A Subtle Factor That Keeps Witnesses Silenced

by freemindfade 23 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

• 

  freemindfade

  Had an interesting thought this morning.

  When a witness is 'in' they think everyone else is following and trying there best all in unity.

  I believe the reality is there are a lot of us 'in' who know different. And it's a big help in escaping the F.O.G. But when you don't know there are people pretending, or going through motions or, fading/faded, who would DA in heartbeat if the consequences were removed, you just feel like an outsider.

  Crossing that bridge and finding out there is such a large number of mentally out ones who for their own reasons have to stay physically 'in' really is an eye opener and a luxury we can enjoy on this side. On the other-side, not knowing, you think people are either all in our all out. That makes you feel anxiety, like there are millions of believers and there is something wrong with you.

  This may be the JW religions best kept darkest secret. This is why they are talking more than ever about "faders" even though they don't call them that. In video, in literature. They are shown as people who just are weak spiritually and feel like giving up as portrayed by the WTBTS. The truth is they hate the religion and don't believe any but are not free to leave. So by producing this image they are protecting the mind control and cult unity. If witness knew that a third or more of the publisher in their hall and all the halls in the developed world were only going to not lose their family they would $hit their pants. But guess who does know... headquarters... they know.
• 

  freddo

  Very good post freemindfade. I think you can tell who most of the zealots are "hearts abundance" and all that. But there are lots who are "ill" "depressed" "CFS/ME" types and it wouldn't surprise me if many of them (those that can do what they want to do but can't cope with so-called spiritual stuff)) are only in because they are fearful of the consequences if they leave.
• 

  OnTheWayOut

  So it's a widespread case similar to "The Emperor's New Clothes."
• 

  OneEyedJoe

  This is why a lack of free speech is key to authoritarian regimes. They can keep control even if only a minority of the people are true followers, because the appearance is that everyone is loyal. If everyone else appears loyal because they're afraid of what you might do if they appear disloyal, then you're going to do the same thing.

  In such a situation there's no way to be absolutely sure that someone else isn't loyal to the group/leader without exposing yourself to some risk first. Since most people tend to stick with the status quo, and try to minimize their personal risk, that doesn't happen very often. You usually have to get someone with nothing to lose before they'll do that, which in the case of JWs usually means a new convert or someone who's already estranged from family and doesn't have any close friends in the cult. The folks with nothing to lose, therefore never appear to be credible, so they have little impact even when they expose themselves.
• 

  _Morpheus

  All very true. Everone thinks they are alone at first or they are the first to realize the flaw(s) that caught their attention, afraid to speak up because of the potential ostrisium.

  The reality is there are more who have left than those that stay. If there was no punishment for leaving the org would shrivil in a year by 25% and 50% by the third year (just guesses if course).
• 

  freemindfade

  _Morpheus

  I totally agree!

  They are behind a vail thinking everyone not df'd still believes. Thats a powerful force. If they said you are free to leave, the halls would be quite empty.
• 

  The Searcher

  My new congregation - 80 + publishers.

  Average attendance whenever I've shown up - 45-50!
• 

  Oubliette

  FMF, this is a powerful epiphany you've just had.

  As Morpheus said, we all at first think we're the only one that doesn't believe. It is different though for those of us that leave. We are courageous, even if it's painful to lose family and friends.

  Ultimately, the most important relationship we have in this life is the one we have with our self. - Attribution redacted.
  
• 

  freemindfade

  The Searcher

  My first memorial in my new hall there were easily twice as many people there as usual, most the extra were not invitees, rather people everyone seemed to know. And even at that I heard the comment a few times they much less than last year.

  Watch the Board of Directors put more and more emphasis on getting these pour people who are tired from this system back to meetings... that is going to become the driving force of the articles and parts I believe. Like pornography over the past few years lol.

  I also love how witnesses will think its some kind of miracle of "food a the proper time". It's not a miracle if the Board of Directors looks at whats going on and says "oh crap" lets address this before people get wise. Not food at the proper time, not a miracle.

  Oubliette

  Thanks, I feel like if you could have witnesses put on glasses and they could look around and SEE all in the hall who are atheists, or who think this religion is a dangerous cult... it might open their eyes to some degree. But as long as they all believe the version that we are all just "tired from this system" its not as powerful
• 

  yodastar

  Thanks for your morning thought FMF. Brilliant and it was so true when I look back at my cong. We were scared of admitting it though.