Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Isolationism Is Only a Cult Ploy!

     The tactic of isolationism is employed in order to control someone. The definition of being isolated is the following: To set apart or cut off from others, to place apart; cause to be alone. It's a basic quarantine action used as what they claim is a disciplinary action. I've already shown how disfellowshipping is not scriptural. But it runs much deeper than that.

 Remember when you were approached by a witness for the first time? What were you told? Probably something along these lines:

"Jesus indicated that a similar day [to the Flood] is coming in our time. Those heeding the knowledge associated with this event will have the prospect of not only surviving but also living forever. In addition, the dead who are in Gods memory will be raised to life with the prospect of never having to die again. ... All evidence shows that this day is very near, which means that you may never die at all." Watchtower 2005 Apr 15 p.5      

Ah yes. Who wouldn't want to live forever in a paradise world? No wars, no sickness, no reason for sadness. To anyone living in today's world, that would sound inviting.

Then they hit you with the "Living in the Last Days" angle. They point to all of the bad stuff going on and claim that it is a sign that we are living in the last days. Time is short, so don't wait too long. They might even entice you into thinking that it is a great time to become a witness, because with the end "right around the corner" for this wicked system of things, you wouldn't have to wait for very long.

And for a long time, the generation that would not pass away was linked to 1914. Anyone alive during that time era was going to see all of these things take place as this wicked world would be wiped out, and replaced with a new paradise world.

All you had to do was begin studying with the jws, learn their teachings, attend their meetings, and eventually get baptized.

So you join in. You study and learn their teachings. You attend their meetings. And you get baptized. And then the real truth sets in. Things that they probably didn't warn you about beforehand. And why would they? After all, their duty as a jw is to convert you. And they succeeded.

So now you begin to receive weekly lectures on tasks you need to perform to remain in good standing. You need to attend every meeting. You need to attempt to comment at those meetings. You need to be regular in the preaching work. You need to do your personal studies that are assigned. You need to join the theocratic ministry school and give speeches that are assigned to you.

Well, you might reason, with commitment comes responsibility. But then......

They tell you who you can associate with, what you can read, what movies you can watch, what television programs are acceptable, what games you can play, what jobs you can apply for, what medical attention you can receive, appropriate dating, how married couples are allowed to have sex, what music you can listen to, what education is acceptable, and so on.

And you cannot question any of their teachings, even if those teachings change. You can be disfellowshipped for several things not listed in the bible. And all disputes must remain "in-house" so that the elders can handle the matter. So if somebody cheats you in a business matter, you are not allowed to sue them.

Basically every aspect of your life is now in their hands. And you are not allowed to question it. But what happens if you do? That is when isolationism is enforced. They cut you off from all members of the jw community, including your family. And there you must stay until you can prove to them that you have repented. All alone with no one to help you. Until finally you break down and are forced to come crawling back to them.

Is that what you thought you were joining when they first approached you? Did you ever imagine that you would volunteer to give your life away? Did you ever think that these nice people would eventually threaten you with isolationism in order to control you? 

I doubt any of those things entered your mind when you joined them. But there are ways to overcome isolationism. For starters, Jesus was against vows and oaths. (Matthew 5:33-37) So it is wrong for the jws to make you swear a public agreement to be in association with their organization. Also, when that organization began changing its doctrines, to which you might not be in agreement with now, you are entitled to break that vow. Compare it to wedding vows. You enter into an agreement with your mate forever, right? What happens if one person decides to change the wording of those vows afterwards which now allows them to become a polygamist and marry again? Should you be forced to go along for the ride since you made a vow in which the dynamics have changed? Vows are about actions in the future, and the future is something over which we have little or no control.

It is also important to remember that they hold no power over you. They cannot stop you from finding enjoyment out of life. Try reaching out to others and make some new friends. Try exploring several hobbies that could lead you to more opportunities. Keep yourself active, and eventually things will begin to happen for you.

Isolationism is only powerful if you allow it to happen. But it can easily be derailed once a person learns that the world is full of adventures, and that there are many people out there looking to share those adventures with someone. Happy hunting.