gimme a break!

by stillin 27 Replies latest jw friends

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  The Almighty Homer

  I think you might be deluded yourself into thinking that the majority of folks that dropped out of the JWS scene did

  so in a snap. Playing the higher judgmental role over other people doesn't really come into play much with most ex-jws,

  that was essentially a part of their past as being a self righteous ignorant JWS.

  And yes its quite true the hardest part in leaving the JWS was knowing that you most likely would be losing the friendships of some very nice people.

  Most that leave this faith usually do so at their own pace, some quicker than others, some not, it really depends on the individual.
• 

  The Berean

  Solution: Please Compare ...

  +Your Pluses for Associating (add)

  - Your Minuses for Associating (subtract)

  ___________________

  = Your best course of action ...
• 

  White Dove

  I picked on him 'cuz I cudnt pass up da temptashun. It waz awsum!
• 

  AllTimeJeff

  But I do owe a debt to others, and that is one of the things I will have to sort out, without losing my own humanity.

  And I wish you all the best. I wonder if you will let me give you something to think about....

  The idea of oweing a debt is one reason why I post on this board and other forums. Do what you must, but remember, you are a debt that someone wants to pay off.

  My debt. And others here too.

  It's hard to think about what we would like to do, and being realistic about what we can. If you came to whatever conclusions have got you this far, I would remind you that they came to you on your own. I doubt anyone in your congregation helped you see things?

  It's up to you, but you are a debt others want to help pay too..... Your humanity is yours to do with what you will. You don't owe anyone anything, but I will say, you are worth as much as others you care about. But you can't make them see what you see.

  The difference is you came here on your own. For your own reasons. But you made the step. And anyone who you care about I dare say will have to do the same thing you did on their own. It will be a test of their intellectual honesty, same as your honesty gets tested with what you are going through right now.

  Just my opinion, and I hope you will discard it if it doesn't fit....
• 

  JeffT

  One of the phrases that gets tossed around a lot at AA meetings (which are also about finding your way out of a tough situation) is "clean your own side of the street." It is very easy to sit back and tell somebody else what to do, whoever is doing the telling doesn't have to walk in that person's shoes. Do what you think you have to do.
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  Heaven

  I'm not ready to just chunk out everything I've believed even if there's a lot wrong with the picture.

  Yeah, that's what my Catholic neighbour, with 2 young sons, said when I asked them why they wanted to stay in a religion where the priests molest little boys. To each his own.
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  happpyexjw

  StillIn, I admire your sense of ethics, despite the fact that you now know you were lied to. That being said, you will have to sort things out for yourself and it all will take some time. Forums like this one can sure help with the process. I faded out in 1990, before boards like this existed. I didn't know of anyone else who had done the same thing, so for me it was uncharted waters, so to speak. There are many here who will support and respect you as the individual you are, with a unique set of circumstances.

  Best of luck to you as you find your way out of the WTS, if that is what you want to do.
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  awildflower

  A paradise earth, living forever with animals and perfect people, world-wide peace, seeing dead loved ones again, a loving, international brotherhood that will unconditionally love you no matter what, the joy you will experience sharing your beliefs with others, shepards in the congregation to look after you and your children warmly and encouragingly, social activities that refresh........I was told that I could have all of that just by knowing Jehovah, his son Jesus and joining the only true religion on earth. Who wouldn't jump all over that, who on this board wasn't drawn in by all the love-bombing at first?

  To bad none of it turned out to be true..........wf
• 

  Open mind

  Do you have any "experiences" to share from your time in the Field Ministry?

  Just curious.

  Hey, do what you've got to do.

  I'm still in "good standing" (tm).

  And I've got the most possible influence on my JW family, IMO.

  om
• 

  stillin

  overall, field service has been a fruitless endeaver. I eventually found that I valued the association of the friends out in service more than any enthusiasm regarding "interest in the field." Sure, I've had some interesting things happen, the usual freakazoids, losers, smart people and mad dogs. It was nice feeling like I was a part of the global effort to preach. But what good is it? I could keep my house presentable in the neighborhood, my car clean, an honest reputation in my business, etc and the time spent doing those things would give a better, more Jehovah-glorifying witness than my wasting my weekends bothering people at thier own homes.

  I'm still active. The kind of people who will talk with me are usually out there on the lunatic fringe and I enjoy them, not in an "I'm superior" way, but in a I'm curious about you way.

  People take the literature to be friendly, not to look into the religion.