The situation is heartbreaking for all of us. But I also know that, consciously or unconsciously, members of high control groups, like the WT, do want to be free. There is a deep desire in all humans to have a healthy and happy life. To the extent that the WT harms and abuses its own members, they will lose in the long run.
The pain you experience is also experienced by your JW family and can eventually lead them out too. You have given a gift to your family by choosing to leave, as this opens the door for them too. Only they can decide to go through it, but statistics show a large percentage (over 60%) of JWs eventually leave. This is good news for those of us who have loved ones still in the organization.
As was already mentioned, Steven Hassan has much good advice. His two books, "Combatting Cult Mind Control" and "Releasing the Bonds: Empowering People to Think for Themselves" are well worth reading and give much good advice on how we can help people get out of cults. I got my copy of Releasing the Bonds from the Free Minds website.
Mrs. Fiorini
JoinedPosts by Mrs. Fiorini
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To All of you who's lost children and family coz of the WT
by Newborn ina thought of compassion and love from me.
i can't imagine how extremely difficult that must be to deal with, loosing your children and how much that must hurt every day!!
i've lost my only sister now since being disfellowshipped y-day and it breaks my heart.
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Mrs. Fiorini
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Dealbreaker?...WT to reinstitute concubine arrangement???
by oompa inwell that would get me back to the meetings!!
i would even go in service regularly.
actually my point is that i asked an elder/friend of mine this question the other day, "what would it take for you to think jw's were wrong?
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Mrs. Fiorini
Oompa,
That's a great way to get people thinking. As you know, one of the effects of cult mind control is that followers never really let their mind question the organization they are part of. You are helping open that door for people.
Once I started questioning the WT, it became obvious to me it was a scam and I wondered how I ever could have believed it. All people have to do to find their way out is honestly ask the questions. The WT positions are so weak that mind control is the only way they can retain their membership.
You're getting that conversation stated for people. Keep it up! -
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Has Greg Stafford taken over the Watchtower?
by slimboyfat inin 2002 when he published three dissertations on the teachings of jehovah's witnesses there were a few major changes greg stafford was calling for:.
1. no arbitrary time limit on when the anointed are gathered, age should not be a factor.
2. acceptance of 1914 chronology should not be necessary for fellowship.
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Mrs. Fiorini
I agree with previous posters. The organization will never give up power over its followers voluntarily. If (and that's a big if) it ever happens, it will be because they were forced to reform against their will. A change or die type of scenario. And, by the way, that could happen if they continue to be exposed and it gets to the point that they believe they will fare better as an organization by mainstreaming instead of remaining a cult. I'm not hopeful about that though.
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NEW KM style
by stillajwexelder inthe january km is completely different.
the style has been totally revamped
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Mrs. Fiorini
I assume that they are either experiencing or anticipating some less than flattering statistics and are making sure that they don't have to highlight them.
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Thought I'd properly introduce myself
by JW Walking Away ini have been lurking on this site for nearly a year now and finally feel comfortable enough to begin posting.
so i thought a little introduction would be appropriate.
my whole family, except for my two sisters, are jw's.
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Mrs. Fiorini
Thanks for sharing your story. It really is amazing. I just don't understand how some JWs can possibly think its ok to abandon your sister when she needs you most.
Don't they remember the story of the Good Samaritan? The priest and the Levite avoided helping a desperate stranger because touching a dying man would have made them unclean. They felt it was more important to follow their priestly obligations than help others in need.
I find it interesting that it was a Samaritan who gained Jesus approval in the story. Samaritans were considered apostates by the Israelites and were avoided as such. -
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Thought I'd properly introduce myself
by JW Walking Away ini have been lurking on this site for nearly a year now and finally feel comfortable enough to begin posting.
so i thought a little introduction would be appropriate.
my whole family, except for my two sisters, are jw's.
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Mrs. Fiorini
Welcome! And Congratulations on getting out. I consider my decision to leave the WT one of the best things I ever did for myself. I hope you enjoy posting here and share your wisdom with the rest of us.
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shunning normal people now??
by chellechelle insorry i posted another one it was a mistake, i clicked enter by accident...... anyways, the dubs are getting closer and closer to shunning everyone not jsut those who have been disfellowshipped or left the religion.
today i got a phone call from my grandmother that one of her best friends can no longer talk to her anymore.
my grandmother always didnt like the fact that my family were jw's but she was always respectful to everyone and kept her views to herself.
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Mrs. Fiorini
I'm sorry this is happening in your life. These people claim to be Christian, but by their behavior it's obvious they don't know God. God is about love, not judging. Jesus said many times not to judge others. It's clear that they do not understand him.
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1914 is on my WTCD 6398 times...but do they still use it now?
by oompa ini rarely reat the mags anymore, and do not know how to get this cd to search only current wt's.....is that even possible?
i also have only been to one meeting in two years, and i did not hear it then either....is it used in talks anymore?......this date will go the same way of all their other dates.....in the trash.........oompa
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Mrs. Fiorini
After reading the 3/15 reference in Blondie's comment I'm left with a question. Would a JW say there is only 906 years left in Christ's 'thousand year reign'? At what point would they start to notice a problem if nothing happens?
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Appropriate attire for females................?
by Vachi 8 He Is inso i went to pick my aunt up from the diamond lane pick up point on wednesday and i ask her if her witness buddy is going to pick her up.
she says "no i don't want to call her because i'm going home to change and that'll make her late.
" so i chime in "why don't you wear what you have on?
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Mrs. Fiorini
Of course if that story about the man and his cell phone had been told at the kingdom hall and involved a brother, then it would have been clear that it was all Jehovah's doing.
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Germany Drops Attempt to Ban Scientology
by cameo-d inexcerpt from the article: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27843485/.
germany had said it considers scientology to be in conflict with the principles of the nation's constitution, calling it less a church than a business that uses coercion to take advantage of vulnerable people.. a report on extremism last charged that scientology "seeks to limit or rescind basic and human rights, such as the right to develop one's personality and the right to be treated equally.".
the church of scientology has long battled to end the surveillance, saying it is an abuse of freedom of religion, and the u.s. state department regularly criticizes germany for the practice in its annual human rights report.. .
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Mrs. Fiorini
Maybe I should consider joining Scientology. With all this persecution, they must be the 'true' religion!