From heavy-handed morality to no morality

logansrun

It is an almost knee-jerk reaction for someone coming out of a high-control group like the JWs to automatically throw all caution to the wind and act in a self-destructive manner. (Unless one goes from one HC group to another, that is)

I'm all too curious...for those that have been out a while, did you go through this anomie? How long did your period of "oat-soeing" last? What made you reevaluate your ethical and moral decisions?

Bradley

*PS -- the same could be said for rules. I notice that those who leave a group with a lot of rules tend to gravitate towards some form of extreme libertarianism which borders on nihilism.

gumby

I didn't change much if any. I smoke both kinds....as far as other vices or pleasures, I have no desire to do what I never did. Many go nuts and live it up. I've always tried to have fun everyday anyway so no need to sow wild oats. I would rather come from work, pop a beer, and twist one up, than I would hanging out in a bar, and playin pool, and lookin at butts. That's me.( I'm married, but if I were single....I'd still do the same)

Gumby

Maverick

Being older and having been a worldy person before getting lobotomized I did not go as far off the deep end as some I've known. I was raised with zero religious influences and did not know what the word fornication even meant when I first studied with the duds. I though sex was ok unless the other person was A. a minor or B. married. I've gone back to that way of thinking by the way. I watch what movies I want, swear, smoke cigars and wear my hair long to protest the duds. But the core person is much the same as before, only older and hopefully wiser. Maverick

expatbrit

Bradley:

I notice that those who leave a group with a lot of rules tend to gravitate towards some form of extreme libertarianism which borders on nihilism.

I would phrase that differently. Those who leave a group with a lot of rules tend to gravitate towards anarchy. Libertarianism and anarchy are two entirely different things. Under libertarianism, a strong form of government is necessary to prevent people from harming each other. This is the only legitimate purpose of a libertarian government. Under anarchy of course, anything goes, and there is nothing to prevent people hurting each other in any way that their irrational emotionalism can find.

One of the things that x-JW's must figure out, imo, is this difference between anarchy and liberty, as practiced in the real world. Unfortunately, quite a number never do.

Expatbrit

Phantom Stranger

I never went through that, Brad... I kept an ethical framework in place as I evaluated each part of it in turn. Not a claim on perfection - I've erred, but I never went wild.

maybesbabies

Well, I guess I went wild at about 13, when my mom left, and I've been wild ever since. After my mom left,and especially after she died, my dad didn't seem to give a rip about anything we did, so I think had more to do with going wild than getting out of the organization. I smoke, drink, cuss, engage in pre-and-post marital sex, dream of having my very own man harem, and stopped praying. I don't see any end in sight to the wildness, and frankly, I have no desire to be tamed.

Gadget

When IO left the jw#'s I wanted to do everythoing., the onlu=thing that stopped me was because of my job, I had to make sure that I remained resoectable to the public, or who knows what I would he=ave been doihg now. I have no natural morality,

logansrun

Wow maybesbabies, maybe you and I should hook up. LOL

Phantom....why does that not surprise me that you didn't go off the deep end. (I haven't either, btw)

Expat....What you say is well noted.

Bradley

Mutz

I feel much the same as Maverick. I had my wild times before I became a dub and by the time I left had grown out of the need to act like a twonk. :)

stillajwexelder

I am on a slow fade and have no intention of going from one extreme to the other -- hope to still keep a balance

From heavy-handed morality to no morality

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