Dear Randall,
I am 21 years old, and 6 months ago I was
disfellowshipped by my congregation, after being
brought up as a JW all my life. i had gone through a
rebellious stage and, not wanting to change my habits
I had to face three elders late one night at the
kingdom hall and told of their decision. I knew this
was coming, as i had been baptised at 16 like all of
my 'friends'.
The consequence of this decision has only just become
apparent to me in the last few months. Up until this
point, I had beleived I was just being rebellious for
a short time, and would have eventually changed my
ways and returned to the organization, repentant.
I met my current boyfriend who is highly intellectual
and after explaining my situation, we began to
research into the history of JW's, and have stumbled
across the most enlightening, yet frightening
information regarding the false prophesies I had been
so naive to believe all of my life.
Yes, the reason for this was because I was taught to
reject any teachings other than what I was taught by
these men who run this massive false organisation,
therefore not understanding anything else. This means
sadly for most people who don't thirst for knowledge
like I fortunately have done, that they will be drawn
back to the society with nowhere else to go.
My entire family, except one older sister who was
never baptised (and has drifted in and out of the
congregation as she pleases) and all of my witness
friends, have completely cut me off. This includes my
youger brother of 16, 4 other siblings, mother, and
step father. (My real dad passed away 1989, and he
wasn't a JW.)
My mum will see me in secret, if I go into her work,
but it always ends in tears of frustration, for not
seeing 'eye-to-eye'.
She believes I will return to the organisation one
day.
I am at a complete loss at the moment, my boyfriend
offers alot of support and he is fantastic at being
able to break down information so we can understand
it, however I feel so overwhelmed that all of these
teachings I had so much faith in are completely
shattered. I can't pray, for I don't know who to? I
want to be able to understand true christianity if it
is right for me. I have just began to read "Thus Saith
Jehovah's Witnesses", and it has been put together
extremely well.
I thank you for this amazing, eye-opening publication.
As I continue my quest for understanding, ask for some
help, some information helping me to understand
christianity. Or some links for me to be able to
discuss my situation with other people who are going
through the same. There is so much on the internet I
just don't know where to start!
Yours sincerely,
anon, New Zealand
_____________
Another one begins the road to freedom!
Net Soup!