A big hello and thank you (page 4)

Ding

Welcome!

I thought a lot more JWs would awaken when the generation that saw the events of 1914 turned into overlapping generations. Unfortunately, so many seem willing to believe that green is red if the GB says so and be grateful for the new light!

It is hard for an elder to fade because it's obvious when you start doing less and less.

Do you have family you would lose if you made a clean and sudden break by walking away cold, by DAing, or by giving a public testimony regarding TTATT and getting DFd?

millie210

Glad to have you here!

Cant give away details as of yet but my story is similar to yours in some ways (one way it is not is I am female).

I have found that an excellent way to help with a fade when you have the positions you and your wife occupy is if there can be a stumbling event.

I have learned this in retrospect. I wasnt as smart as your wife and others here...I swallowed my doubts until a defining event woke me up.

That event was so black and white wrong that still in JWs are supportive of me in my fade. Not all but enough to make it much easier.

If you are a kind, loving elder to the flock, then Im sure you have egotistical fellow elders that dislike you for that alone. Maybe their "tomfoolery" can help you in fading?

Got that word tomfoolery from what a Circuit Overseer decided to call the illegalities of my local elders. I guess it sounds more pleasant than simony. forgery and theft.

However you do it, take your time as done4good wisely mentioned. Dont let people here or anywhere make you feel you have to "make a stand" that is old JW thinking being recycled.

What you have to do is walk in the direction of a happy life for you and your wife. That is success and no one can define that for you but you.

FayeDunaway

No doubt you are already showing kindness and more mercy than usual in your position as cobe. People are probably noticing you are different than others. As you fade, people will remember these things, and knowing what a genuine person you are, it will help some others to reexamine their own thoughts on what a Christian should be. Noticing that the ones who stayed are less Christlike than the one who left. You have no idea how many people you will affect.

Boy, a lot of people here are from Australia! I'm sure some are using that as a front because it's so far away from the rest of the world...but I'll take your word for it :).

I am so happy you and your wife have found jesus in this. I did during my fade too, and I am so thankful. You may feel attacked sometimes on here for your faith, but know that many others share your faith on here. This place is like the Underground Railroad during American slavery. Helping people to be free, giving them guidance along the way, one step at a time.

clarity

Wonderful that we have come to our senses again. After slaving in wt for 50yrs, shedding all that "new personality" stuff and uncovering the beautiful person that I used to be ......has been amazing!

A big welcome to you & your wife .......... you are standing at the EXIT. Whether you hang around at that door a bit or go racing right through it, is up to you. Take care of each other as you go.

If there are times that you fear watchtower propaganda may be right (Armageddon, only true religion etc) research it until you are satisfied.

Wishing you every success.

clarity

John Aquila

WelcomeIwasblind--sowasi

I was an elder and pioneer for many years, and when I finally woke up, I moved to another hall across the city and faded totally. When I see former JW friends, I try not to engage them in JW stuff. You can't reason with them unless they are ready to wake up. It's been one hell of roller coaster ride. But not having to deal with Field service, tons of meetings, crazy teachings like you can't say bless you when someone sneezes or toast when drinking champagne, and disfellowshipping someone for touching someone breast but forgiving a child molester, is a huge weight off my shoulders and my health has improved 100% since I left.

Here's to you and your wife's good health.

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LisaRose

Welcome to the forum. It seems to me we have had,a lot of elders and ministerial servants joining the forum lately. I think it's a good thing to take your time and leave on your own schedule, you never know, you might be able to influence a few people to leave, you are like a double agent, lol.

Giordano

Hello! Ex pioneer who served where the need was great (er) left with my pioneer partner in the mid 1960's.

We moved and did a fade. Took us about three years to work it all out. No DF back then at least not like now.

People here who have been seriously hurt aren't as patient with a slow fade............ but to each their own.

So a couple of thoughts to share with your obviously intelligent wife.

What are you going to do with the extra 30 plus hours a week you are going to gain? Start talking about the possibilities, education, volunteer work, travel, hobbies etc.

One reason you will find it impossible to change the religion from within is that a JW has to develop a preference for 'rational ignorance' a rational decision to not investigate or research anything that can not be applied to the JW's ever changing beliefs and doctrines.

And finally from Eric Hoffer's 1950 book The True Believer: “It is startling to realize how much unbelief is necessary to make belief possible.”

Good luck (sorry) Good karma on your fade....... like JW's everywhere we are curious and nosy about the way things will progress for you guys....unlike JW's everywhere we are supportive and will not second guess the personal decisions you make on your journey.

Giordano (American born Ancestor of Giordano Bruno).

stan livedeath

welcome to the forum. i'm firmly in the atheist camp.

i used to berate those on here who are still elders and pios--but---what right have i to judge.

but it could be an interesting experiment to see how much real truth you could feed into your congregation before someone calls you on it.

Crazyguy

Welcome and I hope you'll share some of your experiences about elder meetings and the reactions to letters instructing the body to give away all the funds and the new tithing arrangements etc.

FayeDunaway

Agreed, Stan, I wonder how long he could keep up feeding 'truths' to his cong before someone talks to the circuit overseer about him!

A big hello and thank you

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