JWs are broken souls

Introspection

I heard this from a friend of mine once, this is how he described an elder I used to be roommates with. I went to court for jury duty yesterday, and lo and behold there was a witness sitting in front of me, reading the new book on Isaiah or whatever it was - and there I was behind him reading Steven Hassan's Combating Cult Mind Control. (oh the irony - if only I had a pic)

In watching him it occurred to me that he reminds me of my old roommate, he's so timid but not just that, there's a quality of a being a broken shell. I think the best way I can describe it is the look of someone with an empty heart. Do you know what I mean? It's sad, really. It's almost like if you take away their beliefs, they have nothing left. Well, if anyone out there feels this describes them, my question to you is simple: Who has nothing left? It may be a painful experience, but someone is experiencing it right? Get to know yourself, you are in spite of your beliefs.

Sentinel

Hi There,

I enjoyed reading your post. It appears that you are observant of your fellow man, just as I am. I was wondering...if this person who was sitting in front of you was indeed there for "Jury Duty", he was making a statement anyway.

As I recall, JW's were not allowed to serve Jury Duty. It is such a sad thing that JW's have to go through. The torment both "in" and "out"leaves lasting scars in our phyche. It takes concerted effort to move past these issues in life, and become a normal and balanced individual.

Yes, I do believe that the JW influence damages our souls, and prevents true spiritual connecting.

jgnat

Actually, Sentinel, JW's can do jury duty. My honey got a summons last year and asked his elder for direction. He was told to go look it up himself. We did, and found that this is a conscience matter. There was also a disclaimer that the WTS will not provide any legal support or compensation if a Witness is jailed for defying an order for Jury duty.

Sorry, Introspection, for hijacking your thread. I think you are on to something. Having never been a JW, I can only speak as an outsider. Broken soul or injured soul? Their eyes - many of them kind - tell me they are yearning for a completion, a satisfaction, that remains frustratingly out of reach.

Elsewhere

Yeah, that article came out about a month after I dodged jury duty... to be honest, I am one of the few people who actually want to serve.

I was very disappointed.

zanex

intro: I always like yer posts...they really make the wheels start spinnin in my own mind...the idea of "being" in spite of ones religious preference is something that jws are taught to rebut, we ARE the product of the religion that we are/were in, that is what the wtbts wanted from us. When we are ripped of that religion then all that we have in life becomes null and void...it is a hard transition from going from having ones whole life revolve around religious ideas then to have those religious ideas jerked out from under. Losing all of ones friends/family doesnt help either. A lot of times what happens or what happened to me is that big hole that is left from the religous ripping is filled with anger. Having nothing left, I think would almost be safer than having that anger. Course I dont really know.

Sentinel

Hi jgnat,

Thanks for updating me on the Jury Duty stance by the borg. When I was "in", back in '59 until '81, we were advised by our congregation elders that we should not serve. At the same time, we were told it was a matter of conscience, but that a person really trying to stay "free from the world" would NOT take part. Correct me if I'm mistaken here, but I thought one had to be a registered voter in order to serve?? And, of course, JW's don't vote. The only one's who had to worry were those that became active with JW's, after they were registered to vote. Did that "law" change along the way as well? Darn, it's so difficult to keep up with all the groundbreaking "new light".

This just goes to show how screwed up they are, and how they promote their opinions as law, and how that "law" can differ from congregation to congregation depending upon which elder is in charge. My experience was from a very strict "watch behind your back" type of existance. No wonder I never felt like I fit in.

Edited twice, because I'm at work and getting interrupted, even on my lunch time!

Edited by - Sentinel on 23 January 2003 13:46:57

Edited by - Sentinel on 23 January 2003 13:48:42

JamesThomas

there's a quality of a being a broken shell. I think the best way I can describe it is the look of someone with an empty heart. Do you know what I mean?

Yes, Intro, I know what you mean.

I really feel that the core reason for this phenomena is belief in a god who will kill you if you do not love Him. It's impossible to love such a creature, and results in spiritual rape.....an empty heart.

JamesT

blondie

but I thought one had to be a registered voter in order to serve??

Hi Sentinel, because not as many people vote as in the past plus it was not considered a diverse enough selection, the state I live in picks potential jurors from lists of people with driver's licenses. That is why more JWs are facing this issue.

It is considered a conscience issue. I know quite a few JWs that have served on juries and others who will not. But in my area they are cautioned to say it is a personal decision if they refrain not just because they are a JW.

The DO in my area said from the platfrom that there are too many "gray" areas and he was there to fix that. So in the end it just depends on who the brothers in charge are and how they impose their conscience on others.

Blondie

JWs are broken souls

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