.

  That said - have any engaged in successfull enterprises to counter the movement? Door to door canvassing or protests? How successfull were they and how long did you participate? What types of approached did you use, ect?

  Jeff
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  blondie

  I am involved in Silentlambs, SNAP and Linkup all organzations fighting religious sexual abuse together.

  I do my reviews and try to help people on JWD and other ex-JW boards.

  I plant seeds of doubt in the JWs I meet and give non-JWs the tools to battle the WTS mindthink (in a small way nothing compared to many on the internet and off).

  Blondie
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  LittleToe

  For a long time I battled with the idea that they [might/might not] be a cult. I called them a "high-control group". Eventually I succumbed to accepting them for what they are...

  Since I developed (rather than retained) "belief" in the Divine, post-WTS I have had an open door to speak to many religious groups. The thousands, that I've spoken too, have far more opportunities to counter-witness than I ever will.

  I often hear word back of things that people have said to their unwelcome callers. It's nice ot get that feedback, and to be able to give further input as to what they might say.

  Though it might sound like it, it doesn't consume my every waking thought.
  I'm enjoying life, developing a career, making new friends, and finally getting to travel to places that have long been on my list
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  TresHappy

  Doing my best to stop the studies when I can...I've stopped several. Doing my best to tell the truth about the Borg and it's abusive policies which are not scriptural. I probably haven't done as much as I could have but some of the stuff is probably too painful for me to deal with...
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  logansrun

  A few thoughts:

  There are many "threats to my neighbors" out there, such as the JWs, Mormons, Moonies, Master Card and the Republican Party. Am I going to make an effort to "protect" them from all these threats and go totally batty in the process? (The answer is no.)

  Witnesses in the US experience very little growth, and what growth they do have generally comes from within the organization (children getting baptised) in foreign language circles (introducion Hermanos Ruben Gonzolez) and among total screwballs who need a paddycack religion to change their diapers and remind them not to touch the stove. Most of my neighbors are normal people who have dogs, go to the Lutheren Church on Sundays and watch a little porn when no one's looking. I think they're safe.

  Bradley
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  JustTickledPink

  We have 1 KH in the town I live in, BUT there are tons of other churches and they are filled on Sundays. So I think the more mainstream churches that are offering social and community based programs to their church-goers and holiday programs and such are attracting people.

  Personally, the only thing I do is talk about it when I get to know someone or I hear mention of them.
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  Balsam

  I work as a volunteer answering peoples questions about the blood policy. Active JW's do write me. I share my story about Dak and his death and how it his death was in part because of the blood policy of the WTBTS. I've helped 5 peope to leave bible studies, and other active witnesses to stop believing the GB are the faithful discreet slave class.

  www.ajwrb.org

  Balsam
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  Doubtfully Yours

  I've looked into other people's faiths and have made a network of non-jw friends that has helped in the JW deprogramation.

  DY
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  what_Truth?

  well, I was thinking of grabbing some red and green spray paint and writing "Merry Christmas" on the side of the local KH, but I think I'll pass. Seriously though, I'm more concerned about talking to people who may be considering the JW's then people who are already in. As strange as it may seem there are a lot of people who actually enjoy being in the org. There are even some who's life have actually improved while following the GB (JWBloodline would probably be a lot better off selling bibles than gangbanging, assuming his internet persona is true). To me it's better to let those people be. I'm more concerned about talking to people who are thinking of joining the org, inadvertently saying things that the org teaches (i.e. my boss who keeps going on about how the world is so messed up that we'll soon have a day of reckoning), or compare the JW faith favorably against their existing faith. In all I'm a little bit cynical about groups who's whole purpose is to be anti-JW since they often try using the cult mindset of former members to start their own church. Instead of selling literature they sell "no JW" stickers for your doorstep.
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  what_Truth?

  well, I was thinking of grabbing some red and green spray paint and writing "Merry Christmas" on the side of the local KH, but I think I'll pass.
  
  Seriously though, I'm more concerned about talking to people who may be considering the JW's then people who are already in. As strange as it may seem there are a lot of people who actually enjoy being in the org. There are even some who's life have actually improved while following the GB (JWBloodline would probably be a lot better off selling bibles than gangbanging, assuming his internet persona is true). To me it's better to let those people be.
  
  I'm more concerned about talking to people who are thinking of joining the org, inadvertently saying things that the org teaches (i.e. my boss who keeps going on about how the world is so messed up that we'll soon have a day of reckoning), or compare the JW faith favorably against their existing faith.
  
  In all I'm a little bit cynical about groups who's whole purpose is to be anti-JW since they often try using the cult mindset of former members to start their own church. Instead of selling literature they sell "no JW" stickers for your doorstep.