the other day, we were discussing the similarities that a jw has to a drug addict.
(or any form of addiction really).
as jws, we constantly required "another hit" to keep the cravings at bay, or to keep the level of "high" as a "spiritual" person.. yet another jw related activity - ministry, meetings, publications, assemblies etc...just to keep the high level of euphoria.. but what happens when the "drug" supply is cut off?
Thanks Smiddy3!
It does strike me as interesting, that if the "drug supply" is cut off from a JW, (eg they go away on a long holiday and break the JW routine), they are less motivated or inclined to get back into JW activity!
So, just like weening someone off a controlling substance, they can break free - if the environment is right, and the supply is cut
the other day, we were discussing the similarities that a jw has to a drug addict.
(or any form of addiction really).
as jws, we constantly required "another hit" to keep the cravings at bay, or to keep the level of "high" as a "spiritual" person.. yet another jw related activity - ministry, meetings, publications, assemblies etc...just to keep the high level of euphoria.. but what happens when the "drug" supply is cut off?
Good point Pale.
Yes, it is indeed vital to find another "non-toxic" activity for life. Many can be attracted to another "false high" if not careful after leaving the WT
the other day, we were discussing the similarities that a jw has to a drug addict.
(or any form of addiction really).
as jws, we constantly required "another hit" to keep the cravings at bay, or to keep the level of "high" as a "spiritual" person.. yet another jw related activity - ministry, meetings, publications, assemblies etc...just to keep the high level of euphoria.. but what happens when the "drug" supply is cut off?
The other day, we were discussing the similarities that a JW has to a drug addict. (or any form of addiction really)
As JWs, we constantly required "another hit" to keep the cravings at bay, or to keep the level of "high" as a "spiritual" person.
Yet another JW related activity - ministry, meetings, publications, assemblies etc...just to keep the high level of euphoria.
But what happens when the "drug" supply is cut off? What happens when they miss several meetings, assemblies and "spiritual food"? The level of "toxicity" within the body lessens, and the cravings can subside. Perhaps the REAL person can start to manifest out of the "drug induced" haze? Maybe they can see themselves without the need for "another fix"!?
So what can we do to help our loved ones who are still "JW-drug addicted"? Can we start to ween them off the supply? Can we start to introduce replacements to their fix? Maybe start to broaden their life activities and outlook? Introduce the reality of life outside of the "fake euphoric haze".
Offer to share fun times doing things in the community. Meet new people, see the positivity of life outside of the JW bubble! Introduce new ideas and perspectives on things...
But, as with someone escaping a drug addiction - withdrawal MUST be done slowly and carefully - to prevent them from relapsing.
Be patient, be calm, be loving.
ok i'm ready for the transition.
i am not writing anything to anyone or writing some dumb letter.
the calls and visits trying to get me to come back will soon follow, the family guilt trips will intensify, loss of friends- really more like cult member associates, how the hell am i supposed to do this?
Just be mild and calm, and say things like:
"Please respect appropriate boundaries. We'll contact you if we need your help in anyway. Have a nice day"
This shows that the conversation is closed down - and that you are not going to be pushed by them - and that you are not under their control.
ever since i became an exjw activist... i have wondered, how many people can i hope to reach?.
what are the odds that my parents and loved ones will live out the remainder of their lives as jehovah´s witnesses?.
is there a way to calculate the odds that any jw will remain a jw for the rest of their lives?.
Great thread!
While it is true that many will remain as JWs because it is "familiar and safe" for them, others just need the supportive and gentle push towards freedom.
As long as they have a safe landing place - with people who can help them, many will awaken.
After our video went live, we have literally been swamped with people reaching out to us personally saying things like "we are still in, but know its not the truth, and have never spoken with ex-jws before - but are scared of breaking free" .
But to their credit, they are reaching out now because they feel safe doing so.
So all we need to do is create and provide a safe place for them to ask questions and raise concerns.Then they may see TTATT
i had two episodes of visiting exjw websites:one time around 2007 when i just googled "jehovah´s witnesses" and dared to look at those sites.
i was scared and i promised myself i would never come back to them.
however, that one didn´t really count.the moment that woke me up was this:i got to know that whitney heichel was a jw and murdered by another jw, because i overheard that conversation in a kingdom hall.i looked up the news and in one of the news comments, there was one where an exjw was complaining that they were hijacking her funeral and they were really trying to downplay the fact that her murderer was a jw... and then it said "visit jwfacts.com"... which i did.and the rest... is history.what exactly got you onto an apostate website when you woke up?
My first "apostate" or negative information about the Society was actually when I read their own older publications! They were full of crazy nonsense that the modern organization would be ashamed of.
That made me so curious...
So I looked for support forums and found this great community. My soft landing place!
I then remembered that a guy I was at Bethel with had supposedly started a site ...and I saw that Paul was here on this site too!. So I reached out to him anonymously.
I then searched for his site...and it was jw.facts.com - and the rest is history!
ladies and gentlemen, i proudly present you with mr and mrs @stucknomore2.0:.
https://youtu.be/o9bqz9jj_qg.
sacha and sherrie, you've done an amazing job in spreading the word about this forum, and it is my sincerest hope that the plug you made brings some newcomers in.
Thanks everyone!
And wow! Thanks Wake Me Up! You are so supportive and awesome. We count it a privilege to have you as our adopted family.
hi, i seem to remember that the society have said that you are not viewed as a witness if you have not reported for 6 months.. does this ring any bells?
someone i know has been called for a judicial, even though she has said she doesn’t believe and is not not attending meetings and hasn’t for 6 months.what she did was 12 months ago when she was a witness.. she is not sure whether she should turn up or not, as turning up shows she thinks she answers to elders still.
but also doesn’t want to be automatically disfellowshipped which may happen if she doesn’t turn up.. if there is an article to quote saying someone inactive isn’t seen as a witness, this would be helpful.. any thoughts?.
Interesting thread!
While they may not view her as active, they do still count her as "a publisher" (inactive)
So they feel that they have power over her - or the right to try and dictate a meeting.
If she feels uncomfortable, she should just keep politely saying "Please respect appropriate boundaries. I don't appreciate your harassment. Have a lovely day good-bye"
ladies and gentlemen, i proudly present you with mr and mrs @stucknomore2.0:.
https://youtu.be/o9bqz9jj_qg.
sacha and sherrie, you've done an amazing job in spreading the word about this forum, and it is my sincerest hope that the plug you made brings some newcomers in.
Hey Sparrowdown, no back lash or anything.
In fact, we have received an overwhelming show of support from so many people. (via so many platforms)
Also, we have had so many reach out to us personally and ask to meet up or chat online etc... Hopefully we can provide some support. We are all in this together after all! Some who have reached out too have known personally us but are secretly faded or PIMO. It has been very interesting to see!
I hope that family or friends we knew while in do see it. It will hopefully prompt some discussions.
I do think it is interesting though if ones who are fully in see it. If they try and question us, my first questions back will be "So do you often watch apostate content? How long have you done so? Have you learned anything about the Society while doing so that has concerned you?"
someone you looked up to some who did something amazing?.
i live in new zealand and 1 of mine is sir edmound hillary,a great yet humble man.. he and tenzing norgay were the 1st to reach the top of mt everest.it went to the grave with both of them who put there foot on top 1st,neather of them reviled that.. he did alot for the sherpa's of napal making sure they were payed well for their work as well as setting up schools there.. he came to my school and gave a speech then walked around the play ground talking to us children,his phone number was in the phone book and he would talk to anyone that rang him partially children doing a project on everest.. the british tryed to say that mallory and irvine may have made it to the top of everest years before,hillarys reply.....they may have but i made it down again.. karter..
Simon - For this forum!
