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Post by anon4now on Aug 16, 2007 17:20:15 GMT -5
For those of you that have left Truth, what was your response to those still in Truth who needed an explanation?
(I say "who needed an explanation" because most, if not all, avoid asking questions directly, opting instead for less obvious ways of asking "Did you leave and why?" such as "Well, where've you been?", "So, where did you move to <knowing full well we didn't move>?)", "What's <pause> new <pause> with you?", and "Hey, are you all <pause> okay?", to name a few.)
Leaving is not easy and because we have so many friends and family that are in, it is not simple either. A few may understand with nothing said but most will not. We feel we should be honest with them but at the same time we don't want to deliver a lecture to them.
Our list of reasons for leaving is a bit lengthy. Our biggest problem has become how to briefly explain why we have left.
(I now understand why the few I know who left seemed to drop off the face of the Earth. The thought of complete avoidance does have some appeal.)
I would appreciate any input from those of you who have faced this challenge.
-anon4now
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_
Junior Member
Posts: 71
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Post by _ on Aug 16, 2007 17:41:47 GMT -5
For those of you that have left Truth, what was your response to those still in Truth who needed an explanation? I simply say, "I no longer believe in many of the teachings and doctrines that are upheld and promoted within the fellowship." Yes, because I no longer believe in many of the teachings and doctrines that are upheld and promoted within the fellowship. around... how have you been? crack a smile and laugh a little... no where, we still live at the same place we always did... Not much... what's new with you? We're really doing great... thanks for asking... it means a lot that you're thinking of us... Then only answer when directly asked about it... I don't go around town proactivly telling those I see at stores or at get-togethers about why I left unless they specifically ask... Then simply come up with a short answer like I did - "I no longer believe in many of the teachings and doctrines that are upheld and promoted within the fellowship." If they ask what kind of beliefs/teachings, then go one by one... For example - 2x2 - why did you leave?
me- "I no longer believe in many of the teachings and doctrines that are upheld and promoted within the fellowship."
2x2 - what kind of teachings are you talking about?
me - for example, I believe in the Holy Trinity, that Jesus is God, I believe in Salvation through faith alone, and our efforts and works cannot merit salvation.
2x2 - ...oh...
me- so how have you been? how's the kids? If they ask more, then give more answers...
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Post by HelenGreene on Aug 16, 2007 17:49:21 GMT -5
I just stopped going to meeting. They got the message. I received NO calls. It was easy for me.
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_
Junior Member
Posts: 71
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Post by _ on Aug 16, 2007 17:50:41 GMT -5
I just stopped going to meeting. They got the message. I received NO calls. It was easy for me. would calls have been hard for you?
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Post by Greene on Aug 16, 2007 18:23:33 GMT -5
I just stopped going to meeting. They got the message. I received NO calls. It was easy for me. Are you related to the Greene's or Green's? in Vancouver Washington?
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Post by TMS on Aug 16, 2007 19:34:57 GMT -5
I also just quit going. No one called, no one emailed. it was like I never ever was part of the group. It was really easy, I just quit going, it was much easier to leave, then "join". The hard part was getting over the brain-washing I had been indoctrinated.
My parents just left also. They did not write letters. They said they are not oweing anyone anything but to God. So I feel the same way. its between me and God, not some man or woman who claims to "be the only true minsiter on the face of the earth and hold the gift of eternal life in their hands"
The workers "don't" hold the golden key to eternal life in their hands, God & Jesus does.
I don't need their key = I just need God and Jesus and the Bible and fellowship.
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ann
Senior Member
Jesus did NOT say follow people .. He said follow ME!
Posts: 267
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Post by ann on Aug 16, 2007 20:22:54 GMT -5
"The workers "don't" hold the golden key to eternal life in their hands, God & Jesus does."
AMEN! What a freeing statement TMS posted - hoping, praying some on here really understand what you are saying and shed the bondage. Grab the Bible and read with the blinders off and an open mind.
God Bless
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Post by Sylvestra on Aug 16, 2007 21:23:15 GMT -5
When I left I called my parents to tell them, and told my three children. Period. E
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Post by Brad Lewis on Aug 17, 2007 0:58:03 GMT -5
For those of you that have left Truth, what was your response to those still in Truth who needed an explanation? (I say "who needed an explanation" because most, if not all, avoid asking questions directly, opting instead for less obvious ways of asking "Did you leave and why?" such as "Well, where've you been?", "So, where did you move to <knowing full well we didn't move>?)", "What's <pause> new <pause> with you?", and "Hey, are you all <pause> okay?", to name a few.) Leaving is not easy and because we have so many friends and family that are in, it is not simple either. A few may understand with nothing said but most will not. We feel we should be honest with them but at the same time we don't want to deliver a lecture to them. Our list of reasons for leaving is a bit lengthy. Our biggest problem has become how to briefly explain why we have left. (I now understand why the few I know who left seemed to drop off the face of the Earth. The thought of complete avoidance does have some appeal.) I would appreciate any input from those of you who have faced this challenge. -anon4now 2x2s don't ask why I left the cult. They don't want to talk to me. When I left, I had asked a lot of questions that they didn't like. One guy told me I left because I wanted to start my own church. Ha, what a bunch of goofey people. Hmmm, who told them I wanted to start my own church. That is such an old line from the workers only a fool would repeat it. Brad
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dollface
Junior Member
Never dig a hole deeper than you can crawl out of
Posts: 141
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Post by dollface on Aug 17, 2007 2:10:04 GMT -5
"Did you leave and why?" such as "Well, where've you been?", "So, where did you move to <knowing full well we didn't move>?)", "What's <pause> new <pause> with you?", and "Hey, are you all <pause> okay?"
"Did you leave and why?" Me: "I woke up and couldn't go back to sleep." OR
Response to question “What happened?” "Things just didn’t work out." “Things? What things?” "A lot of things." then segue quickly to the weather question. See below.
The next question I've always been asked is: "How are you?" Me: "I am having the time of my life."
And then, because I know it's going to be 20 questions from here on out and anything I say will be misconstrued and gossiped about, perhaps even used as a testimony topic, I become proactive. (Remember, I was a devout member of this group for 40 years. I was a very good "information pumper" in my day. I recognize the drill.)
Since most of the "Fellowship" consists not of spiritual exchange but "who is doing what" "when" "how", "Really?", I made a policy NOT to ask personal questions myself. Even if I am curious as to the others personal circumstances. Because, now that I am ex-clusive to the group, that is just what it is; curiosity. So I try and drum up something totally out of the blue to talk about.
And a very good conversation re-director is:
"What do you think of the weather?"
The question must be in this format. People will stop mid sentence to answer this. It can be repeated up to a total of 3 times.
These are classic answers my husband gives to almost any question put to him ever:
"I don’t understand what you are saying." "Yea." "Huh?" "What?"
These can be repeated interchangeably to any question.
These are some options to awkward questions I have used to get out of some very sticky Truther conversations.
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Post by juliette on Aug 17, 2007 23:15:19 GMT -5
I like Bryan's answers, and my husband and I have only been asked this once in 9 months since we've left. My husband's answer was similar to Bryan's. He ended up having an amazing conversation with the woman who asked, and left feeling like they were kindred spirits. All of the other people that we encounter who still go to meeting seem very uncomfortable when they see us and can't wait to get away. They don't ask questions, and making conversation is generally left to us.
I think there's a certain level of fear associated with even asking the question, because in my experience people in the 2x2 fellowship don't talk much outside of meeting about their relationship with God or the bible. In my 38 years in the group, most of the "fellowship" consisted of talking about workers and friends and who was in which state or country and when conventions were. My conversation with my mom about our leaving the group was severely limited by the conventions of thought within the 2x2 faith. My dad has never said a word to me about our leaving, I assume my mom filled him in the best she could, and that was that!
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