hubby gladring and i were having a chat in the car recently.
we got to talking about how america is such a fertile breeding ground for nutjobs and their nutjob "religions" - no offense to any yanks but it is true!.
we were talking about it coz of the upcoming us elections and how all the candidates are professed christians whose religious views and practises are as scrutinised as anything else during their campaign.
Oh goodness no Missinglink! I wasn't even thinking of you guys at all when I said that. Sorry.
We really enjoyed meeting you all and hope we can do it again sometime.
I just meeant the way the laws are over there and all this talk of freedoms seems to make way for these crazy sects and cults that would find it very difficult to exist in other countries.
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?.
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?.
Did you ever watch that clip on you tube? I can't remember the exact title but an elder kept calling this guy asking to meet with him. Basic idea is to ask if its formal or informal. If its informal, then meet at the pub, no suits, no second elder (ie coroberating witness), no problem. If its formal, is it a JC meeting?
If they press, just say that you'll meet but you'll be recording the meeting, will have legal counsel present and need to know what the accusations are so you can prepare a defense. Chances are they won't agree to these terms and will let you alone. I might be getting it a little muddled up but go to youtube and have a look for the clip. Its called "phonecall with an elder" or something like that.
Hubby has had a couple of calls from the elders since he left but i've heard nothing from any of those loving shepherds or should I say sexist bastards!
...and breathe...
reading steve hassan's books has brought to mind the many ways jehovah's witnesses use fear and guilt catch phrases to keep the rank and file members from leaving the cult and gaining their freedom.
see if you recognize some of these and if they produce fear or guilt.
" you have to keep up with the latest truths or you'll be left behind if you don't keep up with jehovah's organization and new light .
Me again! Just thought of some more.
"love for jehovah will move us to do out utmost in his precious ministry"
If you aren't feeling tired, stressed and worn out then you aren't doing enough and you don't love god very much. ie do more, do more DO MORE!!! - Major guilt trip coupled with a lowering of self-esteem which makes one more likely to stay in an abusive relationship/religion.
Any personality flaw can be fixed thru prayer and a couple of old WT articles. And if not, then you don't have enough faith or aren't praying hard enough. - Again guilt and self--loathing too
reading steve hassan's books has brought to mind the many ways jehovah's witnesses use fear and guilt catch phrases to keep the rank and file members from leaving the cult and gaining their freedom.
see if you recognize some of these and if they produce fear or guilt.
" you have to keep up with the latest truths or you'll be left behind if you don't keep up with jehovah's organization and new light .
"Stay within the fold"
"The world outside"
"Satan's wicked world"
"The spirit of the world"
All of the above have the notion of this nice warm comforting place with people who love you vs a cold, evil short-lived world where everyone is selfish, greedy, immoral and about to die. What a warped and excessively negative view they have of this place we all call home!
Hubby Gladring and I met a witness couple over the weekend. They were special pioneers for many years but have settled and had 3 kids, all now teenagers. Gladring said to me after, did you notice how everything they said about the kids and their life in general seemed like such a chore? They believe that this life is a temporary struggle that has to be endured til the next, better one comes along. So there is little if any enjoyment in their lives. How sad for them and their kids!
There are loads more phrases but i can't think of any off-hand. I'll post them later if i can think of any.
Interesting thread.
see "two jehovah's witnesses 'murdered 13 people on mission from god to cleanse world of sinners.
' ".
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1061766/two-jehovahs-witnesses-murdered-13-people-mission-god-cleanse-world-sinners.html.
Sad and sick.
hubby gladring and i were having a chat in the car recently.
we got to talking about how america is such a fertile breeding ground for nutjobs and their nutjob "religions" - no offense to any yanks but it is true!.
we were talking about it coz of the upcoming us elections and how all the candidates are professed christians whose religious views and practises are as scrutinised as anything else during their campaign.
Hubby Gladring and I were having a chat in the car recently. We got to talking about how America is such a fertile breeding ground for nutjobs and their nutjob "religions" - no offense to any yanks but it is true!
We were talking about it coz of the upcoming US elections and how all the candidates are professed christians whose religious views and practises are as scrutinised as anything else during their campaign. They are obviously trying to appeal to like-minded religious people who will be voting. So why is there no atheist candidate?
America is a very religious country really despite its appearance as a very secular/materialistic place. It makes freedom a big deal and selling point and yet its laws seem to allow very controlling sects and cults have more rights than their members or should i say victims. Which finally brings me to the subject in hand....
I think the GB vote. Them and maybe some top level elders who are kept quiet about it. I mean look how ideal the place is for their business-diguised-as-a-religion! They need to keep things in that vein to be able to function and prosper. So maybe they vote, supporting those who are most likely to make laws that will favour them.
comments you will not hear at the 09-14-08 wt study (july 15, 2008, pages 7-11) (challenges).
review comments will be in red.
wt material from today's wt will be in black.
What did you say for your comment?
not sure if so many are still on here, i am feeling kinda lost.
anyway, saturday came and went and tuesday came and went and no judicial meeting with me.
the elders just sort of avoided me and didn't let me comment at the wt.
Hi Bonafide,
I've been following your story with interest. It sucks that you are getting treated this way in spite of a complete lack of evidence for any wrong-doing.
Keep talking to your parents. Don't make it easy for them to forget about you. JW "friends" are the shallowest you'll ever come across. Find ways to meet and make new friends. Take up a new hobby or interest and just get on with moving on!
At least you've got a girlfriend. So that's one positive area.
At this stage, if I were you, I don't think I'd meet with any more elders. Its clear what the outcome of any future meeting would be (you DFed) so don't give them that power over you.
Just my tuppence!
i just finished his book "combatting cult mind control", and was very inspired.
he is the world's premiere "exit counselor", or someone who helps others get out of destructive groups.
his web site here:.
Hi Happysunshine,
I'm in the exact same situation. I think the book is great but its hard to apply it to the situation you describe. One thing I'm trying to do is to keep a real warm friendship with my family that's still in. I made the mistake early on of getting in to the subjects of UN, wrong dates, dishonest quotes etc and it ended up almost getting heated which in turn cements their beliefs even more.
If you read the bit in the book about mini interventions that might be useful. Try to get the person to see value in thinking for themselves.
Let me know how it goes for you. I might be able to learn from what you do too.
