Are you really free from the Watchtower?

yaddayadda

The thread on how long it took you to get out of the organisation made me think. I honestly think anyone that spends more than half an hour per day on anti-JW sites like this is, psychologically, not out of the organisation at all, despite their best protests. The Watchtower clearly still fascinates them to the point of an obsessive, compulsive need to frequently post on this website and others. I'm certain that many posters on this site are, quite frankly, psychologically incapable of never visiting JW-related websites again. They have simply swapped mental slavery to a religious organisation for mental slavery to a religious website. So the question is: until the day comes when you finally stop feeding your JW website addiction, can you really, honestly, say you are FREE from the Watchtower???

Outaservice

I only spend 29 minutes a day on this site, so I guess I'm okay/normal?

Outaservice

OnTheWayOut

As a person with a JW website addiction, I actually agree with you. The difference is (in my case, maybe some others) that I spent 20 years in the WTS, I need my methodone (JWS) as I withdraw from the herroine (WTS). I must safely withdraw that way, or I may wind up going back to the worse drug.

While it will be difficult, I plan to cut back on this new addiction when I feel that I am able to.

jaguarbass

They have simply swapped mental slavery to a religious organisation for mental slavery to a religious website. So the question is: until the day comes when you finally stop feeding your JW website addiction, can you really, honestly, say you are FREE from the Watchtower???

I've been out for 23 years. I believe we are the sum total of all our life experiences. I was in the organization for 30 so that experience will always be apart of me. I believe whatever doesnt kill me makes me stronger as a person. I have been working 12 hour days lately and when I come home I enjoy posting here, it helps me to unwind. And for one thing there is a counter and I want to see how high I can get. For another I know something about the topic. Then you say can you really, honestly say you are free of the Watchtower, one thing I can tell you about, that is since leaving the society I dont have to be honest about anything, I'm free! Is the person who watches football, or soap operas or situation comedys better off than me because I come here? Maybe with your wisdom you can tell me the purpose of life and how I should live mine. And after that I got a bridge down here in Florida I can sell you, Hell, I have a whole load of bridges for you.

OnTheWayOut

Good post Jaguarbass.

We can all choose our relaxation anyway we want to. Still, your post totals is not extremely high for the time you have here. I understand the original premise that some are addicts here- they freaked out when the JWD was temporarily down. You just have better balance.

Brigid

I do not ever see myself totally abandoning this site or sites of its ilk at least. Yes, the WTBS upbringing is hardwired in me. I really enjoy connecting with others who "know" this side of me (and it is only a side) like no other on this planet can. So, does that make me guilty of not moving on. I feel I've moved on in all the ways that truly matter. But I admit that it colors my psyche in many many ways both good and bad. So what?

I also think it's very important to keep this site up and welcome those who are lurking, or just stepping out of the organization bruised battered and weary--certain that nothing awaits leaving the org but drug addiction or AIDS. There is life out here and in abundance.

The wanderer

Yes, I would agree that we are still held
"captive" by the Watchtower Society to a
certain degree.

Some less than others, however, it cannot
be under estimated how powerful the brain
washing of this organization was.

I believe the day and time will come in which
I will walk away from this "grip" the Society
has over me. For now though, this board has
been great therapy.

Respectfully,

The Wanderer

TopHat

You'er right yadayadayada, My butt is getting sore and I am not getting out like I use to...Tomorrow I will start my day by letting the blood run freely through my veins. I been meaning to buy a new pair of jogging shoes and take a class in anything that will get me in good shape by the end of this year.

Asheron

A few questions for you.

1. How did you come up with 30 minutes as your qualification for 'mental slavery"?

2. Where did you get your Psych degree?

3. You said "I'm certain that many posters on this site are, quite frankly, psychologically incapable of never visiting JW-related websites again." Did you analyze every user to before making this insightful statement? What else are you "certain" off?

4. Do you know what argumant from personal incredulity means?

5. Can you suggest an EJW Web Site Addition- support web site?

Asheron

BabaYaga

I certainly see your point, YaddaYadda, but you have lots more posts than me. *grin*

I have been out of the Org for over 20 years now. It has been a long, hard, but-oh-so-worth-it process. Even after 2 decades, I was still so touchy about growing up as a JW that I could not answer questions my husband (never involved with the JWs) would ask. I would get really irrate, not meaning to, but I could not answer his simplest curious questions. "I spent too many years knocking on doors explaining this stuff," I'd say. The fact is that just thinking in those terms, to justify in why they do things, just made me crazy.

I feel that finding this site has enlightened me, taught me INCREDIBLE, mightily important things about the way I was raised and about this masquerade which still has my loved ones in its clutches. I feel as if I am just now healing, after all this time. It is, as so many speak of, post-traumatic-stress therapy.

I am content to admit that, for now, and am able to give myself the time I need, after all these years in struggle and denial, to figure all of this out and come to peace with it all.

In the meantime, I hope that some of the experiences I have to share might help someone who is doubting, who is lurking, who is questioning, or who is trying to come to terms with this and find peace... just like me... and maybe it won't take them 20 years.

Peace! And hugs and pats on the backs for us all.

Baba Yaga

Are you really free from the Watchtower?

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