will there ever be a time when you feel that you have let go of your jw past??
?
Not as long as any of my family are JW's...or as long as my child has to deal with JW issues because of her father.
I have let go of it as much as I can, in that when it's just me, alone in the universe with my own thoughts, it's mostly behind me. I agree with the POW remark though...for those of us raised in there may be no way of ever totally moving past it all. But that doesn't mean that I stop trying.
dr. phil is looking to talk to people who feel a family member may be involved with a cult.
check it out if you'd like on his website (drphil.com) under "be on the show".
chakka
Isolation is a key tool that is used by JWs to bring people in, and prevent those inside from leaving. The WTS also exploits peoples' fears by painting a bleak picture of promiscuity, STDs, unwanted pregnancies, drug addiction, etc. for those who leave the group.DFing and DAing is another isolation technique - and it plays on a person's genuine fears of losing contact with loved ones.
My bet is that this is the road Dr. Phil will take when he deals with the cult issue
another brilliant post, Scully! I saw the show yesterday and I love how you summed it up. That post is a keeper for sure.
I hope that Dr. Phil has re-thought his position of not discussing religion, because he once said that politics and religion were two subjects he steered clear of because so much of it was subjective. But I have written to him more than once in the past about JW's, I wrote him about it back when he was on Oprah before he had his own show. Maybe now he will take a step, even if he doesn't mention the religion by name, just what they do, that will help people realize that the JW's are a cult because of what they teach.
I would think that Mario's story would definitely get their attention...the thing is that since they were both exjw's at the time the tragedy happened, would they tie it in with the cult issue? what do you guys think?
sorry about the double post, i had problems with the computer....
before i go into some parts of the program, here is the program for the following weekend.. .
circuit assembly program 2004-2005. .
ROFLMAO Mary! Bravo! *Standing Ovation*
although this is my first post i must say that i feel like i know so many here very well.
your posts have helped me tremendously.
as i become more comfortable i hope to join in the topics and begin to share more about myself.. for now i'll say that i am currently a jw that began researching information about two years ago to improve my faith and knowledge.
Welcome, we are happy to have you with us...
~essie
sorry about the double post, i had problems with the computer....
before i go into some parts of the program, here is the program for the following weekend.. .
circuit assembly program 2004-2005. .
thank you so much Elsewhere, I knew someone would save my neuro-patient butt on this one.
2002 Geez was it really that long ago? It figures. That was when my sister cut off all contact with me, and my child because I wouldn't let her just use me as a drive-thru to pick up my kid...thanks for the scan. That should be used as an anti-recruitment tool, that's for sure...
hugs
essie
i was raised a jw and as i've probably said before, i left when i was around 18... i'll be 27 in a few days, and as i get older realise how i do not really know how to celebrate anything.
being raised a jw we never had xmas or birthdays (or any celebration), and since none of the friends i had when i left the jw's were christian either, i have to this day never celebrated it... i am not christian and will openly admit that i couldn't care less about the religious side of christmas, but what i see around me, everywhere in the world are people who aren't really christian either, celebrating christmas, either for kids or friends or whatever, but i've never done that or had anyone around me to do that with... people look forward to this time of year so much, they buzz and rush around like it's a real event, and to this day i've never been able to feel that way.
most of my christmas/birthdays since leaving jw's have been spent by myself, completely devoid of celebration, i want to get into that feel good spirit, but i don't know how, and if i try to fake it, i know it is fake.
That's my favorite Christmas song too, Namasti. That and "Do they know it's christmas' which I admit I used to blast in my car as a JW teen knowing if I got caught I'd be in trouble LOL.
Merry Christmas to you too!!!
hugs
essie
i've often wondered this.
since being inactive, i smoke and drink like a trouper, have gotten up to various sexual mis-endeavours (lol) and played up generally.
i'm not all that proud of any of this, just the way my life has gone.
I was.
I even wrote a DA letter first and they still announced it as a DF'ing.
That's what I got for being the PO's daughter in law I guess...
i was raised a jw and as i've probably said before, i left when i was around 18... i'll be 27 in a few days, and as i get older realise how i do not really know how to celebrate anything.
being raised a jw we never had xmas or birthdays (or any celebration), and since none of the friends i had when i left the jw's were christian either, i have to this day never celebrated it... i am not christian and will openly admit that i couldn't care less about the religious side of christmas, but what i see around me, everywhere in the world are people who aren't really christian either, celebrating christmas, either for kids or friends or whatever, but i've never done that or had anyone around me to do that with... people look forward to this time of year so much, they buzz and rush around like it's a real event, and to this day i've never been able to feel that way.
most of my christmas/birthdays since leaving jw's have been spent by myself, completely devoid of celebration, i want to get into that feel good spirit, but i don't know how, and if i try to fake it, i know it is fake.
(((((((((((((Candidly)))))))))))))
I never thought I would do it, but about five years ago I jumped in with both feet and haven't looked back. Here's my take on the subject...http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/6/81783/1.ashx
It's not as hard as you think...once you realize that their reasons for not celebrating are totally unjustified; I mean if you're going to give up christmas due to pagan origins than out go the wedding rings too...can't have a little from the table of the devil right? They don't follow their own reasoning.
Anyway, I'm not religious at all now, but it's about celebrating with the family that I have. Reminds me from a line from the movie Lilo and Stitch where Stitch says "This is my family. I found it on my own. It's little, and broken. But it's still good."
It's still good, so I celebrate. I hope you can find something to believe in celebrating too.
hugs
essie
sorry about the double post, i had problems with the computer....
before i go into some parts of the program, here is the program for the following weekend.. .
circuit assembly program 2004-2005. .
Hello Namasti and Eric, I just wanted to give you a little info sorry everybody for the quick side step I will get back to topic in a minute.
There was a big article last year in the KM about cutting all but the most necessary contact with df'd da'd family members. Or was it end of 2003, (someone help me out here?) The point is that they are more militant than ever about keeping the rank and file away from family who have broken free. You can tell that they feel the draft of people leaving, and they're using fear to keep people in line (as always). I hope that your family doesn't listen to this and keeps seeing you. Welcome to the board, btw, both of you.
Back on topic, I am much interested to hear what is coming up on that program. It really, really scares me to know that if the day came when they started handing out the 'special' kool-aid that my relatives wouldn't even stop to ask the flavor, they'd just drink it and wait on jehovah for salvation.
Scares the bejesus out of me.
~essie
thanks to that damnable cult i missed the last few years of my grandfather's life.. he died last year.
he was a kind man.
not a jw.
Anyway, to all lurkers, this is what your religion is: broken families and lies. GET OUT OF HER MY PEOPLE!!!!
Awww, Czar. I know how you feel, man. I missed out on a lot of time with my grandmother the last couple years of her life, because the rest of the JW family really let her have it any time she visited me. I wanted her to come live with me when she was sick last year, she knew we would take care of her. She told my mom that of all the grandkids (all the rest of whom are JW) that I was the only one who offered. She knew I loved her with all my heart.
I'm sure your grandpa knew, too. I'm just so sorry for what you missed...what I missed.
Get out of her, indeed. She's a wh*re of the worst sort: a homewrecker.
love,
essie
