by Zep 44 Replies latest jw friends
For the record, I love Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Michael Crichton (I just love dinosaurs), and even Clive Barker. Ann Rule is great, too.
As far as dealing with friends and family who are still JW's, I've come to the conclusion that I don't need to play by their rules anymore. I treat them as I would treat anyone else....how they react to my being friendly and caring is their problem...not mine.
Thanks Martini and everyone else for the warm welcome.
I also love Dean Koontz and Stephen King, Simon will tell you that Amazon is my second home, another good author is Stephen Laws I've only read three of his books but they were amazing, for some reason I can't seem to find any of his others anywhere.
We are currently going through the shunning routine with some family members and the congregation - it certainly shows you who your real friends are.
RhW, You forgot Anne Rice! I am totally in love with the Louis character from her vampire chronicles-would gladly share a coffin with him.
*
Concerning family and friends still in the org, there's nothing they could say or do to ever compensate for the damage done. So why don't I walk away? They really don't care, I know that. I wish I could have an attitude more like yours.
Seven
Path said:
If you read the books Martini, you'll know that they believe they truly are the "channel". As Ray says, they are "victims of victims" and "followers of followers".
I don't think there is some big scam to mislead people. Things were just set in motion, and the org became what it did. A cold, heartless machine that took on a life of its own.
Hi Path,
Yes I read Ray's assessment of the whole WT concept. It still leaves me perplexed. Some have accused Ray of being too soft on the resposibilty and accountability of the individuals on the GB. Most if not all were aware of the dishonesty. Does this not make them accomplice to their predecessors?
Could it all be excusable innocence without any deliberate wickedness on the part of our leaders?
If there is NO deliberateness to mislead on the part of our leaders, than I could believe Jehovah IS using them as His channel, because as we would pardon children, Jehovah also could tolerate sheer stupidity. The Israelites failed many times but as a group they remained God's chosen nation (for a time).
Forgive me I'm perplexed but open to any reason.
Martini.
ACK!!! Incipient Alzheimer's. I MEANT Anne Rice. I've read Ann Rule, but I was thinking Anne Rice......DUH!!
Rhw, perhaps you were thinking Anne Rice rules!!
Lots of talented and gifted people have the problem of thinking quicker than they can communicate the thoughts...I just made that up, but it sounds like a good theory!
Patricia Cornwell is good, for the medically inclined. Steven King is a big favourite, but as far as anti JW stuff, Ive left it alone.
Its probably my JW upbringing 'you mustnt read apostate stuff..blah blah blah', but ive got a head on my shoulders and I really dont slag off about the society to others ( I have my point of view and grievances), but I dont really want to read someone elses slagging off about them either.
Up until now this site is the only time Ive spoken about being a JW and its affects on my life.
Oh no...now Angharad has ANOTHER author to buy the complete works of. Buy Amazon shares now people...Anne Rice?
Seven...thanks for passing over my poor spelling and waiting - thanks for pointing out my poor spelling. English is like a second language to me...unfortunately it's also the only one I know .
I understand the 'followers of followers' and 'victims of victims' thing (like most child abusers were abused?) but people are still responsible for what THEY do and for carrying on the practices. Maybe the information available now will at least change peoples attitudes so that things will be different in 2, 3, 5, 10, 20 years or whenever. Anf if it doesn't, the european human rights legislation is almost certain to make them change their behaviour.
BTW: I hope no one takes my post to mean that I belittle the hurt caused by child abuse or that an abusers-being-abused in any way excuses what they do. It was just an example of how those who suffer can then sometimes go on to cause the same suffering to others.
I understand what you are saying Simon with regard to the child abuse thing. I am also not saying that the GB should be excused for their actions.
While they might believe "the truth", by deliberately choosing to refuse to consider the information made available to them and by forbidding their followers to examine it, they are accountable because they choose to remain blind.
Further, anyone setting himself up as a spokesman for God whose words must be accepted as if they were from God is also accountable for his actions.
While I believe they choose to remain ignorant of many things, that matter I feel is irrelevant because whether they know what they've done or not, they are accountable simply because they've chosen to take on the role they have.
Path
Yes, it does not seem at all unreasonable to me that ANYONE who claims to be speaking for God himself should expect (and welcome) any kind of scrutiny. If they are what they say they are then surely it would show them to be such.
Refusing to be subject to such scrutiny would, in my humble opinion, severely discredit their claims.
