This place has been a very useful tool for me to see all the crap that the WatchTower had filled my head with. I love coming here and seeing the different view points. We are not encouraged to disagree in dudland. Here I have my beliefs challenged everyday. I find it very liberating. I have come to accept that I don't have the answers in life and more importantly I don't need to have those answers to function! I don't feel like a dependent child of the J-dud Masters anymore. Their values are not my values, their fears are no longer my fears and their goals are foolish to me now. This place,the JWD, has helped me grow at a much faster rate than I would have if I stumbled along, alone. Maverick
What JWD means to me...some reflections, and your opinions
by onacruse 24 Replies latest jw friends
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myself
Good post Craig.
When I came to the board it was as a lurker. I had some questions put to me in a quiet manner that was intended for me to search out the answers on my own. I was still very brainwashed at the time, I knew something was wrong, but I thought the problem was me, not the "religion".
Through the experiences related here and a few other boards, along with the research that went into the posts (with proof of what was being said, yep I checked things out for myself) I realized that the problem was not with me. AND I am not alone.
This board thru its members had a key role in setting me free, and allowing me to move on without looking back (mind you looking back wouldn't turn me into a pillar of salt or anything). I can move forward now and I am at peace at where I am and who I am. I wish everyone could have the same peace of mind and self. I couldn't stay away from these people who helped me along the way.
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Aztec
Valis, you're right on with this statement:
"it makes for a social dynamic that resembles the story of Six degrees Of Separation"
I couldn't agree more!
Craig,
I came here looking for intelligent discussion and to be challenged. I found both! I also found something I wasn't necessarily sure I would, good friends. It's hard not to take something that means this much to you seriously. As long as it doesn't take over your life and become your only form of social interaction it's healthy IMO to want to discuss something with others who understand what you're going throug/have gone through. It's hard to find others in normal day to day contact who know anything about Witnesses beyond the fact that they go door to door and annoy the heck out of them on Saturday mornings...LOL! It's also good to be here to show lurkers that there is life outside the Watchtower and to show the Watchtower itself that they no longer have some of us under their control!
~Aztec
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jgnat
And, oh yes, what Lady Lee said.
JWD continues to be a life-saver for me. Since the WTBTS will be part of my life come sickness or health, richer or poorer, I need a safe place to express myself.
Sure, I guess, it is possible to be deceived by an on-line persona here. I treat posters in cyberworld the same way I do in 3-D world. I give people the benefit of the doubt. Most of the time I am rewarded with rich and genuine friendships back. Both here and in 3-D world. If I get stung, oh well. I chalk it up to experience.
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heathen
I'm with ya there ona. The first place I ever ventured to post an opinion was right here at jwd . Totally wet behind the ears and never tried communicating on the web I even think it was the first time I chatted was here . I have seen so much interesting stuff I am totally amazed and the contact with people in other countries even is unbelievable .
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Simon
I agree jgnat - there is no reason that a board needs to decline.
What I think happens a lot is that people create board with a small cliche of friends but they never really grow and as people wonder away or just lose interest the site falls into misuse. Either that or the enthusiasm for running the site wanes because it is hard work to run it properly, much easier to neglect it which then leads to the decline as it's taken over by the unruly.
One thing I've always tried to do with this board is make it welcoming. That means that people who join have a voice and aren't looked down upon for being new and likewise, people who have been here a long time aren't allowed to get away with behaviour that they shouldn't.
So, while some boards are started out as a group of friends and it's hrd for newbies to break in, this site actually helps form friendships and I think that is what sets us apart.
While it keeps doing that and people keep using it, I hope it will be still available whether it's me running it or someone else or perhaps a groups of people (as it is now, I just focus on the techy stuff).
As the software becomes more complete and polished it will become easier to stand on it's own and maybe get passed on. I have to improve all the maintenance, config and admin tools and options.
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Flowerpetal
ona:
So, you tell me...am I taking this board too seriously, as some have said to me privately? Is JWD doomed to die a 'typical' db death? Or will the synergy of our lives, and the lives of thousands more each year, make JWD an even better place to meet, heal, and move on?
I don't think this board would ever be doomed to die a 'typical' db death. Your second question says it all....
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bikerchic
(((((((((((Craig)))))))))))
So, you tell me...am I taking this board too seriously, as some have said to me privately? Is JWD doomed to die a 'typical' db death? Or will the synergy of our lives, and the lives of thousands more each year, make JWD an even better place to meet, heal, and move on?
I bolded the part that I feel is the way this db it will go. To me the personal contacts with posters is what makes it a real community. For many of us who have had our families and friends taken from us due to the b'organization lack of love and tollerance for the truth about the troof, we can meet, heal and move on. Move on with our newly developed group of friends who understand as no "worldly" friends can what we've been through.
Simon said:
So, while some boards are started out as a group of friends and it's hrd for newbies to break in, this site actually helps form friendships and I think that is what sets us apart.
I am here totally for the newbies, those who are struggling with the same issues I had when I left. This board was my sanity in an otherwise insane time in my life and for that I thank you first Simon and second all the posters here who have helped me grow and develope my thoughts outside of the confinements of a stoic religion, what a tremendous experience it's been for me! I can only hope to help others achieve the same experience. Thanks Simon (((and family))) for all your hard work!
Aztec says what I feel best:
As long as it doesn't take over your life and become your only form of social interaction it's healthy IMO to want to discuss something with others who understand what you're going throug/have gone through.
It's also good to be here to show lurkers that there is life outside the Watchtower and to show the Watchtower itself that they no longer have some of us under their control!
Maveric some excellent points:
Here I have my beliefs challenged everyday. I find it very liberating. I have come to accept that I don't have the answers in life and more importantly I don't need to have those answers to function! I don't feel like a dependent child of the J-dud Masters anymore. Their values are not my values, their fears are no longer my fears and their goals are foolish to me now. This place,the JWD, has helped me grow at a much faster rate than I would have if I stumbled along, alone.
Not living under the fear control of the WTS is such a freedom! This place does help us grow and get on with life at a much faster pace.
Lady Lee your words are so helpful as always:
It would be nice to think this place would not be needed in the way it is now. But I think that for the foreseeable future there will be a place for this site and others like it to help those who are leaving the borg and in great need of information, support, and healing. I think too that some will come and some will go. That is the nice thing about freedom here in the real world (vs the WTS). We are free to leave and not be shunned for it.
((((((((Lady Lee)))))))) Your words are always so insightful!
I love you Craig for being sensitive and caring it's the very thing that drew me to you in the first place and I'm happy to be part of your life and watching/helping each other grow and move beyond what could have otherwise (if not for this db) stunted our exit from the b'org and kept us from living a full complete life.
Kate
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SM62
I think this place is amazing!
It is a mine of information - you can find out so much stuff that is otherwise hidden. I lurked for a while and had to pluck up the courage to post, but now I love it. The people on here are wonderful and, whatever the query, someone always seems to have the answer or can point you in the right direction.
The majority of JWs I know would love to be able to say what is on their mind, voice doubts, slag off the elders or whatever, without fear of being labelled a bad associate. It's just such a relief to know there are others who feel the same as I do - and I always thought I was the only one because nobody in the KH would ever say anything bad about the organisation. In the end you start feeling that you are the one with the problem and you sink deeper into depression (at least I did) I know now that this is because of the fear it instils in us - I am so grateful to Simon for this place - it is a real haven and I think it has just about saved my sanity (I hope!)
Terri
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Stacy Smith
Craig I think this DB is useful and I enjoy it most of the time but I don't find a closeness here that I see on other boards. I also belong to a cycling forum and I have really become close to several people there. We have weekly bicycle rides and I try to make as many as I can.
I think there are too many personal attacks here and I certainly got nailed a few times by people with opposing political views. I have seen the owner of the board (who I like) post some very negative messages directed towards users here. My opinion of that is yes, it's his house and we should behave, but he has invited us in here and he isn't always as good a host as he should be. He also has responsibility. The like it or leave it mentality isn't appealing. But Simon this isn't an attack on you and I hope you don't take it that way. Just my opinion and as I have written before opinions aren't always facts. Just opinions.
Now I have read some very heart felt messages here from people who have been deeply hurt by the society. That is the direction I feel this forum needs to stay focused on. Political opinions here have as much real value as those from Johnny Depp. We aren't experts but we sure play one on the forums.
