Is it morally OK to try to free people from the WTS and how? (page 2)

googlemagoogle

those are some good questions. but the question is not if it's morally ok, but if it makes sense. because in the end you'd have to preach to every religious person that they are victims of a lie. and that just wouldn't work. the only difference is that most religions wouldn't shun you just because you don't buy their story.

just do what you feel you have to do. if you have some persons in there who are important to you, take your time and think over every step you take.

Terry

My question is: Is it right to try to get other JW’s out of the organization.

At the zoo there is an aviary with a "Rain Forest" in it.

The room is dark (where the public walks through to observe the birds in their fake natural habitat. The area with the birds is filled with suffused dim lighting, dripping water and all sorts of plants, vines and flowers.

THERE IS NO CAGE!

The birds do not ever venture into freedom.

Why?

They feel comfortable in the (fake) natural setting.

But, the darkness beyond (although the true freedom) is mysterious, fear-inspiring and unknown.

So, these exotic birds languish in a fake forest.

People stuck in the fake natural habitat of the "TRUTH" are like those birds.

It doesn't matter what you do or say. They feel comfortable and you are showing them only darkness and an unknown conceptual "freedom".

They can't handle the truth.

toreador

Excellent analogy Terry!

jgnat

There, Terry has said it. I don't think it is morally wrong to help people get free from the WTS. The other questions are how, and how effective do you want to be?

To broadcast the same message to all and sundry is about as productive as door-to-door work. Steel yourself for lots of rejection.

If, on the other hand, you welcome anyone who is curious to call you to find out why you left, you leave the initiative to those who are ready to listen.

Whiskeyjack

Danny,

I see it as a moral imperative.

1. You offer them the truth of reality as general human society struggles to comprehend our Universe. Given how far we have to go yet, it's no comfort blanket you're offering them but it's real!

2. It is the duty of every human to think (learn, rationalize, ponder, evaluate, debate, etc...) for themselves to the best of their ability (I'll even give Ms. Rand a nod in this regard!) even though it's uncomfortable .

3. Each of us have an individual responsibility for our actions.

4. Yes, you're probably not going to change the world, but that arguement could be extended to AIDS donations or emergency relief- Even small actions can have effect whether it's immediately measurable or no.

You can have an effect just by being the best human you can be (especially if you're in a smaller community). You don't need to be confrontational (it doesn't seem to work anyways) in trying to help other JW's. The best argument I 've found that makes'em think is the statement: I just wanted to be honest and I couldn't do this in the Organization. It will make them think even if you don't see any results for some years.

W.

Sunspot

As JWs we were trained to knock on stranger's doors to give them a message.

Knowing what we do now, (as mentioned above), would it be the kind and loving thing to NOW warn people about the hidden dangers of the WTS cult? Because the WTS is so deceptive and covers things up----don't we have the Christian love for those who are still being duped?

1) What would I give them back?

For starters----their freedom.

The freedom to choose whatever path they wish to. When I had just sent my DA letter, a sister emailed me and asked "where will you go?" Typical WTS question.

The answer? The scripture doesn't ask that----it says "TO WHOM shall we go away TO"? I know that the WTS doesn't have the sayings of truth, so the obvious path would be away from the LIARS and towards the real Christ, as it should be for those pursuing a Christian life.

Get ot out of your head that you would be taking something away from any JW---you would be giving them the opportunity for LIFE---free from a tyrannical and evil cult.

Annie

rebel8

What would I give them back? When I (if ever possible) I can make them see that there is no God, they will lose the hope of living forever etc. I take away their hope (even if this hope is bases on nothing). This would probably not make them happier.

To add to the excellent responses you've already received:

They face losing both the fellowship with ALL of their friends and the feeling of moral superiority/hope of living forever. To take that away and replace it with social isolation, shunning, depression, no hope, etc. is almost impossible. You would have to be sure to offer them social support.

As far as the living forever thing, I have to say my experience has not been as you described. I am much happier since I left the borg. The doctrines they have are oppressive and depressing. The idea of living in a park with zoo animals as pets and everyone acting like Stepford wives is too hard to believe. Sure, they give lip service to it and believe it on some level, but I'll bet at least partially they are worried it isn't true.

The fact is, we have no way to prove how the universe came about or what our future holds. There is true freedom in that knowledge, a freedom which brings happiness. I can still hope I'll live forever in paradise all I want. I just recognize that almost everything about life is a mystery and try to live a good, worthwhile life each day. So many people think that means a depressing life, but it truly does not!

greendawn

I think if people are not happy with the life they lead in the JW society then it's good to help them to come out of the cult but if they happen to be happy as JWs then they should stay there.

DannyBloem

Personally I was happy as a JW.

Now knowing the truth and losing my hope to live forever makes me less happy. But anyway the truth is the truth, and hapiness or not that doesn't matter to me. And sometimes I also like to be a bit unhappy,makes you more sensitive and creative.

If you know the truth you can;t go back of course that doesn't work even if you want to.

That makes my question here so difficult for me to decide what to do. Although in my opinion hiding the truth for somebody is never really good, how unpleasant it may be.

by grace

I am thinking of just e-mailing all brothers that I know just a link to the UN site the famous document. This can be enough for some maybe. Just with the serious question if it is true, or something that they have to read it.

You'd think that would work for some, wouldn't you, but what you don't know is that you'll probably get the stock and standard answers back:

"You know you can't believe everything you read on the internet."

"That was probably falsified by an apostate."

"The Society cancelled their membership once they realized, what more do you expect them to do?"

"Do you trust someone you don't know more than the Faithful & Discreet Slave?"

"Sometimes the Society has to do certain things to help the brothers."

"They weren't really members of the UN, they had no special privliges or benefits."

"You know what the Society says about reading apostate information."

blah blah blah

I speak from experience.

Love, by grace

Is it morally OK to try to free people from the WTS and how?

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