I am still AMAZED at how much I have learned and keep learning

by megsmomma 12 Replies latest jw friends

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  megsmomma

  This board has helped me so much in clearing my head and becoming myself. I feel like I used to be such a shell of a person......and when I would hear the things the WTBTS taught....I just numbly took it in and didn't really even really "hear" what they said. Then, I was so well "trained" to respond to questions from people that I could give the "Right" answers to questions from studies....."Wait on Jehovah...." being a common one.

  After I left years ago...I still wasn't free from the teachings. I still "thought" like a JW....and I was always worried that I and all the people I love would be dead soon. I didn't understand why I couldn't go back....I mean I live a good life and I don't care if I had to give up holidays, ect. I mean IF it really meant my life...I could give them up....So, I never understood why I wouldn't.

  Now....It seems that my whole brain (and heart) works together and I really have never been happier or loved myself so much. I am such a better person and I don't feel like I live in a pretend world anymore. Wow.....thanks everyone for being "guides" on my journey to myself! And anyone starting out on this journey.....just keep reading and researching....the freedom is great!

  (((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((HUGS ALL)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
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  AK - Jeff

  Good on you Megsmomma. Feels good to start shedding the baggage, huh?

  One thing that helps me is a middle finger pointed toward the Kingdom hall each morning. It clears my mind, and keeps priorities straight.

  Jeff
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  megsmomma

  That's good therapy! I have a pentacostal church across from my road. Every time I come or go from here I think of my JW moms comment to her friend. When she was here to see my baby (a few months ago) she had made me so upset....telling me she'd disown me and baby if I didn't come back....that I told her she had to leave and she called her JW friend to get her. My hubby told her directions, useing the church as a turning point....and my mom said to her friend..."That makes sence, huh?" Oh yes....the church must be sending out SATANIC vibes to all within a 1 mile radious. (I think that is the pentacostal range...right?) Anyways I smile when I see the church!
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  fullofdoubtnow

  This board has been a great help yo me as well.

  I know far more about the jw religion through being on here than I ever did as a jw.

  It's good to know that it's helped you as well megsmomma, along with probably thousands of others.
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  daystar

  {{{megsmomma}}}

  Despite any differences we may have on this board, we have this in common.
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  Balsam

  Megsmomma,

  Feels great don't it learning and setting down all that heavy baggage you've been carrying around? I remember so well how I felt when I finally realized how bogus everything is about the religion called Jehovah's Christian Witnesses. It is nothing more than a huge corporation that racks in lots of money to keep those of the GB in luxury living in their penthouse apartments.

  Balsam
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  PaulJ

  Megsmomma- I know exactly what you mean! I truly felt it was like waking up after a weird deep sleep. I owe a huge debt to this website.
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  south african beef

  It took me a couple of years after I left to start looking on the (satans) internet.
  
  I'm so glad I did - I have learnt so much and I know for a fact that the JW's are not what they think they are. They are not gods people.
  
  This is a great site, sometimes I'm on it every night, sometimes less so, but I always check to see if I have a PM from anyone and if I do I'm really excited!
  
  Also my wife and I went to the recent Apostacurry in Manchester which was arranged by a wonderful man who posts here under the name "Dansk", and we met some fantastic people.
  
  This site reaches places other sites can't reach!
  
  SAB
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  MsMcDucket

  I remember being so brained damaged that I wouldn't dare say anything against the organization. I was like that even after I disassociated myself. It's just like being in a concentration camp and falling in love with your tormentor! Thinking he really is not beating me that badly, and I better not speak evil against him because he might kill me! Oh! How terrible!

  Stockholm Syndrome

  Bonding to one's captor (abuser) is a survival strategy for victims that has been observed in a variety of hostage-taking situations. This strategy was labeled Stockholm Syndrome after a hostage situation in a bank robbery in Stockholm, Sweden in 1973. Three (3) women and one (1) man were held hostage for six days by two (2) men. During this period, the four hostages and their captors bonded bi-directionally. The hostages even came to see their captors as protecting them from the police! Following the release of the hostages, one of the women became engaged to one of the captors, another of the hostage started a 'defense fund'. All this was done in the face of the fact that the hostages were bound with dynamite and generally mistreated! Such bonding to one's captor / abuser no longer considered unusual by professionals who negotiate with hostage-takers. In fact, it is encourage its development, for it improves the chances for survival of the hostages, despite the fact that it means the officials can no longer count on the cooperation of the hostages in working for their own release or in later prosecuting captors.

  Bonding with an abuser maybe the universal survival strategy for victims of interpersonal abuse. Studies of other hostage-like groups seem to bare this out. -- These groups are:

  • Hostages
  • Concentration Camp prisoners
  • cult members
  • prisoners of war
  • civilians in Chinese Communist prisons
  • procured prostitutes
  • incest victims
  • physically and/or emotionally abused children
  • battered women

  Four Situation Factors that are Precursor to Stockholm Syndrome:

  1. Perceived threat to one's physical or psychological survival and the belief that the captor would carry out the threat.
  2. Perceived small kindness from the captor to the captive.
     (Note: letting the captive live is enough.)
  3. Isolation from perspectives other than those of the captor.
  4. Perceived inability to escape.

  Read the rest at: http://www.geocities.com/kidhistory/trauma/stockhol.htm
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  Abandoned

  Now....It seems that my whole brain (and heart) works together and I really have never been happier or loved myself so much. I am such a better person and I don't feel like I live in a pretend world anymore. Wow.....thanks everyone for being "guides" on my journey to myself! And anyone starting out on this journey.....just keep reading and researching....the freedom is great!

  Very well stated. I've been ditching jw teachings ever since I left four years ago, but this is the first time I've really loved myself and finally believed that I have value regardless of what the angry old men in brooklyn say.