Removing Dub Dogma from the mind is not easy

Mad Sweeney

Recent conversation with my wife went like this (she still wants to believe in the Bible, God, etc. while I don't think it's really necessary):

Her: I'm glad we're out of JW.

Me: Me, too. Our family is happier than ever with LOW STRESS.

Her: I feel sorry for them. They're a part of false religion that God is going to destroy.

Me: They're not the truth but why do you think God is going to destroy them?

Her: Because the Bible says God is going to destroy all false religion.

Me: No it doesn't.

Her: Yes, Babylon the Great is going to be destroyed!

Me: How do you know Babylon the Great means false religion?

Her: It's in the Bible.

Me: No it isn't. It only says that the beast that the harlot named Babylon the Great is riding throws her off and destroys her. It doesn't identify either the beast or the harlot.

Her: You're right. It doesn't. (light bulb dawning moment that her entire concept on this issue is Watchtower based)

We've all got a lot of these and we usually don't even realize it.

notverylikely

So very true...it's very hard for some to let go old the old things...

undercover

I can relate, though my wife isn't completely out mentally.

I wish I could get her to the point of admitting that she was glad that she was out. Too much pressure from JW family keeps the indoctrination somewhat intact for now...but I see cracks.

PSacramento

I would imagine that it takes years to break the complete hold.

I think most people that have been in an extermist cult or environment have a very hard time NOT being extermist in one form or another.

I don't think they can see or clearly understand "moderation".

I've had similar experiences talking to inactive jws, even ones who did "study" in the past. They still accept statements from the WTS as "truth" without knowing any facts. I just ask them, how do you know that, show me. Ends up with a little confusion on their part and then the "light" really dawns.

Gayle

It's like ones have to un-"study" JW teaching and thinking. Ones need to read quite a bit to 're-circuit' all those brain cells that the WTS damaged.

nugget

It is hard since your whole mindset included these doctrines. It is hard to let go of it. I find I have to stop myself and think why do I believe it? Where is the evidence? It is definitely a case of taking no belief for granted after all I have been a slave to sloppy research for several decades and now have to think for myself.

BluesBrother

Even now after many years of inactivity and realistic thing, I find it easy to slip back into WT mode when in social company of Witnesses . It usually starts harmlessly when we reminisce about people we all knew or places we have been in the past , but my mind can just click into the mode of the dub....then I want to slap my own face and pull out of it...

From what is said in the other posts, believers confuse the Bible teachings with WT teachings..ie Bab the Great being false religion : and the fall of Jerusalem in 607 BCE : the last days being from 1914 : These things are absolute facts to the believer, it is hard to tell yourself that it is just WT speak....