Just accept that JWism was part of the journey you were one. Learn what you can from it, and then move on (and post funny stuff about it on JWD)
Remnants of JWism
by berylblue 19 Replies latest jw friends
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Litebriterstill
The Crisis of conscience book is a must read for the strength it gives you. Bro. Franz was in a position of credability and lost a life while gaining one. Our hats off to him. I have always hated the phony holidays so leaving the JW's hasn't changed not celebrating. The unloving things that others mentioned here that the "friends" did to eachother are also a help in letting go. "I would never kick a dog when they were down", " a friend in need is a friend indeed". I never found true friendship with the JW's.
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Prisca
Logansrun has made a very good point in regards to working towards leaving the JW mindset.
You might see people on this board who have seemed to have made very good progress in making a new life away from JWism. Such progress didn't happen overnight. I know in my case, it has taken much reading, contemplating, tears, thinking, experiencing, associating (with non-JWs and ex-JWs) and much much more, in order to move away from JW life and get on with making a new life for myself.
No one can do this for you. And there's no set programme, and there's no set time-frame. You have to battle on, because everyone's situation is unique.
But you will get there, and it's worth the battle.
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NubianIsMe
Hi! I'm new to the boards. Tried to post and introduction but I'm not sure if it's made it. I would said I have maintained a high moral standard, but now it's based on trying to be a follower of Christ rather than being scared of being DF. M
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SPAZnik
at this point in time, its so difficult to know what I am, even who I am....
i hear ya.
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Big Tex
For those of us who spent decades being Witnesses, certain beliefs or phrases are probably always going to be part of who we are. I must confess I still have all the bound volumes and books still on their book shelves. I don't believe what they have to say, and yet all of that is so much a part of my past that I'm not ready to let it go just yet. I probably will in time.
Beryl, the most important thing is to keep an open mind. If you can, then you will find who you are and what you're here to do. It took me years to shed Witness beliefs, probably due to my thick headed stubborness and the fact that I truly believed all that crap. Be gentle with yourself, give yourself time and you will see who you are supposed to be.
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SPAZnik
Be gentle with yourself, give yourself time and you will see who you are supposed to be.
Amen. Err, I mean, YEAH!
Gentle iz good,,,Time iz good! I'm so down wif this formula!
SPAZ
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blondie
I must confess I still have all the bound volumes and books still on their book shelves.
Big Tex, I did box up all but the Awakes from the 60's and the WTs after 2001. I have the others in a not often viewed bookcase. I have the WT-CD instead.
For those of us who spent decades being Witnesses, certain beliefs or phrases are probably always going to be part of who we are.
But I am trying to find new ways to say some things and not assume that others have the same definition.
Like "in the truth". Now I just say "baptized Jehovah's Witness" or I try to anyway.
I figure it is like someone who has never smoked compared to someone who smoked for awhile and quit. The ex-smoker will always have a different viewpoint than the one who never smoked.
Blondie
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Gadget
I think the biggest one on me is self control. I was a bit 'fiery' when I was growing up, but was made to work hard to keep my temper under control. If I didn't have this, I wouldn't be able to do my job in a prison, which requires me to have an aggresive streak, but more importantly to be able to keep control of myself in difficult circumstances.
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Big Tex
But I am trying to find new ways to say some things and not assume that others have the same definition.
Oh absolutely. It's funny you mentioned the phrase "in the truth". I still catch myself saying that occasionally. Like you, I'm trying very hard to get those code words out of my head, but it does take time! I also like Francois' phrase about undeserved kindness instead of grace. But you make an excellent point about assuming others have the same definition. Jehovah's Witnesses have a language unto their own. I think most of us are trying to unlearn that language. My point was that even when we unlearn it, we will always know it, kind of like my mother in law grew up in a Greek immigrant house. Even now in her 80s she still knows and understands quite a lot of Greek words and phrases, even though she doesn't speak it.