hi from new south wales australia.
fyi , it's tuesday 10th september 2:36am here.. i am categorically not going to blame the cult for every poor choice.
i am conscious of the fact that i was at a genetically determined disadvantage academically; i was never going to be outstanding in my achievements, no matter how hard i tried.
Hi LongHairGal,
My feelings about the cult are reflected in your words and yes, there are so many variables that can determine or influence how an individual is affected.
It is indeed a "crapshoot".
I, in no way wanted to imply that you were any less impacted because you weren't raised or born-in to the cult, so I somewhat regret the wording of my topic title. I want to be inclusive and hope you feel that.
With care and love,
RayoFlight2014.
hi from new south wales australia.
fyi , it's tuesday 10th september 2:36am here.. i am categorically not going to blame the cult for every poor choice.
i am conscious of the fact that i was at a genetically determined disadvantage academically; i was never going to be outstanding in my achievements, no matter how hard i tried.
Hi Blondie,
I, for one did not take what you have said as being oppressive or overbearing.
I take what you say as sage advice; a valuable opinion that is instructive and coming from an a wealth of experience.
Very interesting to see how similar and yet how vastly different each of us have experienced a life influenced by watchtower.
Yes we certainly need to go gently with our friends who are still in. I know how TTATT affected me after 23 years of hardly giving it a thought. It was like BOOM ...omg.
With love also, RayoFlight2014.
hi from new south wales australia.
fyi , it's tuesday 10th september 2:36am here.. i am categorically not going to blame the cult for every poor choice.
i am conscious of the fact that i was at a genetically determined disadvantage academically; i was never going to be outstanding in my achievements, no matter how hard i tried.
Fink,
Given the variation in academic and intellectual ability of those who stay and those who leave, it is my opinion that it has nothing to do with a person's intellect.
It has more to do with circumstantial motivators, triggers and the mechanism behind it all...emotions and the appeal to emotion.
Reverse engineering the game play should show how an individual progressed and why, and I think a deeper understanding of the individual is key.
Some people after leaving still feel a need for tradition, mythology and beliief in a god, so I can't agree that coming to a realization the bibble is wrong would be the most probable cause.
hi from new south wales australia.
fyi , it's tuesday 10th september 2:36am here.. i am categorically not going to blame the cult for every poor choice.
i am conscious of the fact that i was at a genetically determined disadvantage academically; i was never going to be outstanding in my achievements, no matter how hard i tried.
Hi there Vidiot,
Growing up, I certainly didn't feel like a whole person.
The reason for that should not be placed wholly on watchtower.
With introspection I can see that I was a misfit because of who I was then and am even now; Shy and socially awkward.
The reason why the JW community didn't embrace me as their own and the reason why not only students but teachers also bullied and mocked me was because they didn't understand me...and in my naturally introverted state, how could they?
The fact that I was born and brought up a Jehovah's witness didn't help get me out of my shell. It wasn't a good thing for my personality type.
It was my observation that other folk did well being jw's but that was on them; they knew how to play the fit in and feel whole game.
after all these years, it seems to me that people do not properly take note of what happened on this date in 2001. for some, it’s like nothing major happened.
for me it is a day of reflection..
Yes Smiddy3, I saw those programs too and recorded them to dvr. The next generation (my daughter) will be educated about this when appropriately old enough to be exposed to such horror.
hi from new south wales australia.
fyi , it's tuesday 10th september 2:36am here.. i am categorically not going to blame the cult for every poor choice.
i am conscious of the fact that i was at a genetically determined disadvantage academically; i was never going to be outstanding in my achievements, no matter how hard i tried.
Blondie, Fink and Simon,
It would appear any help we offer would be based on their level of receptivity.
And the information would need to be tailored to the individual, so building a rapport would be necessary.
And I've heard it stated somewhere before that nobody likes a rude awakening, rather, we should be ready with a hot cuppa when we hear them stir from their slumber.
hi from new south wales australia.
fyi , it's tuesday 10th september 2:36am here.. i am categorically not going to blame the cult for every poor choice.
i am conscious of the fact that i was at a genetically determined disadvantage academically; i was never going to be outstanding in my achievements, no matter how hard i tried.
People rarely wake up because of facts and logic, just as they rarely become witnesses because it makes sense.
I was thinking that the "Right Hearted Ones" were attracted to the witnesses because they provided a watchtower version of "facts and logic" and that made "sense" to them.
Hence if they could be reasoned into it surely they could be reasoned out of the cult.
I'm probably wrong, perhaps I've even talked myself out of it as I'm thinking it through... But there it is.
Unless and until something happens to shake their world and personally impact them and show them that the WTS world isn't the loving paradise they believe, it's hard to wake people up.
And I guess the question should be asked....should we wake them?
Especially if their mental stability is reliant on the illusion and the hopes that false promise provides.
Also, I think we make a mistake blaming the WTS for so much.
Agreed, it does nothing to help if we enable them to excuse their inhumane behavior by giving them opportunity to say "watchtower ordered me to do it".
hi from new south wales australia.
fyi , it's tuesday 10th september 2:36am here.. i am categorically not going to blame the cult for every poor choice.
i am conscious of the fact that i was at a genetically determined disadvantage academically; i was never going to be outstanding in my achievements, no matter how hard i tried.
Thank you my friends for your insightful (spelt it correctly this time) replies, I'm a bit time poor this morning so I'll have to wait until after work to reply.
I just want you all to know that your words are not wasted on me. I'm listening and contemplating.
Cheers,
Regards, RayoFlight2014.
hi from new south wales australia.
fyi , it's tuesday 10th september 2:36am here.. i am categorically not going to blame the cult for every poor choice.
i am conscious of the fact that i was at a genetically determined disadvantage academically; i was never going to be outstanding in my achievements, no matter how hard i tried.
Fink,
What, in your opinion do you think the average person like myself could do to help counter the religious control over not only our loved ones but anyone we have empathy for?
I know sometimes gentle mockery can make people think.
And I appreciate there's no silver bullet but surely we can chip away with something sincere and kindly.
hi from new south wales australia.
fyi , it's tuesday 10th september 2:36am here.. i am categorically not going to blame the cult for every poor choice.
i am conscious of the fact that i was at a genetically determined disadvantage academically; i was never going to be outstanding in my achievements, no matter how hard i tried.
Hi Blondie,
You are another who is a wealth of information.
Your commentary is a valuable asset here.
Your honesty is endearing and I value your opinion.
Even though my parents were and are both witnesses, we were still affected by the congregation cliques; weren't quite good enough for the KH crowd either.
There were some JW kids at my school too and you would think we would be in close association but...nope.
Hugs to you for your past negative experience, but I can see you've come out the other side all the more wiser.
