"AAA rated" (Antagonistic Atheistic Apostate)
Tell us a little about yourself and your family.
Wife and two children.
Were you a born in or a convert?
Convert/recruit.
Are your parents / family JWs?
My wife's parents are her only family in the cult.
How many generations have been JWs?
Three on her side.
Did you hold any position in the WTS? (MS, Elder etc...)
MS
Did you *really* believe in the bible, in spirits (angels, demons)?
Non-religious childhood. Semi-religious young adulthood in the cult. Now completely irreligious and anti-religion.
Did you get baptised? When and why?
Yes. It was part of the ceremony/charade.
What was the initial trigger that made you start questioning things?
Didn't really start questioning matters, just had enough, grew tired of all the nonsense and decided to leave the shit behind.
Where did you find information? Internet sites? Books?
No information. It wasn't so much a doctrinal issue - I was due for a change and wanted out.
How difficult or painful was the process of leaving?
Not difficult. I just stopped participating.
Was it a big dramatic exit or a careful quiet fade?
An unintentional fade of inactivity until the elders wanted to call a show.
Did you convince anyone else to leave with you?
My wife came along, not that she needed the slightest convincing.
How were your family relations affected by your decision?
On my side, my decision to join had some affect, but my decision to leave was met with relief. On my wife's side, as she has said, she never really had a father and mother, so her continuing inactivity has had no effects thus far. And my relationship with her parents has always been one of mutual contempt.
Were you or are you still being shunned by those who didn't leave?
So long ago I hardly remember any of them in my local congo (still living in the same area where I apostacised).
How long have you now been out?
25 years since I last went in FS. 20 years since I DA.
Was there anything you looked forward to doing when you left?
No, because by the time I 'left' I was already doing what I wanted to do.
What are you most proud of achieving since you left?
Developing some techniques aimed at really pissing off jws (that's just on the jw side of things, much more in real life)
Is there anything you miss about life in the congregation?
Not a single thing.
Red pill or blue pill? Do you regret waking up to reality at all?
No, it's just a shame I left reality behind to become a jw.
Did you become an atheist or transfer your faith elsewhere?
I put my faith in humanity and the unrelenting indifference of the universe.
How do you now feel about religion in general?
The most destructive and divisive concept ever devised by mankind.
Do you feel any guilt celebrating xmas or birthdays or doing any other JW "no-no"s?
Why would there be a need to feel guilty about celebrating a birthday of someone you love? Have never been a xmas person and do not burden myself with that activity.
Have you attended any face-to-face meetups of ex-JWs?
No
Describe your circle of friends - mostly other ex-JWs or regular people?
Regular people. Only know a couple of ex-jws but they were never my 'type' of people in anycase.
Do you tell people about your JW past?
Only if they ask. I don't feel stupidity even if in the past, is anything to be too pleased about.
Do you feel animosity or pity toward current JWs?
I have no sympathy for anybody who remains a jw in this day and age.
How do you respond to witnesses when they call at your door?
If they ever happen to make the sad mistake of calling on me, then I am in their face and I know they will not make that error again and possibly even tell their friends.
Storm the barricades or tend to the wounded? (do you favor activism or support)
Militant apostacy.
What do you think is the most effective approach to reaching people still in?
Stir the shit out them and make their life misery.
Do you think the WTS can or should be destroyed, will continue on as-is or grow / change?
As long as there are gullible people there will be others to take advantage of them. I think the wts will lose influence, and really I would like to see it's downfall, but realistically, I can't see that happening in my lifetime.
How has your life been impacted by your JW past?
Yes, it has allowed me to develop a hatred for an orgainisation and people I would have been better off never having known about (wife excepted).
Are there things in your life you blame the WTS for?
As above.
JW upbringing - a protection or a curse?
An absolute scrouge for children who are deprived of a proper childhood.
How do you fill your time now it's not filled with meetings and field service?
Thinking about how I ever found the time to engage in such a worthless and time wasting activity.
Do you still have an interest in JW beliefs and doctrines?
Only so much as to how much grief it causes jws still trapped in the cult.
How much of your time is still spent on JW related matters?
Not a great amount. Cruising this forum and the occasional confrontation with jws when they have the misfortune of me encountering them in their 'work'.
What do you think of the ex-JW community?
Entertaining and rational in most cases.
Do you see yourself still being associated with the ex-JW community in 5 or 10 years time?
Hope so.
Do you fear the future?
No
What advice would you give to anyone starting the journey of leaving the WTS?
Don't linger. Get out as quick as you can. You may fear you are losing family, but in reality you are gaining life. Then worry about your family.
What would you change in your life if you could go back and talk to yourself?
Don't investigate religion - keep well away.
Do you have any regrets about life since you left?
None whatsoever.
Can we read your life-story anywhere? (links to online or books
No
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