10 Years on this forum!

by StephaneLaliberte 9 Replies latest jw experiences

  • StephaneLaliberte
    StephaneLaliberte

    10 years on this forum. 10 Years. Wow. This makes me look back on my life and I can gladly say that I haven’t stayed idle. A whole lot has happened in my life since then. Most important of all: I have been able to set myself free from false teachings, from blatant lack of love and constant judgement.

    Now….

    • When I give to a charity, I no longer condemn myself thinking I gave to Satan’s world.
    • I no longer fear I may contribute to delaying Armageddon by recycling.
    • When I help my neighbor, I don’t do it in order to push my ideas on people.
    • When I see none-Jehovah’s Witnesses do good, I no longer try to find why, deep down, they are actually wicked and deserve annihilation.
    • I no longer use absurdly flawed logic to dismiss scientific facts conflicting with my beliefs.
    • As I no longer take the bible literally, I’m relieved from the fear of a God who could have given a slow and painful death to the baby of King David for the sins of his parents.
    • I know that I can be good without being told to be so, several times a week.
    • I see people from all over the world as they are: People doing their best with what they have.
    • I understand that the ultimate sin is not sex. Hypocrisy, lying, a cold heart are actually worst.
    • I see that “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son” does not make sense if, in the end, he destroys the majority of it (99.99%).
    • I no longer use double talks to express my beliefs.
    • I have time for my family as I never did before.
    • I fulfill myself in other regular activities without the nagging guilt that I should pioneer instead.

    Though I could add even more to this list, I simply wanted to get the following across: I have changed a whole lot over the last 10 years and this site has played a big part in this. So, thank you Simon and thanks to everyone making regular comments as regularly keep an eye on this site.

  • NewYork44M
    NewYork44M

    I just checked, I have been around 15 years. Time flies when you are having fun.

    Congratulations for a successful decade.

  • The Searcher
    The Searcher

    NY44M: in the org's case - a successful decayed!

  • StephaneLaliberte
    StephaneLaliberte

    How about you fellows? Do you feel that leaving the Watchtower has made you better people?

  • Alostpuppydog
    Alostpuppydog

    2 days in to this website having left the organization (never even reaching unbaptized publisher for being to radical of a thinker 😆) and I never had support until I saw this website.

    I don't know how I came to find this site but man does it help knowing you aren't alone in any degree. Hope you guys that were actually able to make it to baptism have been able to clean your conscience. Cause the JW's love to dirty you up in their doctrines excluding the bible when necessary.

    Though I am still a firm believer in the Bible I will countinue my journey elsewhere, because the JW's over the last 10 years of my life benefited me slim to none. ✌

  • OnTheWayOut
    OnTheWayOut

    I came here ten years ago in the summer. I had just resigned as an elder, but had not been removed officially yet. Many many many changes for me, too.

    Happy anniversary, and continue on.

  • smiddy
    smiddy

    Good for you Steph , I hope your still around for at least another 10 years , happy anniversary .

    Take care.

  • zeb
    zeb

    I just checked, for me its been 5 years.

  • Xanthippe
    Xanthippe

    • I know that I can be good without being told to be so, several times a week.
    • I see people from all over the world as they are: People doing their best with what they have.
    • I understand that the ultimate sin is not sex. Hypocrisy, lying, a cold heart are actually worst.

    • I love these thoughts Steph. Thanks for your experience.
    • I have also learnt that most people are good, just living their lives looking after their families. People all over the world just want to be loved, have enough to eat and a roof over their heads.
    • There's also a huge amount of people giving their time and money to voluntary organisations and charities trying to do their bit. I never think this is a waste of time because there's 7 billion of us. It's got to be better than standing next to a magazine display waiting for God!
  • Heaven
    Heaven

    Stephane, your list is excellent.

    You said: How about you fellows? Do you feel that leaving the Watchtower has made you better people?

    I feel getting away from it made me better. I no longer was doused in negativity. I sought education and real answers. I saw and experienced first-hand how actually working to solve a problem was THE answer, and NOT praying more and waiting on some invisible, silent Sky-Daddy to fix it.


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