Awakening of a JW/new book/Wilson,Bergman

by Tina 12 Replies latest jw friends

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  Tina

  Greetings all

  Just received the new Prometheus Books catalog.
  ' Awakening of a Jehovah's Witness-Escape from the Watchtower Society Diane Wilson, Forward and Appendix by Jerry Bergman,Ph.D'
  The catalog gave it some major space.
  I'll convey the blurb as written.

  'This tale of mind control,the use of fear to manipulate vulnerable people,and final escape from a suffocating cult enviornment is a revealing expose of a secretive contemporary sect,as well as a true psychological thriller. Diane Wilson spent 25 precious years of her life,first becoming indoctrinated by the dogma of the Watchtower Society,and then struggling to free herself from it's pervasive,intimidating clutches.
  What she reveals about the goings on within the closed Watchtower Society will shock the average person who assumes the polite,well-dressed people who pass out leaflets are much like any other conservative religious group. Wilson contends that membership in the Jehovah's Witnesses requires obedience bordering on psychological enslavement and the complete suppression of individuality. Her engrossing memoir will be of great interest to former Witnesses,students of cult phenomena,and anyone who has ever had contact with jehovah's Witnesses...
  Catalog says not available till January.
  Just thought I'd pass this along.
  Tina

  Jehovahs Witnesses,Proudly Serving Their Corporate Masters!
• 

  TR

  I've seen some on this board question Bergman's objectivity when writing about JW's and the WTS, but I'll look forward to this new book.

  thanks, Tina

  TR

  The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.
  —Edmund Burke
• 

  Tina

  ((((((tr))))))))
  yw! Well being Wilsons story,Im gonna give it a go too. As she has written it. I'm interested in a womans view/experience/perspective in the org.
  Yes,I've seen that about Bergman as well. Since he only did the forward and appendix,hope fully that's the only part of the story he was involved with.Guess we'll see.
  Also at least this is getting out to the general public,which is great! luv,T

  Jehovahs Witnesses,Proudly Serving Their Corporate Masters!
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  Fredhall

  It sounds like Diane Wilson still have mental problems.
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  Joseph Joachim

  This tale of mind control,the use of fear to manipulate vulnerable people,and final escape from a suffocating cult enviornment is a revealing expose of a secretive contemporary sect,as well as a true psychological thriller.

  It sounds like a new "30 years a Watchtower slave" forthcoming. We'll have to wait and see but I'm afraid this will be the tipical I'm-a-resented-apostate type of book. Paul Kurtz's lapsuses are rare but have happened in the past (like publishing a book by one of those "Primal Scream" crackpot theorists).

  JJ
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  larc

  tina,

  Have you read Barbara Grizzuti Harrison's book, Visions of Glory. She is a very good writer, and expresses a womon's point of view very well.

  Joseph,

  I recently started a thread regarding Schnell's book. I would be interested in your comments on my thread.

  Folks,

  I think Bergman's book on the JWs and Mental Illness is weak, and disagree with him on one major premis and conclusions. With that said, his book though a bit sensational and not totally objective, did serve a useful purpose. To see further opinions read the preface to his book. I wrote it.
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  waiting

  To see further opinions read the preface to his book. I wrote it.

  Well, daaayum, larc. How will we know it's you?

  As for Barbara Grizzuti Harrison's book - I enjoyed it a lot. To read about another woman's viewpoint of growing up, then being an adult in the WTBTS, was quite interesting. Her interaction with her mother over men (including her father) was well worth noting.

  waiting
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  Tina

  Hi larc,
  I have wanted to read it for a while now. Not having an easy time finding it. Last couple places told me it was still out of print. . Same with the Schnell book,but Farkel was kind enough to loan that one to me a while back(thanks again Fark) hugs,T

  Jehovahs Witnesses,Proudly Serving Their Corporate Masters!
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  larc

  Waiting,

  In Bergman's book, my name appears at the end of the preface.

  Tina,

  I don't have Harrison's book, but my local library does. Perhaps, you could get the book through inter-library loan.
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  waiting

  Howdy larc,

  I assumed you would sign your real name - and not the name we know you by - Larc.

  Therefore, I could say I wrote it and signed my real name....whatever name is at the end of the preface. Of course, assuming it's a man's name, that wouldn't work for me, now would it?

  How did it come about that you wrote the preface for Bergman's book, especially if you don't wholly agree with him?

  waiting