First time back in a Kingdom Hall in over 25 years

by I quit! 16 Replies latest jw friends

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  Threestars

  My Dad converted to the cult when I was 5 and dragged the rest of us along. At that time "armageddon" was supposed to be immanent within a few months. My parents had just lost my younger sister to meningitis and I know that this was the "hook" that kept my poor Dad going for over 30 years--that he was going to be able to see his little girl again soon. He, unlike my Mom, never truly accepted her death or went through the standard grieving process. My Mom confided to me that even though she did beleive in the ressurection (I think she's lying to me about that though) it didn't really offer her any comfort for the loss of her child. She had to get over it and move on as people must do when losing a child.

  It was heartbreaking watching my Dad and caring for him during his final illness. He was SO frightened and amazed that he was dying. To comfort him in those last hours I told him not to be frightened--he was going to soon see his daughter again and I think it helped but inwardly I was raging at that stupid cult and all of his wasted years.

  I was his hospice caregiver and it was mind-boggling how the JWs stared right past me during their visits. The morning he died a bunch of them trailed in to see my Mom and not a one offered a word of comfort to me or even acknowledged my presense. I think that is when it was truly hammered home to me that this is a sick and twisted religion.
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  needproof

  damn, how depressing for you to have to go back after all that time.
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  zack

  Very sorry for your loss.

  I have been to three JW funerals in the last few months--- all good people who put their faith in the words of men and were very dissappointed. The aging and dieing of the older generation is evidence of what a failure this religion is. It is so cruel to give someone a hope that the scriptures say does not exist and then go "ooops". It is diabolical to then give a talk at a funeral where the carrot of never having to die is dangled as a promise from God for all "interested" ones, when they are BURYING a beleiver in that very same promise.

  The leaders of this religion will have a heavy price to pay.
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  Save My Soul

  It was heartbreaking watching my Dad and caring for him during his final illness. He was SO frightened and amazed that he was dying. To comfort him in those last hours I told him not to be frightened--he was going to soon see his daughter again and I think it helped but inwardly I was raging at that stupid cult and all of his wasted years.

  I was his hospice caregiver and it was mind-boggling ................... I think that is when it was truly hammered home to me that this is a sick and twisted religion.

  Witness funerals are the worst. I have asked my wife not to give me a KH funeral. I want a private event at the grave site, if that. Certain things I am desensitized to after being a witness.

  It is sad that people who are your friends for decades forget who you are if you stop spending your Saturdays knocking on strangers door. It tells me that a witness will never be a true friend. My best associates are people that I work with. When I use the word friend, when talking about workmates, it angers the elders. I say, Bob at work sacrafices his life for me everyday, while Brother X never says hello, who is my friend. Even used the analogy with the CO on a sheperding call.

  These people will all find out how cold and cruel the org is when the tables turn. They will see the light, even if it is on their deathbed.

  I shared your same feelings with the death of my dad 5 years ago. He told me as he lapsed into a coma (after having a stroke), "This is the end.......the end of this system of things". Those were his last audible words. In his eyes he knew he was dying, but could not believe it. As a child he always told me, "We will walk into the new world as in the LF book on the narrow road". What a dream.

  Unfortunately, there is no accountability on the part of the WTS. The web of lies continue with NEW LIGHT.
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  I quit!

  People living now in the 2000's, are older, grayer, sicker, and discouraged. They want the end to come before they die. Single JWs want to know that they will still have the chance of getting married and having children (a hope the WTS says resurrected people don't have). I know JWs in their 80's and 90's who say, "I wasn't supposed to get this old; I wasn't supposed to die."

  Every funeral reminds them that they too may die in this system...not being one of the millions who would never die.

  I'm sure the longer you are in the harder it has to be to face the facts and realize you have been duped even though it has to become more obvious with each passing year and as you say funeral.
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  I quit!

  It does sound vaguely rude!! In any other context you might have been offended!

  I'm sure he did intend the double meaning. Both him and his brother worked with my wife for years and can get away with saying anything without either us taking offense. In fact we expect it of them.
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  I quit!

  damn, how depressing for you to have to go back after all that time

  . Yep, I view going to the KH like eating sushi. Once every 25 years is plenty for me. I wouldn't have gone there for any other reason.