New to site...let me intro myself

by LarryCope 22 Replies latest jw experiences

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  smiddy

  Welcome larry stick around this is an informative sometimes very funny forum
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  OnTheWayOut

  So being gay had little to do with your leaving the final time.

  Similarly, I left because I discovered it's not "the truth." So congratulations on your own discovery. If I had not left already, I would have laughed out loud during the Watchtower study that introduced the "overlap generation" and stormed out shouting "On that teaching, I am outta here."

  Thanks for sharing, enjoy the forum. I look forward to your inputs.
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  flipper

  Welcome to the board Larry. Nice to have you here. You are among people who understand what it's like seeing the organization we once knew- crumble all around us and become a criminal organization. Look forward to more of your posts, insights, and experiences you had while in the Witnesses. Take care, Peace out, Mr. Flipper
  
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  steve2

  Thanks for introducing yourself Larry and welcome. Nice to hear an outline of your journey to date.

  In my local congregation of about 120 in which I was raised here in New Zealand, I estimate there were 8 to 10 of us young ones who were gay or lesbian. Of course, to the best of my knowledge no one was "practising".

  Years after leaving, I heard of other young ones leaving (or getting kicked out) over sexuality issues - which led to my musing that one of the 'risks' of being raised by JW parents is ending up gay or lesbian.
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  Landy

  In my local congregation of about 120 in which I was raised here in New Zealand, I estimate there were 8 to 10 of us young ones who were gay or lesbian. Of course, to the best of my knowledge no one was "practising"

  When you say 'you estimate', was that because of the 10 percent 'rule' or because you personally knew of 8 to 10 that were gay?

  I mention it because I was in a cong of around 120 and can't think of anyone that was/may have been gay, with the possible exception of two sisters that may have been, although I'm only basing that on the fact they never married.
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  LarryCope

  When you say 'you estimate', was that because of the 10 percent 'rule' or because you personally knew of 8 to 10 that were gay?

  I mention it because I was in a cong of around 120 and can't think of anyone that was/may have been gay, with the possible exception of two sisters that may have been, although I'm only basing that on the fact they never married.

  I cannot speak for the person in NZ, but I can tell you that other than myself there were likely 4 youths in the mid 90s that were "involved". I had a wonderful relationship with my mother and I'd point out the two younger brothers who sat together touching knees, letting them rub or would sit letting their arms touch and at times were so physically close a piece of paper could not be put between them. I told her if they weren't "involved" I'd eat my hat.
  Later, I visited a sister who moved and asked pointed about her relationship with another younger sister. She smiled a sly smile and said "We were special friends" ( Ahem )
  If that was happening in the mid 90s. it's going on now.
  
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  LarryCope

  OnTheWayOut 8 hours ago

  So being gay had little to do with your leaving the final time.

  Absolutely! Don't get me wrong, it was a terrible burden. I remember going in FS with an brother who was an absolute doll and having to focus on my presentations. WHEW!!
  
  But it was the inaccuracies and false info that did it. After all, I was giving up a whole lot and to find out that it was erroneous did my temperament no good.
  
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  Landy

  Absolutely! Don't get me wrong, it was a terrible burden. I remember going in FS with on brother who was an absolute doll and having to focus on my presentations. WHEW!!

  Yeah, sorry about that. I was a bit of a stunner in my time.

  ;)
  
  
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  steve2

  "When you say 'you estimate', was that because of the 10 percent 'rule' or because you personally knew of 8 to 10 that were gay?"

  Yes, I pretty much knew of several - 8 to 10 is my estimate - who were gay or lesbian - and not through relationships with them - I was strictly celibate. I had a cousin - now deceased - who would talk with me about his "burdens" and we each knew what the other was talking about. There were at least two effeminate boys who came out years later and at least two others who I found out indirectly were gay (their worldly "acquaintances" were big mouths).

  Also, when I went to individual elders with my "guilty" conscience about being gay, elders would tell me things like lots of boys or young men have these feelings from time to time. One elder even gave enough details of another one of my peers in the congregation - who I would never have suspected was gay - who apparently was struggling with his sexuality.

  I repeat that I was celibate - but strangely I did not feel alone. BTW, I did not leave due to sexuality issues.
  
  
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  Landy

  BTW, I did not leave due to sexuality issues.

  it would have been enough, with the exception of a couple of southern US states fundie sects, I don't think I can think of a worse religion to grow up in as a gay person.