Did anyone ever "Really" stumble you ?

by Casper 37 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  Casper

  This is one of the things I felt could get really petty in the congregation I attended, sometimes over the top, in my opinion.

  One time a group of us sisters went on a shopping trip. The driver was knocking herself out trying to find some "decent" music on the radio. Finally gave up and put a John Mellencamp tape in. (which I love). Later that evening she called and wanted to apologize for allowing the song "Jack and Diane" to play thru. She called everyone in the group. She was so afraid she had "stumbled one of us. Personally I thought it was ridiculous...and hadn't given it a thought.

  As for myself, I had a 4" by 4" decal on the rear window of my car, that had my brother's race car number on it. I was told by an Elder that some were "stumbled" by it and I would have to remove it. I thought, " This is BS"... I am proud of my brother and his racing accomplishments, but I removed it anyway...

  Another time I got counsled because I wore tennis shoes from my car to my seat at the DC...we had a long walk, with lots to carry plus an active 2 year old. It was just easier. "BUT" some were stumbled. Said I looked too Churchy. I changed into heels as soon as I got to my seat... What was the Freaking Big Deal...how asinine can you get.

  So, was just wondering ... Were any of you ever "REALLY" effected by such small things, to the point you felt "Stumbled" ?

  Cas
• 

  nomoreguilt

  Naw! It's just petty bs that some of them like to throw at you to control you. I, however did have a serious matter that really threw me for a loop!

  Back ib the mid 70's a number of us went to the thanksgiving day Lion football game. The Po and I decided to go get a beer beofre the game and to inocuously not have to stand for the national anthem, usual ploy back then. So, we're standing there sipping on our beers and the national anthem is in full swing. Well, what do I hear? I hear the PO humming right along with it!!YUP! No mistaking it. So, anyways, being a humble dub that I was I let it go.

  Later, on our way out of the stadium, this same PO says to me " Let's make like like hockey players and get the PUCK out of here. Play on words, but meant the same to me.

  So, at the following weeks service meeting i went up to him and entirely out of my character I told him that what had transpired at the game had bothered me. His answer to me," Well, I'm sorry if that bothered you, but I am not A SPIRITUAL PERSON." YUP! Those were his exact words. So, I took it up with another older elder and he said not to worry about it....Hmmmm. About a month later the PO moved out of state and the only then was an announcement made that he was no longer serving as PO. mmmmm Cover-up!!

  I was told a few years later that he and his wife had become apostates.

  Oh, and to answer your question? Yes, it did take me for a loop. Stumble me? No. I just sort of TRIPPED.

  NMG

  NMG
• 

  OnTheWayOut

  No. I know what you are saying. The elders are taught to be paranoid about issues that
  "might" adversely affect others. That is passed on to many in the cong.

  It seems to be another control manipulator. "Obey in stupid sh$t because you might stumble
  others."

  A good friend recently asked my opinion on such a stupid subject. He is a self-employed JW
  in the janitorial business. He bought this cleaning product that used a label on the bucket that
  included a wizard with a wand, and some stars (like he's waving the wand to magically clean the
  floor). My JW friend was told that this could stumble others, remove the labels or cover them.
  He asked my opinion.

  I told him that this was so stupid. (He knows I am a fader) Just use the product and don't
  ever mention the wizard. Feel free to eat deviled ham, open his garage with a door genie, and
  write with a magic marker.
• 

  R.Crusoe

  Absolutely!!!

  Most of the JW stalwarts who stood acting like they had the truth when in fact they had simply developed ways of playing the system to their advantage whilst steering clear of over enthusiastic fully commited individuals as if they saw someone headed for a fall!

  It isn't the 'TRUTH' and they sell you a lie! No question!

  When you find out the real truth about their 'truth 'it is extremely hurtful and betraying of them to heve guided you into something everyone was reluctant to be completely open with you about!

  The WTS has all its memebers afraid to speak their minds for fear of APOSTATE TALK! i.e. THE TRUTH!!

  It's sad to see such sincere people reduced to what they consider petty deception and respectable restraint whilst leading 'wholly trusting' individuals to a certain disaster!

  They are a shadow of what you see anytime anyplace in any group of humans afraid to speak their minds whilst pandering to other humans self appointing each other to dictate the way everyone else should be!

  In fact they can't help but stumble recruits for they themselves are stumbling to wholly believe what it is they are leading others into - I've seen that look amongst many of them and was perplexed by it initially!

  Watch Tower loves to see everyone Stumbling so it can appear to be giving them a helping hand! It keeps you always below standing level so you will always rely on it! A tactic of reliance used to intimidate slaves in any part of society by manipulative thinkers!!
• 

  Dorktacular

  I wasn't really "stumbled", because I always knew what was inherently good or bad and I've always behaved accordingly. But, I definitely lost faith in the organization and its "shepherds" at a relatively young age. I saw elders and other "respected" members of the congregation engage in dishonest and sometimes illegal business practices. I've seen some of those same people behave unethically and cheat business acquaintences out of money or property. I've seen some who beat their wives, abuse alcohol and drugs, watch pornography and just about anything else you can think of get up on the platform and sternly instruct me not to do the very same things that they do in their own lives. I lost my faith in religion. Just because someone tells you that they are God's messenger or that they have the truth, doesn't mean that God feels the same way about them.
• 

  R.Crusoe

  My knowledge is about the core of JW theology - The WT Stumble society !

  It is about their holistic dictatorship and demand for complete mindlessness!

  They are a band of spiritual bullies capturing naieve humans for their own purpose and will without any compassion for the individual concerned!

  It is why compassion is called apostacy!

  It is why truth is called apostacy!

  It is why sincere enquiry is called apostacy!

  It is why THE TRUTH will get you excommunicated!

  Their deception relies on the power of the original deceiver they speak of ! Silent, quietly and cunningly persuasive till it subliminally works its intent on those it then rejects who see it for what it is and keeps hold of those who are seduced by its ways!

  It is dishonest!
• 

  Robert7

  I always thought the whole concept was pretty silly. If this is 'The Truth', how can it be so easy for anyone to fall away, whether it be someone else's actions, the internet, or whatever?
  
  If someone can get stumbled over something as stupid as a song, THAT person has major problems with their faith, not necessarily you for playing it.
  
  This is just another example of people taking things way overboard... I could never stand it when people were so anal over little things...
  
  That being said, I never have, and I know of no one who was actually stumbled by someone else...
• 

  Tuesday

  I don't think I was stumbled by anything small like that, but I was stumbled by a witness. I did a construction thing at my congregation and I got put together with this guy who strung out racial slurs like it was going out of style. It was crazy, he had a racial slur for every race. I mentioned I was irish and was met with the typical potato/drunk stereotypes. It was a horrible day. I came home and told my sister's fiancee at the time who was REALLY offended by it. Then I got in trouble for telling him something bad because I may have stumbled him. Ridiculous.
• 

  VoidEater

  Jesus H. Christ - did any of these things truly "stumble" someone, in that they doubted their own faith? I think not - more properly, they were "offended" and thought you did wrong, and therefore had to be spanked. None of these things threatened anyone, they just didn't like it.

  For me, these things were conscience matters. I honestly didn't judge others, unless their actions directly hurt me in some (e.g., the molestation stuff). I guess I wasn't that good a witness, eh?
• 

  R.Crusoe

  I did get seriously stumbled by one special pioneer sister who always had a twinkle in her eyes for me!

  When I found out she had been having an affair with a 'worldly' I realised what the twinkle was all about and how I had missed my chance!

  I was waaaaay toooo serious about their truth!

  I actually believed them!

  And then realised most of them dont believe half of what they spout off about but they all believe in the 'hush hush' rule to keep you in the dark!

  So yeah she raelly stumbled me! Sexy harlot!