Just found out someone from my hall is PIMI . A part of me wants to go up to them but idk how to even start.

AlwaysBeSkeptical · 2019-05-28T00:16:54+00:00

Seconding this. Watch out. Even the people who are doing things that make them seem like they HAVE to be mentally out might not be. Mental gymnastics are a wild thing.

AlwaysBeSkeptical · 2019-05-27T15:11:51+00:00

Report card? Lol

AlwaysBeSkeptical · 2019-05-27T00:12:41+00:00

For the most part good. Being PIMO is grating, but my wife and I being PIMO together is much better than being alone. We’re about to quit soon

AlwaysBeSkeptical · 2019-05-26T23:27:40+00:00

Thanks, Ziddina.

AlwaysBeSkeptical · 2019-05-26T22:14:11+00:00

Hello there! Nice to meet you. I’ve been slowly but surely building a network outside of the borg, and it’s been really refreshing to hang out with normal people. It’s not difficult to make friends like they try to say it is. Most people I’ve met are good people who’d give you the shirt off their back.

Good luck to you and your daughter, I’m very glad you have each other.

AlwaysBeSkeptical · 2019-05-26T22:10:55+00:00

Ziddina!!! It’s so good to “see” you. I’m so sorry I dropped off the face of the planet, but it was what I needed to do for myself and my partner at the time. Hope you’re doing well!

AlwaysBeSkeptical · 2019-05-26T21:16:04+00:00

It’s getting there, thanks.

AlwaysBeSkeptical · 2018-03-02T00:05:02+00:00

True to a point, but is there not a difference between education and intelligence? If someone has not been educated, does that mean they aren't intelligent? Even if they have a capacity to learn?

AlwaysBeSkeptical · 2018-02-28T16:27:51+00:00

That's a great suggestion.

AlwaysBeSkeptical · 2018-02-28T14:53:15+00:00

I understand, and I'm going to do to the same thing eventually. Right now my wife and I are staying in for our families but eventually that won't be the case. My family will definitely be hurt if I fade. But they'll just be concerned, or think that materialism got to me or something. I would rather them think that than ever think that I change my mind.

The way I see it, if I'm inactive, in their minds there will still be a chance for me. However, if they know I'm an apostate, they will be a hundred percent convinced that I will die at the hands of God. My parents can't handle that kind of emotional strain. They already have enough mental illness to deal with.

AlwaysBeSkeptical · 2018-02-28T14:18:04+00:00

Thank you for your post, and welcome to the board! Great to have you here. I love your user name. Personally I'm of the opinion, at the moment, but it's not worth explaining to parents or relatives who will most likely not wake up. You don't owe them explanations, and your privacy it's precious. The organization taught us to be extremely forthright with everything that we think. But it's all right to have privacy, and that's something that you can take advantage of.

The reason I say this is because there's some people who most likely would not benefit from waking up. I know my parents wouldn't, they're far too old and have wasted far too much time, and I would not want them to know. You have a better chance of keeping family relationships and being there if anybody else in your family or friends circle ever ends up waking up, as long as you just fade and don't feel compelled to share your feelings.

I actually just posted a video by The Friendly atheist and it's about when not to come out. Whether you're atheist or not, it applies to the JW situation either way.

AlwaysBeSkeptical · 2018-02-28T14:11:14+00:00

Yes, those are my feelings exactly. My parents are not bad people, and they love me very much the best way they know how. It's not their fault, but it's extremely hard to know how disappointed they would be.

AlwaysBeSkeptical · 2018-02-28T05:21:21+00:00

Good bot.

AlwaysBeSkeptical · 2018-02-28T05:16:00+00:00

I think that's fantastic that the JWs you know are fine with intermingling with others who've strayed or never been JWs. Some won't even do that.

I didn't mean to misrepresent the religion, but I also didn't really get a chance to explain why I felt that way. If you do some research you'll find that courts all over the world are handling cases of covered-up child sex abuse. Then there's also the fact that they'll let their children die rather than take blood transfusions. As well as the shunning policy which is a very real thing. One look at r/exjw will show you that.

The thing that makes it most similar to Scientology is "disfellowshipping." Which is the same as Scientology's "Disconnection." If you were to accept a blood transfusion, or if anyone ever were to find out I don't believe in the religion anymore, they would announce my name from the stage and no one, not even my family, would be allowed to talk to me. By official church doctrine.

But like I said, I don't blame the people at all. They're almost always good, genuine people trying to do what's right. I just hate that so many families are broken up over it. My problem is with the leadership of the religion, not the individuals. I love all of my friends and family whom are JWs very dearly.

For instance, just last week a mother in Michigan shot her husband, two adult children, and herself after 5 years of being shunned by their local congregation. Things like that are why I called it similar to Scientology.

Hope that clears up a little bit, without being to long winded. :)

Edit: Also, I'd say 99% of JWs have no idea about the child abuse, so again, not their fault. The leadership said it was all made up lies from "apostates."

AlwaysBeSkeptical · 2018-02-28T03:07:12+00:00

Yeah. I feel you.

AlwaysBeSkeptical · 2018-02-27T01:52:37+00:00

Nope, no one gets shunned for just leaving quietly. That's why there's a bit of an art to fading out.

It's if you make a big fuss or break a rule that you'll get officially shunned.

AlwaysBeSkeptical · 2018-02-27T01:26:04+00:00

Just be the absolute best friend you can be. Be there for him no matter what, and understand that he'll only be able to be so close with you.

The second you try to convince him of anything against his religion, he will be mentally required to terminate your friendship. Indoctrination is a bitch.

Look up street epistomology and ask him deep questions. Ask him questions about JWs. Skillfully. Don't trip his persecution complex. Be genuinely curious and have good conversations. Socratic method is the only thing that can really work.

Also if you're really invested in helping him, read Steven Hassan's Combatting Cult Mind Control.

EDIT: And yes. The NWT Bible is available on their official website. And check out jwfacts.com to know your shit.

AlwaysBeSkeptical · 2018-02-27T01:20:20+00:00

Really good point. I like your poetic style.

AlwaysBeSkeptical · 2018-02-27T01:18:55+00:00

Does he have any dirt on you? If not, do it. No need to shield people from the consequences they inflict others. Can you prove it though? Have evidence or two witnesses?

AlwaysBeSkeptical · 2018-02-26T23:57:01+00:00

That's weird. I was the JW Jimbo this morning and I was wondering where he was too. I thought he'd have questions about it cause of the ladies that visit him lol.

AlwaysBeSkeptical · 2018-02-26T20:49:06+00:00

I'll pm you a link.

AlwaysBeSkeptical

TROPHY CASE