New here

by Stimorol 23 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  Heaven

  Welcome, Stimorol!

  I've basically blocked all JW stuff from my life ever since i faded but I guess i need closure

  I liked how you said this. I haven't always been successful in 'blocking' the JW stuff because my parents were JWs and my Father still is. The Internet and all the wonderful ex-JWs who have had the courage to come forward with the information that proves this 'religion' is not 'The Truth' helped me tremendously. I figure I won't have a chance at complete closure until my Dad passes away. He is the only one left of my immediate family that is a JW. I think your family is wise not to discuss religion. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us.

  Regarding 'disassociating' yourself, I would suggest that you do not do it formally with the JWs (in other words, do not write them a personal letter or tell any of the JWs verbally) as this will ultimately put pressure on your family to shun you. Do no give them any ammunition. It really is none of their business if you decide you no longer wish to be a JW. This is your personal decision.
• 

  Stimorol

  Hello all again,
  
  Thank you all for your kind words and support. I've read all your comments a few times and it's really helpful to see all the support from you guys :)
  
  I really believe this is the way to go for me. Doing some research into the organization's early history is specially interesting because it basically proves to me that the JW's are just one more cult. Nothing more.
  
  I don't believe in the JW doctrines, I'm content with believing there is some kind of a higher power "up there" and I don't see a need to define it any further.
  
  I will talk to my parents soon and inform them about my de-registration status at the national registry, but I will leave it to the WTS to do some kind of judicial action if they feel its appropriate. I don't think my parents will shun me but if they do, it's their loss, not mine, and I will deal with it if it happens. They know about some stuff I've done with is a DF offence, I've voted and campaigned openly for a certain political party and they know about that, but I guess they haven't reported it to the congegration. So I'm hoping and guessing they won't shun me (plus my father said he wouldn't).

  Thanks again, everybody, for your kind words and support. I will certainly hang out here, ask a few questions now and then, and perhaps even help some others that are in a similar situations as me :)
• 

  Quirky1

  Welcome to the board!!
• 

  Stimorol

  There is a certain pleasure to be found in Disassociating yourself before they can do it, isn`t there?

  @zzaphod: Yeah, pleasure and relief. I'm actually not sure if the WTS will view this as a disassociation, but I think they do. So I feel like soon I can finally live my life without that fear, "when will they find out and DF me". So one less thing to worry about :)

  I recommend you to start reading Ray Franz's book Crisis of Conscience.
  
  @Gayle: Thanks for the suggestion, I will certainly check it out. If any others have book recommendations, please let me know.
  
  I'm pretty sure the local JW branch office will get a letter from the national registry with my name and "religion change" in the near future. I am wondering about this process?? Why would this registry contact the JW branch?
  
  @Gayle: It's mainly for "church tax" purposes, the state collects church tax and dispenses it the the religious organization you are registered as. I'm pretty sure (heard it years ago) the registry sends a list informing the organizations which people have registered/deregistered as members of that certain organization.