Robert, I agree that Miss K and Miss W are perfect practice subjects. They are both fully indoctrinated, and have that haughty, holier than thou attitude that makes normally polite people (like me) sort of shrink back and listen to what they have to say. I need to be quick and alert when they are with me, as they both have the tendency to come up with some doozy proclamations, and then act like they just stated a simple fact.
Miss K seems like she is on-guard with me, and that she thinks I am going to ambush her with some "apostate" information or an article that she can't defend. She is even afraid to discuss WT publications with me. Last week, as she was leaving, she asked me to come up with a topic of discussion for our next meeting. When I asked if we could talk about a specific WT article that I found confusing, she said, "Well, if we do that, then you aren't really going to be learning what the BIBLE says..." It didn't really hit me, until hours later, that she had just admitted to me that the Watchtower magazine isn't teaching you what it says in the Bible.
Gentledawn: I know exactly what you're talking about. I experienced the same treatment. When you're a BS, every favor they do for you, can be counted as field service time (if I'm not mistaken). They cleaned my house, watched my kids, even mowed our lawn once after our auto accident. I have been working in little seeds of thought regarding that very issue with my mom, now that she finally got baptized as a JW after studying for a few years and riding the fence. (I had told her! The perfect position to be, is Bible Student. I guess she didn't get the message, and the peer pressure got too strong for her). She was recently hospitalized and sick for weeks. I asked her how many JW's came over to check on her or called, or even visited her in the hospital. She said, "None. I told Dad not to tell them." Now, why they didn't notice her absence at meetings and in field service, I couldn't figure out. I know she feels guilty, and didn't want to be bothered when she was sick... but it DOES seem like you'd want to see your "real" friends, or at least 1 or 2 people have become worthy of your attention by now. She doesn't seem to have any friends at the KH, although they always have comical stories about "people from the hall."
The thing that really sickens me, is that even though they do not profess to have any real friends at the KH, I am pretty confident that my parents absolutely WILL follow " the life-saving direction that we receive from Jehovah’s organization may not appear practical from a human standpoint. All of us must be ready to obey any instructions we may receive, whether these appear sound from a strategic or human standpoint or not." She denies it now, that she would actually "drink the kool-aid," but really... if everyone else in the KH or assembly hall is doing it, do you think you would have the backbone to speak up and admit you'd rather follow your human instinct for survival... When JEHOVAH is directing you to do something, no matter how inhumane?? Sadly, I don't think my mother would dare to speak up. The rest of my JW family is completely lost, and the children would just be forced to comply.
My mother admitted to me that she sometimes just reads the "simplified" version of the Watchtower. She claims it is easier to understand. I had never compared those 2 paragraphs before. Thanks for showing the difference, particularly in this bizarre and disturbing article.
Heaven: I don't have any specific goals with these 2 ladies. They were barely acquaintances when we did attend meetings. I don't know what their intentions are either, since I told Miss K upfront, "It is very unlikely that I will ever become a Jehovah's Witness." I have the same question of them, unless they just want easy hours, and to practice their arguments on a different level.
I guess I have to confess I am using them as practice subjects. When I ask questions to Miss K, it helps me to see what kind of answer I *might* get from my mom when I ask her the same. I have been taken off guard a few times by responses I have received from my family members and other JW's.
LisaRose: I'm not sure where I fit into this scenario. The worst "crime" I have committed from that list in 1Cor, has been to go to a real church. My sister did tell me her reasoning behind keeping her children away from my house, "to protect them." When I asked her what from, she replied, "You know. Idolatry. Apostasy." Since I was never a "brother," I don't even know if she should be applying this regulation to me and my family.
Since I was never a JW, I can only conclude that her decision is not a biblical or JW one, but just that she chooses not to communicate with me now, "because of recent encounters we have had, and their effect on my emotions." She has not replied to any of my questions about her last statement to me, so I can only assume that I make her doubt, or that she knows what she is doing is wrong. This battle she is waging isn't about me, but that she has decided to dedicate her life to this high-control organization, and to force her children to do the same.
I realize that any time I spend with Miss K and Miss W, are not going to have any impact on anyone but me. I am getting more confidence, and learning how to handle myself when they are using their bullying and manipulating tactics. They are great practice subjects, and hopefully will make it less likely for me to make such terrible errors with my parents in the future. The elderettes will also provide ME with "stories" from JW's, that I relay to my mom, and share my observations, without putting her on the defensive as much. She does not know these women.
DATA-DOG: I don't know if they identified the "assyrian." I know that the UN was brought up again, as well as the "disgusting thing that stands in the holy place." You could be right in your guess... The statements and warnings really make it seem like they have something specific planned. Articles since have hounded on the issue of being ready to "obey."
When I asked my mom if she thought the governing body spoke directly for God, she didn't even take a breath before she said, "Yes." I wonder if she surprised herself with that quick response... I know it threw me.
