i've been giving this a lot of thought.
i'm thinking that, as a born-in, i was raised thinking that everybody who wasn't a dub was stupid and i had to go door-to-door to enlighten them.
and that the ones who were so stupid and stubborn as to not respond to my message (which was all of them, lol!
I agree with what you say but basically I think that when you have been a JW and subject to the cult mind control, it stays in the psyche for a long time. It is difficult adjusting to viewing others in a way outside of the cult mentality depending on how well you have recovered after leaving.
Maddie
i used to think that maybe it was just the people who were raised in the truth, especially from infancy.
they didn't know what life outside of the organization was so it was all they had to cling to.
but that's obviously wrong because many, many have left--happily--never to return.
A very good question!
Some people and naturally more susceptable to indoctrination and mind control. Some ex JW's can leave and after a relatively short period of adjustment, they are able to go on with their lives without much problem. Others who leave never get over the experience of being a JW.
if an elder or elders demanded that they wanted to talk to you, what would you do?.
if the elders began "questioning" you, how would you deal with them?.
The elders have no power over me any more, which is a wonderful feeling! I dont recognise their kangaroo courts, but if I opened the door to one of them or met them while out then I would probably tell them (in a non-aggressive manner) the truth.
Maddie
They are babylon the great!!!!!!!!
recently, in the news were reports of 90 plus year old men being arrested for soliciting prostitutes.
i believe the charges were dropped.
and the vast majority of people polled thought that police should worry less about prostitutes and johns and more about city government waste.. your thoughts?.
I think it is morally wrong and degrading to men and women, whether it is legalised or not IMHO
Maddie
i just started a community book writing project over at webook called "shunned: stories of former jehovah's witnesses".
it is intended to be a collection of personal stories about leaving the witnesses and building a new life in the aftermath.. from the description of the project:.
shunning: the deliberate avoiding of association with, and habitually keeping away from, an individual or group.
Thanks tastyrerun, I may well lput my experience of being shunned in there.
Maddie
just sent my letter to the headquarters.
what should i expect now?
Hi candy - I dont know anything about you - if you have been fading etc but the result will be the same as if you had been disfellowshipped. Expect to be shunned by all JW's, even family may shun you if they are are JW's and comply with the orders from the GB. My family have cut me off entirely and I haven't even officially disassociated! All I did was stop going to the KH and tell my son things I know about the WT.Hopefully it wont be the same for you.
I send you BIG HUGS
i know as a jw growing up, i would hear so much about how if you were of the"world" and came out of it...that you were like a dog returning to its vomit.
the other day, i heard of a friend of mine that went back to the borg.
actually over the past few months, i have heard of a few.
People have many reasons for returning to the JW cult, but dont despair as your friend may find that she cant carry on living a lie and stop going.
Maddie
i hope i'm not asking a question that's been asked already but i'm wondering where people are planning to go after jwd closes down.
what are the 'better' options?
i also hope that this isn't a sensitive question or a taboo topic ... .
Not really sure yet but I might just pop in on other forums from time to time.
Maddie
i went to church in my local town while the witnesses attended the perth assembly.
it was a good sermon and i actually felt very upbuilt and refreshed after listening to it.
i really thought i would of felt guilt or some negative feeling for doing this, but quite the opposite.
We sometimes go to the MIL's church even though there are many things we don't agree with. It is a social thing but we will never "join" another religious group. Does that mean we left God then.......I don't think so.
Blondie - I feel the same way about never "joining" another church, and don't feel in the slightest that I have left God. In fact I feel that I am on the road to getting closer to God.
Maddie
