by purplesofa 18 Replies latest jw friends
What is amazing is that he has not singled out jw's, in fact as I was told he doesn't even mention them, but it all fits so well.
So far there is no mention of JW's. I think in his second book he does, but I don't know in what context or how much. What bothers me about
this now is .........is this a characteristic of all religions. Aren't they all cultish?
It took me maybe 1 1/2 or 2 years out of the organization to finally call it a cult. Now I know there is no more accurate term for it.
purps
You would think after nine years out, the hold would be gone. The mixture of some truth and some untruth......keeps us confused.I think most of us that came in and not born in were searching. Our hearts were pure in our search. Afterall, we were moaning and groaning over the detestable things of the earth. We wanted to make a difference and they were telling us the only way it could be done lasting and effectively was through them.
The constant bombardment that the world is coming to an end, the need to develop the right heart condition, the angels are directing the preaching work(AND look you were found) The immediate wedge that comes between oneself and family/friends, your very everylasting life depends on the knowledge you take in...........is intensive
I told you before. Sometimes you say things and with your words you force me to face the things that I just don't want to think about. Well, you did it again.
Warlock
I told you before. Sometimes you say things and with your words you force me to face the things that I just don't want to think about. Well, you did it again.Warlock
Hey Warlock,
Hope all is good with you, have not seen you in Gabbly for awhile. The book is really an eyeopener. In much the same way CoC was. It hurts to have your eyes opened sometimes.
purps
Changing consists of imposing a new personal idenity
Ah, yes, put on "the new personality". They make you think you're doing good by joining them. Then you keep the verse in your mind all the time.
A dedicated cult member also does not take no for an answer, becuase he has been indoctrinated to believe that if you don't join, he is to blame.
Field service, bible study....they were always persistent.
Confession becomes another way to purge the person's past and embed him in the cult.
Lesson 4 of the "What Does God Require of Us" Brochure
Is the bible one big cult book? What do you think?
It's a great tool for cults. Me personally, I will stop reading the Disney Book of fairy tales to my children once they get older. Why no one stopped reading the Bible to me...I don't know.
is this a characteristic of all religions. Aren't they all cultish?
This is addressed in the book, more-so in the second book.
There are positive mind-controlling influences out there. Also advertising is an influence.
The difference here is in deceptive recruitment and coercive (fear) measures to retain.
The JW's withhold information to new ones about the past errors, the roots of WTS, the
influence of the GB, the true lack of power (or even the existence) of a Slave Class. They
don't tell you what will happen if you leave. You get baptized, and everything is different.
While most religions want to influence your thinking, they don't generally discourage
independent thoughts and research. They don't belittle your ability to make decisions.
I am actually leery of all religions, because of their influence, but I understand that the vast
majority of them allow freedom of thinking. Most religions don't claim that they have a leader
or group of leaders that are fulfilling a scriptural prophecy. They don't teach that those who
are not members will be destroyed at Doomsday/armageddon/ the time the UFO arrives.
They all have some degree of influence, though. Read the books, use your independent
thinking and decide for yourselves who are cults and who are not.
So far there is no mention of JW's. I think in his second book he does, but I don't know in what context or how much.
Yes. A JW could read the entire 1st book. The only mention in it is in the rear appendix, there is
references for where to go for help, and Jehovah's Witnesses are listed. You could just take a black
marker and line through the name JW. The second book mentions JW's early on and also mentions
using a Governing Body instead of a leader. I am still reading it, but it occasionally references JW's.
Most JW's would put it down at the first mention. That's why the first book would be a better ice-breaker.
It took me maybe 1 1/2 or 2 years out of the organization to finally call it a cult. Now I know there is no more accurate term for it.
I knew it wasn't the truth for years. I learned it was such a dangerous cult after a month of posting on
here, and seriously examining the religion from your posts. Most of you know I constantly refer to it as such.
Hey purps
I think most of us that came in and not born in were searching. Our hearts were pure in our search. Afterall, we were moaning and groaning over the detestable things of the earth. We wanted to make a difference
That's a point I've long been eager to dig further -- with little success so far.
Although I was only 13 when I became a JW, I count myself as one who "chose to be in" -- at least to some extent. In my case, that means I was craving for difference as much as a "born-in" JW kid can crave for normalcy.
Retrospectively, though, I wouldn't necessary buy into the flattering moral spin JWs put on that thirst for difference (as in "pure," "moaning and groaning over the detestable things"). But good or bad the desire was there and I neither want nor can disownit.
How the remedy proved to be a poison (but is not all remedy a poison?) is one thing, and that's what the discussion on "cults" is about. Why we were looking for it is another -- perhaps for another thread?
I think most of us that came in and not born in were searching. Our hearts were pure in our search. Afterall, we were moaning and groaning over the detestable things of the earth. We wanted to make a differenceThat's a point I've long been eager to dig further -- with little success so far.
Although I was only 13 when I became a JW, I count myself as one who "chose to be in" -- at least to some extent. In my case, that means I was craving for difference as much as a "born-in" JW kid can crave for normalcy.
Retrospectively, though, I wouldn't necessary buy into the flattering moral spin JWs put on that thirst for difference (as in "pure," "moaning and groaning over the detestable things"). But good or bad the desire was there and I neither want nor can disownit.
How the remedy proved to be a poison (but is not all remedy a poison?) is one thing, and that's what the discussion on "cults" is about. Why we were looking for it is another -- perhaps for another thread?
Dear Nark,
For myself, as a child, I seemed to be very sensitive to my surroundings, people, the planet, Earth. I saw no reason for prejudice, meaness, War, the sadness........I already knew I did not want to die. I wanted to be around long enough to do everything I knew I could not in a lifetime. I wanted enough time to fix all the scars I already had and what I saw that mankind had.
Getting married and having 5 children was so far away from what I imagined for myself. The desire within for peace was huge inside me. Among mankind. I was abused as a child and wife, so possibly that is where that strong desire came from.
As I began to study with the witnesses, I came to believe that they had the answers to peace on the earth, amongst all people. I was zealous in learning so that I too could get started and be a full supporter. Somewhere along the journey, I lost sight........(this is where the mind control comes in) I was listening to people talk about what length skirt to wear, whether one should wear a beard or not. I became more worried about turning in a time card than what I was actually doing with my time.
In my trust that this was the answer ........I overlooked these things for some time. Then I realized I was never going to make it in the "club" my circumstances were not going to allow for a lot of things the org offered in the way of helping others. I was sitting 5 hours a week taking in the same things over and over and spending a few hours out in service so that maybe someone saw me going from door to door ......and that was my statement!!?!?!?!
While on tv I was seeing what people were doing to feed millions of people....what people were doing to help/save the enviroment.
I do not regret the discipline I got from learning from the witnesses, but we never graduate, we never move on, we become stagnant, useless, (one reason for gossip and turning on each other)
I think most people here do want to make a difference.........and yes I think another thread would be great to start ........please do.......
I have been home 5 days now.....called in sick three days in a row. I am not physically sick, but my head is spinning now......20 years I have spent doing nothing, It does actually make one sick.
purps
Quote:
"I have been home 5 days now.....called in sick three days in a row. I am not physically sick, but my head is spinning now......20 years I have spent doing nothing, It does actually make one sick."
Oh, HON!!! Hugs and strength to you, Dear One... you give strength to us. It is a LOT to digest, as we all know... (years and years to undo the years and years) but take care of yourself and feel better soon.
Love,
Baba
To a better tomorrow (((((((((((purps)))))))))))
Here's the other thread: http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/6/127218/1.ashx
