Oh yes, I did this too in 10th grade World History. I chose to do a report on Paul's Journeys or some such nonsense using only WT publications as references. I felt so smart and smug when I turned this in. I think I received a B but my teacher always looked at me with pity in her eyes after that. She also wrote some comments on my paper about using varied references and some other humiliating but valuable criticisms. UGH!
This thread has a lot of people from CA. Anyone from Sonoma County? Do I know anyone here?
Eva
Posts by evita
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57I'm going to give you one more chance.
by LDH ini hope all of you genx-r exjw will get a kick out of this story from my childhood.
i was just talking to jt and he says i should post it..... my daughter is studying wwi history in school.
i told her that when i was in 10th grade, i had a social studies teacher named nancy galbraith.
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evita
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5
do you know them?
by rekless injim nazaroff, gil nazaroff.
jim is in santa rosa, ca via clearlake,ca.
and gil went to bethel in the late 80's he was on the building department or what ever they called the construction crew there?.
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evita
Those names sound quite familiar. I have been out for 20 years, but my mother was in Sebastopol, Clearlake, and SR. Wish I could help but she passed away last year so I can't ask. I was originally in Sebastopol and knew many from SR but that was years ago.
Eva -
29
I love these Jehovah's Witnesses
by freedomlover inbefore any of you jump all over me about how i could love any jw's let me explain and just vent here.
some of you may have ready my hubby's post about us leaving the area.
work, and wanting to fade has made this necessary.
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evita
I still have warm feelings and memories of my dub friends from long ago. I think about them often and wish things could be different. Yes, those people were cold to me when I left, but there were a few years in there when the friendships were sweet.
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14
It truly was BIG news . . . . . . but not for everyone.
by nicolaou ini've been digesting the news since about 5am and i'll admit to having mixed feelings.
i think i need to explain some background and then what i have to say should make more sense.
i was 'raised in the truth' as were my 2 brothers and 2 sisters.
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evita
Nicolaou
I totally understand how you feel. I had mixed feelings about the BIG NEWS. I hoped it would be big enough to make a difference to those who are trying to get their loved ones to see the truth about the truth.
At the same time, for me it is too little, too late. I lost many young years in the dubs. My mom was a faithful dub for over 30 years and I lost many years of my relationship with her. She died last year and I have no more ties to the witnesses. For me, that part of my life is over.
I truly hope that this news can benefit many people here but it may take a long time.
Eva -
39
well i finally did it!
by Cordelia inhere is yet another thread about me (im so sorry everyone) but hopefully this is the closing chapter, and i just wanted to let anyone thats helped me along the way to know whats happened.. i saw my dad and this time i was totally honest, he took me to some places we went as a child and said basically i have no choice but to stop seeing my boyfreind, and attend the meetings again maybe even work at mending my marriage as that is the only way i will ever be truely happy (apparently).
i said that even tho it means the past 9 months of attending and trying to get reinstated are a waste i just have to stop going to the meetings, i do not believe the society really acting on jehs behalf, (jeh would never shun me, etc) he said he cannot believe how spiritual iwas and that i am so 'apostate' now and in veiw of that he can have nothing to do with me, he cried i cried he said i am dead to him and it breaks his heart esp as he has to deal with the tumours he has found out he has,.
i feel so bad as he has tried to answer my questions and has come up with an answer on them all (except the un) and i know i am throwing contact with my family away and hurting them alot.
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evita
Cordelia
You did the right thing but I know how painful it was. My mother cried, begged, and pleaded with me not to leave. Then she shunned me for many years even though I was not DA or DF. I was devastated.
You are not your parents. The way they are ( beliefs, emotions, reasoning) was shaped by events that took place before you were born. You have no control over their path in life. They have chosen or let themselves be duped into loyalty to an organization.
But you have chosen something different for yourself. You will not sacrifice your life for a belief system which is damaging and untrue. I feel deeply sorry that your parents can't see that right now.
This is probably the hardest phase of leaving. Counseling can be very helpful. Eventually, everyone gets used to the situation and goes about their lives without all the painful drama.
I have never regretted my decision to leave the org. even though it was a most brutal experience. I was able to go to college, marry a great guy, and have three wonderful kids.
I wish you the best in your new life.
Eva -
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holiday cheer/hypocrisy/dilemma
by ShepGator inok, how is everyone handling the upcoming holidays?
i was raised a jw so never celebrated at all.
over the years as a married but no kids couple, i have just done whatever my hubby wanted which usually consists of just having dinner at his parents' house.
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evita
3 Words
I'm sobbing with you...
Have a very merry Christmas
Eva -
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Fourth and Final Chemo Treatment Coming Up
by simplesally inwell, its coming up on monday, my last chemo treatment!!
i cannot believe i have had 3 treatments already.
after the chemo, i will be treated with herceptin and taxol for 12 weeks, weekly infusions.
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evita
Simple Sally
I will be thinking of you and hope all goes well in the coming months.
Hugs
Eva -
9
holiday cheer/hypocrisy/dilemma
by ShepGator inok, how is everyone handling the upcoming holidays?
i was raised a jw so never celebrated at all.
over the years as a married but no kids couple, i have just done whatever my hubby wanted which usually consists of just having dinner at his parents' house.
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evita
It took me a long time to feel good about the holidays. From the ages of 18-22 I worked in a large department store and the holidays were hell.
Because I didn't celebrate, my boss always gave me the worst shifts. I worked every Christmas Eve for years and came in at 6:30 the day after.
When I left the JW's I didn't know what to do with myself during the holidays. I had no one to celebrate with since I lived alone. Sometimes I would get invited to spend it with friends and their families. That was the worst and just added to my misery. A People magazine and a pint of Ben and Jerry's in front of the TV was better than that. One year I went to a cheap restaurant and had a fake turkey dinner alone - depressing.
After meeting my husband things began to pick up mostly because I was happier. I started to enjoy getting gifts for people. Some of the guilt left over from the witnesses had gone. I helped serve food to the homeless. I went caroling. I tried to see what felt comfortable and fun. This process took several years.
The year I was married, I had my first Christmas tree since early childhood. We had a "first Christmas" party and asked our friends to bring us a special ornament to celebrate. We provided major amounts of food. The party was a big success and I have never looked back. My kids totally enjoy the holidays with no guilt whatsoever. We also celebrate Hanukkah and anything else we feel like. Still, some holidays are harder than others. My mom died Dec. 6 of last year. Now this time for me includes grieving my mom who didn't celebrate.
Relax and be open to the process. Try new things. Watch the Charlie Brown Christmas Special.
Eva -
128
It Seems That My Children Are Not Trained
by Gary1914 ini just returned home from the kingdom hall.
i am an elder.. after the meeting all the elders were called to the back room.
i thought this was an impromptu elders' meeting.
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evita
Dear Gary
My heart goes out to you.
My mom became a JW when I was fourteen. Because we were a "headless household" we were not popular with the "in" crowd but
we were befriended by some young elders and their families with small children. I saw the struggle these young men went through to support their families, get them to the meetings, keep them obedient, go out in service and take care of their cong. duties. Looking back I don't know how they did it.
None of those kids are witnesses today. I am not trying to scare you but it is a really unnatural life they impose on you.
You are so fortunate that you have the opportunity to make a change now before it destroys the love in your family.
Please don't miss those opportunities to take your kids to the park, snuggle in bed in the mornings, read funny stories to them and just enjoy their youthful energy. I did not miss my early childhood but I was robbed of my teen years by this life-sucking religion.
All the best to you and your family.
Eva -
128
It Seems That My Children Are Not Trained
by Gary1914 ini just returned home from the kingdom hall.
i am an elder.. after the meeting all the elders were called to the back room.
i thought this was an impromptu elders' meeting.
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evita
Dear Gary
I really feel for you.
My mom became a JW when I was fourteen. Because we were a "headless household" we were not popular with the "in" crowd but
we were befriended by some young elders and their families with small children. I saw the struggle these young men went through to support their families, get them to the meetings, keep them obedient, go out in service and take care of their cong. duties. Looking back I don't know how they did it.
None of those kids are witnesses today. I am not trying to scare you but it is a really unnatural life they impose on you.
You are so fortunate that you have the opportunity to make a change now before it destroys the love in your family.
Please don't miss those opportunities to take your kids to the park, snuggle in bed in the mornings, read funny stories to them and just enjoy their youthful energy. I did not miss my early childhood but I was robbed of my teen years by this life-sucking religion.
All the best to you and your family.
Eva