Goodbye JWD/JWN (my last post) (page 22)

Gopher

Paul:

Was that a serious thought? If so, don't take another person's ideas as gospel / the best way to think. That's what gets people into the JW mess in the first place.

Part of being an ex-JW is using your natural ability to reason. The WTS wants listeners / followers, not reasoners. The tough part about leaving behind a high-control group like the JW's is that nobody is constantly in our ear telling us what to do (unless one is in an unfortunate marriage).

So you have to decide not "was SBF right" because we don't know his circumstances, but rather "do I want to subvert my natural thoughts and plans to the whims of a larger group that will not tolerate thinking that is one iota out of line with what the leaders say?" JW's are good place for people who want to be told what to do. They have leaders that are happy to do that for you.

redvip2000

It's for real, and he didn't change his mind since then, he simply accepted the cold reality of the forced choice he faced and had to make...

well this makes me feel a little better, since if i can read the between the lines here, it seems to be more related to personal issues that belief issues. It would not make sense otherwise....

steve2

I trust his powers of observation and reasoning ability more than my own. I'm seriously considering returning now myself.

Paul, part of "growing up" so to speak is developing the ability to form your own conclusions, beliefs and ideas. Whilst it is perfectly okay to look up to people whose mental reasoning abilites impress you, at some level you have to "see beyond" arguments. Otherwise you end up at the mercy of that person's journey. What if SBF stops attending meetings in the future? What if, despite going back, he is still unable to feel at home or as if he fits in?

Ultimately, you choose...but preferably not based principally on what someone else has said or done.

cofty

Paul if you can't think for yourself you will fit back into the cult just fine.

SBF has never come to any conclusion about anything in his life. This is the man who wouldn't affirm that the earth wasn't flat, he thinks there is no such thing as truth.

He has had an ultimatum and made his choice. Its a matter of convenience not conviction. Get some sleep FFS.

snare&racket

adamah

Redvip said-

well this makes me feel a little better, since if i can read the between the lines here, it seems to be more related to personal issues that belief issues. It would not make sense otherwise....

Yup, and that was his acknowledgment of what every one of you already knows: the JWs don't care if you actually believe or not, just as long as you don't discredit or LEAVE them.

Reminds me of this video, as it's particularly fitting to this scenario, if anyone's thinking of doing the same:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szeqB29z6AU

Adam

cofty

S&R it was fair comment.

frankiespeakin

Well the only thing I could think about when I read the OP was the concluding words of this old commercial back in the 60s:

"The Mind is a terrible thing to waste".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARmw4D4pzIw

Finkelstein

After all this if he's come to the conclusion to return, I think he must be right.

He might have gotten fed up with being a so called apostate, but failed to make something more than himself.

Being a day to day apostate to any religious organization can be depressing and uninspiring.

Maybe his wife put an ultimatum on him to stop posting and commenting on oppositional JW web sites, or else ?

I have noticed recently that JWN had gotten bit gritty and harsh coming from people making comments to one and another.

Some people just need to take a break for awhile, good chance Slim boy will be back one day.

unstopableravens

paul : so if he decieded that being a muslim was the best choice would you become one sense he is better read than you?

Goodbye JWD/JWN (my last post)

Share this