Do some people still think that you're a JW? (page 2)

Thegoodgirl

Some friends, when I tell them of my childhood, they assume I'm still a JW. It's like, "NO, I USED to be." But sometimes, people don't get that it's a huge huge difference between "used to be" and "currently practicing".

A friend of mine gave me several gifts for Christmas, and I was embarrassed I didnt' have one for her, so I told her, sorry, "I'm not so good with this stuff, it's only my 4th Christmas, I USED to be a JW..." She was then like, oh, I'm sorry, well, it's not really Christmas, just a "winter gift", see, no santa clause on the wrapping paper, etc.

I was so frustrated. "no, no, I'm not currently a JW!!!" It's sometimes better not just not bring it up.

TooOpinionated

I let everyone know. It can always be worked into the conversation, and gives me another opportunity to anti-witness. I feel a deep responsiblity to make sure others are not caught up in their deceitful web.

eyeslice

This is an interesting question with significant implications to those of us who have faded/fallen away.

My business partner and work colleagues would not think I was a JW - so that's not a problem.

On the other hand, we as a family never get any visits from the brothers and sisters in our local congregation even though my wife is still very active. I have not stepped inside our local Kingdom Hall for over 2 years but I do support my wife by going to Circuit and District Assemblies. I also, again out of respect for my wife of 28 years, I go to the memorial though not to our local hall as I personally cannot stomach the hypocrisy of some the elders there.

I am sure if I committed some disfellowshipping offense I would still be thought of as a JW - as many of you well know you can be disfellowshipped years later!

Eyeslice

troubled mind

Yes...... so far I have only told my non-witness sister-in-law and my Dad . This past weekend I told a Jw friend a little more than I intended to....like : I think the society is screwed up, and witnesses are mislead to follow lies about blood and disfellowshipping . My mouth runneth over. I also told her I was happy not attending brain numbing meetings anymore. I then back pedaled a bit when I heard the anxiety building in her voice , and said I hadn't made any definite decisions yet.(liar)

undercover

It's like, "NO, I USED to be." But sometimes, people don't get that it's a huge huge difference between "used to be" and "currently practicing".

When I meet new people who are interested in my childhood or past, I usually just say, "I was raised in a strict religious household that some people might consider cultish or oppressive. I managed to get out of it." That usually suffices unless we become really good friends and the the discussion might go deeper, later.

Lilycurly

I don't know why...but many strangers see me once and then recognize me after. So I'm quite paranoid that all those people I saw at the doors will see me and think I'm still a JW. It's kind of humiliating, to have people think you're in a cult.

A few weeks ago, I was eating at A&W with my two little brothers, and two women kept looking at us...and I know I heard words like cult and poor kids, complete with a few nasty looks when they thought I wasn't looking. I know I should'nt care, they are strangers...but still, I made an effort to look very un-JW, talking louder and messing around with my little bros, talking to them about their christmas gifts. I really wished that I would have worn some of my jewellery that day...ank cross, pentagram or the likes...a quick flash of that and it clears everything up.

daystar

lilycurly

I really wished that I would have worn some of my jewellery that day...ank cross, pentagram or the likes...a quick flash of that and it clears everything up.

Or, "See! I knew those Jehovah's were Satanists!"

damselfly

I worked with a girl that insisted on saying I was a JW and evrytime I would correct her "NO, I was raised one I am NOT one now and haven't been for years"

She didn't get it and I found out a few weeks ago that she told everyone at my job that I was a JW!!! I set the person that told me that straight and asked her if it came up with other coworkers to please pass it along as well.

Dams

fullofdoubtnow

Yes, I would think that some people still think I am a jw, the ones I haven't seen in a while anyway, and probably quite a few current jws think so, though I believe there has been a circuit assembly recently, so word of my da may have spread. I tell anyone who asks I am not of course, but I expect it may be quite some time before everyone knows that I have left.

ColdRedRain

I think it's just because the North American educational system is retarded. People aren't familliar with the idea of a past tense. Same with my neighbors.

Do some people still think that you're a JW?

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