Freedom or Bondage.....a Hard Choice for Many

by gumby 45 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

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  Mulan

  I would like to think that I would have given one of our children blood. I can't say that with full conviction though. I was totally brainwashed by them. I really love my children and they are everything to me. I hope, if given the choice, by a doctor, I would have done what they asked.

  My brother lost his wife back in 1977, for not allowing a blood transfusion, and it affected our whole family. We all knew she could have been saved, and it deeply troubled all of us for many, many years. That situation was the beginning of his way out of the organization 20 years before the rest of us followed. I wish so much we had listened to him...........he tried so hard to talk to us and we shut the door in his face.
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  wednesday

  i did refuse blood at one time for me and would have done it for my kids. I would have seen it an honor to die for Jehovah.It is a scary to look back and realize that I was just lucky my kids never needed blood. I once did need blood myself and barely survived to tell u this . I was so brainwashed. It scares me to think i had to responsibility of raising children. I am grateful to God I know better now. I am grateful my kids lived to be adults.Even now, i told my husband i would not let him die for this craxy org. at first he was mad, but now he agress.

  1 for me, 0 for the org.
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  Midget-Sasquatch

  I've never been married or have children. But growing up as a dub, I always wondered if my Dad would allow a blood transfusion for me or really let me die. I knew he loved me, but.....I'm siding with Alan here, deep down I know that the cult is first and foremost for my Dad and I'd wager for many other JWs as well.

  Several posters have raised the key matter of personal integrity. Those expressions have resonanted deeply within me. I've always been drawn to the character of Thomas More in the play A Man for All Seasons. I've seen many people on JWD making a similar sort of principled stand. I admire you all.

  Gumby, I also appreciate the question you raised.....paraphrasing: couldn't one still have personal integrity despite they're putting on a facade? That was a nice sentiment, and I'm not touched so much by the thought itself (because personally I don't feel that it could be), but from the empathy that must have been behind it. I have to honestly say that every time I go to a meeting I feel so hypocritical. I can live with the lack of freedom. But when compared to the children of others both inside the JWs and even with family outside the Borg, I've mostly been a disappointment and a source of sorrow to my folks, I don't want to add the further disappoint of being an apostate loser to boot.
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  shotgun

  Gumby what pains me most about this conversation is that several years ago half of us who are posting on this thread would have felt badly for the parents and the child which died and could have possibly been saved by a blood transfusion, but we also would have comforted them by saying that they will see that child again in Paradise and that their loyalty to Jehovah was most important...those doctors were sent by Satan to test them and they stayed firm loyal servants of Jehovah...Amen

  I certainly do hope that if God, Allah or Q from Star Trek is out there they hold the WT rule makers accountable for the massive bloodguilt they have incurred over the last 100 years.

  The last convention I went to in 2003 had a part where different people got up and gave accounts about how they endured physical and emotional abuse for years from their families and mates standing firm for the truth. One east Indian woman recounted every painful outburst and beating which culminated in her drunk husband trying to set her on fire by pouring gas on her and trying to light a match..she got out of the house and he blew himself and the house up....the brothers and sisters clapped for several minutes for her integrity to Jehovah...I felt like crying...all these people endured so much for traditions and teachings of mere men..stupid men to boot.

  It sure hurts when family and friends take a stance against you when you make your feeling about the troof known but how can you hold them responsible when you did the same thing at one time and only see through the veil now?

  Princess...that was interesting the faith you put in your dad and Steve...I'm not surprised you didn't listen to your mother considering how much she drinks.
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  gumby

  Boy oh boy is Mulan gonna kick shotguns arse!

  Gumby
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  shotgun

  I'll just toss a wine bottle in the air...she goes for it everytime...some lame excuse about not wasting any of Jehovahs bountiful provisions.

  then she always quotes some scripture about alittle wine being good for the stomach * burp *
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  gumby

  Shotgun....as to your statement a few posts ago, I believe that belief can overide fear of losing a loved one. The love is stronger for the one lost than the love is for the "cause" of the loss....yet a loss is chosen. I realise it doesn't make sense but it seems it is true.

  Edited to add.......I should have titled this topic..." Does true love of others, come before religious beliefs"?

  Gumby
• 

  bull01lay

  Freedom or Bondage

  I can't tell you how disappointed I am after reading that title and finding a sensible, mature discussion in this thread....

  ... but now that I'm here....

  IMO, it's down to the individuals needs and tolerance levels. Family and friends are a big pull to stay in and go through the motions.... but knowing it's a lie has surely got to wear you down after a while.

  Having had that decision made for me by the wonderful loving elders of my old congregation as they slammed the the door shut behind me, I've experienced the 'lost family and friends' to a greater or lesser degree, and think that it would be easier, and better long term, to walk away and take the consequences.

  You can rebuild your life after leaving the org, even if you have to leave your family behind. One day that family is gonna be gone anyway, and then all you have is memories, and an empty, false life to endure till you die. And if it did turn out to be true after all, you wouldn't have much of a resurrection hope anyway, cos you didn't serve for the right reasons.

  Just my opinion of course!

  Bull!
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  Country_Woman

  certainly do hope that if God, Allah or Q from Star Trek is out there they hold the WT rule makers accountable for the massive bloodguilt they have incurred over the last 100 years.

  Me too
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  Golf

  What does it take to be free or in bondage, sacrifice, no matter which way you look at it. Some people just let others think for them, they want to be free of responsibility. On the other hand, those who take the bull by the horns in life are a different breed. Gumby your post reminds me of what Joshua said, "Choose today whom you will serve." Josh.24:15 What's that saying, "S-it or get off the pot!" Guest77