How long have you been an online "apostate?"

Faithful Witness

I really do not like that word (apostate), as used to represent someone who decided to remove themselves, or was removed from the influence of the Watchtower... but I am curious.

How long have websites like these been in existence? When did this movement begin?

Personally, how long did it take for you to dare exploring information outside the Watchtower publications, about Jehovah's Witnesses (especially online)?

We studied for quite some time, and I do remember how they told me in one of those early lessons, that there are ALL KINDS of rumors and lies about JW's. When people hear you're studying the bible with us, they might try to stop you. Who do you think is motivated to stop you from studying about what the Bible REALLY teaches? That warning stuck with me for a long time, although it is embarrassing to admit now. (Not that I thought it was actually Satan, but I sort of bought into their reasoning about people lying about them).

Even after we discovered some TTATT, and decided not to study and attend meetings anymore, I just removed myself from the whole idea. It took some turmoil and problems from our JW family, in order for me to do any online research. I was away from the JW's for about 2 years, before I even began looking online for information. I had no idea that there were so many people affected by the judgmental and hypocritical practices of the Watchtower Society. Not sure why I was so clueless, but I guess it had to affect me personally, in order for me to start caring.

How long has the TRUTH been out here? (It took me long enough, but I'm glad I found it before it was too late)

Pistoff

I came here when the 2002 Dateline episode aired, been here ever since.

lisaBObeesa

When we got our first computer with internet in 1995 or so, the first thing I typed in was "jehovah's witnesses" and the exjw community was already going strong on the internet. I joined a listserve... I forget the name...jesus-witnesses? There was H2O, and lots and lots of individual webpages built by people with TTATT... many more than now, it seems like..

I met people online in the 90's who before the internet had been mailing info, spreading the ttatt, putting ads in newspapers and pennysavers.

There were the phone numbers with recorded messages telling the TTATT...the number published in newspapers...

And Ray Franz's book came out long before the internet...

stuckinarut2

I stumbled firstly onto jw.facts many years ago, and of course "ran away screaming" in true "warning warning" fear of apostates!

Then I woke up and did my own research and lurked on this forum for a few years before joining....

now I can't leave here!

I applaud and thank all who have gone to great lengths and efforts to create sites that have rescued so many of us from the mental shackles of the org! (Paul, and Simon I mean you!)

cultBgone

"Apostate" in jw-speak is supposed to be as frightening as "Satan and his demons!"

It would have to be some truly crazy parent who would try to keep their children in line by telling them there's a scary monster in the closet.

I came here after being away from meetings for a year or so. A df'd family member had suggested it as a place to look for local groups of exjws. But once I'd registered and read a few posts, I just left. I had so much personal healing to do before I could get back to even discussing the wts. Still had lots of anger about child abuse in my family and the callous attitude taken by both the original cong. and my last set of "elders".

So I ventured back a few months ago after my personal foundation had been rebuilt, primarily searching for ew-jws in my area as I've had minimal social opportunities since I walked away from the kh.

Funny thing is that JWN reminds me of the old aol jw chatrooms where you got to know the attendees a bit and the subjects change all the time...it's great when you just want to hang out or vent. I've found some lovely online friends and have been fortunate enough to meet a delightful poster in person as she lives in the same state.

The JWN community is like no other! Anyone lurking on this site hoping to "out" someone in their congregation should easily be able to see the tremendous unconditional love and support that most the friends offer here. Even though there are jw apologists and trolls, they are on the sidelines compared to the larger community.

Thanks to everyone who has shown so much support and kindness to me in the past months! Sorry I went off-topic, FW!

(((hugs))) to all

Bugbear

I have been a part of this community for over one year. In my case I started to doubt some of the teachings from WTBS, as early as 30 years ago, but kept quiet. 15 years ago I resigned as an elder but attended meeting out of loyalty to my family. Of course the “friends” was worried over my behavior and I got a personal visit from the CO. We had been god friends for more than 30 years. And of course this visit was quite difficult for him as well. Resigning as an elder made it possibly for me to take up my university studies again, and after 3 years study I was quite sure that I had right in my doubts. I therefore expressed all I know about ancient history, the bibles reliability (and mistakes) and I also pointed out the absolute absurdness in the moral Philosophy that goes along with the Bible.

The CO responded,; this you must have heard on the internet?..

In fact, I had not seen anything on the internet about JWfacts or other sites like this. I was totally unaware of their existence. So I said to my old friend all these facts you can find here in my personal library (old books), and if you want we could visit together the old library in our university to check all the figures and facts that are present there. Of course he refused (I haven’t seen him since then).

But what he said, you must have found all this on the internet, made me curious. And I started to google on the subject JW. It must be over 1000 of “friends” that wants to share theirs experience..

Bugbear

HeyThere

Since I came across an article about the Candice Conti case, asked the sister I study with about it, and she had no idea. I found a total of 17 child sex abuse cases, she knew about none of them. Since then what I have found has made me know I will never be a tue dub, will never get baptised, and am trying to get my husband out.

Island Man

About 2 years.

kaik

I was reading and posting since 1990's. I do not remember my first site, but I used to post there around 1997-1999. I remember there was several posters like Jim Moon, etc. But it been long time ago.

LisaRose

It took about eight years after I left to search out JWN. I still had the Watchtower induced fear of turning into a "hateful, bitter and angry apostate" . I finally realized that since they had lied to me about everything else, this was probably a myth also. I joined seven years ago. I was active for about a year, then took a break, I have been active this time for about a year. Getting a Kindle (tablet) has made it much easier to stay involved, plus I don't work full time anymore, so I have more time to devote to it.

How long have you been an online "apostate?"

Share this