I became a baptized JW when I was 27 (from the world). I was a very active, zealous JW, and elder with many privileges and liked by almost all JW's during my 15 years since then. My wife was solid, kids were all raised in it and our 19 year old daughter was a regular pioneer --(all of this just over two years ago). I had no complaints with the Society or with individual JW's that I knew.
But then one day I learned the honest facts as they truly are. Here is my story:
http://exjehovahswitnessforum.yuku.com/topic/922/t/Letter-of-disassociation.html
Today I have no problems if people want to be JW's, including YOU. I say, as long as you know all sides of the JW religion (as most never do), then good for you, if that is what you want to spend your life doing.
You can live an okay life as a JW. just as long as you are content handing your life over to the Governing Body; being told what to believe and what not to believe. What you can do and cannot do. What words can say and cannot say. What you should wear and not wear etc. etc.
You will have all kinds of friends wherever you go, which has benefits. That is, as long as you agree with everything the Society says. Disagree with even one WT teaching and you then realize that all of those friendships are 100 percent conditional. Which to some people is not really true friendships. But at least you have been 'enlightened' beforehand about this brotherly arrangement.
You will have to be willing to allow your new child to die rather than accept blood, if an emergency should arise. (You might wish to read this thread sometime:http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/16/150613/1.ashx
You will have to be willing to allow your child to lose its only mother if YOU find yourself needing blood to live.
You will have to be willing to insist this same blood policy be accepted by any bible study you happen to meet (along with any kids they might have) in the field service before they can ever become a JW. And be willing to accept that some of these may die because of what you taught them to believe.
You must be willing to cut or limit all ties with any baptized JW (including your own children and close family and friends) if they simply say, "thanks but no thanks, the JW's just aren't for me"!
You must be willing to accept the fact that other people you bring into the JW's will also have to be willing to cut or limit ties with any baptized person (including close family and friends), that simply want to walk away from the JW's, even if they remain a devoted Christian afterwards.
You must be willing to accept all current JW teachings (including things you may not agree with or understand), even though they were wrong about vaccinations, organ transplants, alternative service, numerous end of world predictions, Beth Sarim, rape rules, marital infidelity rules and much much more.
No school sports, Cubscouts, Brownies, holidays, birthdays, proms, clubs and more for your kids.
No beards for your son of husband or any other man if they ever wish to carry a microphone or other privileges in the congregation.
No pants, new tattoos, piercings, longer hair, R rated movies if they want to be in good standing in the congregation and viewed favorably by other JW's.
As long as you are happy with these things, and many more like them, then I say good for you and I wish you and your family the best.
Peace and best wishes,
Vinny
