because i was raised a witness, i don't think i was "uncomfortable" knocking on strangers' doors.
(weirdo).. but as i got older, i simply didn't want to bother anyone so i was at there door for no more than 30 seconds.
at the end i hated being there..
Its all I have ever known....
I have had good days and bad days...
I had more fun in heavily populated areas than rural ones...but rural areas have less doors and more time to goof or take extra long breaks.
If I lived in a big city I think I would probably do 'reverse FS'.....but out here I would be outted pretty quick.
the village voice has published an interview with a 32-year member of the church of scientology who left in 2010. .
but until now, i've never told brousseau's entire story as a 32-year member of scientology and the last person to escape from the international base who is talking publicly about it.. in some ways, brousseau's tale is one of the most remarkable to come out of the secretive organization, and one that parallels so much of scientology's own development and controversies.
he and miscavige were brothers in law.
WOW....
Modern day Rutherford/Knorr mix on steroids.......
2 quotes jump out at me....... that many of here can deeply identify.
1) "This was the final lesson for me. If you really like people and you get them to do what they like doing, it's amazing what you can get them to do for you. It was a firm lesson to me about the way things should be. All of Miscavige's (insert WTS) screaming and hollering and telling people that they're full of shit -- That was the problem."
2) ""Wow. I couldn't believe the stuff they were saying. I was dumbstruck. And riveted. I watched all four episodes, including the last show with all of these clowns up there lying. And now I'm looking elsewhere. The CNN website had a link to Marty's blog. From that I go to the Tampa Bay Times and watch all the video interviews of Marty and everyone else. I spent 36 hours of doing nothing but watching this shit, and thinking, holy fuck."((((( so many of us seem to have this experience when we first stumble upon JWN, hours and hours of reading, riveted)))) He pauses to explain: "You have to understand, when you're in the Sea Org (insert WTS), you think no one else sees the things you see," he says.
so i was giving my daughter a hug at bed time last night.
she stands up at the foot of her bed and wraps her arms around my neck.
she then asks why i don't serve jehovah anymore.
I am sorry Outsmarthesystem....
I know you are a good daddy and will do what you think is best for your children...
I'm sure your wife is a lovely sister but sounds like you fell right into the WTS's snare a long time ago....
So frustrating.
I guess if your marriage is gonna fail, like Jamie suggested have all your ducks in a row legally first.
Hate to see the WTS win.
love and huggles
jehovah's witnesses and many other religions believe jesus will return or has returned (invisibly .
I guess it depends if you hold premillennialist or amillennialist views on the subject....
i've been a lurker here for about a year and a half.
i am a baptised jw(born-in).. i was a publisher in good standing until about last december when i stopped putting in fs time as well as attending meetings and conventions including this year's memorial.. i no longer believe in the teachings of the watchtower society.. about 3 weeks ago an elder and a ms from my cong came to ny house uninvited and told me they were just checking on me and wanted to find why i haven't been to the meetings for such a long time.
they told me it was not an official visit, but sort of hinted to me that if i don't show up then i might be getting an official one soon.
Glad you have decided to start posting!
Avoidance is possible and some good ideas above!
But if you don't keep your word at go back to the meeting they will bring it up the next time you bump into them...
Maybe go to the CBS or next week's Sunday talk....(be seen)
From there you only go once a month and make sure they see you....
In six months reduce to once every 2 months....
In six months reduce to oncce every 3 months
Than if possible move your publisher card.....
If that isn't possible have a good 'I am doing fine, been busy, thanks for stopping by' spiel worked out......
If you have a landline phone still never answer the door (to elders) without your cell programmed to speed dial the landline... "oh sorry Brothers, I am expecting a call....thank you for your concern....cya
________
If ya do keep the cold-turkey route..... I woud make a point to keep up on what is being said in the publications for your mother's sake. Parents worry when they
~huggles
a couple of weeks ago, my wife and i visited her aunt on saturday.
when we were leaving, i happened to glance down and spotted some 'trash' that had evidently fallen from the door and was down in and among the potted plants that share the porch space.. i instantly knew what it was from the 'look', and reached down and grabbed it as we were walking to our vehicle.. sure enuf, it was a 4-page small pamphlet... some sort of preaching words... (i didn't read them), and then on the back side was a stamped 'invitation' for the person to go to their district assembly the last week in july.. ummm... belton, tx is about 150 miles away from here.
i'm so sure that someone would drive 150 miles to go to something that they just read about on a pamphlet stuck in their door.
The astrodome was my DC HOME !!!
I wasn't too impressed with the Merrell Center (Katy)turn out.....but it was easier to get to than Berry Center (Barker)
But back to Belton....the mad dash to Luby's in Temple was INSANE before the brownbag 'encouragement'. At least they usually have some event going on in the arena next to the main building.....rows of dubbie kids watching the quarterhorses.
I drove around the old DC area of SA recently.....so much has changed.
LOL....I know some JWs who ditch the second half of the first day of CA to go to Sea World......'Jehovah's provision'
so i was giving my daughter a hug at bed time last night.
she stands up at the foot of her bed and wraps her arms around my neck.
she then asks why i don't serve jehovah anymore.
Jamie,
His 5 year old first need is for stability in their home.
You might noticed I mentioned his wife and his daughter not trusting him.....
While his wife will more than likely be wary for several months, his child will probably be ready to follow his gentle lead within a week or two (maybe less if she has been a 'daddy's girl').
I believe I saw on the other thread he said he had ordered "Teach Your Children How to Think".
It is far easier to begin teaching such if he remains married to their mother.....
If he doesn't go back (or at least appear to be trying) he will remain suspect to some extent.
I have seen JW children dismiss their unbelieving parents ......his daughter very well might be the type to go that route because she feels in her heart that is the right thing to do......
His wife is already showing some classic reactions...... pushing these buttons will only lead to more division and disharmony....and all the 5 year old is going to discern is 'its daddy's fault because daddy doesn't love and obey Jehovah and he is trying to get me to do it too" ....daddy is already cast as an 'enemy of Jehovah' in her mind.....so falling back, recreating trust allows him to replace that negativity in her mind and allows him the opportunity to lead her to critical thinking and knowing her daddy loves her, he is trustworthy, stable, predictable and strong .....he keeps her safe....daddy isn't the 'bad guy'.
so here's the latest in my pathetic saga.
i've tried to fly under the radar for the past year, but it isn't working so well.
i've learned not to engage my wife in debates but rather to ask questions.
With all due respect Jamie....
Unless he gets sole custody...(but even then it would be a battle because the kids are already JW-indoctrinated)
He could lose them forever to even stricter JW thinking since their mother will feel even more compelled to 'protect' them from him/world via indoctrination.
His lil 5 year old's comments show she is already quite able to 'make a stand for Jehovah' and that sort of dedication at that age (minus coaching as his wife denies) is a very strong indication that she would resist him and probably blame him.
I was a little uberite-JWchild similar (but probably more hardcore) to what he describes of his 5 year old's comments.
He can win his child's trust back far faster and easier than his wife and begin to gently teach her the critical thinking skills.
Best to let the fire die to embers instead of intensifying them when it can be avoided.......if not he will only end up in divorce court and the kids will become pawns for the rest of their childhood (if not the rest his life).
Again the WTS is betting heavy on his giving up, becoming indignant or self-destructing.
so here's the latest in my pathetic saga.
i've tried to fly under the radar for the past year, but it isn't working so well.
i've learned not to engage my wife in debates but rather to ask questions.
Sigh...
After reading the updates..
I can near feel your wife's frustraton, fear and anxiety.
Fall back soldier.
You are at war against the WTS. The WTS has long instilled various techniques into us Sisters to ensure rejection of any alternate male direction and you have managed to trip several of these in her mind. She is terrified , isn't feeling safe and therefor is losing trust in you rapidly.
Trust ...... you can't lead anybody if they don't trust you and she is so scared/untrusting right now she is doing what the WTS taught her to do which is create loyalty and division in the kids against you. The WTS is more than willing to watch/encourage your family to break apart and make you the villian.
Its a trap.
If you want to keep you family together and manage an exit eventually you have to be willing to play their game and the WTS is betting heavy on on you becoming indignant, giving up or self-destructing.
She will have to feel safe again before she can trust you.
Easiest route is to play the part of good dubbie ......she won't believe you at first (read it will take months of seeing you act consistantly) but it will happen.
Once you can convince her to trust you to take the lead and that you are putting the kingdom first......then you can works subtle things into yalls lives...... (might be worth 'reaching out' too.....because it offers a great 'cover')
Again the WTS is betting you wont have the resilience to play this game and they will win by your default.
so i was giving my daughter a hug at bed time last night.
she stands up at the foot of her bed and wraps her arms around my neck.
she then asks why i don't serve jehovah anymore.
She is being a normal indoctrinated 5 year old.
I was just as passionate when I was her age (with no additional encouragement from parents just me being me from what I pick up at the Hall)
She is a bit angry and probably frustrated/fearful for the division she sees happening in yalls household.
She is being a 'good dubbie sister' and making her stand for Jehovah as she has been taught.
Which leads me to point out something I and others used to remind husbands like you... The WTS has long instilled various techniques into us Sisters that create automatic trained loyalty responses when confronted with alternative anti-WTS male direction. Your wife and daughter are applying these principles in the wake of your attempt to question WTS protocol/beliefs.
I am a fully 'awake/conscious' Sister and these loyalty responses still pop into my head when certain buttons are pushed by my husband.
What you should come away from this experience is the fact that your household is in trouble and in full WTS reaction due to your present path of attempting TATT.
My advice is stand-down and allow the waters to calm.......
Anything else and you are playing right into the WTS hands.
Regroup and work on more subtle infiltration...... you are of no real influence to your daughter nor your wife if they don't trust you.
You will not regain their trust until they both feel 'safe' and 'safe' isnt going to happen unless you consistently act like a good dubbie dad/hubby/brother for at minimum of several months......if you aren't willing to do that than expect the 'us vs him' division to grow and deepen.
