i wish there were more jw's resisting the extreme elements within the religion.
i beleive there are many who know some of the things they hear and read are whack, but stay because they think it's still the group god has chosen.
but there are ways to voice your opinion without being too vocal or disassociating:.
how can JWs learn about those ideas without raising their apostate shields? How can JWs be educated in a way that peaks their interest and starts their minds to think?
Great questions.... I wish I had answers. I know those who know TTATT and are still on the inside have an edge that we don't. But even then, how can they educate others without compromising themselves?
There's got to be a way though....
i wish there were more jw's resisting the extreme elements within the religion.
i beleive there are many who know some of the things they hear and read are whack, but stay because they think it's still the group god has chosen.
but there are ways to voice your opinion without being too vocal or disassociating:.
Putting in a report with only 1 hour a month is another great statement. It quantifies the increasing levels of weakness in a congregation.
Sounds like a good idea. If the elders try to hassle you about it you can always let them know you're doing your best. An apathetic Witness is a far greater threat to the regime than a vocal "apostate".
The elders quickly come down on anyone that appears to be a dissenter, marking such a person.
Agreed. The whole idea is passive resistance though. It's dissenting without appearing to dissent. And how can the elders object if three "spiritually weak" brothers get together for dinner?
And yes, not donating is a tremendous way to make a difference and since it's annonymous you can't readily be singled out.
Thanks for you feedback jwfacts.
i wish there were more jw's resisting the extreme elements within the religion.
i beleive there are many who know some of the things they hear and read are whack, but stay because they think it's still the group god has chosen.
but there are ways to voice your opinion without being too vocal or disassociating:.
one idea I had to get people thinking is to ask what would jesus do? what does the bible say about lying, slander, non scriptural rules etc?
that way it puts the onus back on the word of god and not many are willing to argue with that
Yes, I think some of Jesus words and actions present a problem to the regime. Perhaps that's why they rather keep the focus on old testament Jehovah?
i wish there were more jw's resisting the extreme elements within the religion.
i beleive there are many who know some of the things they hear and read are whack, but stay because they think it's still the group god has chosen.
but there are ways to voice your opinion without being too vocal or disassociating:.
The problem is you never know who to trust. Once labelled "apostate" or "critical of the organization" no one will have anything to do with you. It is a very narrow road to walk on indeed.
Yes indeed. Perhaps the backstabbing environment is fostered by the leaders on purpose to create the isolation?
This is why I suggest not directly saying anything critical of the organization. Of course if they were to share something critical it would do no harm to listen sympathetically. But even just exploring and participating in fun activities that have nothing do to with religion can be extremely therapeutic. It might even help someone get in touch with a part of their authentic self they had forgotten about.
i wish there were more jw's resisting the extreme elements within the religion.
i beleive there are many who know some of the things they hear and read are whack, but stay because they think it's still the group god has chosen.
but there are ways to voice your opinion without being too vocal or disassociating:.
they, the ones taking the lead won't allow this to happen, ever! they purposely make the service groups to keep independant thinkers separated.
I agree they don't want it to happen, but if a moderate witness wants to invite some other moderate witnesses to his house for dinner, what are the elders going to say? If the elders say that brother is spiritually weak why are you having dinner with him, the moderate witness can just say he was trying to encourage him. Did Jesus not say that the sick are the ones that need care?
I suspect the leadership doesn't like this because they can end up losing multiple members at a time instead of just one. Sucks to be a cult leader these days. The sheep just aren't as meek as they used to be.
i wish there were more jw's resisting the extreme elements within the religion.
i beleive there are many who know some of the things they hear and read are whack, but stay because they think it's still the group god has chosen.
but there are ways to voice your opinion without being too vocal or disassociating:.
My mom also chooses to not believe in headship and other garbage as she does her own research. But shunning is ok with her. ;)Often, people with more money are the ones who have more ability to pick and choose what they believe, and take stands against certain things and have an easier time with it than JWs with less financial means.
Isn't that interesting, mamalove. Seems like even the hardcore JW's ignore the GB at least some of the time.
Yeah, somehow money has got something to do with it, doesn't it..... Things that make you go mmmm.....
i wish there were more jw's resisting the extreme elements within the religion.
i beleive there are many who know some of the things they hear and read are whack, but stay because they think it's still the group god has chosen.
but there are ways to voice your opinion without being too vocal or disassociating:.
Yes hoser, I agree. It is bullying. And some elders (managers) can be more aggressive than others. Some congragations are more toxic than others. Bullies prey on loners and part of bullying is making the victim feel like everyone is against him.
So what if the moderate elements supported each other and that feeling of I'm the only one whose not giving 100% wasn't there? What if the brother who sent his kids to college got together with the brother who talks to his disfellowshipped son and the brother who barely goes out in service and just had a good time talking about anything and everything except for the religion? Wouldn't that be a lot better than feeling left out because you didn't get invited to the pioneer get together?
i wish there were more jw's resisting the extreme elements within the religion.
i beleive there are many who know some of the things they hear and read are whack, but stay because they think it's still the group god has chosen.
but there are ways to voice your opinion without being too vocal or disassociating:.
ABiblestudent, the website that seems to me to strike the most appropriate tone for moderate witnesses is http://www.jwstruggle.com/. Seems to me like it's written from the perspective of Witnesses who have not given up on the faith, but know something is not right.
JWfacts.com was a tremendous resource for me, but only when I wanted to know the truth no matter how ugly it was. It may stir up some doubts in moderate witnesses, but it may also trigger the cult personality, IMHO.
I dont think a petition like that would raise doubt with a moderate because it's too directly oppositional to the group. It may work on someone who is more ready to exit.
Moderate JW's will probably open an email that appears to be coming from an elder, but if the writer doesn't thread very lightly it will trigger the aposta-radar. Pehaps an annonymous email that doesn't directly refer to religion per se, but has an empowering message.... (Not that one single email will do it, obviously, but it may start someone on the journey. Their self esteem has to be built up, and that takes more than one email.)
This is why I feel that those still in are in the best position to do this. It's about building rapport, giving support, offering unconditional love, and as Steve Hassan would say, empowering people to think for themselves.
i wish there were more jw's resisting the extreme elements within the religion.
i beleive there are many who know some of the things they hear and read are whack, but stay because they think it's still the group god has chosen.
but there are ways to voice your opinion without being too vocal or disassociating:.
I don't think that you will succeed in bringing about any changes in the religion just because you want to do a few things differently, such as moving to a new congregation or not contributing for certain literature. It will hardly be noticed, if at all.
If you are vocal about anything you don't like in the religion, it will get the attention of the control freaks and you will be pulled into a meeting to "readjust" your thinking.
My personal opinion is that I just wanted to get the hell out of there.
Thanks for the feedback LongHairGal. I don't think I or anyone else will effect any change all alone. It's like bullying. One person standing up to a bully will get their @ss kicked. A bunch of people changing the dynamic and sending a message that it's not Ok to bully can effect change.
Also, I'm not suggesting that the conscious class be directly vocal. That would engage the cult personality in even the moderates. The regime would love that because then they can just df you and get rid of you. You can no longer "contaminate" the others. I'm suggesting the conscious class stay in and resist in subtle ways. I'm not suggesting anyone speak out against the organization. I'm suggesting instead of judging those who are obeying 100% that they be supported and treated with love. If an elder has a problem with that you can just say you're trying to encourage the brother. I'm suggesting the feeling of isolation that one has when not obeying 100% is created by the regime as a control mechanism. How can that be combatted?
I don't blame you for wanting to get the hell out of there. Sadly that isn't a viable option for everyone. I believe those who can't leave can actually help others awaken if they play their cards right. If enough people wake up the regime will either have to losen it's grip or tighten the noose so much that it could actually lead to a mass defection. Besides, what good is it to be a leader of a high control group, if you don't have a high level of control?
i wish there were more jw's resisting the extreme elements within the religion.
i beleive there are many who know some of the things they hear and read are whack, but stay because they think it's still the group god has chosen.
but there are ways to voice your opinion without being too vocal or disassociating:.
ABibleStudent, if I was a doubting JW and I got an email like that I would probably think damn apostates trying to make trouble. I'm not saying the petition itself is a bad idea, just saying that a doubting JW might be the wrong audience. It's one thing to continue speaking to a df'd loved one, it's another thing to sign a petition against the Org. To a doubting JW that has evil apostate written all over it, IMHO.
