How long have you known TTATT and continued to participate?

by LostGeneration 33 Replies latest jw friends

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  Giordano

  Razziel very thoughtful response.

  In my case it was a two to three year process (pre internet years). First I stopped believing that the WTBTS was the 'truth' then I stopped believing the bible was the inspired word of god, then I stopped believing in the WT's version of 'Jehovah'. Then I felt that Jesus was only a Jewish rabbi with a different outlook......no small thing but not divine.

  Along with my wife we moved out of the area we lived in and began a much better life, found new friends, got some education and used every hour of the thirty hours a week we had devoted to all things JW for ourselves. That extra time was like money in the bank!
• 

  joe134cd

  There were a number of things I wasn't happy with while involved in the religion. While I was learning TTATT I honestly thought I could successfully play both worlds. With in a year of learning TTATT I walked out of the Hall for the last time. I'm now coming up to my 1 year anniversary of leaving. I'm finding it difficult but I have no intention of returning. BTW I'm not DFed just inactive.
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  stuckinarut2

  Razziel's comments are spot on!

  great summary of the facts of life , jw style.....
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  tornapart

  Well, I've been doing a slow fade since I discovered TTATT which is now 2 and half years ago. I'm probably down to about 25% attendence now. It's mainly to keep the peace with my family, particularly my hubby. I don't know if I'll ever give up totally, I think it'll depend on what happens with my hubby and children. I'm actually having some success with my children (grown), so it's not all bad!
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  Focus

  The answer to the OP's question for most is: "Far too long, because of fear and/or inertia".

  Thesis Question

  How does an utterly transparent, money-making, life-destroying MLM scam, started by a smart pedophile shyster, and based on double-selling trashy magazines and spin-offs, owned by the world's biggest publishing whorehouse, manage to evoke such touching loyalty and devotion?

  The answer is the same as to the question as to how the most obvious and notorious False Prophet of all, exactly falling within the Deuteronomiac definition thereof, manages to convince, in an internet age, millions of apparently rational (though usually pretty dim) people that it is gOD's sole mouthpiece on earth or perhaps the whole universe (yes, it's speculated about the latter too, lol).

  The specific reason is to be found in my late friend Carl Sagan's book, "Broca's Brain". Look it up. GIYF.

  In brief, most of you actually wanted to be suckered. "We" obliged, lol.

  __

  Focus

  ("Truth - not 'The Truth'" Class)
• 

  AnnOMaly

  Hubby about 20 years. Me about 10 years. Children are out too now. The "touching loyalty and devotion" was to our JW families, not the Org. - a bigger picture to be considered; lots of patience and little steps required. There comes a tipping point, however, when it really is time to go, which is different for everyone.
• 

  Laika

  I sort of had 2 stages, the stage when I no longer believed it and the stage when I no longer wanted to be a part of it at all. I know these closely overlap for many people here but they didn't for me so much.

  1 year from the first stage and 3 months from the second.
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  OneEyedJoe

  It's been about 3 months for me now...though I've long known that something was wrong, and probably would've left 7 years ago if not for getting married. I suspect i'll end up toughing it out for another year or two in an attempt to get my wife out...after that I'll probably give up and stop going on my own if I can't reach her.
• 

  Oubliette

  Razziel, really excellent analysis of the various emotional and psychological factors that keep people tied to this abusive organization.

  The only thing I have found to be different is how things work out for those that leave. Obviously, your experience is your experience, but that is the problem with small samples or data sets, they can be very misleading.

  In my experience, which has been confirmed by the majority of posters here on JWN, most people that leave JWs go on to live much happier and more productive lives than they had when stuck in the cult.

  The disasters get more publicity, just as is the case with any "news."

  The WT wants us to think will be failures if we leave. That's just one more method of control. It's what all abusers do. When we leave and live happy, fulfilling, productive lives we give evidence of their lies.

  Rock on!
• 

  Bye bye birdie

  I won't allow a religion to steal my friends and family. I hold my head high and walk in like I own the place. I leave quick. My daughter listens to music with hidden ear phones. I read a book from my ipad. Then we treat ourselves to lunch and yoga.