Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 5
David describes a shift from wanting to “get even” to smiling at slander and intentionally returning good for evil (“thanks for being my best friend”); what would returning good for evil look like in your context without becoming denial, enabling, or pretending the wrong wasn’t real?
Another way to ask: What would “returning good for evil” look like in your situation with JWs or Watchtower? How could you do it without excusing the harm or letting it keep happening?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
In David’s framework, returning good for evil means choosing non-retaliation, kindness when possible, prayer, and fair speech—while still being honest about “errors or abuses” and speaking out for truth with the right motive.
- David admits the wrong was real: he lists serious harms (slander, abuse, sexual abuse mishandling, shunning) and calls shunning “incredibly cruel.”
- His internal change: he stopped being “resentful” when hearing rumors and chose to “say nice things about you” despite being called “an apostate.”
- He defines forgiveness as no animosity and no desire “to get even.”
- He says forgiveness does not equal silence: “I’m not saying don’t speak out about the errors or abuses… Speaking out… is perfectly compatible with forgiving… depends on what motivates you.”
- Practical examples: attempting kindness (his wife sent gifts though “always returned… in a rather nasty fashion”), being “perfectly fair” in public speech, correcting false accusations, and praying for offenders.