stuckinarut: We can all take control of our circumstances ... We can make positive new paths for ourselves!
Although control is relative (we can never have total control), you are absolutely right about our ability to make new paths for ourselves, controlling what we can and accepting what we cannot. But we must not passively sit by allowing others to determine our life choices. Thank you so much for your comments!
Bonsai, Thanks for your positive affirmations and remembering my kids are still "stuck in" this cult.
I appreciated you sharing your "decisive moment." Although different than mine, it obviously was just as powerful. I'm glad you've left this destructive cult and are living life on your own terms now!
FayeDunaway, that is a very typical experience: you try and say/share something real and all another person hears is more cult propaganda. Actually, that can be useful if we are ever in a situation where we need to speak to a still indoctrinated JW. We can often word things in a way that are true, but know that they will filter and perceive it according to their JW worldview.
never a jw, I really appreciate your comment about being an educator. I cannot give all the details here because it wouldn't be good for some of my former students, but I have helped more than a couple of high school kids formulate exit plans from this religion. And it was all because I taught them how to think critically and not be afraid to be their own person.
Now if I could only find a way to reach my own children that are still "stuck in" this fucking cult!
JW daughter, thank you also for acknowledging my hard work and personal progress. It means a lot to me!
Olivia Wilde, I had the same thoughts about that paragraph. Images of Jonestown came to my mind.
I didn't say it in the OP, but I went to the Kingdom Hall where my kids attend for that meeting. I wanted to be there when they heard this crap from the platform. I was disgusted at how the congregation gulped down this kool-aid laced message. If there were any dissenters other than myself, they kept their opinions to themselves. Those that commented on the paragraph said things that were truly frightening. It's really scary shit actually.
Let's review: It's a cult!