What happens to...

by teejay 8 Replies latest jw friends

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  teejay

  What happens to...

  • the Black person who has a serious difference of opinion with the NAACP;
  • the life-long Democrat / Republican who, in good conscience, cannot support their party's candidate;
  • the KKK member who was raised by racist family members and friends to hate when they find conclusive evidence that they had been told untruths by people who love them;
  • the staunch Christian who still loves the Lord and His Holy Word when they find serious discrepancies in their church or religion;
  • the Saudi, Iraqi, or Egyptian Muslim who knows that bin Laden is wrong;
  • the American who finds their country isn't always right and sometimes the French are;
  • the born-in-the-truth, loyal JW when they've come to feel in their gut that the governing body is wrong or worse, lying;
  • the ex-JW when he knows for certain that a particular line of anti-JW sentiment isn't entirely true?

  Do they answer to the call of their conscience, admit the truth to themselves, and then speak up? Or do they swallow their concerns and stay silent... to keep the peace with their group?
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  Thunder Rider

  To Thine Own Self Be True

  Yet here, Laertes! Aboard, aboard for shame! The wind sits in the shoulder of your sail, And you are stay'd for. There ... my blessing with thee! And these few precepts in thy memory Look thou character. Give thy thoughts no tongue, Nor any unproportion'd thought his act. Be thou familiar, but by no means vulgar. Those friends thou hast, and their adoption tried, Grapple them to thy soul with hoops of steel; But do not dull thy palm with entertainment Of each new-hatch'd, unfledg’d comrade. Beware Of entrance to a quarrel but, being in, Bear't that th' opposed may beware of thee. Give every man thy ear, but few thy voice; Take each man's censure, but reserve thy judgement. Costly thy habit as thy purse can buy, But not express'd in fancy; rich, not gaudy; For the apparel oft proclaims the man; And they in France of the best rank and station Are of a most select and generous chief in that. Neither a borrower, nor a lender be; For loan oft loses both itself and friend, And borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry. This above all: to thine own self be true, And it must follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man. Farewell; my blessing season this in thee! -- William Shakespeare

  Thunder quotes Shakespeare! Ain't that a kick in the head??
• 

  StinkyPantz

  Teej-

  Why the itty-bitty font?

  My answer: 9 times out of 10 the person will "swallow their concerns and stay silent... to keep the peace with their group". Why? It is SO much easier to just "go along with it". A person would rather be untrue to themselves than make waves or be rejected.
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  teejay

  Thunder,
  
  You lost me with the Shakespeare, dude. Care to translate?
  
  ----------
  
  
  >>>> A person would rather be untrue to themselves than make waves or be rejected.
  
  Agreed, Stinky.
  
  What are the consequences, if any, with going along with the group when one knows better in their mind and heart?
  
  And what of the 1 out of 10 who is willing to make a stand, even if it has to be alone? What is it about them that makes that one different than the nine?
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  Maverick

  Great stuff Thunder! TJ...Be true to yourself, owe no one and keep your feelings and your opinons to yourself. It is easier to retract wrong ideas from your heart when they have never left your lips! Maverick
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  berylblue

  Some do, some don't, TeeJay.
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  Prisca

  Thunder quotes Shakespeare! Ain't that a kick in the head??

  LOL! Too cool, Thunder 

  What are the consequences, if any, with going along with the group
  			
  when one knows better in their mind and heart?

  Any of us who had doubts whilst still acting as a JW, knows the answer to this.

  And what of the 1 out of 10 who is willing to make a stand, 
  			
  even if it has to be alone? What is it about them that makes
  			
  that one different than the nine?

  Self-confidence and self-belief. And often the desire for the truth to be known.
• 

  talesin

  teejay

  Admitting the truth to yourself is one thing - I would say a resounding 'YES'! Then make the changes I need to make.

  Speaking up is another. Here's a few questions I ask myself beforehand:

  - Will they hear me?

  - Am I wasting my energy?

  - Will speaking my mind be constructive?

  - Is this a 'black-and-white' issue for me - does it mean I no longer can be a part of this group?

  Sometimes I will just 'look to the left, look to the right, and quietly back away'.

  (j/k)

  t
• 

  Thunder Rider

  TJ,

  Here is the same passage in modern English.

  "Yes, still here, Laertes? Get aboard, get aboard! The wind is perfect, and they are waiting for you! Here's my blessing and remember your father advice: Don't give a tongue to hasty thoughts, and never act in haste. Be friendly, but discerning. To those friends who have proved their loyalty grasp them to your soul with hoops of steel. But don't shake hands with every comedian who comes your way. Avoid starting a quarrel but once involved give everyone else second thoughts. Hear a lot, but say little. Listen to opinions, but reserve your judgement. Dress as well as your pocket permits, but avoid uncouth trends. Apparel announces the man. The French aristocracy are particularly select in this. Neither a borrower nor a lender be. A loan often loses the money and the friend. Borrowing dulls the edge of common-sense. But above all else: to yourself be true. Then as sure as night follows day, you cannot be false to any other. Farewell. May my blessings help you fulfil your aims."

  Basically the point is, that no matter what we might feel the need to do to make for "smooth sailing" we mus strive to be true to ourselves and our own core values.

  Thunder