now, i have been mentally "awake" for quite a while, but i'll just say march/april this year.
i won't go into detail about what it was that made me "realize" everything, so don't bother asking.. so, i've known for years that i wasn't like most girls in my classes, kingdom hall, and just in general.
from a very young age i had that obvious interest in the same sex, but seeing as i was seemingly the only one feeling that way i would brush it off and eventually i started getting interested in guys.
Well written.
Maintain your dignity and self respect as you travel this path. There will be those who will make you doubt yourself, or question your self worth. Don't be surprised if some act differently to what you expect...
Ensure that those sort of people are not allowed to take away your dignity.
We wish you unconditional support!
so, he received a letter that i am wondering if it is one of those open letters that are out there to denote time given.
it starts out with the name of the person sending it, then goes into the spiel...do you know our god's name?
when i was shown what it is, i kind of got upset.
Praise the lord for that scripture EndOfMysteries!
so just the other day i happened to look out my window to see the cobe and the elder who studied with me on the doors.
it got me thinking.. i remember one day, during my study that he said he loved me.
although he meant this as a "brother" it actually sent me into, what i can only describe as shock and alarm!
Yes, "by their fruits you will recognise these people"
As we know, the "love" is conditional on you acting, thinking, and living EXACTLY as you are told by the society...otherwise that "love" dries up...
so not having turned in a time-slip in a loooooooong time and making fewer and fewer meetings, and from time to time attending a local church service... the majority of local dubs are overtly shunning me.
there are those who i talk to and who visit our home from time to time, but this last meeting i went to hardly anyone made eye contact, when i greeted folks passing by me, they ignored me.
it actually felt good.. i was surprised at my reaction.
Well said ToesUp!
Yes, show by your dignity and poise that you are happy and doing well. Don't let them accuse you of the stereotype that" all who leave are sad, bitter, negative or doing poorly..."
http://news.nationalpost.com/news/religion/alberta-appeal-court-rules-judges-can-overturn-unfair-church-edicts.
the other day, this court decision was posted on jwn along with a link to the court document, but few expected the media to pick up the story.
so to all involved, i understand it was a surprise to see the story in print.
It really does not matter if official DF was banned.
I know from experience that even though I am not DF or DA, the witness gossip and slander mill has gone into overdrive, and I am treated like an outcast. They even walk right past me!
So official DF makes no difference amongst cult-influenced people.
i turned in my letter of disassociation on september 18, 2001 but it was 9/11 that showed me what the witnesses really feel about human lives and the future wished for.. i was in limbo after my wife of 27 years left me on july 30, 2001. she knew i wasn't buying the jw program anymore.
she told me she come back to me when "i got my head straighten out about god and the church".. so for 40 days i was in limbo.
i stopped going to meetings.
Yes the contradiction is outstanding.
On one hand witnesses say how sad it is when such tragedies occur, but on the other hand they don't see the irony that they are looking forward to these very same people along with billions more being killed!
have you watched the 4 min animated white board drawing video on jw.org called "what's a real friend?".
it is one of the most hypocritical pieces they have produced!.
it goes into detail explaining that real friends "don't judge you, dont talk about you behind your back, don't hold grudges, don't expect you to conform, and encourage individuality!".
Bumped In honour of the many "friends" from the cong who act like they don't even know us now that we don't attend meetings.
Thankyou for making it clear that the "friendship" was never real. You simply used us for your own benefit, and happily believe and spread malicious gossip behind our backs.
Yes, as Jesus said "you will know these ones by their fruits".
just a quick thought.... we know that the org loves to paint all those who fade or leave as "negative, bitter and unhappy"...because of course "the truth is the happiest way to live".
so, never allow ourselves to be that way when talking with witnesses, or family members still in.. show them that we are happy, our lives are fulfilled and positive.. then they have no ammunition.
also, it helps other doubters to see that there is life in the world beyond the org..
Bumped for a new generation of forum members...
I can attest to the fact that ones I know in the local area cannot understand that my family and I are happy and successful even though we dont attend meetings!
In fact, our lives are far less stressed, and we actually don't have any tension in the home!
As one of our loved forum members has said "the best revenge is to live a happy and successful life"
we have often heard about the need to "put on the 'new personality'" as a jw.... but i have realised something in these last few years of awakening to the ttatt...i dont like what i had become as a 'good' jw!.
i realised that being a 'good' jw made me very:.
critical of my fellow man,.
Bumped for a new "generation" of forum members.
I started this thread 2 years back, and I have to say that the progress I have made in breaking free of the WT inspired personality is so refreshing! Im still the same kind hearted person I always was, but better in so many ways.
It has been a refreshing journey!
they'd be viewed as completely mentally ill and laughed at.. so, how do the governing body get away with it?.
GREAT THREAD!
I remember starting a similar thread as I was first waking up. As with all of the comments above, the very notion of "speaking for God" is one that is tilted in their favour much like the old witch-trials of the middle ages were.
Kind of like: Well we speak as "directed" by God, so you cant question anything we direct or command. If you question anything, then you are questioning God. But if we change our minds with "New Light", then it was because God changed his mind. If you doubt our "spirit direction" then you are to be punished.... and the circular reasoning persists!
