I don't understand....
Why did she leave her boyfriend Teis if she wasn't going to go back into the Jehovah Witness church.
" Benny, you silly great fat article"
Because they were worlds apart. Just as the title implies. She was raised with such different ideals, values and beliefs then he was that it would take a very strong couple to overcome all the issues that lay before them. I know, this could have been written about me. Fortunately, after 18 years we are still married and my family hasn't entirely shut me out.
shareShe told him that it was because he was the only thing filling the void created when she left her faith and her family. She had to create her own new history of self and forge her own identity in her new life that wasn't only centered on her relationship with him.
share@nycLass: Yeah, this is pretty much what I got out of it too. That was tough to find out because they really seemed like a solid couple. But if you don't truly believe that you're with them out of your own desire, I guess the best thing is really to move on.
"Bulls**t MR.Han Man!!"--Jim Kelly in Enter the Dragon
She also wanted to leave because he was not enough, and she felt that if she stayed, eventually she might come to resent him due to his being the "reason" for her losing her family.
This cult starts by alienating you from ANY worldly influences. Teaches children not to make connections in the "world"... ONLY to have "Like minded" people as friends, etc. So when the time comes that they "wake up" and realize that it is all a lie, as she said to her little brother, and do leave...
They will feel isolated and alone, without any emotional support whatsoever. Plus they teach that it was "your choice" to suffer this way, because "Jehovah" wants you to. Making you feel further guilt at having failed God.
It's emotional abuse at the HIGHEST level. Even the Mormons who turn away young men who do not wish to continue, or the Amish who shun the teens who do not return from Romspringa, are still allowed to have constant contact with parents and siblings, although siblings are usually supervised.
As far as I know, the JW "religion" is the ONLY cult which separates parents and children so maliciously, through emotional manipulating. That alone makes it a CULT, not a benign religion of fanatics.
For those about to say "OH YOU ARE LYING"... LOL Bring it on... see, that's the thing you don't see about brainwashing... the subject has to believe they are making the choice freely for it to work, or the mind would reject it.
OF COURSE THEY TELL YOU IT'S YOUR CHOICE!!! IT IS!!! AFTER ALL, HUMANS ARE FREE, RIGHT?
But the problem is...
If you make the CHOICE to reject "Jehovah"... You'll be all alone and unloved by anyone. They take the most basic human need and hold it hostage... Do THIS, you can have love always... Do THAT... and you never will again.
Naturally the brain tries to compensate by complying for as long as possible. Sara found LOVE outside of the JW hell life. That's why she was able to stay gone. Even after Teis and she separated she had KNOWN LOVE. Knew that others COULD love her, that this "Jehovah" was a lie, because if he was real he would have punished her by taking that love away, but he didn't. In fact, he was brought to her there at the Kingdom Hall, showing her that the REAL "God" wanted her to have this, no matter what the Elders say!
That's why they don't want you reading certain books, connecting with people online, why they have this "bad association" nonsense. So you won't have ANYTHING to prove love is out there for you.
Anyone who disagrees with this should simply open their eyes, and make a CHOICE to read other Ex JW websites, read the stories, and I'm certain, somewhere in that mind of yours, you'll find at least ONE that resonates with you, that you can relate to. DO NOT let the "Rules" keep you from it... You're ALLOWED to do ANYTHING You want, according to YOU, remember?
If your faith in Jehovah is so strong, NOTHING you read can change it. Only if theres a part of you searching for freedom can it effect you, tempt you...
And in that case, you'll listen, for your survival instinct will override JW programming.
Good luck!
I see where you are coming from but at the same time as the movie progressed she moved closer and closer to his "world" and his "values." By the end, she's independent (like he is) and she planned on becoming a teacher (said so in the credits at the end). It's clear she lost her faith (which Teis didn't have to begin with), so one would think they could still make a strong couple. Plus, she went through all these trials and tribulations with him, so there's a sense of understanding between them. I think that there's something in the true story that was left out in the movie. Great film nonetheless.
-Cheers!