From JW to Pagan

Sirona

Hi All,

I've noticed that quite a few people on this board have said that they are now Pagan.

I'm starting to wonder if converting to paganism is something that many ex-jws do? If so, why? Being a pagan myself, I am actually surprised at how I could choose the religion that JWs probably hate the most.

Maybe its a case of : Say I split up with my lawyer boyfriend who has dark hair and dark eyes and a love of all things calm - I'd be infinately more likely to then go for a blonde, blue eyed traveller who likes adventure sports.

Paganism makes sense to me and I enjoy it and feel fulfilled by it. Or are all exjw pagans just exJW rebels?!

Sirona

** http://www.religioustolerance.org **

Silverleaf

Hi Sirona,

I was never a JW, but it was when my former fiance was trying to recruit me so that I would not die at Armageddon, that I realized I was pagan. He was trying to teach me about God and the Bible and nothing made sense. He used the word 'pagan' like a dirty word as though it should be obvious that all things pagan were horrible, yet the things he described as pagan and thus evil seemed to be the things that made life most worthwhile. I think it hurt him a lot when I finally said I didn't think I was cut out for his religion, I seemed far too pagan to ever be loved by HIS God. It wasn't until years later that I realized it was not only okay to be Pagan, it was in fact liberating and intensely spiritual.

Though I can't speak for anyone else, I don't think exJWs who become Pagan are being rebellious, I think they are merely seeing things in a much brighter light than they were able to under the JW mindset. [And yes the pun was intended.]

bright blessings,
Silverleaf

expatbrit

How do you define "pagan"?

Expatbrit

Naeblis

Get online!! >:(

Oh. I'm pagan too. No im not. :(

Naeblis

expat.. what a mean thing. here I am screaming and yelling at you cause I thought you were mango. *sigh* Now I REALLy shouldn't have mailed her that package full of scorpions ;(

Sirona

Yes, I feel much more spiritual as a pagan than I ever did as a JW. Thats an interesting story about your boyfriend...Im sure he was upset with you!!

** http://www.religioustolerance.org **

Sirona

Hi Expatbrit,

My version of "pagan" is someone who follows a nature based religion and believes in the interconnectedness of everything (that the divine is within aswell as outside us). Usually, pagans see divinity as both Goddess and God, and worship with every joyful act we do, rather than in denying our own humanness.

Sirona

** http://www.religioustolerance.org **

AMarie

Sirona:

I've just began studying Wicca within the past few months and I have 2 exJW friends who have been Wiccan's for years. I also know of an ex Ministerial Servant who, upon leaving the Witnesses became Wiccan.

After JWs spend years having god shoved down their throat and every move they make watched, I think it's natural to convert to a religion who doesn't worship the traditional god. At least that's the case with me.

AMarie