by konceptual99 18 Replies latest jw friends
K99: One of the things I wish to have is kids that can think for themselves, can take an objective approach and are not against the WTS just because daddy says they are morons.
This is a great point. This means that, in addition to pointing out the logical fallacies and hypocrisy of the organization, you need to supply your children with productive means to exercise their talents and develop their thinking skills.
What special talents or interests to they have?
Hi Oubliette,
Indeed. I'd rather not go into too much detail but my kids are reasonably academic, work hard at school and are creative. Both my wife and I set high, but reasonable, expectations for them. They understand that it's not money alone that brings happiness but being able to exercise your choices and have free will does - in turn those who throw their education away, are lazy and do not have sufficient money often have few choices in life and are unable to exercise free will.
They see the waste in just getting any old part time job to pioneer and then getting tied down at a young age. They both, but particularly the older one, do not like the patriarchal nature of the organisation. I have used this to my advantage as well.
With my daughters both my wife (even though she is still mentally well in) and I have been clear about the hard work and suffering that women have endured for years to bring about the level of sexual equality we have now. We have made it clear that they can show respect for that by fulfilling their potential and not wasting away the freedoms those women bought them.
I am confident that their interest and success in education will be the saving grace. They are free to question, encouraged to do so. There is no danger of them succumbing to pressure to get baptised any time soon and my view is that if they are encouraged to look at WT teachings with an open mind, with critical thinking skills applied they will not need me to tell them it's junk.
Hi Oubliette,
Indeed. I'd rather not go into too much detail but my kids are reasonably academic, work hard at school and are creative. Both my wife and I set high, but reasonable, expectations for them. They understand that it's not money alone that brings happiness but being able to exercise your choices and have free will does - in turn those who throw their education away, are lazy and do not have sufficient money often have few choices in life and are unable to exercise free will.
They see the waste in just getting any old part time job to pioneer and then getting tied down at a young age. They both, but particularly the older one, do not like the patriarchal nature of the organisation. I have used this to my advantage as well.
With my daughters both my wife (even though she is still mentally well in) and I have been clear about the hard work and suffering that women have endured for years to bring about the level of sexual equality we have now. We have made it clear that they can show respect for that by fulfilling their potential and not wasting away the freedoms those women bought them.
I am confident that their interest and success in education will be the saving grace. They are free to question, encouraged to do so. There is no danger of them succumbing to pressure to get baptised any time soon and my view is that if they are encouraged to look at WT teachings with an open mind, with critical thinking skills applied they will not need me to tell them it's junk.
konceptual99, that is fantastic!
As long as your children are encouraged to be themselves, to use all of their creative talents and abilities and are not pressured to conform, they have a good chance of escaping this cult.
Some books and essays you may want to read with them are:
Keep us posted!
Oubliette
K99, I am sorry if I offended you. I suppose I am a little upset that I have lost my job, friends, and family to this cult.
I am struggling to get back what I lost and wish I could have faded instead.
Thankfully I did wake my kids up and they talk to me. One has even faded, but still lost all friends.
I understand how bad it is on the other side and can see why many take their time to fade.
Sorry if you feel I was off topic. Please start a new thread for us to let us know how you plan to fade.
Kate xx
Don't be silly Kate. I wasn't offended, just disagreed a little with your conclusion. I got your point and there are several on here that would agree that once you are awake to TTATT you should just get out.
I think the GB members better served themselves and the organization as a whole by remaining the shadowy figure behind the curtain.
All the JWs falling all over them at district conventions has gone to their heads. The more they talk, the more JWs have to realize what asshats and bafoons they are.
I hope the more exposure they get on JW.TV will only undermine their authority with the rank and file.
Interesting points. I want my kids to be critical thinkers, authentic, compassionate. I feel we can learn "pearls" of truth and good lessons from anyone. I am fading and my kids know why. At this point I am still visiting around in new/old town occasionally and reviewing videos, researching, reading.
My kids enjoy the white board animations but are bored with TV. Husband thought there were some relevant points about education - have a plan so not to get into deep in debt.
i think reviewing any of these programs with a critical eye will help kids and I refine our discernment (aka baloney detectors). It will help us to become authentic wherever we wish to visit and attend. I am fading and showing kids that I take commitments serious and don't leave quickly and trash it all without careful checking.
As I/we fade, we are reaffirming what we stand for, our vision and what future will look like in terms of worship, service to community, core beliefs for our Multi-generational viewpoint and security. Have a plan or plan to fail. I think we have had a losing, painful plan and don't want any in my family to repeat our mistakes.
I am not raising fake kids, but ones who are cautious due too past and ones who will be more likely to test and look at evidence. Clearly, TV show shows dim light at best as they keep changing position on rules and conscience matters which is not really food of any kind. GB opinions are still just opinions.
I also watch so that I can honestly reply to friends and family that I am in touch and have good question and for pure curiosity. I can't always take it.
Stirred: GB opinions are still just opinions.
They don't think so.
