Figured out why I woke up from all this

by bradford 8 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

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  bradford

  I have always thought that I figured things out when I decided to research the generation, 607, 1914, etc.

  I had an epiphany and realized it was triggered much earlier. About 2 years ago for some odd reason, while I was a very solid Witness, I started reading the news, landed on a random article about scientology, and eventually a book written by Jenna Miscavige called Beyond Belief. She writes about growing up in the religion, the leaders who she was related to, and how she left. I guess it would be the same as Anthony Morris' niece writing a book about Jehovah's Witnesses.

  Anyone else read this book or have a similar experience?
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  freemindfade

  I didnt read the book. I have a similar waking though. As strong as I could be as a witness it all just fell apart for me. Before I jumped into any outside ttatt. That was a disturbing second level.
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  rip van winkle

  Yes, I read the book years ago and saw the similarities to JWs.

  And thereafter, joined an EXScientology discussion site.
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  OneEyedJoe

  One early influence I had was reading an article that posited that AA was cult-like. Several of the criteria for judging a guilt that they listed cited JWs as an example of a cult. While I initially rejected the thought, it lingered and I began to see things through that lens from time to time. That definitely helped me approach the idea that I was in a cult.
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  bradford

  I think I was immediately in denial of the similarities but the connection was made and it was only a matter of time.
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  Alive!

  That's interesting - because years and years ago, I read some sort of 'cult' tick list - can't remember where or how - I just remember I found it disturbing...I didn't feel comfortable. I was absolutely 110% devoted JW - it was years later that points from that list popped up in my head....I guess I knew something was wrong....or did I?

  In the last two years, I've been floored re the Cultic trends and behaviour of the organisation.
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  Vidiot

  Looking back, it was realizing evolution had to be true, for me.

  Then realizing which other things the Org was wrong about.
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  Ding

  If someone accuses the WT religion of being a cult, a JW's defenses will go up.

  But if someone exposes the cultic aspects of another religion and a JW sees the similarities with the WT system, there is no "opposer of the truth" to argue with...
  
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  Vidiot

  What Ding said.