not having a regular childhood, but now that I have kids of my own I kind of feel like I am having a second chance. I got out at 17 so I the harm was not irreperable. but I feel really sorry for my father who is still hardcore JW and has always been very giving and loving even to the point of being foolish, ie. buying houses or cars from "brothers" to help them out and he always came out on the short end and on the flipside never using the "brothers" as customers for his businesses because that would be taking advantage of his position, so he would give them stuff for free. well now he is quite close to retirement and doesnt have a cent in the bank.
What Regrets Did You Have Because You Were A Witness?
by minimus 47 Replies latest jw friends
-
-
aarque
Not having a childhood...going from school to meetings and no time for fun in between. Being 8 years old and worried about not meeting my field service quota for the month...what a waste!!!! Never going to any school dances, games, proms... not having close friends... missing out on holidays and birthdays... I always wanted to do a science fair project and never could... spending much of my teen years as a loner...holding my tongue as 'good sister' should, yet seething inside when a so-called brother made a sexist remark to me ...
-
seeitallclearlynow
I've read all the replies and though I'm exceedingly glad to be out, I can't think of any real regrets. Probably a genetic thing - my mom never brooded much - and she had a lot to resent, but it wasn't her style. I always seem to tell myself, Well, who knows what might have happened if I hadn't been a JW? Maybe something worse. I'm really glad I divorced my dyed-in-the-wool JW husband, but not sorry I married him, because my children would never have existed. And I can't imagine never having known them!
-
shamus
Turning people in for wrongdoing. Going out in "Field Service". Not telling an elder to (bleep) off when he grabbed me.
-
freeman
My biggest regrets due to me being a witness are:
-
freeman
Raising my children in a cult. Fortunately I am now able to prevent my youngest child from attending meetings and the other seems to be abandoning the cult all on his own. THANK GOD!!
-
minimus
One of the worst things would be to have gone to jail because you were a "minister" in the eyes of the Watchtower only or to lose a loved one due to a changed policy such as transplants.
-
Tashawaa
Crazy as this may sound, I don't have any regrets. I've done things I'm not proud of (both as a Witness and non), but in the long run I've learnt from the experience. It has helped form the person I am today... and where I am today.