A.) Name: (First name only please)
Dennis
B.) Gender
Male
C.) Age:
19-24
Questions:
1.) How were you introduced to Jehovah's Witnesses:
Converted early in life (Teenage or earlier)
2.) How did you leave the religion:
Faded Away (slowly missed more and more meetings until you stopped going completely) followed by Disassociation
3.) What Age did you leave?
19-24
4.) Were you Baptized
Yes
5.) What General reason did you leave the religion:
Didn’t believe the teachings, not allowed to question the teachings, disagreed with stance on social issues, didn’t agree with things said in the magazines or on the platform.
Felt the elders or organization abused their power, felt they took presidence over God, Problem with the way they organized the religion
Left because of the people (saw too much hypocracy, too much gossip, passed over for some leadership role, was treated badly by those in the hall.)
Depressed, Didn’t feel like doing all the things required of you, felt oppressed by the rules.
6.) How did you feel about the doctrine before leaving:
Believed there we more things wrong than right
7.) Did your feelings about the doctrine effect the way you left?
Yes
8.) If you were disfellowshipped for sin, did your feelings on the doctrine effect you sinning in the first place?
N/A
9.) Did you feel the religion was a cult before leaving?:
I felt the religion was definitely a cult
10.) Did you research the religion's teachings after leaving?
Yes
11.) What are your feelings on the doctrine of the religion since leaving?
They might have one or two teachings that are still right if I strain hard enough to think about it
12.) How do you feel about the organization since leaving?:
They are evil
13.) How do you feel about the people since leaving?:
They are no different than any other religion, they have good and bad
14.) Do you feel the religion is a cult now after leaving?:
Yes they are definitely a cult
15.) What is your opinion on the intelligence of those still in the Organization? :
They're not very intelligent
16.) Are you happier now that you’re gone?
I think every day about how happy I am to have left
17.) Do you feel that other than the fact you left the Jehovah’s Witnesses that they would agree with how you live your life?
They would not agree with anything I do now
18.) If a Jehovah’s Witness approaches you to discuss their religion you’re more than likely do the following:
Shatter their faith, what else would I do?
19.) Would you consider returning?
When hell freezes over
20.) How do you feel about discussing your time as a Jehovah's Witness?:
I bring it up occasionally