October 7th Ex-JW gathering in San Francisco (page 2)

sf

Alan! Will you be coming near me (info submitted previously) at all on your Calif. visit? I would love to hook up with you for a drink and a chat. Let me know.

sKally

AlanF

Hi Skally,

If I remember right, you're not very near where I'm going to be. Email me and remind me where you are.

AlanF

Don't you guys get feel weird at a convention of ex-JW's. It seems like a gripe convention. I have a lot of things to say about JW's and all of the crap that happened to me, but going to a convention is like making a religion of my past. I can understand the need to talk about it, 'cause believe me, I know how screwed up it is, but it's like immersing yourself in the past.

Just a thought.

larc

Ash,

We all have lives beyond this discussion group.

For some of us to get together once in awile does not constitute another religion. I is a chance to connect with people with a common heritage, become friends and share stories. It is a time when we can share a common experience that is not understood by the rest of the world. Try talking to people that are not xJW's about your experience. They don't get it, and generally they are not interested in hearing about it.

I am retired, so I can spend a lot of time on the board. I came here in December, and I have learned a lot of detail that I did not know about recent developments. I also have made comments that I think have helped others. However, I do many other things in my retirement that are very fullfiling that are separate from my experience here. Family research and research in my area of professional expertise are two examples.

Stacey

Ash,

This is a social gathering more than anything. We will have volleyball, croquet set up. And food. I am not going there to talk the whole time about being an ex-jw. I have met some cool people on this board. And it will be great to see them in person. I can guarantee you that we will not be putting our chairs in a circle and sharing out JW experiences.

If you went to a tupperware party, would you talk about Tupperware the whole time? I dont think so. Well, maybe you would. Hmmm, I've never been to a Tupperware party. My point, you like to hang out with people you have something in common with. Where better to do that than a fun event such as this. I dont think its immersing yourself in the past. But... to each his own. If someone doesnt like the idea, they dont have to go. I for one think it will be COOL.

Stacey

rem

Stacey,

I can guarantee you that we will not be putting our chairs in a circle and sharing out JW experiences.

WHAT???!!!! We're not? Well count me out!

Just kiddin' :)

rem

"Most people would rather die than think; in fact, they do so."
..........Bertrand Russell

ashitaka

Besides just starting to post here today, I haven't talked to many people about the way I feel. I guess it still seems strange to be feeling this bitter over a past with a silly religion. Didn't mean to knock the event, just want to find a way to forget my past-I don't want to call myself an ex-JW, I am ___ _______, and that's it. I still don't celebrate anything, 'cause I'm still technically a JW, (don't want to isolate old friends and family). I feel kind of stuck. Elders came to my door the other day, and I couldn't even open the door. I felt like such a coward. But I know what they want-a friend had come over a few months before and asked (the first thing he asked)-DO YOU STILL BELIEVE IN THE TEACHINGS OF JEHOVAHS WITNESSES?

I've skirted his questions, and now sets of elders have been arriving on my doorstep ever since. They want to bag me and I'm a little paraniod. Sorry if I irritated you guys.

Have a good one.

Ashitaka

Stacey

Ash,

Sorry it's a hard time for you. Lots of people have been where you're at. It's easier maybe to converse and take part in ex-jw things when you have healed most of your hurts from being in the organization. I feel like that's where I'm at. I'm not in the turmoil of it anymore, so it's easy to talk to people about it. I agree with what you said....

I don't want to call myself an ex-JW, I am ___ _______, and that's it.

I think we all feel that way. Of course we are who we are before we put any titles on ourselves. But I also would say that being born & raised a JW is a big part of who I am still today. I've tried to take anything positive that I can from that. The rest, I try to leave behind.

Who else but another ex-jw can understand how I feel? That's why I like ex-jws so much!

Anyways, I hope that you continue coming to the board. And I hope that you figure things out for yourself.

Stacey

ashitaka

True, Stacey......thanks.

Ashitaka

patio34

Dear Ash,

So sorry you're having a tough time now. Believe me, it does get better. How long have you been out? I left 6 months ago and it's now starting to feel perfectly normal. The JWs leave me alone because i have health problems and used that as my 'cover.' So, that makes it easier.

It's unfair that I STILL can't hang a flag or have an Xmas tree because of the JWs that live in my area. Oh well, there's always a price to pay.

I hope you get more comfortable with your newfound freedom--don't forget to ENJOY it!

Best wishes,
Pat

October 7th Ex-JW gathering in San Francisco

Share this