Personalized license plates. . . . (page 2)

The wanderer

Dear Dawn:

Interesting perspective, I guess what I need to do is build up
that type of nerve to reveal my Jehovah's Witness past to
other individuals.

However, the barrier of embarrassment is always present. Why?
Simply, because I have been described and consider myself fairly
intelligent to have been duped by an American corporation for
such a long time (14 years).

Though, you present an interesting view I will admit. I have
acknowledged on this discussion board a number of times that
some of the things I learned through the experience of being
one of Jehovah's Witnesses was good.

Public speaking, study, discipline, and good manners towards
others were the positive aspects of being a Jehovah's Witness.

Anyway, thank you for your perspective and viewpoints on
this matter. I think it will be a pleasure to hear from you.

Respectfully,

The Wanderer

Mysterious

I don't build my image around being an ex-jw so I wouldn't really want a custom plate based on that.

DawnLS620

<<<I don't build my image around being an ex-jw so I wouldn't really want a custom plate based on that.>>> No, I don't either. . and I probably wouldn't get a plate like that either. Was just playing around with it and thought it was funny. Actually I pictured my parents passing me on the road and being horrified and I sat at my desk and got a evil little grin of satisfaction on my face. Sometimes its fun to just see the humor in it all and imagine how it would pi__ off those JW's. Can you imagine one of them coming to your door and seeing the car in the driveway?? Would they come to the door anyways??? I wonder. . . . Anyways. . .it was just for fun. .

R.F.

I have to agree with the majority. I wouldn't dare want to identify myself as an ex-JW. Heck, and that's coming from someone still active.

DawnLS620

<<<However, the barrier of embarrassment is always present. Why?>>>

Dear Wanderer,

Thanks for your nice post. I just wanted to add a couple things. . .first of all, I think maybe I made it sound like it was easy. . .and I wish I had clarified that. It took me a long time. . .years. . . to come out with it and just be comfortable with it. In fact, it happened when I was on the other email site called philia. I found all those wonderful people who had been JW's too and were so out there about it - and I hadn't ever been that way. They made me see that I was okay. . .that I wasn't the only one who had lived this way. Until then, I had never come across an ex-JW during my whole life. They had a way of telling funny stories and I saw alot of them had good senses of humor. . .and it was right after that. . .that I admitted it to someone at work. It was the MOST FREEING FEELING. . .like a HUGE weight had been lifted off of me. I didn't have to "hide" anymore. . .I didn't have to make up fake stories about "past christmases". . ."previous birthdays". . .etc. I felt so free. . .and so good that I started telling everyone when the topic of religion came up. It used to come up alot in the dealership as there is alot down time in car sales and people get bored and sometimes get into some good discussions. Sometimes we were just plain old raunchy. . .but other times you could tell we were all intelligent people.

What I think you will find. ..at least it has been my experience EVERY time I've talked about it is this. . .people are very compassionate AND they just want to ask questions. They want to know "why" this and "why" that. . .they just are inquisitive about it. But mainly. . they are very compassionate. It amazed me the "oh, wow. . that must have been hard" lines I got almost every time. And then the questions started. I can honestly say that I haven't come across anyone who said or thought. . "what an as_ she was to be in that religion. Sometimes they wanted to know why. . .it brings up a good time to sort of "backwards witness" to them and tell them and explain what a cult it is. . .how they control by fear. . .etc. The other thing that happened is that they always wanted to make sure I wasn't going to go back to it. . .it showed me that they cared about me. . .

All in all. . .sometimes it can be very freeing. . .it can feel good to get it off your chest. . .and you actually find how compassionate and caring people really are. It can be amazing!! It takes time. . .I believe you will get there. . . .you all will. . ..in time! You're all good, fine people with great senses of humor, compassion and you've been hurt. Time will heal it. . .and you will one day feel comfortable with where you've been.

Dawn

DJK

I'm sure my dad would be horrified if I posted ex-JW or anti JW stuff on my car or home. I am frequently passed by a car on my way home from work with a vanity plate that says, YHWH. I wonder if he is a JW?

DawnLS620

<<< I have to agree with the majority. I wouldn't dare want to identify myself as an ex-JW. Heck, and that's coming from someone still active.>>> Dear RH, What I forgot to say in my last post (51 year old with failing short-term memory) was this. . .there shouldn't be any shame in all of this. I can tell that some of you feel ashamed by stating that you would NEVER admit you were a JW or maybe still are or are sitting on the proverbial fence about it. If you were raised in it, like I was, you didn't have a choice. When you're a child your world is your parents, they are supposed to be there to protect you and do the right things for you to get you to adulthood so you can make good decisions and go on with life. You didn't have a choice in the matter - you loved your parents as a child and didn't know anything else (until you got in school, of course, and realized how different you were). But in any case. . .that was what you were handed in life as a child. There's no shame in that. .. you didn't chose it . . it was choosen for you. My parents have told me, "we did what we thought was best for you". Okay. . .so be it. . .perhaps they did. They are still faithful witnesses, so I'm sure that's what they believe in their hearts. Are they wrong? I think so, but that's my decision to make now as an adult. If you got into it as an adult. . .the way I see it is you were searching for something. They tell some good stories that are appealing to someone who is "searching" for something in life. . .answers to things. . .they paint a pretty picture. Where's the shame in that? You were honestly searching for something and you thought "hey, maybe this is what I'm looking for". They can be very friendly and welcoming and compassionate to get you in the "fold". If that's the way it happened, then don't feel ashamed or feel like "I'm intelligent, I should have known better". There's no shame in making a wrong decision - hell we all do it at one point or another. That's how we learn. . and then we pick ourselves up and we say. . "boy, that was a dumb move I better correct my course. I felt ashamed too. . .but I don't anymore. No matter how you got into it. . .by birth, as a child, or as an adult. . .it made you who you are today. Everything we go thru. .whether suffering, pain, happiness, exploration, etc.. . .makes us who we are. I just look at the wonderful people who are on these email sites. .the help and encouragement you give to each other. . .the times you give the laughs out. . .the way you share your stories so freely and willingly with each other and always reach out to help. . .and I see people who should be okay with who they are because they are A.O.K. people. The other group "philia" saved me, opened me up and helped me be not ashamed of who I was. . .I hope this place does the same for all of you. Now. . off to work. . . Dawn

The wanderer

Dear Dawn:

Just so that you know who you are speaking
to I have added a picture of myself with my
friends during my days as a Jehovah's Witness.

Starting from the left: Richard Matos (The Wanderer)
to the right Hanya Jones to the far right Glen Jones.
In the foreground Kenneth Jones.

I would have glady given my life for these people
that is how much I loved them. My attitude toward
them has not changed.

Respectfully,

The Wanderer

Jim_TX

I don't have any comments on the personalized plates other than... if I were to get them, I could think up a waaaaay better name - nothing to do with JWs.

Now - as for letting people know that I used to be a JW - I am okay with that. I let people know I used to be a JW - but I'm better now. Then we chuckle and move on to other topics.

Sometimes - when they know I used to be a JW - they will ask me questions about why JWs do certain things. I will answer - a sort of 'reverse witnessing' if you will.

I don't trash the JWs... well, not tooooo much - but I will tell folks to stay away from them. Most folks already know this, though.

Having once been a JW is nothing to be ashamed of - and can often be used as a 'tool' to spread the word about how screwed up they are.

Regards,

Jim TX

DawnLS620

<<<

I would have glady given my life for these people
that is how much I loved them. My attitude toward
them has not changed.>>>

Of course not. . and as it should be. What a heart it shows you have. . .and. . . .what a handsome group you all were!! Hold onto good memories. . .why not??? They made you the person that you just stated in that post you are!!!

Dawn

Personalized license plates. . . .

Share this