Do you tell people? (page 2)

lovelylil

I almost never tell anyone because I've been out almost 8 years now and have a totally new set of friends and acquaintances. The only time I mention the JW's is if they come up in conversation because of calling on a friend of mine and then I simply tell them what I know about their beliefs, but without mentioning I was one.

ShadesofGrey

I am not officially DFd but I tell everyone. (All of the women at my kid's dental office are asking me how things are going, lol!) The more people I tell the more free I feel!

I also agree that it is a good idea to warn people. You could be saving them all of the fear, guilt, loneliness, grief, bondage that we have been through.

Razziel

I rarely bring it up because few people, even close friends, I've talked to really get how pervasive and controlling the religion is. Most just think it's a quirky and harmless little religion known for knocking on doors and not celebrating holidays.

You really have to get into the little details about all of the rules, and the shunning, and the constant mind altering and repetitive literature that trains us to act like obedient dogs. Even then most don't get it if they haven't lived it themselves.

As a born-in, even being out several years, I have to mentally make myself step back every day and realize I'm still looking at a news article, or a conversation with someone, or an outlook on life through a warped JW worldview. After so much indoctrination, your mind just gravitates to that way of thinking and it takes a huge mental effort to figure out what is motivating my current viewpoint and decision-making process.

Mostly, only trained professionals really understand what years of indoctrination does to your mind. Others will just think you're a little strange if you talk about it too much.

skeeter1

Yes, in casual conversation. No, when at work.

Skeeter

White Dove

If the subject calls for it, I'll bring it up and do an anti-witness.

nateb

I talk about it quite a bit. Part of processing everything. Plus now that I am out I wont date a Hard-Core Thiest.

I am also proud of being out....good to tell others to warn them off from JWs

Ditto.

journey-on

When the discussion turns in a direction that requires me to divulge my religious background, I usually say "my parents raised me as a Jehovah's Witness" then I quickly tell them I am no longer one, thank God.

Crisis of Conscience

Although I'm stilll "in" but inactive, I do make an effort to let others know about what I have been a part of. I only do that if the conversation leans that direction in some way.

I hated informal witnessing in the past, but I tried to do it at times because I thought I had to. However, I avoided it as much as I could.

It was actually an informal witnessing conversation though that aided me in going further to find out the truth about the "truth". I was already doubting and so my defense regarding my religion was weak, and I knew it.

So now I feel it is good to anti-witness because it feels like a release of the things I have been taught and no longer believe. It doesn't involve pushing anyone to join any crazy religious group. But it certainly makes them aware to stay clear, especially if they were already suspicious or doubting, of the JWs.

CoC

mummatron

I'm usually too embarrassed by the stigma to tell anyone. I struggle to say the J word out loud, it's that bad. My ex husband found it hilarious and would often let it slip in front of new acquaintances. I actually mentioned it to a new friend recently in a Facebook message but could only use the acronym JW.

dozy

Occasionally. Some people are very curious & see it as a chance to ask "all the questions you wanted to ask a JW but were too embarrassed to ask". Most just shrug & say something about how their parents were Catholics or whatever.

Do you tell people?

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