as a jehovahs witness, our lives were clearly "defined".
for those of us who are no longer in the "truth", what "drives" your life now?.
for me, it is my kids ( 12, 9, 4--busy--busy--busy) ; my wife; my career; i live by my own personal value system ( tried, tested and working).. the absence of the superimposed restrictive grid of the jw lifestyle has allowed my life to blossom.
Great subject...
For me, I would have to say that the word "UNCONDITIONAL" sums it up for me now. I have finally found unconditional love with my fiance (never a witness, thank god). I keep showing unconditional love to my daughter (which is finally producing results). I now have great friends...because we all care about each other unconditionally. I guess that sums it up...
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!
i was disfellowshipped for exactly one year.
i couldn't help thinking how controlling the elders were.
i lived with my parents just so they could talk to me.
Hi Unclejoe...I am df'd for about 4 years now. So glad to meet you. I agree that you did it the right way. At least you can still talk to your parents. I am totally shunned...they don't even ask my daughter (not baptized) how I am. My little bro just got married last weekend, daughter went, and cried because they did not even ask how I was or say anything like "I wish Deb was here" etc. At least you won't have things like that to deal with. Glad to have you here!
I love it! How true!
some of you don't know, but for the last two years, i've been trying to get my niece out of the clutches of the society.
it's been a long road.
since my sister died, my mother has been using a huge guilt trip on my niece.
YEAH!
CONGRATS!!! Isn't it amazing what UNCONDITIONAL love can do!!!??? How wonderful for you and for her
my daughter is seriously thinking of cancelling christmas this year.
after spending so much time with you guys, i begged her to reconsider.
i think she does not realize what she is missing unless she was part of an organization that told her she must never celebrate this holiday again.. to her defence, i know she is overwhelmed by the obligations of the season.
Thank you !! I really could use this info this year myself!!
a friend of mine in an undisclosed province of this great country canada is undergoing some duress -- it seems the elders from her old kh keep phoning her/leaving her messages with ultimatums and places they feel she should meet her, when really (and astonishly enough) she just wants to be left alone, having felt this way since a divorce in the spring of this year no longer attending meetings.
my query - is there any form of cease and desist order, or restraining oder she could get that would make any further attempts to contact her a breach of some sort, resulting in lawful punishment?.
oh and by the way, hello old friends, and happy birthday valis - you rawk
In my experience...if she can just hang on and not answer their calls, screen them with the answering machine...they will eventually stop calling. After awhile, they get busy doing their harrassment with other people who will respond to them. If she has a particularly graphic story to tell, maybe they are just wanting gory details. I wouldn't give them the time of day.
Sloan, good point! Tell them to f*** off. I had to order the two elders out of my house when one of them actually said that it was my "fault that I had all the problems I did with my abusive ex...after all I was the one who chose to marry him in the first place"! I told them to get out and never come back. They didn't, but did try to call me. I never responded and they finally gave up.
coming out of the lurking mode to give you all a report on the 2 day ca that i attended this past weekend.
i always enjoy other reports that have been posted so i thought i would share my observations.
i attend with my jw hubby to keep him company so he doesn't have to go alone, that's the only reason that i go.. i didn't take any notes, so i'm doing this by memory.
Thanks for sharing this info!
The stuff about the insurance is just pitiful. They are so abusive to the rank and file. Here they are busting their asses to do everything they can and they are still told they cannot plan for the future to take care of themselves. I see it even with my own parents. Mom still works (sick as she is) and if Dad dies (in his 60's now), she will have no real income or life insurance policy even to bury him! What is she supposed to do then? She will not be able to live. Oh yeah...I forgot...she can turn to the elders for help now that she would be a widow...I am sure they will care for all her needs then! NOT!
i was lurking at beliefnet "learn about jehovah's witnesses"... here's a response to a question i'm sure you'll all enjoy!.
"3. what social systems do the jw have?
like support systems.".
OMG....that is such BS. I have the battle scars to prove it. As I mentioned before, I am the former wife of a physically and emotionally abusive elder. When I finally got the courage to go to the elders for help...at great physical harm to myself, the situation was so bad they said they would have to write the society. You know what the society said??? They advised the elders not to get involved in the situation since it is a personal matter between husband and wife!!!!!!!!!!!! Okay....so they can tell you what kind of sex you are allowed and not allowed to have, but they cannot stop an elder from hitting his wife because it is a personal matter!!!!!!!!
Oh yeah, and by the way...when they did finally consent to allow us to have an elder to work with us, they assigned an elder that was 56 years old, never married, and still lived at home with his DAD!!!!!!!! QUALIFIED???? What a load of crap!
Phew....lovinlife reminds self that it is all in the past..................
sorry if this is a sad question, but i know of 3 jw's that have suicided.
i haven't known any personally, but i was wondered if you know any or know of any jw's that have suiced?
and do you know the reason why?
{{{{LyinEyes}}}}
So sorry about your mom.
