The Issues of a New Generation of Ex-JWs on the Internet

GermanXJW

I am in a melancholic mood somehow. I have been on the Internet for more than a decade now. I started as a JW apologetic. Then I joined the good old h20 as GermanJW. As time flew by I became a full blown apostate (officially DAed this year).

I came across sites as h20, DocBob, WT Observer by Kent Steinhaug, Norm Hovland,(does anybody remember [email protected]?) and the Usenet and things like that.

I have been at JWD for more than 3 years now.

And I now see that things are changing very fast now. New people coming in and the face of discussions boards like JWD change very quickly with lots of JW related people rushing in.

While I know this is good it makes me afraid a bit. (I think I am getting old.) I think it would be healthier to move on but by means of the EX-JW community in the Internet I have met so many great people that I just cannot...

Anybody understands how I feel.... ?

Simon

Yeah, I know what you mean !

Change is inevitable. It's both sad and good that in 5 or 10 years time we're all likely to have forgotten this place and moved on (I hope!).

There will be other discussion sites for another generation of people leaving. Good luck to 'em.

Until then, it's great to meet fellow travellers who have some shared experiences and who understand where we're coming from.

BrendaCloutier

GermanX

Actually, even though I've only been on JWD since August, I understand what you mean. I'm amazed at the number of newbies, too.

I've been net-savy since AOL first came out. I didn't do usenet etc. Since I had already been out a long time (since about 1978 my last Memorial) I didn't care about anything JW. Just don't bug me. I was already the black sheep of my family. etc., etc., etc.

I started having weird dreams last summer about slipping into JW-land again and not being caught as an "apostate". I found this place and the dreams have stopped.

For me, JWD has allowed me to do some deeper healing than I had been able to do before. I'm sure I'll move on some day.... just fade away as I have from other things.

Glad you're here GermanX.

Brenda

sf

does anybody remember [email protected]

This was next to Norms name. Are you referring to the fact that this one of his i.d.'s?

And yes, I recall the i.d. It frequents yahoo jw/exjw chatroom.

sKally

redhotchilipepper

Isn't it good to see Newbies, to know that the JW's are still falling apart? What is it about the change that you don't like? The way people view things, has that changed? Peoples ideas? Just curious? I hope you will still stay on the forum, I like to read your threads! I was a bit shocked to hear about God referred to as an Alien. I guess I'm still afraid to insult God. I feel like something bad will happen to me. It's the programming, I guess. I love this forum. It has helped me so much. People like yourselves have helped me so much. To grow, and heal at the same time. Leaving the Jw's is such a powerful thing. It takes so much self control. It's amazing. You are so isolated. Without this site and people like you. I'm sure that I would have caved, honestly, and went back. So thank you!

redhotchilipepper

I've only been on the forum for a few months. I'm not sure how long, actually and I'm amazed at how many newbies there are. You must see alot. So I can imagine how you must feel. I can't wait to go to an apostafest. I think that will be so much fun. Nerveracking but fun! I'm not very good with crowds but I'm sure it will be ok.

cyber-sista

Yes, I still come to this site for emotional support. Sometimes I stop thinking about anything JW for a period of time, but then something gets triggered and I'm back on line seeking something with this board. Just need a listening ear I suppose.

The therapist I see told me one of the most powerful things to a persons well being and recovery is knowing that someone hears and understands them. JWs who are leaving the Org are in an especially needy position because hardly anyone they have previously associated with will listen to them and some are even totally cut off from all their friends and family. None of my friends in the Org would listen to my concerns and all of them have cut me off now. I am grateful to this board as a major part of my healing process along with a supportive hubby and a good therapist.

I am still processing it out though--don't know when it will stop. I was deeply entrenched for many years I am still upset a lot by it. I am here to support others too. The internet has given us the power of knowledge and has provided us with community support which we could not get anywhere else.

cybs

GermanXJW

>This was next to Norms name. Are you referring to the fact that this one of his i.d.'s?

No, not at all. It was just one of the IDs (ad1914) I recall from the old times. This id once called my provider to complain about me. That was strange. You mean he is still around?

> What is it about the change that you don't like?

Well, it is not that I do not like it. It just makes me insecure. When leaving the JW the Internet and boards like JWD somehow captured me. Since there were only a few it was a close-knit community - somehow.

Now things are changing (which is good) but I lose some security. Maybe I hang around for too long. But still I feel closer to those with a JW background than to those without.

sf

Yes he is still around. Occasionally he pops into the yahoo chatroom and asks if the apostates are still in fine form. With which we reply...damn straight!

His profile was created in '97, so yes, he's been around for some time now. As a few of us have.

sKally

Englishman

Well, German XJW, sites such as this helped me dump the last vestiges of JW thinking after many years of going it alone. Now it's mainly a social thing for me with an occasional bit of JW rubbishing thrown in for fun.

My biggest pleasure comes from the ex's gatherings that we have from time to time. Sometimes, one can even spot a German XJW in my back garden!

alt

Englishman.

The Issues of a New Generation of Ex-JWs on the Internet

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