i do - actually, it's become close to unbearable.. and herein lies the paradox: i tried to fade in the illusion that i might keep contact with family and friends still "in".
was it worth it?
because not only most of them shun me anyways, but i find it almost unbearable to be around them, especially when the cult chit chat kicks in: every cute animal video clip triggers endless comments about glimpses of the future paradise and how "god did it"; those greasy praises to the organization and the governing body; the dumb awe about every jw broadcast and those cheesy music videos; the endless drivel against other religions when one knows perfectly well that we're no better than them; the endless flow of "experiences" of field service or spectacular conversions into "the truth"; the relentless congregation gossip; and so on .... i ask myself: is this why i am fading for ...?
When I left in 1996 I still had some contact with the ones within my age range. But it was easy because they all left with the exception of one person. I would attend a meeting here and there till 2001 and then I decided even minimal contact was too much for me. The only one I associate with on a regular basis is my mom and sister, which neither are your typical witness. They simply believe and obey most of the religion's restrictions.
I had a brief moment of association last year and found the witnesses to be more over the top than what I can recall from my youth.
i popped into the supermarket for a few things after work today and found myself walking up an aisle alongside a couple who used to be in my tuesday group.
i see them reasonably often and always say hello much to their obvious annoyance.
well, in an effort to completely rebel against all things 'watchtower', i decided that since i gave all my years since leaving school to the borg, and listened to their admonition to avoid 'higher education' i have just started... right from bottom.... today i took a 2 hour maths test to see if i would be eligible to go on a course to re-take my gcse maths exam (this is the qualification you study for here in england in the last 2 years of compulsory schooling from ages 14-16).
back in may 1988 i did no revision, and didn't study hence a complete flop of all exams.... and seeing that 'education' wasn't on the agenda back then, and has always been warned against, (unless it was perhaps trade oriented) it was wiped from my mind... yep a jw mind-wipe occurred here, i've decided to go back to school, just for the challenge of it, f**k the org, i might have wasted decades swallowing their philosophy, but i don't have to let that past control me now... the test was 'really' hard going... and i don't think i passed, but can still get on a more basic course to start me off if i don't get on the main course.... the tutors were so warm and enthusiastic about me taking up the study at aged 43, it was so nice to hear someone get excited that i'm going to study (never in 29 years with the borg) .
i've also learned something else; jw's talk about the 'highest education' that the watchtower supposedly teaches... bullshit, that 'call and response' crap that you do in watchtower study and other meetings, that parroting, has got to be the lowest form of education there is, you don't use your brain, you don't have to analyse or think or deduce or calculate, or use savvy... it's just call and response, and nothing more, pure repetition, answer what's in the paragraph.
Congrats on going back to school and higher education. I was lucky enough to leave early and do the traditional route of higher education at a younger age. I'm located in America.
I am currently going back to school for a 2nd career change. My original degree was in business. I'm now 38 years old working on a Bachelors in Nursing. I'm surrounded by 20 and 22 year old students, but there are a few second career people in my class also.
My wife is from another country and just started college here at age 36. She had to do remedial Math and English this summer. It isn't easy but it is also exciting pursuing higher education. Especially professional degrees that teach valuable and marketable skills.
What I love about higher education are the programs and professors that focus on critical thinking. My nursing exams all have scenario/case examples that require critical thinking to answer. You can't pass these exams by mere memorization. It really is a tool the Watchtower doesn't want developed within its members.
I know this will sound insulting in regards to your father, so I apologize in advance. But if someone becomes a JW at age 40ish than I don't think there is much logical reasoning you can do.
ray franz who gave us insight into the gb due to a crisis of conscience was an absolute moron, with absolutely no critical thinking skills whatsoever like all of us have.
i mean, to have a conscience based on some magic man in the sky.. how stupid can you be?
I never knew about this and I actually didn't find out about from this site. I found out last year from the mouth of two local elders that visited my house. I brought up the point how CO are able to support themselves in retirement. The elders told me it was common for the COs to get $20 here and there from members. One of the Elders mentioned some CO will get land donated to them and other high dollar items.
It wasn't until after they told me this that my eye would catch the attention to topics on this board about "green handshakes". Can you imagine some of the "handshakes" the GB get?
i was about 12. i took a friend along to a meeting and he said he didn't mind learning stuff but it was a shame it was so boring.. i was about 14. i had my very own bible study and took him along.
he just kept whispering about the girls there that he fancied.. i was in my early 20's.
I left in my late teens, so most of my experiences are with my non-jw teen friends. They all found the meetings to be extremely boring. They wonder why there was no program just for children.
I'm glad JW don't have a Sunday school for children. Could you imagine the pedo perv running that school?
