depression and why JW's don't reconize it (page 2)

nogs

Thanx eyes,

I just want to seek out those who left from depression and loneliness, you should go in the live chat sometime eyes,
hugs to you too xxxxxx
Naomi

You say you believe things you were taught. I have only been out about a year myself, and I am happy to know some of the truths taught by the JW's, such as "No Trinity", "No Immortal Soul", etc. These are all Bible-based doctrines, and by the way, some of these ideas are found scattered in other minority religions of the world. For example Unitarians believe "No Trinity", as do the Moslems.

However, JW's have (like other religions) blended in some man-made ideas, such as shunning those who are judged unworthy of companionship (whether they did, or with what attitude, the judgments are often only guesswork). Do you realize that there isn't really anything in God's Word which supports discipline to the extent of total shunning? (Only 2 John 9-10, where outside apostates are to be rejected IF THEY TRY TO BRING THEIR TEACHING INSIDE THE CONGREGATION, is total shunning even hinted at.)

Bad teachings lead to bad fruitage. The teaching of shunning naturally causes other ill effects. These include a superior attitude towards outsiders, towards those inside whose circumstances are not "on par" with the others (like your friend Cath), and of course towards those (like yourself) who have been the object of public discipline. (It's okay to gossip about them. They probably won't survive Armageddon anyway! That's how the thinking seems to go.)

The point is, I'm not really sure you believe "everything" JW's teach, probably just some major things. It's okay to admit that! It's part of the emotional healing. It's part of facing the truth, that what we believed for years and years may not have been ALL true.

Hoping this is helpful to you as you try to sort it all out and move on.

With affection/concern, Gopher

Edited by - Gopher on 23 March 2001 17:24:44

nogs

I don't mind you chiming in, gopher.

What i mean is, that i believe in the the bible and the things in it, if i could go to meetings now and feel ok, then I would but I get a panic attack and feel miserable whenever I go, I've already made my mind up to leave and whaen i make a discision I keep to it. I got over it a while ago now and feel ok with the path I have chosen, I don't pray anymore. The reason for this thread is to help others who are feeling the way I felt for a a couple of years. I have alot of head knowledge about the JW's but I chose not to tear them apart afterall I left them. I think that a simple reapect for a person to believe in what they want is require. On this site we should not be like them subbornly trying to make anyone see things our way.

THIS is not a dig at you gopher, but sometimes saying something about yourself and your own situation says more (please don't post apoint of view, post your story)

Kisses to redHW, eyes, and you gopher

Gopher

Naomi,

Allow me a quick reply.

(1) I don't mean to be "preachy" out here. (I do get a little wordy sometimes, that is a weakness of mine.) I'm only trying to be helpful to you and/or other readers. I definitely respect anyone's right to believe as they wish.

(2) I did post my story the very first day I joined here. You can read it at this link, hope it works: http://206.61.99.151/forum/thread.asp?id=3465&site=3

Thanks, Gopher

nogs

I like your story, it is good, you've been through alot, and I respect you for that. I think and this is only my opinion, that noone ever truly gets over the trauma of JW organisation, its a long fight every day, not to see the news and see prophecy but I got over it and feel that in this new relationship, and been able to enjoy things without feeling wicked is a step forward.

I'm in the forum chatroom now, pop in and have a chat with me

kisses and hugs(sisterly ones)

Naomi

neyank

Hi nogs,
Simon brought out a good point when he said that it doesn't do any good to be told
you're one of happiest people in the world,especially when you're not.
I think hearing that constantly leads people to become more depressed.
And of course the WTS remedy for people feeling down is to put in more field service,
attend more meetings.
But if you're already doing those things and you're still depressed then what?
Then it's time to step back and take a look at your life without the aid of the WTS
to see if you can figure it out.

By the way, Welcome to the board.
This is where the trully happy people congregate.
neyank

ICHING

hi nogs - thanks for your story it was very moving and so easy to relate to

like yourself i've been through hell with depression

this went on for years - just plain feeling bad all the time

the dark clouds had really moved in

i ended up leaving the jw's and seeing an analyst - fortunately i got one of the best in the country - one of the most beneficial things i've done in my life

there was one main simple reason i got out of the jw's

i was totally unhappy

that was all i needed to know

i'm in full agreeance with what you say about getting over it - maybe you never do

and it's a debilitating legacy knowing that for a certain period of your life you were completely hoodwinked.

it sounds like things are starting to improve for you now that you've gotten out

hope it continues that way

you sound like a very loving mother person and friend

the witchunt mentality within the jw's is inexcusable

looking forward to more of your writings

I-CHING

nogs

well thanks Iching, funny but I'll be moving to mongolia with my new boyfriend (Not married to him though, I don't need to marry him to make our relationship "Real and proper", Mongolia next to china and russia, you know much about it Iching????

Depression is a real illness, much of which is clinical but much of which is man-made.

hugs to all my friends
Naomi
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

thinkers wife

Naomi,
First of all let me apologize, for not getting to this thread sooner. Your description of being in the Org. seem to fit so much of what I went through and many others here as well.
I too went through great depression. I was in the same congregation for seventeen years. I went from a thin, vivacious, open person, to a overweight, depressed, almost reclusive person within those seventeen years. No one ever bothered to ask what the problem was. I had very few friends, actually no real one's for years. The problem was an abusive husband, who is still in good standing with the Org, btw. And the elder's taking turns on me. It was a very rough time for me.
In June of 2000, I da'ed myself. Like Simon said, it was like a huge weight being lifted off of me.
I also went to counseling. (which of course drew more fire from the elder's) But it was the best thing I could have done. The abuser finally left me. And I am now married and extremely happy with my wonderful husband. He helped me to see many of the other problems with the org. and I am happier now than I have ever been in my entire life. (I was raised in the org.) The only sad point in my life right now is how my family treats me. But I figure it is their loss. They refuse to even meet my wonderful husband. So they are missing out on seeing their daughter truly happy and contented now.
There is so much more. But sufice it to say, I have been through many of the things you described. Good luck with the new man in your life and your newly chosen path of happiness!
TW

nogs

Awwwwww thinkers wife (wife of thinker, I think)

well I have alway's known the number one reason for ppl leaving JW's is because they aren't the right sort. Im only 24 now and decided that if I was going to kill myself because of it , I may as well leave and be dead to them, I moved from Yorkshire to devon, still have the witnesses call sometimes but I tend not to answer the door before 11am, well they are the only ones who call that early generally, well if it is important ppl tend to leave a card.
I've gooten quite a response on this thread so far, but I feel that is because many have this way, most problems such as fornication and adultery, etc, are symptons of something seriously wrong with the cong. I mean I had a secret no-no go near me where singly brothers were concerned, I couldn't bear the thought that i might never find a mate and have no more children, an outsider may think that is selfish but I think it is not bad to put your own happiness first.

Look forward to talking to you in the live chat, Been looking through last years thread, do you know when Simon left the org.??????

Kisses to all you depressed souls, my thread is always here if you need to talk to me.
Naomi

depression and why JW's don't reconize it

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