Finished Ex-Jehovah's Witness Survey (Please fill out for help with project)...

by Tuesday 79 Replies latest jw friends

  • goldensky
    goldensky

    Isaacaustin, how funny! Like Heaven, I also thought you were 60 or 65. Actually, till a couple of days ago, when somebody made a remark about your avatar, I thought it was you! Ha, ha!

    I find it very striking and positive that most of us have answered, "I think every day about how happy I am to have left". Also, how few of us have jumped into doing really "sinful" things to organizational standards. Tuesday will no doubt clarify this much better, but so far at least we seem to have already shattered a couple of clichés...

  • Cthulhu
    Cthulhu

    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

  • Tuesday
    Tuesday

    I find it very striking and positive that most of us have answered, "I think every day about how happy I am to have left". Also, how few of us have jumped into doing really "sinful" things to organizational standards. Tuesday will no doubt clarify this much better, but so far at least we seem to have already shattered a couple of clichés...

    Aw someone's reading ahead.

    I've probably got 150 or so. I'm copying and pasting all of the responses into a word document, then I'll be printing them out so I can enter everything into an excel spreadsheet. Depending on how the person formated their answers the survey takes up between 2 and 3 pages on the document right now I'm at nearly 400 pages.

    I'm happy that I've gotten a range of ages and a range of responses. Certain questions though the vast majority are answering the same way.

    It's going to be pretty interesting.

    Please though if you can help me here by mentioning or sending it to any friends you have that don't usually frequent message boards or discuss their JW upbringing that would be fantastic. The Watchtower always says that there's a vocal minority that feels the religion is a cult or not the truth or whatever, so I would like to see a good range of ex-Jehovah's Witnesses responding here so an accurate picture is given of ex-Jehovah's Witnesses.

  • chickpea
    chickpea
    Please though if you can help me here by mentioning or sending it to any friends you have that don't usually frequent message boards or discuss their JW upbringing that would be fantastic. The Watchtower always says that there's a vocal minority that feels the religion is a cult or not the truth or whatever, so I would like to see a good range of ex-Jehovah's Witnesses responding here so an accurate picture is given of ex-Jehovah's Witnesses.

    perhaps posting it on a FB xJW page or making your own page and
    then "sharing" it on xJW sites could get you a little more coverage

    ps. i sent you an email ;-)

  • Tuesday
    Tuesday
    perhaps posting it on a FB xJW page or making your own page and
    then "sharing" it on xJW sites could get you a little more coverage

    Thusfar I posted on I'm pretty sure 8 ex-JW facebook pages, I put up a video on youtube as well. I'm not sure where else I could post this to get more exposure. I'm pretty sure I'm rounding on the 200 surveys received thusfar. I know a few people from my old congregation that I'm friends with on facebook and I never see them on any boards, they're not part of any groups, I sent the survey to them through facebook but had I not specifically known them there's no way they would've seen the survey anywhere. That's the reason I'm asking for everyone's help, situations like that where you know of a person who is an ex-JW that doesn't go to boards, doesn't go to youtube, anything like that.

  • Found Sheep
    Found Sheep

    A.) Name: Found Sheep

    B.) Gender

    Female

    C.) Age:

    31-35

    1.) How were you introduced to Jehovah's Witnesses:

    Parents/Grandparents/Relatives converted when you were young and taught you

    2.) How did you leave the religion:

    Stopped attending all at once

    3.) What Age did you leave?

    31-35

    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.)

    a combination of those three reasons

    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 saw many similarities between the religion and 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 Totally wrong

    13.) How do you feel about the people since leaving?:

    They are misguided people and I feel sorry for them

    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?

    I do a few things they would not agree with

    18.) If a Jehovah’s Witness approaches you to discuss their religion you’re more than likely do the following:

    Give them a simple Not Interested

    19.) Would you consider returning?

    If I ever see another Kingdom Hall it would be too soon

    20.) How do you feel about discussing your time as a Jehovah's Witness?:

    It's part of me I'll discuss it if it comes up

    Questions:

  • lisaBObeesa
    lisaBObeesa

    Ex-Jehovah’s Witness Survey

    General

    A.) Name

    Lisa

    B.) Gender

    Female

    C.) Age:

    35-40

    Questions:

    1.) How were you introduced to Jehovah's Witnesses:

    Parents/Grandparents/Relatives converted when you were young and taught you

    2.) How did you leave the religion:

    Stopped attending all at once

    3.) What Age did you leave?

    10-18

    4.) Were you Baptized

    No

    5.) What General reason did you leave the religion:

    #3 reason: Wanted more Freedom (play school sports, date who you wanted, listen to music, etc.)

    #1 reason: 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.

    #2 reason: 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.)

    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?

    No

    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 did not think they were a cult at all

    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 are totally wrong

    12.) How do you feel about the organization since leaving?:

    They are Totally wrong

    13.) How do you feel about the people since leaving?:

    They are misguided people and I feel sorry for them

    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 intelligent but purposely deny facts for their religion

    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?

    I do a few things they would not agree with

    18.) If a Jehovah’s Witness approaches you to discuss their religion you’re more than likely do the following:

    Tell them I was raised a Jehovah’s Witness and feel they’re wrong

    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

  • TheSilence
    TheSilence

    Ex-Jehovah’s Witness Survey

    A.) Name: Jackie

    B.) Gender

    Female

    C.) Age:

    35-40

    1.) How were you introduced to Jehovah's Witnesses:

    Parents/Grandparents/Relatives converted when you were young and taught you

    2.) How did you leave the religion:

    Faded Away (slowly missed more and more meetings until you stopped going completely)

    3.) What Age did you leave?

    19-24

    4.) Were you Baptized

    No

    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.

    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?

    No

    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 saw a few similarities between the religion and 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?:

    There are many problems which far outweigh the good

    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 intelligent but purposely deny facts for their religion

    16.) Are you happier now that you’re gone?

    I think I’m much happier now that I’m gone

    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?

    I do quite a few things they would not agree with

    18.) If a Jehovah’s Witness approaches you to discuss their religion you’re more than likely do the following:

    I would first:

    Give them a simple Not Interested

    If they pushed beyond that:

    Tell them I was raised a Jehovah’s Witness and feel they’re wrong

    19.) Would you consider returning?

    When hell freezes over

    20.) How do you feel about discussing your time as a Jehovah's Witness?:

    It's part of me I'll discuss it if it comes up

    Questions:

    General

  • SnakesInTheTower
    SnakesInTheTower

    Ex-Jehovah’s Witness Survey

    A.) Name: Rich (SnakesInTheTower)

    B.) Gender

    Male

    C.) Age:

    41-45

    1.) How were you introduced to Jehovah's Witnesses:

    Parents converted when you were young and taught you

    2.) How did you leave the religion:

    Faded Away (slowly missed more and more meetings until you stopped going completely)

    3.) What Age did you leave?

    41-45

    4.) Were you Baptized

    Yes

    5.) What General reason did you leave the religion:

    Other (Explain: Didn't believe the teachings combined with the hypocrisy of the leadership)

    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?

    9.) Did you feel the religion was a cult before leaving?:

    I saw a few similarities between the religion and 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 are totally wrong

    12.) How do you feel about the organization since leaving?:

    They are Totally wrong

    They are evil

    13.) How do you feel about the people since leaving?:

    They are misguided people and I feel sorry for them

    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 intelligent but purposely deny facts for their religion

    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:

    Tell them I was raised a Jehovah’s Witness and feel they’re wrong

    19.) Would you consider returning?

    If I ever see another Kingdom Hall it would be too soon

    20.) How do you feel about discussing your time as a Jehovah's Witness?:

    I’ll only talk about it with certain people who understand the circumstances

    Snakes (Rich )

    General

  • hemp lover
    hemp lover

    Tuesday, you have a PM.

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