Englishman Unplugged.

by Englishman 19 Replies latest jw friends

  • Englishman
    Englishman

    A few posters have asked me questions re my background, so, here is a potted version of my 54 years as an Earthling:

    I was born in Bolton, Greater Manchester, in the north of England.

    My father was an air-traffic controller and was transferred to London Heathrow when I was quite young. He’d flown many missions on Lancaster bombers during WW2. My elder brother had died before I was born, and as a result my father was given 48 hours compassionate leave. During this time his aircrew flew over Germany with a substitute and was shot down, in effect, my brothers death saved my dad’s life.

    He was ripe for conversion, and , when the witnesses called in ’54, he grabbed it with open arms. I bitterly resented this outside intrusion and would play havoc before the meetings. By the time I was 12, I was totally brain washed with the result that I attended the ’58 Yankee Stadium assembly where I was baptised.

    Throughout my late teens I gave public talks, pioneered, and was also the holder of 2 ministerial posts. By this time we were living in Weston super Mare, where I live now, having moved to where “the need was great”.

    One day, in ’72, I was at the group study, when we read about a prophecy that referred to “wheels within wheels” with “eyes in the rims”. It was as if a mental curtain suddenly opened, and I realised -instantly- that I had never believed any witness dogma with my heart, it had all been on a cerebral level.

    I never went back to the KH, a few months later I was DF’d for associating with other DF’d persons.

    It was only in 1990 – 18 years later – that I started to research the WTBTS and had anti JW letters published in my local paper. My wife, who was never a JW, did some incognito investigative work with witness elders on female equality while she was a student at the University of the West of England in Bristol.

    I’m known in WSM for my strong anti-DF’ing views, I’m pleased to having been instrumental in aiding the departure of a number of JW’s from the clutches of The WTBTS.

    That’s it!

    Englishman.

  • Fredhall
    Fredhall

    Englishman,

    Now plug yourself back in.

  • joelbear
    joelbear

    Interesting story English. Thanks.

    I remember the Ezekiel studies myself. There were several books along in there where scripture by scripture applications to end times were made. It made my head swim and I never really believed any of it.

    I agree with your strong stand against disfellowshipping. It is perhaps the vilest practice of any organization on earth. It is psychological torture and manipulation at its worst.

    hugs

    Joel

  • reagan_oconnor
    reagan_oconnor

    Joel, I'm in the same boat as you. I remember sitting in bookstudy, bored out of my gourd, counting the eyes on the wheels. It was the same with the 1914 doctrine; I think that only 2 people in the entire congregation (one pioneer and one elder) were able to explain the 1914 doctrine without the aid of any JW books or literature (including, of course the Bible, since 1914 was never mentioned there, last time I checked!)

    It's amazing how we just accepted things without really questioning the deeper matters. I know that, even if I hadn't experienced the "wrath of the elders," I would have left eventually. I'm too cerebral to be a JW.

    Cheers,
    Reagan

    PS -- Englishman, I thought you were much younger... but don't worry, this doesn't color my opinion of you!

    "I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul."

  • joelbear
    joelbear

    Oh I questioned it, silently.

    But, I knew better than to say what I thought out loud. My father would get violently angry at the mere suggestion that the Witnesses were not the truth. Any question of that kind would have sent him out of the house to the local bars, not to return til the early morning hours drunk.

    I would get to stay home and watch my mother's heart break.

    Nay, silence is golden.

    hugs

    Joel

  • Mulan
    Mulan

    Hey, Englishman, I was at Yankee Stadium in 1958 too, and I was 12!! Too bad we didn't meet!! And, I love England........my roots are there, and I feel it whenever I step onto the English soil. How do you explain that? Genetic memory maybe?

  • Had Enough
    Had Enough

    Well Englishman and Mulan:

    This is just like old home week. I too was at Yankee Stadium in '58....just a little younger than you two though but I remember it well. And my roots are from England as well, although I haven't been over there to see where my parents were born. I'd sure love to go there and see the places they've described to me.

    As for the Ezekiel studys...forget it! I haven't a clue what it all was supposed to mean.

    I applaud you Englishman on your efforts and successes in helping others to see their way out of the borg. The df'ing stupidity has been a thorn in my side from day one and when it hit my family personally, that was the start of my losing my faith in this being the only "religion" worshipping God in the only acceptable way.

    I'm so totally amazed each day, how many of us all have similar stories of what caused our foundations to crumble. But it has been the best thing I could have done finding this avenue of healing.

    Glad you shared your story with us. I always enjoy your posts.

    Had Enough

  • Englishman
    Englishman

    Mulan and Had Enough,

    What an amazing coincidence re all 3 of us having been at the '58 assembly at Yankee Stadium. It's the only time that I've visited the US, but I do remember sailing into New York harbour aboard the Arosa Star and marvelling at the statue of liberty.

    Just out of interest, the Arosa Line went broke shortly after chartering all 4 of its ships to the society.

    I'd be interested to know what part of the UK you have links with.

    Englishman.

  • Tina
    Tina

    Hi Eguy and all,

    Thanks for the bio,fascinating!
    Just a note my Grandparents were at that 58 assembly at Yankee stadium. They're both gone now,it would have been great to ask them about it....hugs,Tina

  • joelbear
    joelbear

    I was being born in the summer of 1958 so my parents couldn't go.

    nya nya hugs

    Joel

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