I just could not believe it when I stumbled across this forum recently. I was actually doing research for my dad who wanted to see the world's viewpoint of the failed 1975 prophecy. He came into the truth less than three years ago and though my mom has been a witness since she was a teenager she never spoke of that particular time period to him. Hmm, now we know why.
I really and truly thought that I was the only witness who has had MAJOR doubts about the Society's validity. I still feel as though something terrible will happen to me for finally acknowledging what began to nag at me over ten years ago. It all started with an incident involving a newly baptized young brother who had been raised in the truth and an older, much wiser sister. He reprimanded her (not the actual punishment, he just scolded her really) in front of the entire car group. She explained later that she felt he was wrong but he was a brother and that somehow made it alright. What?!!! My brain just could not process that, I am telling you I was reeling over that for a while. I thought, what kind of people allow a punk teenager to speak to an older person in that way without being punished for it?
Then came the infamous Daniel book. I remember around that time I was praying to Jehovah alot to somehow show me this was actually the truth. Well...when we studied chapter 17 and came to the prophecy about the 1,260 days and it was applied to Rutherford's imprisonment, I wanted to throw the book across the room, seriously that was my first reaction. I just kept thinking, this is ridiculous, this is just ridiculous. It didn't make any sense to me how they could apply that prophecy in that way. The way they've twisted other prophecies to apply to them also began to bother me tremendously.
And of course, being raised as a witness since the day of birth, I have the usual sad and distorted childhood that is associated with this religion. I won't go into all of that because I'm sure you've heard it all before.
I have other reasons, more recent and more serious to hate this religion. Going into those would probably give myself away and I'm trying to fade? I think that's what you call it.
Right now I'm feeling kind of numb with shock. First I was scared (still am), then came the anger in a BIG way. I feel so betrayed and used. I regular pioneered for a long time and feel like it was a total waste of my life.
I am just so grateful I can put a name to the nagging doubts I have been having and recognize this religion for what it is.
Thank You.