Hi Everyone,
My name is Mike. I am from Houston Texas, and I am 29 years of age. I've been reading these message boards for about a year now and I figured it was time to post my story..
Me: I was raised in the JW religion, and attended meetings until about age 12. I stopped attending after my grandmother passed away from cancer. She never missed a meeting, even pioneering while she had cancer. (Not that they would care...money, money, money.) Anyway, I was never baptised, so I guess I'm not an "Apostate?" I haven't been back since, but I'm still being affected by this organization.. By the way I've been playing guitar since I was 12, I get to get away from it all...
My Mom and Dad: My mom started studying in 1968, and she brought my dad and grandmother into this Religion.. My mother who was a Methodist Sunday school teacher started disproving what the Methodist's were teaching, and she wanted "The Truth," so guess who showed up a the door.. She was also very depressed at the time.. So is it Satan or God sending them to your door when you are most vulnerable? That is one big question I have always pondered...
Anyway, She gets my dad to study and the rest is history.. Other than the fact that he was a drinker and a smoker, who believed but really never attended in full..
My sister: She is 45 now, and she was practicing until she was about 30ish.. She couldn't do any of the things that she wanted: play sports, go to college, listen to the music she wanted to (Although she did, Sabbath, Fleetwood Mac, Chicago....etc) Got married at 18, in 1975 because "the end" was coming... No need to finish high school, and go to college.. Well she's paying for it now..
My brother: He is 40 now, and practiced until he was about 15, is also still having issues with this.. He like my sister didn't go to college, because there was no need to right.. Well he is paying for that also.. He and my sister have good jobs, but it took them a long time to get where they are at.. As far as music, he turned me on to: Rush, Triumph, Queen... I think we all used music to escape..
Well when I was 12, my grandmother passed, we went to the funeral.. My mother was disfellowshipped at the time for smoking. Not one of the JW's would talk to her, NOT ONE!!! I don't think God planned it like that. So since that time I think we all kind of dropped out. But I still don't know what to believe. Is there a church of some kind out there that I can just learn from the bible, and not have to wear a cross around my neck? If you know of one please let me know.
In closing: I would like to say that I am proud of my family. My mother is struggling with this. I mean 38 years of being fooled, she feels betrayed. She read up on the UN thing at invited some brother's over to ask them about this.. They turned around and walked out the door. Go figure!! My sister and brother are doing fine with good lives. (Although my sister would like all of her albums back that she through away. It's hard to find those old gatefolds..HAHA)
I myself, am about to be married in October, to a wonderful girl. I'm sure we will have children, which is another worry of mine.. What will I teach them? I'm so glad that my brother and sister taughtme about good music. I might have never found a way to deal with things.
I know in the bible that it say not to do anything to an excess, so are Jehovah's Witnesses, practicing their religion to excess? I think God gave us the bible and the 10 comandments to follow. Follow the 10 comandments, I think you will be OK.. I always wonder if God is saying to himself "Man you people are taking this way to serious." It's all in the Ten Comandments.
One last question. I was having a real bad time last year. My best friend passed away, and I was depressed. I prayed to God (like I do every night.. God and I are tight).. And the next day two Jehovah's Witnesses show up at my work?? Please tell me is that just coincidence?
Thank You all for listening.. If you have any questions, feel free to ask..
Mike