by MisfitMeL 66 Replies latest jw friends
Hi there,
As you can probably tell, it's my first post here! :)
I've visited this forum several times over the past few months and I've just decided to join and wade into the community. I'm looking forward to some interesting conversations and meeting new people.
Come on in! The water is warm and the fellowship is great. Tell us about yourself to the extent you wish and when you are ready.
Jeff
Well hello back right back at you.
Hello & Welcome There are lots of super people here, with a wealth of information at their fingertips.
Hope4Others
Hey MisFitMel, welcome to jwd.
Hello!
Always glad to welcome more newbies! I'm still a newbie myself but this place is great!
Hello MISFITL- Welcome to the board ! Nice to have you and look forward to your posts! Peace out, Mr. & Mrs. Flipper
Thanks for the welcome Jeff!
Well, the short version of my story is...
I'm 24 years old. My mum used to be a Roman catholic but converted to a JW when I was about 2 years old, so I suppose I have pretty much been "raised in the truth" even though I was baptised as a RC lol. My dad comes from a protestant background but always claimed to be an atheist and my mum desperately tried to bring him into the organisation for many years.
I was never really "into" the religion and always struggled with it. Always took it as a sign of my "deficiency". Once I reached my teens, I found myself leading a double life and it plagued me with guilt and worry!! My mum is very overprotective and smothering and so while she was around with me, I would dutifully attend meetings, give talks and comment etc etc.
The past few years have been a bit rocky, with my proud atheist dad suddenly claiming to have converted to Islam and then decided to separate from my mum. So they now live in two differerent countries. Anyway, during all the turmoil, my mum managed to wrangle me into getting baptised (big mistake I know ) but she used all sorts of emotional blackmail and hints (21 years old and still not baptised???). It was a terrible time. I was an emotional wreck.
Anyway, I was fortunate enough to be able to move to the UK for further education and since she was no longer around, I stopped attending meetings. I did make a few half hearted attempts tho.. they were always SO tedious! Anyways after a couple of times, I stopped entirely and I only attended the memorial last year (more out of guilt and fear) but I won't be going back again... I think!
I've always gotten bad "vibes" about the Org and a lot of little issues would niggle at me even as a child/teen. After I moved away, I would surf around to sites like this (guiltily!) and read things etc. It's like the scales have fallen from my eyes. I have changed SO much in the past two years.. it's scary to think sometimes...
Anyways my mum doesn't know a thing, and I still bluff that I attend meetings regularly. It's embarrassing but I don't know what else to do at this point. I know it will all come out one day and it's going to be awful, but I guess that's life eh? :)
MeL
haha! Sorry I'm still trying to get the hang of posting around here...
Hello to Priest, Hope, free2think, Junkie and Flipper
Welcome! xxx Strawberry Cake
