Weird title I know…let me explain. So the other day JWs knock the door, normally don't answer, but did this time. Told them "I'm not interested in buying your product." This kind of threw them and denied selling anything and asked "what product?".
So I tell them, best as I recall…"well the harshest truth any human will ever face is the fact of their own mortality. Religious doctrines attempt to answer all those questions, by replacing death with the hope of a second life. In your case you're selling 'you can live forever'. This is the carrot that attracts the weak, who want a convenient answer to everything.
Once emotionally hooked, then the bait and switch. The control tightens on their life choices, and they are convinced to give money and basically their lives.
Basically you're selling brain software, a program of mind control with an embedded virus that takes over the host once your ideology software is installed. The host is then under full control of your leaders, the virus propogates itself further by attempting to infect other minds."
Think they were so stunned by this, or confused likely, they just kept saying "we just want people to know God and have a relationship with him."
Reply…"that's what you are TOLD you are doing. Its a business and you are being lead to drum up new business. They always want your money. So no thanks…I'm absolutely NOT interested in the product you are selling."
That was pretty much it. After mumbling a few cliches they walked away thinking I was nuts but perhaps they might think about more. It was fun regardless.
unshackled
JoinedPosts by unshackled
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JWs are selling brain software with a trojan horse virus
by unshackled inweird title i know...let me explain.
so the other day jws knock the door, normally don't answer, but did this time.
told them "i'm not interested in buying your product.
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unshackled
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When jw's tell you how evil the world has become
by carla inask them if they are aware of stories like these?
good news does not make the news.
it doesn't sell.
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unshackled
The saying in the newspaper industry has always been "if it bleeds, it leads". The entire media is the same...sensationalized negativity. We are all exposed to it.
That said, part of keeping a control group together is to have them consider themselves "elite" and have the "us vs them" mentality. Along with that, being a martyr and suffering persecution is a badge of honor for JWs. Seeing the world in such a negative way feeds their feelings of martyrdom. There's pride in being persecuted, whether real or not. My parents are a perfect example of this..they are miserable people who think they are being tortured by this "system of things" and their lives are so difficult.
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What Stupid Things Would You Do Or Not Do That Were "Conscience Matters"?
by minimus ini remember i couldn't get involved with any christmas songs while in school but i could sing "let it snow let it snow let it snow" because technically it wasn't a real "christmas" song.. looking back, what silly things did you allow or not allow on the grounds of "conscience"?.
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unshackled
When I was young I recall a few things my parents wouldn't allow because it was "wordly"...
- No watching Happy Days - those teens have girlfriends and they show kissing
- No watching Three's Company - 2 women and a man living together is sinful
- Grade 4...doing aerobics to Physical by Olivia Newton John in gym class...remember skipping out because my parents told me it was a bad song
- Won Michael Jackson's Thriller in a science fair. Had to trade with another kid for....Hall & Oates greatest hits! Ugh. -
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Are JWs just innocent victims or accountable for their actions/choices?
by unshackled ini've been wrestling with this question for a while now.
seems everyone on here either has family that are still jws, or at least what were good friends.
i'm focusing mainly on our jw family members.. .
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unshackled
Thanks for sharing Life is Too Short. It must be a tough situation. I find it difficult even though I live far away from family. In the same household would be another thing altogether.
I wonder if your name is good advice for this thread? Life is too short. Sometimes I want to rattle the cage, but is it worth it? Good luck and peace to you.
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Do You Think You'll Grow Old and Die?
by leavingwt indo you think you'll grow old and die?
or, do you think your life will be cut short by a worldwide apocalyptic event (put in motion by man or god)?.
disclosure: i'm definitely not apocalyptic and i do not live in expectation of any worldwide event that will cut my life short.. .
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unshackled
Think I'm going to die of natural causes. But also think humans are more than capable of screwing things up royally in the next 50 or 60 years before my death.
It won't be a biblical apocalyptic event because that is just fiction. But still don't have huge trust in humankind. Right now, capitalism runs this planet and we're seeing capitalism isn't sustainable. Will greed continue to win out?
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Are JWs just innocent victims or accountable for their actions/choices?
by unshackled ini've been wrestling with this question for a while now.
seems everyone on here either has family that are still jws, or at least what were good friends.
i'm focusing mainly on our jw family members.. .
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unshackled
Yes...I think I've come to terms with it being a little of both - victim and accountable.
There's been very little communication over the past 3-5 years between myself and my JW family members. I'm know they chock it up to "oh he's so lost and an hurtful child to his parents". Ironic though as I've been the only one to make any attempts in the past 8 years or so.
So not sure if I just keep it this way and avoid contact, this would be easy as it is the status quo. OR get in touch and let them know exactly how I feel about the Org and religion in general, in turn severing all ties for good.
What bugs me is the non-JW family members still in contact simply ignore that they are treated like crap. Ignore that one of our sisters is DF'd and thrown under the bus by the family. I want to stand up to it and speak out against. But to what end? Has anyone else taken this route?
Just wondering how everyone else balances these things in any attempted relationships with their JW families...
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Are JWs just innocent victims or accountable for their actions/choices?
by unshackled ini've been wrestling with this question for a while now.
seems everyone on here either has family that are still jws, or at least what were good friends.
i'm focusing mainly on our jw family members.. .
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unshackled
I've been wrestling with this question for a while now. Seems everyone on here either has family that are still JWs, or at least what were good friends. I'm focusing mainly on our JW family members.
My large family is pretty much split down the middle…half the siblings have left, parents and other half are in. Some of my siblings that are out choose to be overly apologetic for our parents stance. They don't hold them accountable for their actions. They just feel sorry for them, which I do too. But also feel they are accountable because we all have been treated like garbage. This is a CHOICE they have made, not us.
I specifically think of my father who is what I would call a Fundamentalist JW. Why did this seemingly intelligent man lead our family into this destructive cult? Is he really that naive? I struggle with some bitterness and anger about that.
So when it comes to the shunning JWs do, the cutting off of DF'd loved ones, and even the willingness to let their loved ones die because of the blood issue. Are these actions not willing actions? Again, they do have a choice.
Every one of us in here recognized a voice inside of us that something was wrong, and we eventually took action to leave. I'd say that credit lies in good character….what does that say about the ones that stay in?
Now this isn't an equal comparison, but consider Nazi soldiers. Sure they were brainwashed with propaganda or forced to go along, but ultimately they could have chosen differently. They didn't have to assist in the death of millions and millions of innocent people. You wouldn't feel sorry for such a nazi as an innocent victim. Being a JW is a watered down version of the same herd mentality.
By extension, what do you think when they knock on your door? Just an innocent sheeple not knowing any better? OR, imagine the gull of these people, the ego it takes to knock on a door and tell someone "you're not living your life like me, you're going to die." Doesn't that take a certain amount of being an asshole to do that? Does the elite status play upon the ego so as they enjoy feeling superior, therefore, enjoy telling people such things? I just remember hating it…all the time.
So I'd like to know how others have dealt with these feelings. Are JWs completely innocent victims we should apologize for or should they be held accountable for the ugly actions they take up? Or somewhere in between?Hope this makes sense...I just kinda hammered it out. Your thoughts would be much appreciated.
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New to Site
by d ini am new here i have posted only a couple of times.i still an nervous though.
i left the witness in 2008 and am still struggling with my belief syestem .although i am now reading richard dawkins the god delusion which by the way is a really good book i am already in chapter 2.so here i am new and unsure, if i should be on this site or not..
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unshackled
Welcome d. I just joined a few months ago myself and the sharing of similar experiences, thoughts and feelings on this site is very therapeutic.
It took me a few years to come to grips with my questioning the bible god. Reading the God Delusion was an epiphany for me....realized I had those thoughts for many many years.
Welcome again, enjoy the site and liberating your mind!
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What did (do) u want to be when u grew up?
by Sayswho ini was born in the mid 1950's and raised as a jw so i did not need to consider or worry about this...why?...because it was instilled into me that i would never have to worry about being old enough to be anything in this "old system of things".. as the years went by:.
1970-something...out of school...no "new system"no need for more training, just a few years left... no "new system"got a job, married,... no "new system""waking up" 50+ years later...still no "new system"this was the mind set of so many raised as jw's, and we are now finding ourselves trying to adjust our lives to weather the years that we have left...in order to make the best of them.. please... if you are still an active jw (or not) get an a good education so you can support yourself and prepare for retirement, and don't be afraid to talk to others about how to do this so you can make an informed decision on what is best for you.so what did (do) you want to be when you grow up?
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unshackled
All I knew was that I was going to build a house in the new system and have a stream running through it. That was the extent of my future "planning". In the late 80s, still in grade school, I figured I'd never even graduate before the "end" came. Funny and pathetic at the same time.
Now in my late thirties, I'm trying to figure out how to start a real career. Oh what could've been....
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How many of you have had these in your congregation?
by bottleofwater inbrother smart: the serious brother who thinks that he is an intellectual and believes he is "smart"sister armageddon: the sister who says "armageddon!!!
" after any little thing in the newschase: the little boy who is always running around and crawling under the seats no matter what the parents sayjohnny: the little boy who keeps on leaving his snot on the sides of the bathroom stallbrother squeaky: the one in charge of cleaning who tells everyone what to do, but just stands there and conversessister coquette: the congregation slut... or as close to a slut as she can get... flirting with every brother... oh yeah and she was raised in the "truth"brother borrow: the brother who owes everyone money... and still asks to borrow from othersgreg: the boy or girl whose parents are so restrictive that the kid can't watch anything higher than g-rated moviesstormy: the teenage boy or girl who you could bet does stuff behind the scenes, so to speaki'm just speaking from past memories.
not in all of this anymore.
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unshackled
Brother Self-Righteous: Is always looking for chances to speak up and question your choices... "you really shouldn't listen to that music".
Sister Gossip: actually, from my experience, sister gossip was the rule not the exception
Guy Smiley: the young go-getter brother that is everything to everyone. Golden locks, pioneers, helps the elderly, clearly high on himself, loves the attention