Are JW apologists really that bad?

by seattleniceguy 25 Replies latest jw friends

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  Valis

  Am I a JW apologist?

  Am I that bad?

  I have a much harder time with disingenuousness wherever it comes from

  asked and answered...

  Sincerely,

  District Overbeer
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  Sunspot

  I have a problem with the term "apologist" but I refer to them that way (most times) because that is what is normally accepted. I like to use the term WTS "supporters", which seems to go a lot further and covers more ground.

  I used to BE one I came to another board before this one was born (grin) and did much the same thing---trying to defend the WTS beliefs. As I got more into posting and more defending, I kept seeing all the SAME gripes (which I didn't believe) from so many posters! It baffled me. Where there's smoke...etc. I just didn't understand how ALL these people who were once JWs---could believe all the terrible things they were saying!

  Going to the links that were presented---and actually seeing what they were saying as documented and truthful, started the ball rolling, and then some! Having anyone (JW or studying) come here and have sincere questions or real belief that the WTS does HAVE the "truth", can only be a PLUS, IMHO.

  Just the fact that the Big Boys have said "DO NOT GO TO THE DISCUSSION BOARDS", and still seeing that they DO---has a lot of questions in and of itself! Like---I am a loyal JW and obey the Org that Jah is leading---BUT I come here anyways!....... Huh?

  I have YET to get a real answer to that-----from a JW. This is where those weasel-words sure come in handy.

  I see it this way---whatever they bring up, is discussed, and the subject is hashed over very well. The supporters might (do) get frustrated/ disgusted that we don't see the WTS view.......BUT they do serve a good purpose! It gives posters another chance to prove all the nastiness and deception of the WTS, and all the many lurkers will see yet again just what's going on.

  MANY seeds have been planted each and every time these discussions take place.

  Annie
• 

  seattleniceguy

  Thanks to everyone for the great response, everyone! Just to respond to a few points....

  rebel8,

  I know, when I was a dub, I questioned things and defended "my" beliefs when challenged...all the while actually thinking my "opponents" made some very good points. I think all of them actually helped play a role in me leaving, even if the effect wasn't immediate.

  I agree totally. I remember, one of the last stages for me came when I perceived myself as an attorney, defending my client's position to the best of my ability, while feeling somehow vaguely detached from it personally. I remember answering questions with, "We believe such-and-such," but not feeling that it was a very strong position. But since "we" believed it, I defended it.

  Dave,

  Secondly, would you agree that we see a very narrow demographic of JW's coming on here?

  Yeah, I think you're right. It does seem clear that we're not getting a straight-across slice of the KH. It would be difficult to define the demographics exactly, though.

  Actually, that makes me wonder....I bet there are Witness lurkers who identify with the apologists and root for them, but I bet there are others that feel embarassed by them but watch anyway. Hmm.

  IP_SEC,

  Actually, apologist doesn't mean a person who apologizes. It means "a person who argues in defense or justification of something, such as a doctrine, policy, or institution." (dictionary.com)

  slimboyfat,

  I've been reading your posts with considerable interest lately. Still trying to figure out where you're coming from....You ought to write more about yourself sometime (obviously without divulging compromising information). By the way, I totally agreed with your argumentation on the "Is there any proof of Bethel monitors" thread, but I wasn't able to post.

  SNG
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  IP_SEC

  Hey SNG, sorry my pun on apologist and apologize was lost. lol it wasnt that good anyhow :)

  I think the reason you have trouble understanding where sbf is coming from is because he is a conflicted witness i.e. he is an apostate who doesnt want to be an apostate. So some of his posts seem to fit our cause and some seem to apologize the dubs. It is exactly where I was a few months ago.
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  M.J.

  I agree with SNG. It's great to have them aboard. One great benefit I see is that it makes me more familiar with their arguments and where they are coming from. I must admit that during the phase I almost exclusively read anti-WTS material I was often not sufficiently exposed to different takes on the topics discussed. Conversely, they get the same type of benefit by being here.
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  seattleniceguy

  Hey IP,

  Sorry about that. I couldn't tell if you were just punning or were actually unfamiliar with the word.

  SNG