You know I just wanted to add, too that it's just interesting to hear other people's experiences and perspectives from a human standpoint. This board is so big there's just a lot of it, even if it's largely JW. At times I feel it's a waste of time to socialize with some people, what with a certain culture of anti-intellectualism, but then of course you don't come into your humanity just by reading books either.
Is JWD a healthy place to be for those who have left the Watchtower?
by AK - Jeff 57 Replies latest jw experiences
-
-
Mysterious
For some people it probably isn't. If you don't want to dwell on the past, feel you have worked through your issues, and have no further interest in letting the watchtower society take up any more of your time then no you could probably stand to leave. However, for many it helps them to be here for others and assist in their exit and healing process. In this way a lot of us are able to reclaim a small part of what was stolen from us by knowing that we are taking one more dub out of a poisonous situation and helping one more kid feel they are not alone.
In the end I think it comes down to why you are still here and how it makes you feel. If you are filled with sadness dwelling on the past maybe you should move on. But if it fills you with hope to help others out of the borg I fail to see how that is an unhealthy hobby any more than any other charity work.
-
Gregor
If these comments didn't come from The Wanderer, I'll eat my hat. Sounds just like him.
Respectfully,
Gregor
-
5go
I could leave this forum anytime, but I chose to be here because I have some friends here. If they leave, probably I would leave too.
Bingo! Except I keep making new ones here.
-
5go
Those who leave the Watchtower Organization leave for two reasons: fleshly and intellectually. The fleshly group are the teenagers we saw in our halls getting involved in drugs and sex and getting disfellowshipped. They were already hanging out with "worldly" people and were never into the organization enough to expose the lies in the first place. Most people in this group still believe the witnesses have the truth, but they just don't want to live up to the "moral standards" the church demands.
I met one of those at my work they literally don't have any problems ( other than normal woes of life and drug use )
-
mentalclearness
I can only speak for myself...But I really like this forum because when you grow up surrounded just by witnesses and their thinking alot of times you doubt your own sanity...it's nice to know that i'm not crazy...that actually we were the thinking group of the group...I also like reading others experiences because it gives me some insights on how other people experienced the organization as opposed to me...I spend alot of time on the internet in general because I work in fornt of a computer and hace access to it. I hardly watch TV. so the whole wasted time theory is very relative...but I also have friends outside the organization and I'm making new friends..so I don't consider it my only social outlet by far.....People who post here for a long time probably would do that with any forum that interests them. I have friends who post on car forums who have been members for years...i don't think it's a symptom of not moving on...
-
Sassy
when I first was on here, I used all of my posts every day.. I couldn't wait for them to reset! Thats 75 posts a day! But I was new leaving the dubs and it really helped to discuss things with others about the issues I was having.. It served a huge positive purpose for me from the moral support to exposing things about the WTS. My needs to be here have evolved. I don't post here as often as I used to.. although recently I am here a little more than I was for a while..
I do have good friends who are xJWs.. is that a bad thing? no.. not unless I am unable to make other friends as well.. and these good friends I have.. such as Simplesally and ApagaLaLuz, our friendships are not dependent on the fact that we are xdubs.. those friendships have evolved.. they are way beyond the fact we just happen to all be xdubs..
nor do I think anyone being on this board is a bad thing, unless it is their only life. I tend to come here between stuff at work.. it helps pass the day.
I used to say I'd never leave here because I wanted to help others out.. but I found helping much easier in chat. People would come in with questions.. it was a relaxed place to talk to them... since we lost chat, I have kind of lost that reason to be here to help. Now I just kind of comment in the threads that reach out and touch me..
-
donkey
Simon, I agree with you point completely. Some people seem to be bitter about things and after many years they are still affected by the WT - still victims. As I say they have left the main building but are still wandering the gardens of the estate. On the other hand there are others though (Englishman comes to mind) who left years ago and is genuinely friendly and even though he has been out for years he is just one of the guys and has lots of friends wherever he goes. Good post though. BTW I havent been around much but wanted to say welcome to the other side of the pond. I'm happy for you and your family that you are settling in. Regards, Donkey
-
choosing life
Some diseases are chronic. Support groups are good for those things. I believe the abuse suffered at the hands of the jws is also a chronic issue. So what's so bad about a support group?
-
Abaddon
Jeff
Your friend seems to exclude the possibility that peoples continuing presense here is not all about them.
Some certainly still suffer actively from their involvement with the JW's years after and get help with it here.
Others may no longer do it to learn or heal; it may be simply a laugh, socialisation with those of the same ilk (entirely normal as like attracts like), and maybe even to help out a neewb from time to time.
Thus the continued presense of many is not a sign that they haven't really left, but a sign that they care about their past whilst still having a full present.