i was thinking this morning in context with the shunning practice- which we all know is a degrading and abusive routine carried out among all brainwashed jw's to those who have sinned/left the org etc.. so with that in mind, how does shunning differ from the silent treatment to jw's?
both are similar in definition... silent treatment.
: an act of completely ignoring a person or thing by resort to silence especially as a means of expressing contempt or disapproval.shun, shunning: persistently avoid, ignore, or reject (someone or something) through antipathy or caution.based on jw teachings which i stupidly accepted back when i was asleep and under mind control, i didn't give it two thoughts on how both acts are related.. i do remember an article in a wt which spoke of how the silent treatment is a harsh and abusive form of discipline, but then they twist it back and claim that shunning is a loving provision?
Great thread!
Excellent observation. Yes, to ignore or shun someone is an immature act. The society even had that cartoon drawing video on its web-site for teenagers that showed young ones at school ignoring someone. They labelled that as "bullying"!
So, WHY cant they see that they as a society practice "bullying" in order to manipulate ones into submission and obedience?
playing devil's advocate here.... what's the difference between the gb changing bible interpretations compared to parliaments all over the world changing laws?
although the us constitution (=bible) remains untouched, congress passes i don't know how many new laws every year.
and of course people are expected to follow them.
Changing things is not the only issue
The MAIN issue is the way the society hides the past, or tries to cover over the past details for the new generation of witnesses!
They don't take ownership, or ever say "WE WERE WRONG. SORRY!"
The day they say SORRY will be the day Antarctica melts..
Many boxers DO have brain damage issues....
i am of the opinion that the wt doctrine is influenced more by external factors that it is by internal ones.
one of the doctrines that has puzzled me for some time is the armageddon prediction of 1975. why would the wts make this prediction?
what was their real purpose?.
It certainly had the effect of "thinning the heard" and ensuring that those who bought into the hysteria were going to be ever-loyal witnesses!
Those who saw the fact that they went beyond the scriptures (no man knows the day or hour not even the son), simply faded or left!
besides being raised in the religion , why do people become jws?
.
A sense of group belonging, and attachment to a projected ideal set of life circumstances...where "everything will be perfect"
Add to that the automatic sense of "instant friends" and love bombing...
Ask yourselves though, when was the last time a Normal, balanced, baggage-free person with no social issues came "into the truth"? Usually it is the disenfranchised, odd members of the community that are attracted to "the ring of the truth".
A well adjusted person rarely if ever comes into the "truth"
it seems like many feel hurt or saddened by the practice of shunning by witnesses.. yes, when ones who we were close to, perhaps family or ones we thought were close friends choose to follow the warped directions of the society, it may seem hurtful.. but really, our reaction is up to us.
the fact is, these ones have shown that in reality, their love for us was never real or genuine.
no, those relationships were superficial and lacking in substance.
I just don't understand those that desperately WANT to go back into an abusive situation.
If a wife is beaten up by her husband, yet still craves his attention, we call that a tragic case.
If one is emotionally beaten up by being ignored, neglected or punished by witnesses, is it not better to move on from that circle of association?
Even the society has that cartoon video for teenagers on its website that says that "being ignored is a form of bullying"...
it seems like many feel hurt or saddened by the practice of shunning by witnesses.. yes, when ones who we were close to, perhaps family or ones we thought were close friends choose to follow the warped directions of the society, it may seem hurtful.. but really, our reaction is up to us.
the fact is, these ones have shown that in reality, their love for us was never real or genuine.
no, those relationships were superficial and lacking in substance.
Great comments! Thanks to all .
Yes, we have the choice as to how much power the society (or the manipulated members of it) have over us.
As has been said by other posters over the years: "the best revenge is to live a happy and successful life"
The only power people have over us, is that which we allow. Don't play by their rules.
i sat in town recently, right in the window of a nice wee pub.
within minutes i realised that i had a perfect view of a jw cart and the two ridiculously dressed jw's (they have absolutely no individuality at all.
what's more, they all look like they're going to a funeral).
Sour Grapes: What is completely absurd, crazy and stupid is the Witlesses think they have a life giving message that must be given because the end is so sooooooon. If a Witness saw smoke coming out of his neighbors house would he stand outside his house sipping on a latte with a sign that says, "Neighbor, your house is on fire."
Well said indeed!!!!
so witnesses love using the scripture that says that "narrow and cramped is the road to life, and few are the ones finding it" as proof that they have the truth.
yes, a small number.. yet they also love boasting about the "increases in numbers coming into the truth" as proof of jehovah's blessing of the society!.
so, which is it?
Great comments!
a few months back i let it be known to my husband that i was no longer interested in anything jw related.
when he took it to the elders, without actually divulging anything that might get me disfellowshipped like apostasy - well, he just basically told them i was all depressed and discouraged and everything and that i didn't want to be contacted by the elders about it.
i don't know what he actually told them, word for word, or what they actually said to him word for word, but he told me they told him not to do anything spiritual with me at home anymore - no bible study, praying, daily text, meetings via phone, jw broadcasting, discussions, etc.
Oh dear!
Im sorry to hear you are going through that.
It seems very odd that IF he told the elders you "were depressed" that they would tell him NOT to pray and study etc.
The VERY thing they say to do for a "depressed" one or one feeling "doubts" etc is to ramp up the spiritual activities!.
It sounds like he is one who perhaps has not been 100% honest with you about things he feels or discussed with elders.
Tread carefully!
Maintain your own self respect and dignity! This is something you can only have control over. Despite all that is going on around you, YOU alone have the power to control your dignity.
