A Better Attitude And World View

EmptyInside

I've changed a lot in the last year or so. Maybe some for the good,and some not so good. But,looking back, I didn't like myself as a Witness.

It turns me off when I hear about the judgmental comments an older pioneer sister made. Or others commenting about "worldly" people,and so on.

But,then,I have to admit, I was once like them. I used the expression,"worldlings". I judged weaker ones in the congregation. Instead of,trying to encourage them,and be there for them. All I could do was gossip and judge. When I was a pioneer, I was the worst. I am really ashamed of myself for being that way. I thought the "truth" was supposed to bring out the best in people. But,now,that I know it's not the "truth"....

I can live and let live. I don't care who pioneers or who doesn't . In fact, I now, feel young people should have some sort of extra schooling,college or not. And as long as no one is hurting an innocent, it's none of my business what t.v. shows or movies someone else watches or who they're dating,or whatever else they want to do.

I feel I have more empathy and can more easily put myself in someone else's shoes. When tragedy strikes,such as,the horrible earthquake in Japan,and the tsunami. I care about everyone,not just the Witnesses.

I'm a work in progress,but I kind of like myself a lot better as a person now. It may just be maturity too,but I'm more at peace.

And honestly, I didn't realize I was like that. I thought I was more of a liberal Witness.

But, I realized I don't have to worry how others live their life,because I'm too busy with my own.

Broken Promises

Good post! And I've found the same conclusions in my own life too.

It's funny, but the more compassionate I became while still a JW, the lesser of a "witness" I became in others' eyes. I started to try to reach out to the "less spiritual", the single mums, the oldies who others ignored. I was judged because I didn't spend enough time with the pioneer cliques or trying to kiss up to some "uber-spritual" family.

You're not allowed to be a loving Christian if you're a JW.

But now I'm no longer a JW, I feel I'm a better person than ever.

jamiebowers

Oh, my dear girl, I know you, and you are a lovely person! You're growing and will continue to do so, so don't look back and feel badly about your jw days.

Jadeen

I also feel that my personality and attitude have changed for the better since leaving. I feel more compassionate and have empathy for others. Now, I'll get teary over sad stories that I hear on the radio or read about. It sometimes feels like my emotions were stunted while I was growing up as a JW, and now they're catching up!

nolongerwaiting

EmptyInside you hit how I feel right on the head. It's a really nice feeling and I am enjoying the new me.

NLW's wife

Mad Sweeney

It isn't just you sisters, either. I think a lot of us guys feel the same way.

I also think this site is invaluable in letting us know we're not alone.

Reopened Mind

EmptyInside: I can totally relate to what you have said. I have come to hate the term "worldly" since it is very divisive and judgemental. Now I simply refer to the person as an individual or say nonJW if there is a need to distinguish. At the same time I avoid emotional labels to Witnnesses who are still in the Organization. I know that they, like I once was, are completely mind controlled.

Looking way back even before I became one of Jehovah's Witnesses I remember my grandmother referring to Communists disparagingly because they were "Godless Atheists". I told her that they were people just like us who loved their families and wanted what was best for them. Being a super fundamentalist she just couldn't hear it. I can see now that I became just like her in many ways when I was a JW. As an aside she did tell me that JWs were the false prophet.

I could never accept that God was going to destroy the majority of people because they didn't respond or didn't even hear the message we carried. How could they make a life and death decision when they hadn't had a chance to gain the knowledge they needed? Where was the love? Where was the justice? Where was the wisdom? Why didn't he use his power to save people rather than destroy them?

I am also learning to have more empathy.

It is important to remember the past to learn from it but not dwelling on it so much that we can't move forward.

Reopened Mind, another work in progress

d

I agree. Me personally I have developed a negative view of humanity and have lost hope in humanity.But with time, hopefully I will change as some say, but I do not think I could have faith in people after leaving the Jw's. but I am trying.

wobble

I am just the opposite to "d", I have found since I left the bubble of WT La La land that normal people are just great, O.K there may be the odd A-hole out there, but I haven't met one since leaving, I met a load , who were JW's, while I was in.

I have a better attitude, I accept people whatever they are, homosexual, adulterer, whatever. I do not agree with everybody's life choices and actions, but I am tolerant , and content to let them live their life without me critiicising it.

I now believe firmly in doing nothing to anybody that I would not want done to me, and that includes negative thoughts, let alone speech.

My Worldview now consists of Rationalism and Humanism and Compassion, mixed with heavy drinking ! ( the heavy drinking started when I was a teenager, just can't seem to control that one !)

A Better Attitude And World View

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