Telling People You Used To Be A JW

JW_Rogue

Since I faded I've told a few people at work about having been raised in this organization but i found that most people don't really get what it is like at all. They just focus on not celebrating holidays as if that is the worst thing about growing up JW. I didn't explain much because it's too much for most people to handle. They also happen to be Christian so I'd rather not offend them by putting down religion in general. I guess most people just won't understand unless they have had similar experiences.

KerryKing

I just tell people I was raised in a cult, if they're interested they'll ask what cult, but most people don't ask.

Pure Christianity is a way of life, not a cult, but every organised religion is a cult.

HereIam60

Pehaps once in a very great while you will meet someone who is really interested, curious, or a religious person who is "anti"-witness without really knowing anything about it, but most people, if they ask about it at all are just being polite to make coversation.

Biahi

My daughter married into a family of Christians, they knew that I was raised JW, but they didn’t understand how it was, except the door to door stuff. So, I explained to them. They had no idea. They do now. They literally thought it was just another Christian group.

LongHairGal

JW ROGUE:

While I would never bring it up first to strangers because it makes you sound like a loser, if somebody mentions it I will say that I was a JW for a time.

I would say that I came in a young working adult because I was led to believe they are something they are not. I would also say they are anti-career and I thankfully never listened to them.. I would say I finally left because they went back on one of their major teachings (Generation - 1995) and were just stringing everybody along!

Jensus

I used to tell people I was raised in this cult as fourth generation and left when I felt that it is just a bucket of bullshit with too high a price for me and my family. Usually, they show some respect for that. But I have stopped telling people.

Dagney

I mention it when it organically comes up in a conversation… like why I did or did not do something like college for instance. I use the opportunity to anti-witness. I would say most are interested in the story.

I really hate the religion, and if I can share my hatred when appropriate, I share. lol.

JW_Rogue

Yes, it came up in reference to why I didn't go to public school when I was younger. Although, I guess that isn't 100% because of the JWs but I think it was a big factor.

Touchofgrey

We are all victims/ survivors of a high control group and deal with it the best we can individually.

Depending on the situation I will let people know that I used to be a jw ,often people will sympathise as they know or knew someone who has had a bad experience with jws eg someone who has been disowned by their family etc.

Occasionally someone will try and preach to me about their beliefs I just make them aware that I am a atheist now ,there reply is generally that I never really believed.

NotFormer

Most people who've never been in don't realise how profound a sentence like "I used to be a Jehovah's Witness" is. They probably think that leaving is no more stressful than cancelling a subscription. From what I've read, it's more like trying to leave the Mob: you can't!

Telling People You Used To Be A JW

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