Tenyearsafter wrote:
Has anyone else been seeing an up-tick in these "prodigal son" appeals from JW friends and family?
Can’t say that I have noticed such a phenomenon. My PO brother is the only one who calls, perhaps once a year. But only on official family business. There is no religious discussion. My family is obeying the “disfellowship order” a term used in the Watchtower. Regarding association with disfellowshipped ones, "Satan's influence…will be to cause the other…members of the family to…join…his course…To do this would be disastrous, and so the faithful family member must recognize and conform to the disfellowship order."—Watchtower 1952 Nov. 15, p. 703.
Highlander wrote:
The memorial season, along with current events such as the recent earthquake and unrest in the middle east may be causing some to put in more effort to get us heathens to return to the flock.
Indeed I would hope the recent events make us think. But because I think, I also know the jws don’t have the answers. Change is imminent, but events won’t occur as the jws figure. A world full of jws…? I shudder to think of such an inconceivable possibility. A belief steeped in fear, hate and bigotry will never --- could never --- result in paradise.
Igot2beme wrote:
I have the same sister that comes by on a regular basis (one time a week).
Do you suppose she is counting time? I know that when my PO-brother calls, he is counting time.
Quendi wrote:
One of my close friends who is a JW has been employing the "full court press" with me to persuade me to get reinstated. I've been disfellowshipped for more than five years and told him a year ago that I would cease any and all efforts to return. But it has only been in the last three months or so that he began urging me to return to meetings and particularly to attend next Sunday's Memorial "celebration". He has cited the urgency of our times and how the organization is making an effort to get "lost ones" to return. I am very touched by his love and concern, but my resolve to stay the hell away is firmer than ever.
Like you, the more time goes by, the stronger I feel about keeping my resolve to stay clear of the cult of dubdom. I see this religion as a very sick, destructive, power-hungry and controlling cult. I wish my family would open their eyes and peer through the cracks, which are ever-widening.
Wasblind wrote:
It's a shame to go through life that way, even Jesus said do not get terrified. It would be somethin' If God where to say: all those who didn't enjoy the first gift I gave you, won't get another one wouldn't that be somethin?????? Just the fact that we are alive now is truly a gift. But I'm glad God wouldn't put a stipulation like that on us , cause some people can't help the situations they are in now
I agree wholeheartedly with your comments. I know from personal experience how the JW religion instills in its members such fear. The Bible says Jehovah is “fear-inspiring.” If I didn’t purge such terror-filled beliefs upon leaving, I would have surely self-destructed. Furthermore, any god who would want his/her followers to be fearful is a sadistic being not worthy of worship. Jesus clearly did not want his followers to feel fearful. It has become clear to me that Jesus is loving and does not carry the same “energy” as Jehovah by any stretch of the imagination.
Reopened Mind wrote:
I agree with Outlaw, you're probably on someone's radar. It also could be that more are auxiliary pioneering this month because of the reduced hour requirements (only 30).They need something to do to ease their conscience that they are actually accomplishing the preaching work. So they put you on their radar.
I agree with Outlaw, too. It helped that I moved to another province to get away from the JWs. When someone calls on me now, it is someone who does not know me from Adam trying to sell me magazines.
Reopened Mind also wrote:
Have any of the prophecies of the WT come true in their 130 year history? Why would you believe them now?
NO! All their new light sounds very much like regurgitated “old light.”
LV101 wrote:
it's a business/membership drive --- perhaps the funds are low w/the economy and they need bodies for dollars. of course the brainwashed members are spouting off the scare tactics to get their friends/loved ones back but the good ole boys at the top can't scream out for more moolah so it's thusly cloaked in fear tactics.
Book publishing is taking a hit these days. Funds are always low when conduct defined as “misappropriation of funds” occurs, described in a former thread posted by Farkel at http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/jw/friends/13068/1/Walter-Salters-Letter-4-Newbies. This article speaks of the past president Rutherford. Naturally, Salter was quickly discredited and disfellowshipped by the powers that be as described in this thread http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/watchtower/beliefs/149159/1/The-disfellowshipping-of-Walter-Salter posted by onacruse.
The New York Times reporters who write flattering articles about the JW activity can’t come cheap, either. I know enough about PR to know the jws hire reporters to do just that. The article I refer to is found at http://nyrm.org/2010/05/13/the-most-widely-read-magazine-in-the-world/
Just my 2 cents.
satinka
