Former JW- new here.... (page 3)

cyber-sista

You have described it all very well...welcome

me still angry too and sad about all the others who are living a life of fear and denial under the WT regime.

cybs

You Said: ....All of the current JW's (including my mother) are off in their own worlds. Still suffering from the euphoric ideals of a glorious life in paradise when all that really awaits them when they die is an eternity of rot and becoming "one with the Earth"

Something that I have been thinking about for some time, (and I have two elderly parents myself who have been in the Truth since 1948 and are very active now) is this:

The "outlook on life" as derived from your post is not particularly life-affirming is it? I mean to look forward to being wormfood doesn't exactly embolden one with hope and encouragement to keep living, especially at an age where health and strength begin to fail.

My view is simply this: EVEN IF I KNOW THE JW BELIEF-PARADIGM to be wrong in certain aspects (or any Christian outlook for that matter) ISN'T THERE VALUE THERE in that it can provide structure and meaning to one's life? I think so.

(That is what all religion is and does after all.) (The alternative extreme which I would judge from your post is what you believe is that we are just animals, products of evolution, there is no Diety or spiritual realm. If that is so, then the evident conclusion for all of us is to enjoy and make the best out of this life cause this time around is all we have.)

I will go one step further, I believe strongly that if the JW BELIEF-PARADIGM (i.e. religion)

CAN BE A BEAUTIFUL AND VERY POSITIVE AND LIFE-AFFIRMING RELIGION (i.e. system or paradigm to structure one's life by). In order for this to happen it need only be STRIPPED of its HARMFUL elements (DF'ng practice/greatly modified, blood-ban, procedural changes (i.e. Megan's Law-type notification for child molesters, harder penalties, more cooperation with authorities, and certain other things) and SHED of all of its SILLY and ARCHAIC elements (like the publishing activities, hierarchal structure, and certain and numerous "rules" and "regulations").

Anyway getting back to my main concern. I say, let your poor mom live out the remainder of her short life that is left to her with whatever comfort and hope that she can derive from being a Witness. I feel the same way about my own parents. In fact anyone that is over 50 in the organization, I do not feel compelled to try and dissuade them or to educate them about the flaws or problems among Jehovah's Witnesses and the Organization. (If they take such initiative on their own that is another matter.) Why and what gives me the right to rob a person of their hope? Nothing.

You might ask why it seems that I would be willing take a different tact with younger ones in the Org. Well, it is situational, and there are some younger ones that I am very close to, including my own nephew and other relatives. But sometimes, you have to just let them start to emerge out of the Matrix (very appropo) on their own before you can or should attempt to do anything.

But secondly, more importantly, I believe that it is the people in the Org beginning with my own generation, and especially the following and younger generations will be the ones that will finally be able to bring about the kind of change (reform) among Jehovah's Witnesses that I sketched above. This is what I call in part the Revolution.

I hope you will join us.

-Eduardo

darkuncle29

Welcome DY.

:::I re-read what I quoted here, and realize the person writing is not nessesarily a JW apologist(?). But I want to leave what I wrote here. Perhaps I just have a perverted and bitchy sense of humour today.

The "outlook on life" as derived from your post is not particularly life-affirming is it? I mean to look forward to being wormfood doesn't exactly embolden one with hope and encouragement to keep living, especially at an age where health and strength begin to fail.
My view is simply this: EVEN IF I KNOW THE JW BELIEF-PARADIGM to be wrong in certain aspects (or any Christian outlook for that matter) ISN'T THERE VALUE THERE in that it can provide structure and meaning to one's life? I think so.

(That is what all religion is and does after all.) (The alternative extreme which I would judge from your post is what you believe is that we are just animals, products of evolution, there is no Diety or spiritual realm. If that is so, then the evident conclusion for all of us is to enjoy and make the best out of this life cause this time around is all we have.)

Wow, you must be psychic or something. that is alot of information to get from such a small sample.

I will go one step further, I believe strongly that if the JW BELIEF-PARADIGM (i.e. religion)

CAN BE A BEAUTIFUL AND VERY POSITIVE AND LIFE-AFFIRMING RELIGION (i.e. system or paradigm to structure one's life by). In order for this to happen it need only be STRIPPED of its HARMFUL elements (DF'ng practice/greatly modified, blood-ban, procedural changes (i.e. Megan's Law-type notification for child molesters, harder penalties, more cooperation with authorities, and certain other things) and SHED of all of its SILLY and ARCHAIC elements (like the publishing activities, hierarchal structure, and certain and numerous "rules" and "regulations").

Up is Down and Down is Up! Even a dictator has good intentions, no? Anywho, I'm done with this; I'm going back to my Chai Latte, and you go back to your Jehovah-Berry-Punch KoolAid

DY: I hope that you are not as depressed and feeling hopeless like our KoolAid drinking friend believes; but I do sense alot of ager from you, perhaps not rage, but a sarcastic, cynical bent. What ever you are feeling and thinking, know that it is OK. I do hope that you can find a channel to release any compressed emotions you are holding onto, as these can make you physically sick.

Whiskeyjack

Welcome D.Y.,

Looking forward to reading your story.

Dark Uncle,

I agree that there are some organizations and groups that should be combated.The Nazi's provided a great belief system (as long as you were a "pure" German) so "live and let live"? I feel at least some obligation to help in some sort of educational work (at the minimum) particularly for other young people (lots of relatives) though I don't want to do it in a churlish manner which would reduce the impact of my arguments.

That said, I agree (ugh!) with Eduardo in that you shouldn't feel obligated to fight with or castigate your parents at this stage in your life. Continuing displays of love and respect can do a lot more and pave the way for serious discussion in later years as well as disarm them in regards to your "worldy" behaviour. I have a similar dilemma in that regard (just leave'm alone?) to their remaining years on this planet and how much I should attack their belief system. I still not sure what I'll do eventually.

Welcome again!

W.

HadEnuf

Welcome

Cathy L.

Oroborus21

Hey thanks for the backing WhiskeyJack!

Yeah in my case both my folks are in their 70s, both with Diabetes and other health problems. Frankly, I will be lucky if they live another decade or more.

They have given their lives to being Witnesses. When I left home for college in 1989, my dad was just coming out of a "spiritual doldrum" and they found reinvigoration with becoming active again. Today, all of their responsibilities, ministry, bible studies, it is what gives them some PURPOSE to get up out of bed every day.

Sure, maybe I could help them see the "light" of what's wrong with the Society but to what end? For them to die, depressed and disillusioned with sadness and pain over a life time squandered. That would be the real tragedy. I want my poor dear mother close her sweet saintly eyes when she dies, with her last thought being she is going to wake up in a paradise. If she does that will be all Joy! and she doesn't she will return to the earth and that comforting last thought of hers will be our comfort at our loss.

-Eduardo

Sunnygal41

YIPPEEE!!! Another sensitive, poetic soul!!! Lovin' your first rant, DY!!! Welcome to JWD!!!

Former JW- new here....

Doubtfully Yours

cyber-sista

clementine

pleaseer2001

Oroborus21

darkuncle29

Whiskeyjack

HadEnuf

Oroborus21

Sunnygal41

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