Hi Everyone! My introduction.

by cherrypye 50 Replies latest jw friends

  • cherrypye
    cherrypye

    Thanks everyone. I have lurked on this site for years, as far back as 2004. I promise to try to participate more, but old habits die hard.

    The last time I had interaction with the elders was 4 years ago, and that came as I was chased out of a funeral for a family member when I was approached by three elders in an impromptu JC. As soon as they said that some things had come to their attention, I scolded them for being tactless enough to approach me at a funeral, reminded them that I hadn't stepped inside of a KM for nearly nine years, and had also had no contact with JWs other than my immediate family in that time period. I walked away, kissed my family goodbye, and haven't seen anyone other than my parents since.

    My mom told me that the elders felt very badly for behaving badly, but explained that they needed to try to meet with me when they could. I left the state 2 months later and just recently moved back, with my false-religion worshipping hubby. I'm quite worried that the new flock book will inspire these wit-men (pun intended) to come gunning for me once again.

    Oh to be free...

  • Ice cream
    Ice cream

    Welcome cherrypye!

    Next time your mother preaches to you, say something like 'you're not the only religion that claims to have 'the truth', or 'hundreds of religions claim to have the 'the truth' have you studied all the others?'. In my experience it stops them dead, i said it to my sister once it was as if she couldn't process what i'd said to her.

    Best regards.

  • Podobear
    Podobear

    Cherrypye: I lurked here for many years too. Vampire is right, join in and express your mind and heart... smell the freedom of expression. It is great to continue to talk to those who share your feelings, or disagree with you.. and still come up smelling of roses and say hello!

    I know there is a lot of disquiet and anger amongst many posters here.. I bottled mine for many years.. 'til it froze.

    My advice to you would be.. when in doubt THROW A BUCKET OF LOVE BACK. Play the same game. It melts their twisted sense of cupboard love and legalistic justice. Love conquers all. In that way you will strengthen yourself against the acid attack both from them and inside your gut.

    Cuddle up to those who TRULY love you.

    All best wishes... and... Welcome

  • Chalam
    Chalam

    Welcome aboard cherrypye!

    I lurk here far too much...at least an hour to two per day, but I'm ever preparing for the opportunity to talk to my mom about the truth about the truth. I have faith that one day she will see this wicked religion for what it is, and I'm doing what I can to prepare.

    Arm yourself with the scriptures! When the devil came to test the Lord he twisted the scriptures Matthew 4 but the Lord rebutted him with "it is also written" to show the falsehood.

    When they come to tell you about "the truth" here's a few to be armed with

    John 8:31-32 (New International Version)

    31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

    John 14:6-7 (New International Version)

    6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

    1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (New International Version)

    4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

    1 John 2:1-6 (New International Version)

    1 My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

    3 We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. 4 Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. 5 But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.

    John 6:53-54 (New International Version)

    53 Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.

    Luke 22:17-20 (New International Version)

    17 After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. 18 For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”

    19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”

    20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.

    2 Timothy 3:2-8 (New International Version)

    2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.

    6 They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over gullible women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, 7 always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. 8 Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these teachers oppose the truth. They are men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected.

    2 Timothy 4:3-4 (New International Version)

    3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.

    Blessings in Christ,

    Stephen

  • zoiks
    zoiks

    Welcome!

  • coffee_black
    coffee_black

    Welcome!

    Coffee

  • Heaven
    Heaven

    Cherrypye, welcome! Your story is similar to mine except that a lot of my JW family have now died and I never moved back home. My Dad is the only one left in the immediate family but he is starting to decline. Mental illness is not something the WTS wants in its membership. It doesn't work well in a performance based religion cult.

    My mom told me that the elders felt very badly for behaving badly, but explained that they needed to try to meet with me

    Anyone who says 'sorry' or 'they feel badly' and then says 'but' really isn't sorry at all. These people have so many issues.

  • MMXIV
    MMXIV

    Welcome Cherrypye,

    I'm sitting at my desk shaking my head. Your story doesn't sound out of the ordinary for this weird JW world yet I am still surprised that anyone has had to go through what you have.

    You have shown incredible commitment in working so hard for an organisation at such a young age. That shouldn't be forgotten. If you had worked for a proper charity your efforts would still be recognised today. You would still be treated with respect if you ever walked through the doors of that charity and thanked for all your hard work and what it had achieved. It would have been something you could be very proud of.

    Instead you are being punished in an unloving way because you don't want to carry on. In fact you are almost being penalised for having been so zealous. If you'd never got baptised or at least had never pioneered your leaving would probably have been easier and you might not be treated so badly by your family.

    What I find more than a little shocking is that you are allowed to commit to something at the age of 9. By 16 you have changed your mind yet there is no way to get out of that lifelong contract. It's as if you sold yourself into slavery, never to be a free person again as far as your family are concerned.

    How you responded at the funeral is exactly how I would hope to if that situation does one day arise for me. I have clocked that. Thank you.

    Parents who treat their children the way you are being treated is unloving, controlling and selfish. It's certainly is not what Jesus would have done. It seems they have tried every way to punish you.

    Don't agree to see the elders under any circumstances. If they try and see you then cite the funeral - that you never want to see them again.

    Show your family love (for your own wellbeing) and also start to train them not to preach to you. When they do preach counter it with a question that makes them think - they won't like that.

    mmxiv

  • AK - Jeff
    AK - Jeff

    Welcome. I too found this site in 2004. I joined right away and have been here on and off ever since. It is a true healing balm.

    Peace to you -

    Jeff

  • BluesBrother
    BluesBrother

    Welcome Cherrypye....Hmm..cherry pie makes me feel hungry!

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