Tattoo..
I have been inactive for 12 years now
and have no plans on returning soon.
I still have many freinds in the "truth"
and they remain in touch with me and
respect my way of life now.
When I left Bethal, it was an elder
who hired me into a reputable firm
and gave me the break I needed at the
time.
I have asked him and in my will that he
act as the Minister in the event of
serious illness or an early death.
When people ask me "what religion are you?"
I state thet I no longer associate with
religion, but that if I were forced to
declare one, i would say "Jehovah's Witness"
without hesitation.
Why?
Well. I was born into it.
Believed it at the time.
And "took" from it many things
that now mold me as a person today.
If the Watchtower ever reformed itself
I would consider returning.
Like I tell the Brothers and Sisters
when I bump into them..
The Society is made up of many peoples
with alot to offer and learn as well.
It is just to bad that the policies
push people away. If all of the ex-witnesses
were still associated with the witnesses now, it would
be a larger force in the world today and could
do alot in the way of outreach and charity.
If you choose to become a Witness , you can
always choose to leave. But many had to endure
until the age of 18 to leave their parents
religion.
I stayed until I was 22. I served at Bethel
and was saddened by the waste of resources
and talent that are wasted om such a sort sighted
purpose and goal.
The Watachtower could become an institution like
Harvard or the Smithsonian.
But it's shortsightedness and and lack of
"being real" in today's world prevent it
to progress to a world class entity
with the respect of its fellow citizens
of the world.
That is why I left, but it pains me
to see that all of my energy and youth
did not make much of a lasting impression
as the Watchtower goes thru members like
a dirty undershirt.
Keep asking questions so that you may
make an informed choice about your involvement
with the local congregation.
P.S. Everyone wants the world to be a better
place, but we need to take advantage
of the moment that had been given us
to make it better.