Well, this is really my 3rd post, but my first “here I am” thread. Oh yea, my name is Neil. Many of you might recognize me as Andi or Billygoat’s boyfriend. I have been a lurker for a couple of months, enjoying the colorful and insightful commentary on various subjects. Never having been a JW, I was not quite sure I had a place on the board. But, due to the fact that the girl I love had been emotionally hurt by this religion, I felt I had some connection with most everyone.
As for me, well I have been a Christian most of my life. Lucky enough to have been raised by two of the most loving parents I could possibly imagine. I was a spoiled kid and didn’t realize what I had until I nearly lost it all. Get to that in a second. College was a life changing experience for me. Being away from my parents, I didn’t have to go to church, so I didn’t. Hangovers and church really don’t mix well anyway. I went to Texas Tech in Lubbock for 2 ½ years and then transferred to The University of Texas in Austin, which is where I graduated with a degree in Radio, TV and Film.
Austin was where I got into a little more trouble. Spent my years there experimenting with every drug around. Ended up with a full time drug dealer as a roommate and it went downhill from there. I would be lying to you if I said it wasn’t fun, but the addiction towards the white lady proved too much for me to handle. After I graduated, I was evicted for dealing out of the apartment and was sent packing home to mom and dad. Continued dealing and using coke for a couple of years at home, a risky and disrespectful operation. Parents finally caught me though, which was a blessing to say the least. I was extremely lucky though, I never visited a jail or morgue. After many different counselors and one I finally liked, I gave it up, been clean of coke for 9 months now. Evil man-made powder for sure. “Natural” is the way I go now.
So in short, I lost my religion in college, but found my faith soon after. I go to church now because I want to. I pushed God to the side for a while, but was glad to see him waiting for me when I decided to return. I am blessed with one of the most loving and beautiful girls in the world and am pretty content with my life now.
I do not judge people anymore, I have seen all walks of life and have loved them all. I do not believe in pushing my religion on anyone, you are who you are, you believe what you believe, as long as you're happy, more power to you. I have met a few people on this board at the North Texas Apostate Dinner…Valis, SixofNine, COMF, the lovely Xena, TyyDyy and Jerrytx, all of whom I greatly admire for their individual strengths and personality, not to mention the loving support they have all given to Andi.
Well, that's it, not too long I hope. Thanks for your time, you may now proceed with the rest of your life.
Rejection is one thing, but rejection from a fool is cruel - Morrissey