I will be turning in my resignation today.

by AK - Jeff 54 Replies latest jw experiences

  • AK - Jeff
    AK - Jeff
    My wife though struggles with exactly this issue especially with respects to family. I think she would like to know and for everyone else to know where we stand.

    I 'played along' for three years, for just one basic reason. One person really. My cousin, who was [is?] my best friend for well over 30 years is still 'in'. His initial reaction to my dissident ideas about the organization was 'I will of course do whatever I have to do if you get DF'd.' Meaning that I would be 'shunned'. There has been growth on both sides now, though I felt an early urge to DA and refrained. In discussion with him last week he indicated that he didn't think that he would entirely shun me and throw 30 years out the window.

    The interesting thing was, that during the conversation I began to recognise that my personal integrity was now based on my thinking and not on an organizations thinking any longer. His was still mired in organizational thought processes. That's when I knew it would be ok. He will have to be his own person of integrity or not, and I mine. If he comes to be unable to accept my integrity, then it is his loss.

    I have been able, in that three years, to accept that my actions, when done in harmony with my correct motives, are insoluble of my person. If anyone chooses to remove friendship from me due to my actions of integrity, then it is that person who has failed to grow, not I.

    Still, should he elect to 'shun' me, I will feel hurt a bit, but time will heal that rather quickly now I believe. My true hope is that he will at one point accept the facts I have provided him, and take a closer look too. My integrity of action should do nothing but impell good actions from him with time. So I take the loss, with the hope of a greater gain.

    I do not suggest this is the right action for all. That would be folly, as each individual has circumstances that affect his/her decision. It was not the right time for me until three years after I learned 'the truth of the truth'. But it feels correct and postive today.

    Jeff

  • AK - Jeff
    AK - Jeff
    Maybe this year I will decorate the inside of her room at Christmas.

    Nice idea, Jayhawk. Maybe a little 'Christmas trip' too? Some shopping in a city where no one knows you, a little bonding over the lights and jingles of the holidays. Just an idea.

    Jeff

  • AK - Jeff
    AK - Jeff

    Paul kindly posted my letter here;

    http://jwfacts.com/experiences/akjeff.htm

  • Sunspot
    Sunspot
    There is no significance to me as to how they view me, it is about how I view me, I think.

    During a time where all your JW friends and relatives see you as pondscum or something they just scraped off their shoe....doing anything (reasonable and legal, that is ) to make yourself feel better about your life taking this turn, is only for the best.

    I was SO appalled and disgusted with the WTS after discovering how they duped and deceived me---that I wanted "out" of that organization ASAP....I didn't want to be known as "one of Jehovah's Witnesses" for one more DAY, and I wanted as many of those I could tell, to be told WHY. Fading was just not for me.

    I was warned about the fallout by other exJWs but the choice was mine....and I was compelled in my own mind, that I had to write a DA letter and let the chips fall where they may. I knew how I would be treated, and my friends and relatives didn't let their devotion to the WTS down one little bit. They played their parts perfectly, as if in a well-rehearsed play, right on cue.

    I have never regretted writing that letter, I only regretted becoming a JW and messing my life and my hubby's and kids lives up for 30 years. For me, writing that DA letter was MY announcement I had enough and MY ticket to closure from them and MY thresh-hold to freedom at long last.

    Somehow, I don't think that I would have had the same feeling by just fading out by not going to meetings and running the hamster-wheel existence that JWs are expected to live. I was already "not participating" in this lifestyle because of illness that kept me out of the loop anyway...AND I was not even missed! THIS is what got me started wondering about this "organization identfied by the love it shows" in the first place! It had now gone full circle as far as I was concerned.

    My love and very best wishes for you and your family's life once this "news" gets out.....you have SO many of us to lean on who have "been there" and who truly understand just how the WTS---the organization that claims to follow Christ---will now be treating you.

    hugs always,

    Annie

  • moshe
    moshe

    Good luck Jeff. Being proactive about leaving is liberating- you are in charge now. You control the course/direction your life takes, not some old geezers in Brooklyn, NY.

    Shalom,

    Moshe

  • StillGroggy
    StillGroggy

    congrats jeff, I wonder how long till I'm in your shoes...

  • Jourles
    Jourles

    Once it's official, it feels as if a great weight has been taken off of your shoulders. It's an amazing feeling. enjoy it.

  • AuldSoul
    AuldSoul

    Congratulations, Jeff. I experienced immediate relief. There was pain along with it, but the pain was not because of anything I did. It was because of the choices of others. Don't be surprised if people try to turn this back on you, as though you brought their reaction on yourself. Every person gets to choose.

    Respectfully,
    AuldSoul

  • lonelysheep
    lonelysheep

    Good, Jeff. I agree, that it will feel like such a relief.

  • fullofdoubtnow
    fullofdoubtnow

    Sunspot, this could have been me speaking:

    I was SO appalled and disgusted with the WTS after discovering how they duped and deceived me---that I wanted "out" of that organization ASAP....I didn't want to be known as "one of Jehovah's Witnesses" for one more DAY, and I wanted as many of those I could tell, to be told WHY. Fading was just not for me.

    That's exactly how I felt when I found out the truth about the wts, I couldn't write my da letter quickly enough, and I've certainly never regretted sending it.

    Congratulations Jeff, and good luck.

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