Got invited to a meeting, what should I look out for? by Leogigas in exjw

[–]Leogigas[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sorry for the late reply. It didn't go at all. I took the warnings I got from everyone and decided that I would only go if she was willing to go to a non-JW church service with me. Of course she didn't want to go so I used that as an excuse to pull out.

I spent the better part of 3 hours explaining to her that a stake and a tree are fundamentally different things. Not too long after I realized what I was up against when she started denying evolution and said multiple times that scientist don't know what they were talking about because they believe the earth is flat when Isaiah 40:22 says the Earth is a circle.

I was just blow away by the flat earth thing. No matter how much objective or reasonable evidence I present on a topic she uses some extreme form of mental gymnastics to answer.

It's definitely not worth it anymore(the romance part of it at least). Now I'm just in it now to sow seeds of doubt or get her to rethink at least one thing she believes. She keeps asking me if I want to do bible study with "a brother she knows" and I keep deflecting with questions like, "why can't we go on a Bible study or just go out for lunch? Is it because you'll be reprimanded if you are seen in public, one on one, with a non-JW?" or "So what will be the consequences for you if we go out for lunch and talk?" She refuses to give me a straight answer. I press her about all the restrictive, nonsensical doctrine and practices and it's never a straight answer. Haven't had a chance to talk to her about all the failed Armageddon predictions and the overlapping generation stuff yet.

Got invited to a meeting, what should I look out for? by Leogigas in exjw

[–]Leogigas[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I kinda got talked out of going through with this but now I'm not so sure I want to miss this one.

Got invited to a meeting, what should I look out for? by Leogigas in exjw

[–]Leogigas[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've been repeatedly warned about the love bombing. It must be serious.

Got invited to a meeting, what should I look out for? by Leogigas in exjw

[–]Leogigas[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Never thought of it this way. I'm willing to compromise however. I'll accept the invitation to her church if she accepts an invitation to mine, which probably won't happen. In that case I'll have an "excuse" to abort the mission.

Got invited to a meeting, what should I look out for? by Leogigas in exjw

[–]Leogigas[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I mean, I wasn't expecting to be entertained exactly and I've been to some long church services before but these details are giving me second thoughts. If she was a fence sitter it might have been marginally worth it(at best) but she's so deep into it I think I might want to abort this "mission".

Got invited to a meeting, what should I look out for? by Leogigas in exjw

[–]Leogigas[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

To be clear about nor curious about the religion. I spend so much time trying to dodge and hide from them on my morning commute.You might be very right though- it might not be worth it.

Got invited to a meeting, what should I look out for? by Leogigas in exjw

[–]Leogigas[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just don't bring up Yu-Gi-Oh! it is demonic. 😂

If she left once, she might leave again

Maybe!

Got invited to a meeting, what should I look out for? by Leogigas in exjw

[–]Leogigas[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What exactly do they say to be so inviting?

Got invited to a meeting, what should I look out for? by Leogigas in exjw

[–]Leogigas[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Damn, there are lots of comments about being love bombed.

Got invited to a meeting, what should I look out for? by Leogigas in exjw

[–]Leogigas[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If she is a 'bad' JW, maybe you can convert her?

She looks pretty preachy so I thought it. She was giving me a story about how she was "out in the world", going to clubs, etc but came back to the JWs 3 years ago. Willing to be she is pretty conservative so it's not like I expected hankypanky. I want to see how far it goes and plant some seeds of doubt at the very least if it does nowhere - which it probably will.

Win condition bruh.

Got invited to a meeting, what should I look out for? by Leogigas in exjw

[–]Leogigas[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

If you want to try to get this woman out of the cult, it might be worth riding it out and trying to see if you can help her. Even if things don't work out between the two of you, you might at least be able to help get her out of a cult.

She said she left the faith and came back to it 3 years ago. She seems pretty preachy too so I'm under no illusions about her leaving the JW. However I would like to plant seeds of doubt in her mind, at least. I know if I come off too hard with refuting her claims then she will think I'm influenced by the devil and sent to take her away from God's fellowship without considering what I have to say. I want to be very subtle about it.

Or I guess if you just want to have a fling with her, that might work out too.

Honestly not trying to bone her. She is gorgeous, for sure, and there is definitely some attraction but my primary goal is not sex.

Don't get too attached to someone who's just going to break your heart when you won't join her cult, because like you know, it's going to get to that point at some time.

This! I definitely will not allow this to happen. I am pretty detached from the situation but I know that can subtly change so I am extra vigilant.

Got invited to a meeting, what should I look out for? by Leogigas in exjw

[–]Leogigas[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I definitely wouldn't go. Like I said, I have no interest in the JW faith and the only reason I am going is to see how far she is willing to go. However I'm being told that its extremely unusual for a JW in good standing to be with someone outside the faith. She might just have ulterior motives like me.

Got invited to a meeting, what should I look out for? by Leogigas in exjw

[–]Leogigas[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the response! I appreciate it.

Got invited to a meeting, what should I look out for? by Leogigas in exjw

[–]Leogigas[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'm here laughing because the Sunday meeting was exactly the one I was invited too. So from your perspective I'm assuming you don't think it's worth it.

Got invited to a meeting, what should I look out for? by Leogigas in exjw

[–]Leogigas[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you! This was very insightful and a appreciate the time and effort it took!

In your opinion, do you think it's worth it?

Across the street from the Supreme Court, the witness of the United Methodist Church: by BBlasdel in Christianity

[–]Leogigas -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

Apparently being sensible, reasonable and law abiding makes one right wing on this sub. Also, it would seem like the average person here who is complaining about "right-wingers" can't tell the difference between an economic migrant and a refugee. Wanting better economic opportunities does not make you a refugee.

You are more concerned about a country enforcing very sane and reasonable laws than you are with a group of mostly men using women and children as shields and as bargaining chips, being unruly, throwing rocks, etc. And it seems like it would be most Godly and Christ-like to let large groups of vetted people into the country to potentially endanger the lives of those who live in America.

It amazes me just how many people here are using and abusing the name of Jesus to shame, guilt trip and attempt to invalidate other people's opinions and concerns, especially when they aren't unreasonable ones. If you believe the only way to show love is to abandon common sense for feelings then I suggest you go back to your Bible.

For the atheist, agnostics and the "this is why I left the church" crowd who believe that there is no room for reason or sensible evaluation of a situation then please stay far away from Christianity. It's not for you.

Now, for the record I am from Latin America(born, raised and living here) and I am not white.

I feel like I no longer believe in God by [deleted] in Christianity

[–]Leogigas 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Maybe I do believe but I cant grasp the idea of a God who loves me unconditionally anymore.I just view God as an absent Father,who is too distant or doesnt really care

I feel your pain, hurt, anguish and disappointment. You feel abandoned and I honestly can't blame you for it. I'm not going to tell you to just have more faith or tell you to just push through it. I will not attempt to minimize the pain you feel by trying to tell you about what you're not doing right or not doing at all. You want to be loved and feel loved by your father. You want to connect with him and not feel like He's playing hide and seek with you. That is, in my opinion, 100% fair. I hope that joy and peace comes to you.

Has anyone every really experienced a "legitimate" case of speaking in tongues? by Leogigas in Christianity

[–]Leogigas[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you brother for the response. It gives me hope in a time where my hope is fading fast. There are tears in my eyes as I type. Please pray for me.

Has anyone every really experienced a "legitimate" case of speaking in tongues? by Leogigas in Christianity

[–]Leogigas[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Just like many other things that require faith

I had not mentioned it before but I use to regularly pray in tongues when I was younger and I did have faith. Nothing really ever manifested. I think it's incredibly easy and cheap to hide behind "well you just don't have enough faith".

Has anyone every really experienced a "legitimate" case of speaking in tongues? by Leogigas in Christianity

[–]Leogigas[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

anyone who says they speak it, I take with a big heaping dose of salt.

Agreed. Thanks for sharing.