by xjw_b12 63 Replies latest jw friends
I first stumbled on the site when I was an active JW in Sept 2002 and my first reaction was something like:OMG!!!!!! DEEEEEEEEEEMMMMMUUUUUNNNNNZZZZZZZZ!!!!!!!
I immediately closed my browser and resumed playing solitaire. It didn't help - the demunz had already invaded my feeble mind and I was doomed to be an apostate?.
ROTFLMAO and WTFME!!!
I was inactive and out for several years, but I had been keeping everything locked up on a box. One day I decided if I wanted to become completely mentally healthy I needed to confront my past and work through some things. Did a search on Jw's, and found this board. Lurked for a while before joining, because I wanted to make sure I was in agreement with the philosophy and intent of the forum.
I've learned plenty and greatly appreciate this forum. I'm hooked, and looking forward to losing my "newbie" status! :-)
semi-active JW, and this site and others were enough to convince you that your doubts had substance.
Yup...that about sums it up! Wasn't long until I was totally OUT! Good Riddance!
Cathy L.
yes and I still am
Tuesday:I was out, pretty much looking for a new more active board to post on. This is definetly the most active of the boards, and no racial, anti-semetic diatribes on here.Well at least not any that last for long. Politics, that's a different story
I hope I haven't posted this twice. Inactive with doubts but still believed the Witnesses were God's people. I accidentally logged onto this site about 8 months ago, thinking it was a site for Jehovah's Witnesses. I lurked for a while then came on board. So happy to be free.
When I came here I was still in the JW mentality though I was newly disfellowshipped. So I was shocked at first till I got to know some of the folks here.
I had been disfellowshipped for leaving my JW marriage after 30 years and running off with my honey after meeting him on the Internet again after losing him some 30 years ago in Calif. when we were teenagers. Chance meeting on Classmates.com
Now I've been out for 3 1/2 years happy married to my lost love whom I gave up JW religion for, and wonderfully happy. And my two sons left with me. and are happy.
I just didn't know what to think when I first came here and started to read the comments. I do not hate the JW people, but have a strong distaste for the Governing Body jerks who run it.
I was a JW, but I was Tired of it. I thought I wanted to hang around, mostly out of what JW's would call "fear of man".
Not anymore. I'm done. I have no qualms about any questions asked by JW's about where I am now...
Candidlynuts quoted:
"then:i was a guilt ridden inactive jw who felt worthless and totally at fault for my doubts.
now.. i feel like maybe i'm not such a horrible person..it may just be a horrible religion"
I felt much the same, I left still believing that it had a ring of truth but that their were indeed definate problems with the Org.. My exit came from a thourough reading of the new testament, certain aspects from the bible were not harmonizing with the societys doctrine. I also seen a great lack of love and christian attitude as I felt the brunt of certain double standards and hypocrisy, so I decided emotionally I could no longer withstand the pressure. I was faded for roughly four years and went through some tough periods of my life, guilt was getting intence and I couldn't figure out why I was feeling so guilty when I had never turned my back on them or God. I mainly started out researching the psychological factors of high control groups because it seemed like neutral ground, being free of apostate input it put me more at ease.(at the time I was still under indoctrination and was scared to death of anything apostate.) Bells began to ring, things started to really make sence though and then I slowly started a investigation of the society's claims, doctrines, history, and slowly began to finally tear the mask away from orgs. face.
This board has been a blessing to me and my life. I am ever grateful to all here who strive to declare truth even if under hostile attack from an oppressive human organization. I am still in recovery but am to the point now that I feel emotional strong, zero guilt, fear or shame, have developed inner strength, developed critical thinking skills, have become realistic with life, and have started to try to rebuild a relationship with God aside from the org. Anyways sorry for running on but my only point in being on this board is to enjoy friendship with ones of similar circumstances, support each other, and try to help ones who are searching for truth. Im happy I found this forum.
Ticker
I was simply a faded away JW with lots of guilt and issues when I first posted. But now with everyones help on this forum I gained the stregnth to disassociate myself, and free myself from the guilt I had. I really now feel a sense of closure.
Dustin
