Murray Smith

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Posts by Murray Smith

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  40

  Who converts and Why? SURVEY - Please contribute

  by Murray Smith in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i've read some random articles of late and have found a recurring factor which could well be answered effectively by many of the posters here.

  basically the notion relates to what makes one vulnerable to indoctrination into a high-control religious cult and goes lke this .

  while most, if not all humans seek group approval and association to some degree .

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  Murray Smith

  Thanks Heaven . . . all accounts are welcome and helpful . . . I'd be interested if you know how old your Grandfather was when he converted and anything regarding his youth/young adult period and parental experience (if you know that is)? Thanks again

  Thanks also Curtains . . . it's hard to define the absence of parenting factors but they aren't always obvious 'poor parenting' . . . more an absence of 'controls' on the strength of which young adults and adolescents in particular form thier own determinations and individuality. Often this absence may only be seen as a distant relationship between family members.

  Thank you one and all . . . I need it all.
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  27

  NZ Earthquake Update

  by Murray Smith in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  update from chch nz just in case anyone out there is interested .

  we're still gettin kicked up the ass down here by some punchy aftershocks .

  still coming at about 1 every 90 mins.

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  Murray Smith

  Hi BP . . . I'm in NI at present as my son had to get out for his health . . . going back to family next week . . . March 18-20 high risk period as moon closest to Earth in 20 yrs . . . but you know I'll keep you posted!

  If you go to the site . . . try 'earthquakes' - 'quake drums' - 'Mcqueens Valley' (CHCH) . . . gives last 24 hrs of seismometer readings line by line.

  Also, 'recent quakes' - then scroll down and pick out a 4+ mag quake - click bottom line - 'shaking maps' . . . gives all public reports on that quake . . . if such interests you that is.

  Luvonyall
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  27

  NZ Earthquake Update

  by Murray Smith in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  update from chch nz just in case anyone out there is interested .

  we're still gettin kicked up the ass down here by some punchy aftershocks .

  still coming at about 1 every 90 mins.

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  Murray Smith

  Hey All . . . thought I'd chuck in a graphic of aftershocks for last two months here in CHCH NZ

  Bear in mind these have been going on for more like 7 months all up . . . . but then you wouldn't see the map if I put them all up

  

  The brightly colored ones on top are todays

  If your interested in geology of Earthquakes go to www.geonet.co.nz and surf around . . . quite interesting
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  40

  Who converts and Why? SURVEY - Please contribute

  by Murray Smith in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i've read some random articles of late and have found a recurring factor which could well be answered effectively by many of the posters here.

  basically the notion relates to what makes one vulnerable to indoctrination into a high-control religious cult and goes lke this .

  while most, if not all humans seek group approval and association to some degree .

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  Murray Smith

  The observations you made ZID? . . . in my opinion are right on the mark re; the WT taking advantage of slowed onset of individuality. I agree with that, and so does much of the material I read, and that the control soon moves well beyond the initial need of the individual.

  In fact, the next stage of conversion . . . the intense indoctrination process is where most of any psychological damage inflicted is done, according to some research. The stripping away of any individuality that HAS been achieved to this point, causes permenent mental illness in a great many which may surface many years later.

  I'm particularly interested in early adult development including the developmental factors which signal vulnerability . . . a rounded understanding of this is vital to my mind, in developing any sort of "unpicking' strategy . . . to take the individual back to that period mentally . . . sort of like finding where the path 'diverted' and so provide a possible opportunity (hope that makes sense).

  Which is why I need an abundance of research material . . . . more . . . . PLEASE
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  19

  Keeping JW's as Friends - Healthy? - New Awake Article

  by GOrwell in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  kidding about that awake article title - i know it sounds like the title of an awake article, please forgive me :).

  but seriously, do you think it's healthy to maintain friendships with people who are jehovah's witnesses?

  when is it time to "move on," even if they don't seem to want to?.

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  Murray Smith

  I'm with most of the above . . . at first I wanted to dissociate then thought to "dissociate" is a purely JW idea. I don't want to dissociate with anybody on those terms and give them support in attaching thier 'labels' by giving myself one.

  I still maintain a mixture of JW, non-JW and XJW friends and treat them all the same . . . to do anything else means the cults ideas still have a hold on me . . . but they don't anymore . . . come to think of it . . . I'm at the moment staying with an X-brother (because of the NZ Earthquake) whose Wife is still a baptised Witness.

  Just to add to the mix . . . a JW 'preacher' wandered up the path yesterday and we talked about Geology and seismology (which I have a degree in and he knew sweet FA) . . . talked for over half hour with not a bible or mag to be seen . . . nice chat
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  29

  The elders are asking around about me since I faded - they just put this up on the information board at the hall

  by just n from bethel in

  1. jw
  2. friends

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  Murray Smith

  Holy joke funeral Batman! . . . someone cracks a weak joke and North America pisses it's pants . . . far too "cult"ivated for me!
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  4

  BIGMOUTH . . . you got mail

  by Murray Smith in

  1. jw
  2. friends
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  Murray Smith

  Sorry mouthy . . . no it wasn't you but hello anyway . . . your not scary as long as your in Canada and I'm in NZ
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  40

  Who converts and Why? SURVEY - Please contribute

  by Murray Smith in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i've read some random articles of late and have found a recurring factor which could well be answered effectively by many of the posters here.

  basically the notion relates to what makes one vulnerable to indoctrination into a high-control religious cult and goes lke this .

  while most, if not all humans seek group approval and association to some degree .

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  Murray Smith

  I feel absolutely priviliged to have OUTLAW on this thread (pffft)

  Humor has to be welcome anywhere . . . remember though the focus is on the absence of parenting factors and it's significance . . . personal experience is revealing heaps to date . . . be great to keep it coming.

  AA . . . BotR . . . Ziddina . . . thanks for great posts

  Lv101 . . . wasblind . . . anything relating to observations re parenting factors contributing (in your pre-conversion)?

  Ideally I could do with a lot more personal experiences/ observations . . . I intend to use it productively.

  C'mon OUTLAW . . . there must be some absence of parenting factors in your case . . . surely
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  41

  CO was asking for money in his talk last night

  by life is to short in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  ok i listened in on the phone last night to the co's talk after the book study.

  i am truly starting to realize that otwo is right and it is just making me more depressed and mad.

  but my husband still goes and it is helpful to be able to bring things up with him.. so i was half listening when he starts to go on about where the money goes that we put into the world wide work box at the back of the hall.. i started to tune in more and he was going on and on about how the ones in the full time service do not have any money and how what we give is what keeps them going and how we need to give.

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  Murray Smith

  " Watchtower 1975 Feb 1 p.92 par. 21
  The happiest people on earth are Jehovah?s people and they are chiefly among the poor ................... "

  WRONG on the first claim . . . no argument with the second . . . and we all know why!
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  40

  Who converts and Why? SURVEY - Please contribute

  by Murray Smith in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i've read some random articles of late and have found a recurring factor which could well be answered effectively by many of the posters here.

  basically the notion relates to what makes one vulnerable to indoctrination into a high-control religious cult and goes lke this .

  while most, if not all humans seek group approval and association to some degree .

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Murray Smith

  Hey . . . a hearty thanks to you who have contributed thus far.

  I would emphasise this however . . . this thread is not about attributing blame . . . the absence of parenting factors have many reasons most of which cannot be fairly laid solely at the feet of parents.

  Additionally, there are other factors beyond the scope of parenting factors which also contribute heavily to the vulnerability to conversion.

  I believe however, that understanding fully just how these factors contribute can greatly assist in understanding the conversion process for the ultimate purpose of helping those adversly affected by this very dangerous cult.

  Please continue to offer your experience/opinion . . . personal details will be treated with utmost discretion outside of this discussion

  Thanks again.

  Luvonyall