The insidious bind the Watchtower religion places on their members is unconscionable.
Holding family and friends "hostage" as an extortion strategy may be their most potent weapon of enforced conformity.
In effect, like an armed criminal who points a gun at you and threatens "Your money or your life", the Watchtower leadership
holds the power to separate dissenting members from those whom they most cherish.
The "gun" is the SHUN.
Pointing the SHUN at you and threatening to cut you off from your loved ones is a psychological brutality.
Absolute Obedience is required.
We are all aware of friends and family who are STILL INSIDE the Kingdom Halls with no actual conviction that they are in "The Truth"!
They have been whip-sawed into the folding chairs at mind-numbing meetings....with an implied: or else!
What do we call such persons? I'd say VICTIMS.
These victims are condemned to a joyless life. It is a Double Life.
Pretending to be what they are not, each day is filled with compulsory duty enforced by watchful eyes of leader with the power to destroy the solidarity of Family.
I know a married couple who were each the children of Congregation Elders and who secretly celebrate Christmas but who can quickly remove all traces of this when the grandparents come to visit. They are compelled to live like Bootleggers hiding a still from Federal agents!!
Imagine, if you will, the stress on the kids! Imagine the distorted sense of loyalty being taught! Imagine what values are at conflict and the psychological destruction being wrought!!
What can you say, what can you do that could possibly solve this horrifying Sophies Choice for them??
In effect, such Jehovah's Witnesses-in-name-only, suffer an identity crisis which destroys any sense of reality and which makes a genuine life impossible.
Over time, these victims have chosen a living hell which they LEARN TO LIVE WITH as though it were NORMAL!
Repression, suppression and dual allegiences are default settings in their consciousness and consciences.
IS THERE ANY SOLUTION?
What are the Pro's and Con's in persuading such "still-in's" to cut the tether that will snap them back to a real life?
Any ideas on this?
Any success stories we can offer?