by Nosferatu 50 Replies latest jw friends
Good topic, Nos
I would like to thank myself, for helping me leave the org. I did it completely on my own, no help from others.
But,for helping me stay gone, I would like to thank my husband, who doesnt always understand the issues I have to deal with, but has helped me see things more logically and normally for the past 12 years. And the wonderful people who use their time, energy and resources to host sites like these, Simon, Randall Waters, and of course Ray Franz for his eye opening book.
Thanks to Dan Brown who got me searching the internet, to Derrick Barefoot for taking a stand, to Dave Malone who challenged me and got me thinking, to Simon for this forum and introducing me to such constant support and all of you folks, to Randy Watters for The Bethel Chronicals and Ray Franz for Crisis of Conscience. To Jerry Hulse (The Colonel) for always asking questions but never pushing, to Mary Corvin for letting me learn on my own without judging and prodding and to Elvis Presley for the way he sings gospel songs.
Thank God!
Corvin
oh my where to start
I would like to thank my mother for her years of trying to throw me away, abuse and neglect and showing me that being a JW doesn't make you into a good parent or person.
I would also like to thank my ex for years of abuse, control and manipulation - the fine tools of an elder who enjoys status more than love
And how could I forget the 3 elders who thought it was more important to protect the reputation of an abuser instead of his victims
Those five people were instumental in setting my body free.
I also cannot forget the friend who through her very innocent question about the dubs forced me to do a bit of research which helped set my mind free.
And Randy Watters, David Reed, Jan G. Jan H, Tim Campbell and all those who have websites that expose the WTS for what it is for all the information that helped set my mind and heart free.
And thanks to Simon for giving me a place to continue to heal.
Oh man, there are lots of people who contributed to me waking up...
JJ, an ex-bethelite/pioneer/all around nice Dub who told me I needed to think about being less judgmental and more kind to others. (He didn't follow his own advice btw when I needed a little help, but it was good advice so I kept it. )
"Quin" Cabalquinto, who I've mentioned before. He was an agnostic with an intense bible background that I dated for awhile during my "weak" period. His main question to me was not about doctrine, it was "you let a religious organization tell you you cannot talk to your BEST FRIEND???" He also introduced me to the idea of circular reasoning, and "proving" things by using something else that hasn't been proven.
All the people I worked with in the restaurant business who liked me because they liked me, unlike my "dear brothers" at the KH who wouldn't give me the time of day until I exceeded the national average.
hmmm... fast forward, skip, skip, thank you thank you.
A bible study of one of our congregation elders. They asked a hard and pertinent (not impertinent--lol) question about God and the warring Israelites. I couldn't answer it, the dumbass elder couldn't answer it. When I asked for help with the question, he refused to help, told me that it would be my own "personal study project," and he was "expecting a report back." I asked my super-dub Dad, and super-dub Brother---no answer. Researched, no answer. At that point I started viewing the OT concept of "Jehovah" in a whole new way--and not a particularly positive way.--This was the first actually faith-shaking (as opposed to hurt feelings) issue for me.
THEN, I have to give credit to my hubby. He used some of Hassan's techniques on me I think. (Thanks too Hassan.) He fed me little bitty "did you know..."s until I demanded to see for myself.
Finally, I have to give myself a little credit, because I actually used those grey cells for something other than parrotting the literature. 2+2 does NOT = 5, and I FINALLY SAW IT!!! Yay me!
O
good subject Nos.
I would like to thank my father. He actually became a JW in the end, strangely enough, but his years of hilarious skepticism and general bad attitude before then gave me a buffer against the humourless fanaticism of the Borg while I was growing up.
I'd like to thank Mark Geiger, (name withheld), and Marvin McNair - the "brothers" who booted me that fateful day in January 2000 from the Jeanette congregation in Greensburg, PA. I only withheld one name because he cried when he did it. Not unlike the crying I did on the way home. Let the others be damned. They smiled. Even laughed. Let their pride burn them alive in the afterworld.
I was the only one there with a Bible. I was the only one there who KNEW the Bible. They were fools and lazy, incompetent morons with fat asses and a callous disregard for human emotion.
But despite themselves they did God's will. Their curse, like Balaam's, has become a blessing for me. I am free. I am proud. I am stronger than ever. I will rise up and they will eat worms.
CZAR
First and formost, I would like to thank my non-dub dad. When I began to have doubts he said the best thing a father could say to a son - I love you no matter what, be happy.
Next I would like to thank the elders who never dealt with their own insercurites and couldn't understand why a teenager would ever question the wisdom of the society.
I want to thank the elders in Chester le Street congregation, they done more than anybody else ever could have to show me the hypocrisy of the organisation. And also to everybody here on JWD, especially all those at Englishmans bbq last summer, And Blondie who helped more than she'll ever know when I was going through all the problems I had last year.
I'd like to thank my husband. Had he not been so damn sexy, I never would've fornicated and got df'd. .
I would also like to thank James Caputo; because of his website I started to seriously doubt the teachings of the Watchtower. His site contains several transcipts from judicial committee meetings which totally opened my eyes. Although df'd I was still a believer and had every intention of getting reinstated. BUT, since I was df'd, I decided to go ahead and look at a bit of apostate material since I had been booted out anyways. Mr. Caputo's site was the first that really got me thinking.. I will forever be thankful to this man.
((((((All the little people)))))
