What I don't regret about my experience with JW's

by tec 16 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  tec

  They taught me to think for myself.

  Yes, you read that right, and no I'm not being sarcastic.

  If I had walked into the church down the street, I might not ever have walked out. I'm sure the doctrines are easier to swallow, and the freedoms are greater. But because of my time with JW's, I learned not to place blind trust into any organization.

  Because I gave my trust to an organization that did not deserve it, I learned to place my full trust in Christ, himself. I now look at teachings, doctrines, and the men who teach them with a more discerning eye... and I examine my personal beliefs to be sure that I am staying true to my conscience and the love that Christ showed us.

  I can't speak for anyone else, and I might not feel the same way had I stayed in my whole life, but I can only relate to you my personal experience.

  (Please don't yell at me. I just feel it is dishonest of me not to admit that I think some good came out of it... at least for me)

  Tammy
• 

  tec

  I should add that I would never have found this place, and grown from knowing all of you, without my experience with JW's as well.

  Tammy
• 

  JimmyPage

  And I'll counter with reasons why I do regret the experience:

  The multitude of ways I felt awkward in school, and later, in the workplace.

  The money it cost me by not being able to pursue higher education sooner, and not investing in a 401k earlier because the world was ending soon.

  It hurt my relationships with the opposite sex because of the strange expectations and hangups the WT instilled in me.

  I'm just getting warmed up here. Someone else want to add to the list? Don't let me hog it.
• 

  tec

  I regret my title. But I don't think I can change it.

  I think it should have been:

  What I don't regret about my experience with JW's.

  Jimmy, I wasn't trying to say that what I learned outweighs the harm the WTS did to you and others. Just trying to find the good that came out of a bad situation, for me. There have been threads addressing this kind of thing; I just don't remember which ones. I always refused to answer because I didn't want people to be angry, and since I thought that was cowardly of me, I decided to come clean.

  I've probably offended people. It was not my intent, and I apologize.

  Tammy

  Edited to add: Apparently I can fix the title.
• 

  JimmyPage

  No need to apologize. When life gives you lemons, just say, "F*ck the lemons!" and bail...

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9meTP6L4S4
• 

  Lozhasleft

  Tammy I get what you're saying...I'd maybe feel the same if I'd gotten out sooner with my family intact ...there are certainly some valuable learning curves from that experience...

  Loz x
• 

  OnTheWayOut

  You learned to think for yourself because WT tried to take that away.
  You don't regret that, but it almost sounds like a credit to WTS. You did it despite the WTS.
  Thanks for considering the changed title.

  You would not have needed this place if not for your experience and you probably would have grown somehow still.

  But don't feel a need to be sorry for what you said. Say what you need and want to say.
• 

  NiceDream

  It's great to take something postive from a negative situation.

  Thank you for sharing.
• 

  tec

  Thank you everyone, for your understanding and kind words.

  You learned to think for yourself because WT tried to take that away. You don't regret that, but it almost sounds like a credit to WTS. You did it despite the WTS.

  I'm going to seriously think about your words - because I would normally say this to someone else, who survived a tragedy or overcame a terrible upbringing, etc. Definitely something worthy of reflection. Thank you.

  Tammy
• 

  jaguarbass

  Its better to trust in Jesus, than in an Organization.

  The Kingdom hall was a spiritual kindergarden for all of us.