hurting lisa? not really.....bitter? no. annoyed yes....
You see, as someone who has been on both sides of the fence, and STILL not knowing which is the right way, I have chosen to take the path of humanity, and that is to treat people decently who promote themselves and conduct themselves as themselves.
I have a daughter who is d/fed....and I watch the hypocrisy of those who associate with her in private, but who PUBLICALLY shun her in company of other JW's...it hurts her, it hurts me and it hurts Jehovah.....either follow the JW line completely or make a stand and see if that will change things....its hypocrisy, she doesnt need second hand love.
I too have been d/fed in the past, and did the reinstatement thing..and also know the path and methodology and thinking that goes behind it all....I know it from the side of the supplicant (read bad boy) and from the side of the judge (read elder).
I know too that some people go back to being reinstatedfor entirely the wrong reasons, like they miss the company, like the shame got to them..and NOTfor the right JW reasons , like repentance.....
You know why Im so vehement about it all? Because of the hypocrisy and superior attitude that is displayed by those who when out play the field, smoke, drink, fornicate, associate with us apostates(er...yeah)..and then when accepted back put on this superior attitude of born again Witness....and condemn us from high.
As an ex elder, I can testify to this pattern time and time again, and I can also testify to the presence of total hypocrites within Jehovahs Witnesses because of it...
SO you think Im against returning to the organisation..? Far from it....what Im against is the total hypocrisy of the stance some take of BEING two faced about their whole image...and the condemnation of former friends who stood by them when they had a crisis of conscience....and sublimated it as an act of weakness when accepted back within the fold.
NickL's whole attitude is one of filling his time until the powers that be allow him sanction and blessing....he rides the edges of his conscience...and Jehovahs Witnesses WILL NEVER CHANGE until people like him completely become themselves and stand up for what they believe, instead of the enforced dogma they have to display in order to be accepted.
I dont have a religion to fill my life, I have what I read in the Bible, what I see has to be done.....
Please, have the self respect to SEE what you really are saying...its not my place to convince you that JW's are wrong, personally I think they are the closest in understanding....but it is my place to try and get you to stop bullshitting me..or yourself.
end of emotive outpouring
addition: (on a roll, will stop soon..honest)
and when you ARE reinsinstated...please remember that if you maintain friendships with d/fed ones here, you repentance is invalidated...and if you drop them..your hypocrisy will be noted...
Dont ever become a judge of men again....it wont count for anything...
absolute end of rant..end of annoyed irritated state...
Miller time
Edited by - Deacon on 1 February 2001 20:11:13