whenever i have mentioned this practise to people who don't know much about the witnesses (although they should know about them due to the worldwide preaching activity .
to most right thinking people it is absolutely just not an option to have no contact with your immediate family.. one lady said to me "i'd rather rip my heart out".. what has been your experience when people find out that jw's carry out this evil practise?.
Its probably been responsible for the single worst witness ever. Everyone who I 've explained the shunning to and the reasons for it have been disgusted with the Witnesses. Based on what I've explained, many of them now send them packing at the doors.
Its the single most effective anti-witness topic ever.
i was watching steve martin "leap of faith" pg rated mind you with some witnesses.
he plays a fake faith healer.
their were a couple swear words, and the brothers asked me to switch it off.. same thing happened with christine applegate movie {pg 13} "don't tell mom the babysiters dead.
A snotty elder in Mudgeeraba Congregation (Gold Coast, Aus) told everyone from the platform to avoid Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings. Both were deemed demonic and "not suitable for true christians". Half the congregation still saw them.
A bunch of sisters walked out of Saving Private Ryan because of the opening battle scenes. What did they expect from the D-Day landings - a teddy bear's picnic?
is there any consortium, or database, of any ongoing legal matters with wts?
tort or class action?
any law firms which specialize in some of the inevitable legal issues?.
Thanks for your advice Lady Lee and Hamsterbait. I'll explore the avenues you mention and see what my options are.
is there any consortium, or database, of any ongoing legal matters with wts?
tort or class action?
any law firms which specialize in some of the inevitable legal issues?.
I'm thinking of taking legal advice about a matter and wondered if the Society are facing a similiar legal issue elsewhere. Witnesses regularly come into my workplace and shun me. This has been extrememly hard to deal with at times and I've found it diffiuclt to do my job. The anxiety and stress they cause bychoosing to do that to me is bordering on harassment and intimidation.
Blondie recently gave me some quotes showing that the purpose of shunning was to make the person "ashamed" or "feel shame". If this is their intent when they shun me, then I've got the right to work in an environment free from such emotional intimidation.
I wonder if anyone else is fighting a lawsuit of this nature?
I haven't pursued this option yet but if the dubs don't leave me alone, I'll certainly take some advice.
i do.
i totally feel disdain for the organization.
they suck..
I try not to have distain for the people but I must admit I frequently fail.
I know they are deluded, I know they are victims of a con and I know they genuinely feel they're right, but knowing all this doesn't ease the pain of being shunned by friends on a daily basis.
The PO actually told me that each witness has individually decided by their own concience to never speak to me again, he said it had nothing to do with the Society's direction on this. Whilst I know he was speaking tripe, it puts the onus on the individual. If they indvidually treat me with contempt, then I find it almost impossible not to feel the same contempt for them as individuals.
i think an important part of facing my parents is first writing a letter to my brother - who got it the worst.
then, i will talk with him and see if he would like to do this with me.
but, first and foremost, he has to know how i feel.
Thats beautiful Cognac, just beautiful...
How about adding that you'd like to talk to him and may need his help in something. This may prime him for your conversation.
good luck
in my opinion, this is the crux of the matter where ex jw's are concerned.. so many religions have disagreements with their members.
but you can disagree, research, question, and leave if that is your wish.
you may receive some sanction depending on the religion, but no shunning is required in the major faith's and religions of christendom.
So, what do you think would cause them to change the shunning policy? It'd have to be something pretty drastic. Any ideas?
i was always frustrated with how much counsel and advice was given at the kingdom hall on how not to offend others.
it seemed like complete immunity was given to the person getting offended.
they were never counselled to just mind their own business, but if anyone had any reason to be offended about something you had done, the elders, or that person, would be sure to let you know about it.. most of the time it was nobody's business.
You'll find JW's take offense very easily. Everything offends them. Its down to the myriad of petty rules, written and unwritten, that everyone has to abide by, that you always end up upsetting someone's sensibilities. There's so little room for manouvre when it comes to personal conscience that its inevitable.
Of course this extends to beyond the personal level to the whole organization too. Lets face it, the whole world and everyone in it offends Jehovahs Witnesses. This way they can continue to feel superior and self-righteous about themselves.
But naturally, if JW's offend anyone else, then its only what they deserve as their worldly and therefore it doesn't matter.
ok, i couldn't let it lie.
i showed my wife some of the scientific inaccuracies made by the wts over the years .
my wife was concerned that i have been reading apostate literature.
Hi Cantleave
Yes I understand how your wife feels about the church and I'm not suggesting you both leave and join the local evangelical. But the difference is You don't have to be a fully paid up member of a church or a member of the Watchtower Society to live by bible principles. If you have a bible and believe its moral lessons are correct and worth following, then thats all you need.
The scriptures say that Jesus would send a helper, the holy spirit to guide you, and if you'd like encouraging association, its there. The rest comes down to one principle that encompasses all the gospels, and thats LOVE. If its the loving thing to do, do it. All the rest is just optional. I can't think of a better principle to teach your children.
Yep, I also get you about Equitable Life! Sorry to hear your savings have gone down the pan. I figure you'll have to tread pretty carefully and stay on the right side of this relative.
Sorry to put this so indelicately...but is this inheritance on the cards soon? (sorry)
Its just that to forsee years and years of wasted time and opportunity for you and your kids slaving for 9 men in Brooklyn so you can retire comfortable seems tragic.
. I guess only you know the best way to handle your situation and I really understand its not in an easy place you're in, but whatever your approach..good luck with it.
ok, i couldn't let it lie.
i showed my wife some of the scientific inaccuracies made by the wts over the years .
my wife was concerned that i have been reading apostate literature.
Hi Cantleave
I found these 2 comments of your wife's interesting..
"I don't believe everthing, but I do believe the general morals taught are right."
She also indicated that she felt the general principles found in the bible are a good basis for our children's moral education
By saying this, your wife is actually agreeing with christians in the churches, christians who live by bible principles and bring up their children by them.
The difference is that christians in church aren't obliged to keep their disagreements quiet for fear of being disfellowshipped for apostasy. Neither are they obliged to follow a myriad of rules that have been added as a prerequisite for salvation.
This is the difference between bringing your children up as christians and bringing your children up as Jehovahs Witnesses.
To give my children the freedom to explore their faith and beliefs without fear of retribution or exclusion, and to let them develop their full potential as free individuals is worth any monetary inheritance.
