What Ways Did You Rebel Against The Elders & The "Truth"? (page 2)

jwbot

Going to college
Was really REALLY outspoken about the sexism, constantly got into a battle of wits with the young MS's over it
Dressed right on the edge for their tasts
Knew way more about computers...and for some reason my cong. was anti-computer
Questioned everything
The music I listened to they hated
Being outspoken about everything

Of course, I did not do this to rebel, I was actually just being myself...they just didn't like it.

Enishi

I rebelled in ways that were too subtle for most to notice. I read fantasy novels, saw R-rated films and a lot of stuff they would have called spiritism, and started exxpressing my spiritual turmoil through my writing.

NaruNaruChan

Funny thing is, I was a good girl up until the last four months of my hellish experience with JWs. Then i started swearing ALL THE TIME, watching r movies again, not even dressing up for meetings, or (had aa rep for this one) leaving mid-meeting for no reason because I was bored.

Athanasius

When I was an elder I would use other Bible Translations in my talks. I would also quote non-Watch Tower sources and be mildly critical of the New World Translation. When in Field Service I used the New International Version Bible in place of the NWT. When serving on Judicial Committees I always tried to get the person off with a mild reproof instead of DF. This got me in trouble with the CO because he thought we should have given a harsher verdict. But all he could do is rant and rave because he couldn't overturn our decision.

CountryGuy

I told the elders that I had no interest in going to Bethel. Then six months later, went to college. I left my parents' house and moved into a dorm room so the elders would leave them alone. The elders essentially couldn't do anything because I wasn't living under their roof anymore. They weren't supporting me financially in any way. Plus, I was attending meetings in my new cong. and turning in "average" time every month.

One Sunday, after going to the meeting with my folks, the elders visited with us. My dad just told them, "Brothers, he's an adult now. (I was 19.) He doesn't live under my roof anymore; and I don't support him anymore. This is his decision. It doesn't involve me. I've expressed to him my feelings on the matter. So, I really don't think I need to be here." Then he left! LOL! (My father's views on the matter were, "as long as you're active in your new cong., you should go to college and get a good education. But, I'll be checking up on you regularly." And, did he ever! If I missed a meeting, he knew about it.)

They sat there a few seconds, not really sure what to do next. Picking up the cue from my father, I realized that these weren't my elders anymore. I stood up and said, "Well, brothers, it was good to see you. Brother "Jones" (a well known brother in the circuit and one of the elders in my new cong.) is my book study conductor, I'll be sure to tell him you said hello at this week's book study. If you're ever down our way, be sure and come by the hall to say hello."

It was so cool to take their power away from them!

Wolfgirl

leaving mid-meeting for no reason because I was bored.

Oh, I did that SOOOO many times towards the end. In fact, in the last few months of attending meetings, I don't think I ever stayed for an entire meeting, when I actually went. I was bored out of my skull.

I didn't do a whole lot of rebelling until the end, and even then, it wasn't much. I just left. I seem to remember being "sick" when I got assigned a talk with a sister I didn't like. Can't remember much else at the moment.

minimus

This is a great thread! You guys and gals crack me up! I also left early, came in late and either had a blank look on my face while the talks were given or smirked when someone would make a comment, especially if I knew they were self-righteous ****!

undercover

I rebelled in lots of little things but never enough to get in real trouble. I drove a muscle car with loud pipes. I listened to "debasing music". I watched whatever I felt like watching(including porn). I read books. Lots of books. Mostly fiction, but violent, war-mongering stories. I wore current fashions, without going completely overboard(I never did the Miami Vice look, LOL). Loud cartoon ties and dark shirts. Mustache and soul patch, with an occasional 3-4 day goatee. Hair too long, hair too stylish, hair too short. Went to lots of rock/pop concerts. Went to local clubs and bars. Went out with worldly girls. Had worldly friends. Socialized with worldly workmates. Drank more than would be considered "in moderation". These were indirect rebellious acts. Not planned rebelliousness, just my personality and the way I did things. Not answering at meetings was one direct rebellious act though. I couldn't see how god would accept or not accept you because you read words out of a magazine in front of people. I refused to do it. I didn't want to, didn't need to and ain't nobody gonna make me.

Despite doing all thes minor rebellious things, I was still an MS and considered a good example to the congegation. Mostly because even though I didn't necessarily lead two lives, I didn't publicize what I was doing. What I did was my business and no one else's. I knew who I could trust and who I couldn't. I didn't kiss elder's asses, but I didn't go out of my way to give them trouble. I mostly stayed out of their way. They left me alone and I left them alone. On the occasional pep talk from one, I would just nod my head in the affirmative a lot and they felt good about themselves and went on their way and I completely ignored what they said. I did get called in to a couple of informal judicial meetings when things happened at gatherings that they wanted to know about and expected me to spill. I got complained on from a few people in the congregation. When the elders talked to me, I asked who had the problem. They wouldn't say so I said something about Matthew 18 and maybe that person should see me instead of running to them. That usually shut them up. All in all, I got away with a lot that some others never could. I never figured out how I could but others couldn't other than maybe because I was never a ring-leader or flashy, I tended to melt into the background.

minimus

I'm wondering how a person might've rebelled "in their face".

Mysterious

Hmm we had a school spirit day today I was half tempted to get my hair sprayed blue (it washes out) and say it wouldn't come out and go to the book study like that. (It's my last book study ever woohoo). But alas I didn't do it. Maybe she would have made me stay home. Or maybe I could have worn a hat and conducted the meeting

What Ways Did You Rebel Against The Elders & The "Truth"?

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