Did you ever do something for this religion that now makes you shudder ?

by man in black 35 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  man in black

  Back in the early 80's right after I was married the main driving point I kept hearing at the meetings was "do more,,, pioneer ".

  Well being the young impressionable JW couple that we were, the decision was made that my wife would start working PT, I would quit my full time job and also work PT right after our son was born, ( I wanted all the birth expenses to be taken care of by my insurance) and we would"increase our service to God"

  My wife is a speech therapist, so working PT was no problem, but I ended up working construction, cleaning carpets, and shoveling snow at all hours with the brothers, and I worked like a D*** fool at all hours.

  Funny how there was so much support for me to work with the witnesses, but once the decision was made work could be very iffy at times.

  And the main thing that just causes me to cringe now is how so many of the witnesses in charge of the congregation thought that we did not need insurance, my wife had a policy with her school district, but my son and I did not. Granted medical expenses were not as bad then, but just the idea of thinking that we did not need it that God would watch over us just embarasses me to no end now. Some of the construction projects I worked on,,, my God I could have slipped and have been layed up for months, or killed (don't worry Jehovah is now your boss,, he's watching out for you) !

  We lived like this for about two years until I finally had enough of not enough money, not enough work, stressing out about how to make ends meet, taxes, but yet I should have been soooo happy to have the privelege to go door to door more than usual.

  Suddenly I was not the "ideal young witness father" everyone thought that I was when I got a FT job with benefits.

  But on the flip side, I did enjoy being able to spend more time with my son, most of it was spent playing or walking in the woods, ( he is now 26 and we still go for walks together quite often). So it seems to me that injecting the wtbts beliefs into my young life caused more stress and concern than I bargained for. But by allowing normal, human emotions to play out outside of religious beliefs I came out on the winning side.

  Does anyone have a story to share ?
• 

  RosePetal

  My hubby just said "yeah I joined them" SHUDDER

  RosePetal
• 

  miseryloveselders

  At a holiday lunch in the office I could have handled it a little more diplomatically. I've always made it a point not to bring attention to myself as a JW. One way or another the cat got out the bag. My supervisor approached me and stated he acknowledged my beliefs, but wanted me to enjoy the meal not as a way of celebrating the holiday, but just as his appreciation for me as an employee. Instead of just capitulating, my JW upbringing kicked in with steroids. I told him I couldn't do such a thing as my conscience would be troubled. That was my first mistake. The second mistake was I went down the street and purchased a lunch, and on top of that ate it seperately from my coworkers in my cubicle where they could all see. At that point I was inducted into what was in my boss' eyes as employees who have a poor attititude. Granted, to be fair I don't think the WT has ever in print, spelled out to handle that sort of situation they way I went about it. However don't underestimate the power of indoctrination. That guy is no longer my supervisor, but I see him occasionally and even though its been a handful of years since that event I still feel at times that I should apologize to him out of respect.
• 

  sabastious

  Yeah, felt guilty for masturbating.

  -Sab
• 

  QuestioningEverything

  I cringe to think that at one time I would have refused a blood transfusion for my children. It makes me ill to think that I would have even thought for a second on whether or not to give them one if a medical emergency arrived.
• 

  snowbird

  I quit college.

  Brought some family members into the WT organization.

  I regret this bitterly.

  Syl
• 

  zoiks

  I shunned my own sister for over a decade.
• 

  Ding

  Miseryloveselders,

  The WTS does everything it can to make sure JWs don't fit in anywhere other than a KH by making rules that cause JWs come across as condescending and holier than thou to non-Witnesses. When this causes problems, the WTS tells JWs they're being persecuted for the sake of Jehovah and his kingdom.

  No wonder when a JW wants to break free, he or she has to think, "Where else can I go?" The WTS has alienated them from everyone else!

  However, most people are nice, especially if you admit you were wrong.

  Your supervisor and co-workers may not even remember the incident, but I'd go ahead and apologize anyway. It feels good to clear the air and get stuff like that off your chest.
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  jamiebowers

  I allowed an abusive jw husband to continually beat and choke me despite the fact that I could have very easily defended myself and/or used law enforcement to stop it and get away from him. Instead for nearly seven years I endured mental and physical torture in total silence so as not bring reproach upon Jehovah. There is something surreal about being completely silent during a physical assault, but I couldn't risk even crying out loud or screaming, because I didn't want anyone to know that a jw could act the way my husband was acting.

  Edited to add: Now that I'm out, 'aint nobody happy if Jamie 'aint happy, LOL!
• 

  Lozhasleft

  So sorry you had to go through that Jamie....awful, just awful. I had similar problems but not as bad physically.

  But the thing that makes me shudder is that I gave it to my children and it wrecked our family completely.

  Loz x