"Why do we spend so much time door-to-door, while "weak" ones are ignored and end up leaving?"
Oh my gosh, how many times I have asked this exact question. I never got an answer.
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!
"Why do we spend so much time door-to-door, while "weak" ones are ignored and end up leaving?"
Oh my gosh, how many times I have asked this exact question. I never got an answer.
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!
"If this work is so urgent, and he truly did love me, wouldn't this elder be practically knocking my door down to get me to turn around?"
You would think so BUT don't count on it. We have family members that have known we are out via rumors and talk within the JW community. We know this for a fact. Have they done anything...hell no. Either they don't have the balls, don't believe the JW crap either or are happy for us, therefore, leaving us alone.
I guess you have to appreciate the fact that they are not hounding you.
With all the busy work WT give the JW's, you would think they would be envious of you.
Enjoy your freedom!
I agree with everyone's advise. Move slow and steady. Eat the elephant, "one bite at a time." It's a lot to process.
I am sorry you are dealing with this. It is tough.
I too was raised in a JW family (Elder father). Our situation was a bit different.My spouse and I both had doubts for years and are into our third year fade. At this point, we really don't care if everyone knows.
No one can tell you what to do. Everyone's story and situation is different. Unfortunately, there is NO easy way to leave this religion. Where else in life do you loose your ENTIRE social circle and family because you don't believe everything that is taught? It is truly sad.
There is a saying that I always stick to by William Shakespeare ..."to thine own self be true." I personally stick to this one throughout life. My personality does not allow me to do something I don't truly believe in. You may be a different type of person. It is a catch 22 for you due to being married to a uber spiritual man. If you reveal your doubts you will get the parroted replies, " you need to pray more, go to more meetings and service." It is their answer for everything. I tried this and still had the nagging doubts. You have to ask yourself the question, "if I decide to stay in, can I deal with the doubts and put on a happy face, all the while I am screaming inside?"
I can tell you that the only way that I could deal with it was to hit the liquor store on the way home from the meetings. If I were "still in" I truly believe I would be a raging alcoholic. Now I can have a glass of wine because I really enjoy it, not because I need it. We have so many still in family members that are reliant on alcohol and anti depressants. It is incredible. They could not survive without these two things. Why? You are supposed to be the " happiest people on the earth." Google the 2 words, cognitive dissonance. This explains why so many within the organization are depressed. I believe we escaped before we allowed the depression to take over.
Like I said before, it is your decision and you have to do what is best for YOU and your family.
I really feel for you. It is a tough situation. Hugs to you. Keep us posted on any changes.
BTW, this is a great place to vent. You might not agree or like everyone who posts but if you are able to read through some posts, you will get some great ideas and thoughts from others. Be open minded and think, think, think. Like I tell my kids, "never stop learning."
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.
"oh it is a wonder how some start coming back just because a couple planes flew into some buildings".
Wow...he actually said that? It really should not surprise me. I would have responded that "maybe I did return because of this event but I am leaving right now because of what YOU just said to me. I will NEVER return. I would rather be bird food than live forever with assho*es like you."
What a "LOVING" bunch, eh?
God...I am glad we are FREE!
i was really puzzled when i opened this edition of the wt magazine at the above “study”.
what on earth has this picture at the top of page 13 got to do with christian watchfulness?
i wasn’t making a connection at all.
"In light of the generation teaching we know we are very close to the end. "
I bet the little brown noser MS couldn't explain the generation teaching (you know the new one...new light). lol
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.
My spouse and I were just talking about this exact thing this morning. We were watching some of the documentations on TV regarding that horrible day.
The JW's always speak of a world wide destruction. Watching people die on 9/11 was shocking to everyone. Imagine something similar happening on a global scale. We are supposed to be happy about seeing the dead lying in the streets and the Birds of prey pecking at their bodies? JW's will be happy about this? This is sick beyond belief! How did we ever believe this sh*t! I agree, if this is what God has in store for mankind, I'm out.
i have recently been disfellowshipped (after being reinstated in march).
i saw a group of jws gathered in the town car park yesterday.
they seemed startled when they recognised my car and talked amongst themselves giving one another a satisfied grin!
I wouldn't. You have gotten to sweet end of the deal. You are OUT. WT is a wart on the a*s of humanity. They are a mere blip on the map.
Go enjoy the rest of your life and your freedom. Don't waste any more of your precious time on a abusive cult.
We truly feel there is a storm coming for WT. Child abuse law suits and dwindling donations and membership has them very worried.
i was really puzzled when i opened this edition of the wt magazine at the above “study”.
what on earth has this picture at the top of page 13 got to do with christian watchfulness?
i wasn’t making a connection at all.
Oh I used to just love the "please be seated and quiet" signs the little snot nosed brothers used to carry around in the hallways. This was always pleasant to look at when you were walking your wiggly/fussy 2 year old around, praying that he/she falls asleep so you can have a moment of peace. I always had the wonderful vision of shoving those signs where the sun don't shine. Oh the memories!
i'd love to see you're favorite wt illustrations/photo's that they think are fine to print - but are actually kind of creepy/wierd.. .
here's my three fave from my book of bible stories (yes, a book for children!)..
man gets his head nailed into the floor with a tent pin by a good jehovah worshipper:.
Some of these photos I have never seen before. The one Jaydee posted is disturbing. I have never seen that one.
I always wondered why I never wanted to read My Book of Bible Stories to my children. Now I know.