Ok, so I kinda stumbled onto this site. I have many questions, but first a bit about myself:
I was born and raised in the truth. At age 13 I made a silly choice to get baptized. One thing that I've realized since is that I never actually prayed to Jehovah and made a dedication to him. I just did the baptism questions which I passed with flying colors, as I was quite the brainer back then. It was all about acheivement for me tho -could I get to do the mics, run the magazine counter, become a pioneer, etc etc,..I moved out of home at 18 and returned to the big city. And then I discovered girls! I had a huge problem with controlling myself. I was reproved so many times I couldnt even count, and each time Id come crawling back for more. Smoked alot of weed, always wanted the 'worldly hairstyle', the beard, etc etc. In short, I was a rebel. Finally when I was almost 20 I realized that I was living a completely fraudulent double life, so I stopped going to meetings. Then (one) of my current girlfriends (to whom I am now happily married w/2 kids) moved in. Shortly thereafter the elders came by to check up on me. I told them I just wasnt living up to my baptism and I just needed a break from it all. They said 'uh-uh, that's not how it works, you have to write a letter indicating you want to leave'. I was furious, cause the way I saw it I got baptized prematurely and immaturely and just wanted to chill out for a while and work out my own issues myself. So I told them to wait in the hallway, went and got a pen and paper, and scribbled a letter stating I was out. Well alot has happened since then, you know, being considered a DF'd individual and all, the standard family not talking to you etc etc...but Im really not bitter, and Im not here to bitch and moan about my decision or whats happened because of it. I want to get to know some people and find out just what the heck is going on these days...
So if you've got a second to indulge me, a couple of questions:
- is *anyone* on here a Witness? Please be honest.
- if you are, why do you visit a forum like this? I read alot of bitter posters, are you trying to help them? Or are you a doubter yourself?
- what is all this talk about revised stances on DF people? Id love some current info, like from someone who is attending meetings and getting mags, books, whatever...I always thought that one day they'd let parents talk to their kids etc. always found that one very overbearing and hard to deal with..would like some ammo for my first talk with my mom in almost 5 years
- there was a poster I read about called You Know. Dude I'd like to rap with you a bit, I liked your perspective on some topics I read from you...you talk about a change/house cleaning to be effected by Jehovah real soon, what will you do in the meantime? Will you still go to meetings, go in service, etc??
Anyone who is willing to talk about this stuff in a balanced manner please respond...Ive been away for along time but I never considered myself an apostate as I dont flame them or hate them, I just disagree with some of the org stuff and the rules that to me seem to have been man-made...
Please if all youre going to do is say 'JWs are fucking idiots' or comments to that effect please just dont respond, Im not interested in a who hates them more screaming match...ALL WE NEED IS LOVE!!!!
Hope you all can see that this is NOT a troll, just want to get back in touch with people who love Jehovah but maybe not necessarily the org, if you know what I mean.
Oh, and btw, I LOVE U2!!! Their music and vibe has helped me thru all these turbulent years!!
"Well the God I believe in isn't short of cash, mister!"
Bullet the Blue Sky, Rattle n Hum version