by Tuesday 79 Replies latest jw friends
It seems like since I left 25 years ago the whole fading away thing got big. Wish I woulda known that before I got df'd. I thought that was the only way out. DF or DA, both have the same consequences.
Then again, I don't have any regrets. I'm out and that's all that matters. Like Malcolm X says--by any means necessary.
A.) Name:
Andrew
B.) Gender
Male
C.) Age:
19-24
Questions:
1.) How were you introduced to Jehovah's Witnesses:
Parents/Grandparents/Relatives were in before you were born and taught you
2.) How did you leave the religion:
Stopped attending all at once
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.
6.) How did you feel about the doctrine before leaving:
Believed there were more things right than wrong
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 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?
The religion has many problems with what it teaches
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?:
They have some of the qualities of 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 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’ll only talk about it with certain people who understand the circumstances
Ex-Jehovah’s Witness Survey
General
A.) Name:
Saras í n
B.) Gender
Male
C.) Age:
31-35
Questions:
1.) How were you introduced to Jehovah's Witnesses:
Parents/Grandparents/Relatives were in before you were born and taught you
2.) How did you leave the religion:
Disassociated
3.) What Age did you leave?
10-18
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.
Was abused physically, emotionally or sexually by someone in the hall and it was covered up. (Note: Both were contributing factors)
6.) How did you feel about the doctrine before leaving:
Believed everything was wrong
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 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 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 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?
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
A.) Name: (First name only please) Jonathan
B.) Gender: Male
C.) Age:
41-45
Questions:
1.) How were you introduced to Jehovah's Witnesses:
Parents/Grandparents/Relatives were in before you were born and taught you
2.) How did you leave the religion:
Stopped attending all at once
3.) What Age did you leave?
35-40
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.
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?
The religion has a problem with nearly every teaching
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 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:
Discuss in detail all the wrong things in their religion
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 frequently
Thanks so much everyone. Keeping this on the active list and hoping to get more people. I just surpassed the 100 mark and am starting to see some results from posting on Craig's List. I only hit up Providence and Boston too. I'm going to have to post it around the country to see what kind of results I get.
If anyone has any other ideas to get this survey out to the masses please don't hesitate to share :)
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...
My reply: LOL Nope....still young here. How are you doing? Nice to hear from you.
A.) Name:
Anonymous
B.) Gender
Male
C.) Age:
25-30
Questions:
1.) How were you introduced to Jehovah's Witnesses:
Parents/Grandparents/Relatives were in before you were born 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?
10-18
4.) Were you Baptized
Yes
5.) What General reason did you leave the religion:
Wanted more Freedom (play school sports, date who you wanted, listen to music, etc.)
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.
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 were more things right than wrong
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 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?
The religion has many problems with what it teaches
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 mostly good people
They are misguided people and I feel sorry for them
14.) Do you feel the religion is a cult now after leaving?:
They have most of the qualities of a cult
15.) What is your opinion on the intelligence of those still in the Organization? :
They are like idiot savants with the bible
16.) Are you happier now that you’re gone?
I think I’m somewhat 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?
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:
Give them a simple Not Interested
19.) Would you consider returning?
It’s nearly impossible I’ll return but I guess anything’s possible
20.) How do you feel about discussing your time as a Jehovah's Witness?:
I Hate talking about my time as a Jehovah's Witness and will avoid the subject whenever possible
Isaacaustin, did you read Dinah's comment? She also thought you were older! That makes three of us girls at least! Funny, isn't it? Your avatar is no doubt to blame. And me imagining you all this time as a cute respectable elderly man! You will forever be very dear to me, Isaac, since you were the very first one to answer my first thread, and you know what it is like at the beginning: shaky hands, frightened heart, taking my first jump into the unknown apostate world... And there you were welcoming me to the board. Seems like ages now, yet it was only a few months ago....
Goldensky,
Isaacaustin, did you read Dinah's comment? She also thought you were older! That makes three of us girls at least! Funny, isn't it? Your avatar is no doubt to blame. And me imagining you all this time as a cute respectable elderly man! You will forever be very dear to me, Isaac, since you were the very first one to answer my first thread, and you know what it is like at the beginning: shaky hands, frightened heart, taking my first jump into the unknown apostate world... And there you were welcoming me to the board. Seems like ages now, yet it was only a few months ago....
My reply:
Yes, LOL I saw. That is funny, but yes, of course my avatar led to that conclusion. I do remember you joining here, and am flattered by your comment. Glad to have been of help and encouragement. Time does fly doesn't it?
You could....post them on other exJW sites such as JWR or JWS.
http://www.jehovahswitnessrecovery.com/phpBB3/index.php
http://www.jwsupportforum.com/index.php
Jezebel2
