i just wanted to apologize if i scared anyone with my suicide question.
don't worry about me.
i'm not going to do anything rash.
Troubled,
I'm glad to hear that you are doing okay. I'm hoping that you keep coming back and posting to this board. It has great healing effects! You are in our thoughts and prayers. Please keep us updated.
{hugs}
Billygoat
PS: To add to Meta's suggestion. I think anti-depressants can be extremely helpful. I was only on it for about a year until I got on my feet again. Zoloft worked wonders for me!
this morning i went for a haircut, and since my usual stylist (caroline, quick with the clippers and a joke, does magic with my floppy mop of hair), was out, i told the receptionist i'd settle for whoever was available.
after a moment i was handed over to "winnie," whom i recognized as a witness from a neighboring congregation -- alas, not before she'd roughly dunked my head in the sink.
i was pretty sure she recognized me, too.. "so how have you been, dedalus," she said.. "um, just fine, and you?
Ded,
This is too funny of a story! Thanks for sharing!
Billygoat
i gather that most on this forum would agree that jehovah's witneeses do not have the truth they cliam to have.. but to what degree do we inform friends and relatives who are still belivers of this.. for many (assuming they come to the same conclution) it would come as a relief , but for others could it do more harm than good?.
for instance an elder in my hall recently died from cancer which he had suffered from for about a year.. what kept him going and happy through pain and suffering was the belief that he was in the true religion favored by god and would recieve a resurection.. imagine the heart break he would had suffered if people had convinced him that the society was a sham.. imagine others say like my parents who are in their 50's and have no pension who look forward to the future paradise.. would it be right for me to covince them that thier dreams for for future are all flawed.. i am still in my 20's and i'm not the type to get depreesed and all that, but i have to admit to being gutted when the truth dawned on me that all my hopeds and beliefs were likely wrong.. but can we be certain to such an absolute degree that all that witnesses belive is false?.
do we really have the right to preach with coviction to others that they are wrong, just like we preached when we belived?.
I agree - you can only help those that want to be helped. I believe that when the timing is right for those ready to hear the NON-Truth being exposed I'll be ready.
Besides...I guess I've had enough Watchtower "thumping" during my pioneer years that it makes me a little scared to be evangelical about how false their teachings are! I don't want to turn around and be doing the same thing that I hated back then.
Billygoat
serious question (last one for awhile.
i promise!).
let's say a person has a good heart.
Troubled,
I totally understand WHY a person would committ suicide. I've attempted it twice in my life. Both times, I didn't necessarily WANT to die. I had excruciating pain in my life and just wanted it to GO AWAY. I didn't see an end in sight and didn't know of any other way to make it end. But somehow with help from very loving friends, I pulled through it. I realized there was stuff to live for that made the pain worth it. I can say that now - 18 months after my second suicide attempt.
I know you are feeling pain and confusion right now. But PLEASE ride it out. Remember "This to shall pass". (I think I mentioned this in another thread to you.) I hope you understand that there are people on this board that do not "know" you, but already love you simply because we understand the turmoil you're going through.
If you need or want to email me directly at [email protected]. I'll be happy just listen if that's what you need.
{{hugs,hugs,hugs}} and {{prayers, prayers, prayers}}
Billygoat
do the majority of exjws retain a christian faith after leaving the borg?
does the majority of exjws continue studying the bible on their own or join a new christian group that's less rigid than the jws?
or does the majority say to hell with christianity?.
My family has been JW since I was 8. I was DFed when I was 19. It took me about 4 years to pray again, let alone step into a church. But step into a church I did. Mostly to get my Jesus Freak roommate off my back and it backfired! But I haven't regretted it at all. I am a Christian and attend a Prostestant church regularly. Which is the religion that my JW father grew up with, so my DFing was a double whammy for him. Not only was his daughter DFed, but I went back to the religion that he renounced. Ouch! Haha!
I read the Bible regularly with friends and a bible study class at my church. I've been very fortunate to find a group of people that love to read the bible and study it thoroughly. We share opinions, agreeing sometimes, disagreeing on others. But we continue to respect each others opinions and remain very close friends whether there is agreement or not.
I have a closer relationship with God now than I ever have. He's a person to me - not just some bizarre entity out in the universe. Do I understand all of Him or His Word? No. But I have faith that in time it'll be revealed to me. I appreciate the different people in different faiths. I think it takes all kinds to reach all kinds. I don't think that a true Christian NEEDS to have a church, but I do know for me that corporate worship is necessary.
I wish everyone to have the experience I've had with my new church family. But it took me a long time and A LOT of heartache for me to get here. My wish now is to quietly live by example first and minister to others second. But to minister only if people ASK me and want to know about my God. I hope that people can see my life has something there's may not. If my "peace" is evident then they'll ask. But I'll never push my beliefs on another like I did door-to-door.
Billygoat
a question that comes up a lot on the exmormon bb is: "what movie reminds you the most about the church?
" i would put that question here, what movies remind you the most of the watchtower society?
i think i know most of the answer, just interested.. dana.
The Stepford Wives
Billygoat
i have a question, that i would love answered.
especially if you are a woman.
men can answer too, but a woman's opinion really matters to me.
This is purely from a woman's perspective...and I'm trying to remember what I was like when I was 18...
When I was 18, I always looked up to older men. I had a thing with older men - something about the age and authority figure. Yes, you're only 25, but to an 18 year old GIRL that is a MATURE MAN. Not only did I like older men, but I had a tendency to fall for them. Especially if they were good 'friends' and they seemed to take care of me.
I'm not saying things would go BAD, but I would say if you rent the room to her, be very very cautious. Neither one of you would plan on something 'more than friends' coming up, but 18 year-old girls don't usually intend to fall for their guy friends either. She's at a very vulnerable age. She's probably excited about adulthood, all the benefits/responsibilities it brings, and just learning to understand the sexual control she could have over a man. (I was a total flirt when I was 18, but I didn't quite know how to control it after the flirting took a further step.) I have a feeling she'll fall for you, even if there's no attraction to begin with. Women have a tendency to fall in love physically after other attractions are established. To her you may look mature, responsible, and available (in many senses of the word) - and become very attractive to her.
Personally, I don't think it's a good idea that she move in with you. But I don't know you or her either. Every situation is different. But I guess this is just my two cents. I hope it's helped!
Billygoat
PS: What congregation in Wichita were you in? I was from Lynwood on the south side of town.
i flat out asked the jw i'm studying with what she would do if someone was disfellowshipped and she was honest and said she wouldn't talk to them since they wouldn't be good examples of jehovah witness.
then we started talking about appearances and tattoos, and about my pink hair :) and she said it didn't matter.
i am enjoying reading and visiting this web site but i am just not seeing the same things you guys have.
Hi Tatt,
Glad to see you posting and asking questions! Welcome! I'm proud of you for quitting the drugging scene. It's hard to get out of and there IS a better lifestyle! You are already blessed by being clean and you seem to have a good head on your shoulders. Keep coming back!
PLEASE listen to the experiences that you've heard here on the board. Studying with a JW is TOTALLY different from being a JW. It really does seem that this lady you're studying with has your best interests at heart. When I pioneered I REALLY believed I was following Jehovah by trying to convert non-believers. I fully believed that what I taught was true. I did have genuine love in my heart for all of those I approached in my ministry. But this one woman's love for you is not enough. Once you become a JW you are then part of the organization. Not just her student. It takes on a totally different meaning.
Just keep looking for the facts in the Bible. Not using the literature is a good idea. If you truly seeking The Truth, God is aware of your heart. Take care and keep us updated!
Billygoat
thanks, pris, for all your posts, at times serious but always with warmth and good humour.. thanks for being here.
good to see another aussie honoured!.
cheers,.
Oh, thit!
hi.. i've been a jw for 15 years, have pioneered, been where the need is great, etc.
up until a couple of years ago, i was considered strong in the truth.
but then i had my first and only episode of major depression.
Ustabee and Troubled,
Don't worry about Fred, sweeties! He's just a lonely JW brother with nothing more to do than NOT practice what he preaches. He's an apostate waiting to happen - he just doesn't realize it!
Billygoat
