Wouldn't have it any other way

KW13

its odd. we dislike/hate the society but ya know...i'm kinda glad i was a witness.

I feel i HAVE benefited from some things. confidence to speak infront of a lot of people, voice how i feel and to find answers!

After that the great learning curve, i feel that i know things that without being a JW...i could never of known. The two perspectives of life. Ya know, i never saw myself leaving and now i could never picure myself in.

In a twisted way i am glad i was a witness and really really happy i left and made that part of me and managed to be a better person. it gave me some strength and courage to be able to continue against odds.

How about you?

AudeSapere

I'm not as accepting as you are. I'm still a little angry.

It might have something to do with the fact that I allowed myself to remain guilted by their teachings LONG after I had stopped attending meetings. It's only been about a year and a half that I've felt mentally free of the 'Lie'. I was 44 years old at the time.

You, on the other hand, escaped in your mid-teens. I envy your options and opportunities. I'm impressed by your optimism and insightful acceptance.

Nice post. Thanks.

-Aude.

KW13

Don't misunderstand. i have the days when i regret ever being a witness. its affected my thinking and everything but when things are going well i feel on top of the world. slowly better times come.

mrsjones5

confidence to speak infront of a lot of people, voice how i feel and to find answers!

funny, I was raised in it and got none of that from it. Quite the opposite actually, didn't find a voice until I left - had no confidence to speak in front of people (would not sign up for the ministry school no matter how my mother pushed). Didn't learn how to do real research and questions things until I left. I suppose it's different for everyone.

Josie

looking_glass

I agree with you KW. I don't have a problem with the way I was raised. There are good and bad things to life in general. I think being raised a JW has given me a voice that I use to this day. I am not bitter about my life. I am anger as to what has happened to other people and their lives, but not as to mine.

collegegirl21

I mostly agree with you. I am a little pissed off because of what it is doing to my family right now and how its tearing us apart, but I can speak in front of people better than most students in college that are around my age, I'm not as afraid. And I have learned how not to treat people too.

Carmel

I share your conclusion that growing up a JW had some long term benefits. Like you, I have no problem in front of groups, in fact for a while I considered a political career as my public speaking skills often put me into leadership positions. Beyond that, just the experiance of being made fun of as a JW kid by the other kids made me tougher, kind of like the "boy named Sue". Also, once I left my family and was df't by my 15th birtday I realized I had to make a life of my own, accept responsibility for my actions ( including not blaming my up-bringing for any shit that happened) and to be "at home" where ever I was. I don't have a place that I feel is any more home to me than where I am at the time. Happy wherever I am, well, to a degree..

Adversity sinks some people and they take on the "victim" attitude. I'm glad you haven't.

carmel

sass_my_frass

yes, I now know what love and loyalty means.

KW13

Some good points!

Also consider. Would you be the same person? Would you have the same family? Friends? Social Life? Job?

Wouldn't have it any other way

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