Mindchild, you raise a provocative question. Perhaps you all would be interested in a view from a never-been JW. I began searching the web for info about JWs, as I noted in an earlier post--wanted to learn because I have work colleages who have become friends... and employees who are members. I have bookmarked a number of web sites and I visit this forum frequently. I have also bought a number of books that I found recommended on the sites, and have read most of them (still working my way through COC and ISOCF).
What was a passing desire to learn a little about what might explain "interesting" behavior has become a bit of an obsession. What I am learning is shocking to me.
It is often difficult to follow the nuances of the Bible discussions. As a casual Catholic, I never had occasion to pick apart and extract (what seems to me as) obscure meaning from fragments of Bible passages. Intellectually I can understand the outrage that comes from learning the WT interpretations are skewed or outright manipulated for specific objectives, but emotionally it's tough to relate. I've even tried to read the Bible passages referenced in these posts and I find it a stretch to even see a remote connection with many of the ideas that the passages are supposed to support. That may be due to my own limitations and lack of familiarity with much of the material.
The child molestation issues are horrible... but as evidenced in the news, not unique to JWs. This is important work and should be exposed, but may not be enough to do what you want.
What kept me coming back... continuing the investigation... and shaking my head in disbelief were the control tactics... shunning, disfellowshipping, judicial committees,legal defense tactics, and language control. I had no idea. This is Christian? Not anywhere close. Do you have any idea how outrageous these activities seem? Downright evil in my view. But if my previous perceptions are any indication, anyone without a direct connection to this organization does not have any idea of the totality of the control. From afar, I though JWs were on the fundamentalist end of Christianity, rather patriarchal, and for some strange reason, did not celebrate holidays. Those were the extent of my thoughts about it, on the rare occasions I thought anything at all.
Now I find myself looking for the serious and thoughtful posts about experiences, getting out, getting "trapped" in the first place... Is this organization as dangerous as some of the more infamous cults? I don't know. But when I stand back and look at the whole system, the control, the secrecy... all of the things that made it so difficult for you to leave or to talk about your doubts... it's beyond unbelievable that all of this exists in the free world in the guise of a "legitimate" faith/religion.
You have a remarkable amount of info in the archives of this forum, and in the stories of your experiences--much like the one Amazing is telling in his series. I find that a really interesting and yes, shocking, story.
But mine is just one opinion. Ask your non JW friends... what would make them sit up and take notice? Find the common themes... you could make a plan...
Nimue
