If anybody is interested, here is an update to this thread.
So, this last Saturday we went to the memorial talk supposedly for our friend who passed away. It was in huge complex with two kingdom hall structures. Over 800 people, most of which we knew. We got there early and remained in the car for 20 mins, prior to walking into the hall.
We had to prepare psychologically, be ready for the shunning. We were very sharp in our own way with a clear mission: to pay respects to a beautiful human being.
I had a sports coat, goatee, boots...definitely not complying with their rules.
We walked in with our heads high up, looking better than ever!
Not weak, not emotional, not pitiful, which was probably what JWS expect to see in the people that no longer belong in a congregation. The attendants avoided talking to me, since they recognized me as an ex-elder who is now being defiant. When we sat down, we could hear the whispering," so and is here, did you see them?"
It was hilarious! Some people discreetly showed sympathy and excitement to see us. But the majority pretended like we were not there, and we also pretended like we didn't know anybody. So it worked out pretty good.
Just like everybody had predicted, this memorial was not about him but a marketing campaign using his image to recruit new members (infomercial). His life was condensed to 15 mins and everything had to do with what he did for the watchtower.
Then a 30 min talk about resurrection, the same crap as ever. No mention Of the things that really mattered to him personally.
Being in there listening to this boring talk got me a headache, very sleepy and dumbed down.
It's almost like people are being hypnotized, perfect conditions for indoctrination and programming the mind with cult propaganda. The people look like drones, no emotions, it was really strange in a sick way.
We had enough of it after that talk, didnt wait to sing or the prayer.
Everything had been planned down to every word, I'm sure the widow had no saying in who would give the talk. One of the elders that he really disliked was going to do the closing prayer.
It was all a sham, a fraud for what he truly represented.
We had to storm out of that place to show disapproval for who was doing the closing prayer.
While everybody was still sitting down, we got up and got the hell out of there.
All people were staring and looking.
Anyway, I have done my part to give closure.
We confronted our fears And overcame all those scary dragons in the shadow.
RIP my friend RF.
I have to admit that the shunning is painful, inhuman and unnatural. Once I made it home, I started digesting it, it just felt awkward.
If JW's only realized how many dissenters there are, just how many of us there are around the world, they would not be so afraid to be themselves. We saw many expressions of sympathy like "finger greeting", wide-open eyes, smiles, etc... but people are fearful. It's like a dictatorship where they have tough repressive methods to abolish individual freedoms.
If they would only lose the fear of being isolated, if they knew that they will not ostracized, that life goes on...
If they could also apply Isa. 60:22 "The little one shall become a thousand, and the small one a strong nation; I, Jehovah, will hasten it in its time." for those that don't agree with the Watchtower hierarchy.
