Need advice on getting DA'd

by MrMoe 20 Replies latest jw friends

  • MrMoe
    MrMoe

    I spoke with my mom this weekend. I told her I was going to DA myself. I no longer wish to be a JW or have any dealings or ties. Mom told me not to cause she would not speak to me. So, what do I do?

    The legal ramifications of being a JW also play a factor. What if the government clenches down on this cult? I wish to have no part of it. I need to cut it off or I will always have ties. But my parents, I do understand why she said that... But they are old and sick... I don't want to hurt them and I want them in my life. I have drifted out. I have not turned in time now for about 5-6 years. I was reinstated 4 years ago and have attended few meetings since. It is rare that I get called on, but I still do. Ugh.. what to do...

    Any good advice?

  • Cygnus
    Cygnus

    A question, in all seriousness:

    Why do you allow the JWs do exercise such power over your life in the first place?

  • Mum
    Mum

    Cygnus has a point. They have such power over you because you give it to them. I recommend that you take back the power. I do understand that you don't want to be cut off from your family or to hurt them.

    I wouldn't be concerned about government intervention with any religion in the U.S. You don't attend JW meetings, so you're no longer a "church member" (to use the vernacular)anyway. Most of us on this forum agree that it's better to just drift away and not to take any formal action as far as DA'ing yourself.

    Best wishes with your decision, whatever it may be. I don't envy you.

    Seize the day, and put the least possible trust in tomorrow. - Horace

    I have learned to live each day as it comes and not to borrow trouble by dreading tomorrow. - Dorothy Dix

  • Reborn2002
    Reborn2002

    Cygnus, I agree with your comment, but I believe he is being humane and more concerned about loss of contact with his family than the organization or its members.

    MrMoe, my heart goes out to you.

    Situations like that are difficult to comprehend, and even more difficult to endure. To have to contemplate losing a family member over religion, even worse a sick or ailing parent, is heartwrenching.

    All you want is to stand up for your own beliefs, and have your mom respect your decision as an adult, but instead she chooses the religion and its practices over her own flesh and blood.

    I can relate and feel your pain, Ive lost my brother, sister-in-law, nephew, and all my childhood friends over the same thing. I dont think words can express what feeling it is to have your own brother tell you he doesnt want you around his child or family because you are a bad person and will be destroyed for leaving God. When in reality I never changed, and refused to be a hypocrite and condone the actions behind the scenes, the conditional love and gossip any longer.

    No one realizes the damage, depression, and division of families this organization causes until it happens to them.

    Moe, you have some serious considerations to ponder. You want to maintain a speaking relationship with your mom, but you want to stand up for what you believe in too. Be strong, and whichever decision you make, be certain it is one you can live with.

    The true Kingdom of God is located in your heart, not an organization of hypocrites.

    www.geocities.com/latinloverchicago/Jason1.html for my new webpage and info!! Im trying to live now!!

  • BluesBrother
    BluesBrother

    I guess you have to consider the full implications of dissasociation.
    To be frank ,one is not just cutting oneself from the cong. but from ones family too.
    Unless you live with your parents, they will be firmly told that they must have nothing to do with you. The level of energy that they put into following up on this will depend on the individual elders, but the pressure will always be on your parents to shun you. if they do not do so, they risk judicial action against them and, in their eyes, a risk to their own salvation, and of displeasing God.
    Your reasons for wanting to d/a are quite right, although I would not worry too much about State intervention - sounds a bit like one of their own forecasts .
    just ask, "Is it really worth it?" "Should i be deliberately putting my parents into this vexing situation when things seem bearable as they are?"
    Just think it through.

  • JWinSF
    JWinSF

    Disassociating is not an automatic shunning by close family members. At least it doesn't have to be. The Society has waffled on their stance on this. As an example, my Uncle who is an elder and a "pillar" in the Detroit area as well as his wife, my Aunt, at first maintained normal, cordial familial contact with me. They eventually did cut off contact. However, that was more due to my moving in with someone of the same sex. That was a bit too much for them to handle.

    But, it sounds as if your parents are of the more rigid viewpoint. [Funny, my Uncle is an extremely staunch JW, it really did surprise me that he at first maintained contact.] If they truly do "stick to their guns" and would cut off contact, then it's up to you to weigh the benefits of having their contact vs the benefits of disassociating. Also, friends tend to cut you off "without a plug nickel" if you DA.

    If you do decide to DA, you can reassure them that nothing has changed in your love for them and that you'll always be there for them. That in itself would show that you have unconditional love. Then, the real burden is on their shoulders. Perhaps they'll eventually "wise up" and accept you, assuming that you choose to DA.

    As for me, yes, I lost all contact with my friends at the Congregations that I've attended. And, as I mentioned, my Uncle and Aunt. [My Uncle was more a father to me than my actual father, so that was a loss not unlike you potentially losing your parents' contact.] And, yes, in "the World" there are those who you do have to guard yourself against. But, then, the same applies to the Congregation. I've known several active JWs while I was still part of the Organization that I'd rather never have had to have contact with.

    Yet, there are "gems" outside of the JW World as well. My closest friends have been those that I've found after leaving the JWs. That consists of both other ex-JWs as well as people who've never had anything to do with the JWs.

    So, the choice is yours. Just weight the pros and cons of both staying in and leaving. As for me, after leaving the JWs I literally felt as if the "weight of the World was taken off of my shoulders". It's a great feeling/experience to be able to actually reason out your own decisions and not have to make sure that they match the Organizations straight-jacketed rules.

    Wishing you the best,

  • MrMoe
    MrMoe

    Cyngus ~ I know... I hate being linked, and JW wise I tell them I have no desire to study nor do I wish to attend their meetings. Some of my friends are aware of my feelings. Actually, they don't call anymore -- some friends.

    The dilemma I am facing is the fact I want to CUT THEM OFF. I want it OVER. What ties do I have? My parents, whom I am very close to and my father is a long-standing elder and they are both very along in years. They are my only ties to the cult other than the fact I am still considered by a legal standpoint a JW -- inactive or not. Now what?

  • nytelecom1
    nytelecom1
    Some of my friends are aware of my feelings. Actually, they don't call anymore -- some friends.

    ummm...o.kaaaaaaay

  • ISP
    ISP

    Mr Moe, I don't see why you can't just carry on as you are. You are not a JW to the WTS. They don't count you as such anyway! DA'ing is playing by their rules. I am not sure what the legal problems you have in mind. I don't see the US clamping down on the WTS. What's the problem?

    ISP

  • JerryTX
    JerryTX

    Moe,

    I DA'd under the pressure and threats. I wish I had NOT done so.

    Because your JW relatives are still open to having some relationship with you, you can take advantage of this and share what you know about the Watchtower Society. Who knows? You might reach them one of these days. I still get a chance to do this with my JW relatives in the form of questions, but it is very, very infrequent because of my "official status" with the Watchtower Society. Being DA'd complicates your life. Why do it?

    The emotional satisfaction of DA'ing yourself and basically giving the finger to the Watchtower and the JWs that know you is very short lived.

    Ask yourself, why do I feel the need to acquire some label the Watchtower wants me to have?

    How will this impact my life on an everyday level? My child's?

    Is it worth it?

    Good luck, Moe.

    --------------------------------------

    "The truth will set you free--but first it will make you damn mad."

    M. Scott Peck - "The Different Drum"

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