Posts by luna2

39

The Best of Brits.

by Englishman in

jw
friends

just curious... we had a poll here in the uk as to who was the most famous brit of all time.

i was so underwhelmed that i can't remember who even won it.

it wasn't churchill, that's for sure.

How Much Time Did You Spend as a JW?

by eljefe in

jw
friends

25 years total .

15 years baptized .

also, does the resentment for jw's grow in a linear or a exponential manner with time spent as a jw?.

Started studying at 28, baptised 3 years later, started fading 4 years ago, found out that it was all a load of rubbish about 3 weeks ago. So...just short of 21 years believing it was the truth with 15 of those years being baptized and active.

38

Did anyone ever notice just how many 30-40 year escapees there are?

by AK - Jeff in

jw
friends

i know a lot of young people leave the 'truth'.

but i would never have thought that so many of us with 20, 30, 40 years in would be leaving.

what do you think accounts for that?

luna2

For me it was empty nest as well as some of the changes...couldn't wrap my mind around the "new light" regarding the definition of generation for one. It was also a sense of disillusionment that comes over time.

At first when people disappoint you or you see certain elders behaving badly, you're able to convince yourself that it's a few isolated incidents...we're all imperfect, after all. At first when it seems that every talk and every Watchtower study is a lesson in submission to the FDS, guilt, and do more, you accept it because it's new and you're eager to please. At first, when they talk about the love amongst the brothers, you believe it because they do love bomb you in the beginning and because you want so much for it to be true.

As time passes, though, you are less and less able to keep up the "covering over". You start to see the cracks. The constant barrage of "do more" wears you down until you can't take it any more. You begin to see that their policies in regards to young people don't work very well. You encourage your kids to come forward when there's been a transgression and instead of some understanding or mercy being shown, they reprove or disfellowship them, while the kids that lie are still in good standing and not considered "bad associates". Where is the truth in that? Where is God's Holy Spirit directing the elders?

They are so good at making garbage look like treasure that it can take a while to remove the pixie dust from your eyes and see clearly.

17

Constant updates

by kwintestal in

when you visit jw family, do you get bombarded by "updates" of what others are doing as jw's?.

i do and it takes everything i have to say what's really on my mind.... my dad just got back from a vacation visiting family.

i ask how so-and-so is doing ... "oh, they're great.

luna2

There's a sister who comes by the store (where I work) every so often to sigh over me and try to "encourage" me. It never struck me before, but reading all of this I can see that she never really asks about me personally or engages in a real conversation. All the time we spent out in service together (we used to go out every Tuesday morning) and we weren't really friends at all. She'll come by, give me all the "up-building" news about so and so getting married or the congregation increasing in numbers or somebody pioneering, drop off a magazine or an invite to a special talk and be on her way. She makes it sound like everything is perfect as it can be, and I'm missing out big-time by not being around any more.

In contrast, a brother came by a few months ago (he was shopping and saw me in my office as we always have the door open to keep an eye on the floor). His news was all about how his marriage had failed, one of his daughters had married a Muslim, one of his other daughters had accussed him (falsely according to him) of abuse, and another disfellowshipped daughter was living with him and trying to get reinstated. I just sat there with my mouth hanging open. At least he wasn't working the "territory" and actually talked to me like a person.

13

One upsmanship...

by hartstrings in

when i was a regular attender, most of my jw "friends" were pioneers because that is who we spent our days with, lol.

well, it always annoyed the crap out of me when the pioneers would act like they were so special when they were able to get a new publication prior to its arrival at the local kh.

they were basically bragging about their connections.

luna2

I was the lowly publisher in the car group with Pioneers from time to time. Once one sis who had just graduated (or whatever they do) from Pioneer School brought her notebook so she could share nuggets of the latest wisdom with the group. I don't know if this is something that was handed out at the school or something she put together from her notes...she was that kind of person, very organized and loved doing unnecessary make-work. At any rate, she had pages of little stories and experiences all neatly stored in a three-ring binder. That day we got the homily about some bridge operator who's little kid wandered out on the bridge while no one was looking and the poor man had the choice of allowing either his child to be killed or a bunch of other people (I'm not remembering the story well, maybe this is the "train" story others mentioned in another thead). I had several problems with this little gem, but I could see everybody else was in raptures over it, so I kept my mouth shut. I also wondered if this is what they did in Pioneer School all day...come up with imperfect allegories to share out in field service.

Some other non-Pioneer in the car group asked her about going to P-school, but she was very secretive. I never understood the big mystery. Were Pioneers not supposed to talk about their training in order to encourage others to reach out for this great priviledge?

12

people who giggle too much

by rebel8 in

...annoy the h3ll outta me.

my coworker, for example....a person whom i am sentenced to spend another 30 odd years sitting next to before i'm parolled able to retire.

she giggles at everything.

luna2

JamesThomas! You're evil! Hahahahahaha!

::looks around, glad that nobody is near my office door to hear the horrible noises I just made trying to stifle my giggles::

122

I really blew it......I am the nightmare householder!

by Why Georgia in

jw
friends

i really blew it yesterday.

we had just gotten home from a very long day and we were contemplating what to do for dinner and then a knock at the door.

the sister was back with an elder and he asked to speak to my husband...completely got his name wrong.

luna2

What a jerk! His manhood was threatened, so he's gonna show you he can't be pushed around by cowering in a parking lot spying on you.

43

JWs And Ex-JWs--Do You Struggle With Depression Because You Were A JW?

by minimus in

jw
friends

i've seen how some are so burdened by the fact that they were witnesses, that literally, every day is a struggle.

are you in need of therapeutic help because you are or were a jehovah's witness?

luna2

In early 2000, I became so depressed as a JW that I remember taking a week's vacation from work and not getting out of bed for three days. I don't think I ate for five days. I didn't want to die, but I didn't want to live either. There was no joy in my life at all as a JW, only obligation and guilt. I decided that week that I had to do something. I started a diet and exercise program and started focusing on hobbies that made me happy (provided escape from reality). I probably should have gone to get help from a professional, but I was/am somewhat afraid of doctors.

I've been having episodes of depression ever since...still thinking JW's had the truth and yet being unwilling to go back. A little hard to be happy when you think you will destroyed at the big A (which could happen any day) for sure.

It's been difficult the past few weeks facing the fact that I've been well and truly deceived all these years; hard acknowledging personality traits/flaws in myself that allowed this to happen. I'm optomistic now that I'm going to come out of this in much better shape mentally. It really helps being able to see everybody's experiences/research/thoughts here on JWD; to know the real truth...and that I'm not alone.

60

How many people here are Faders?

by misspeaches in

jw
friends

how many people that come to this board are faders only?

i am interested to know the statistics on how many people have left the borg because they have discovered their untruths or become disillusioned.. thanks,.

miss peache

luna2

I faded mostly because of deep depression and feelings that I was unable to live under the constant barrage of guilt. I felt that strong individuals in the congregations were able to impose their consciences on others who were over-concerned with being the most humble and sincere little dubs in Dubbyworld (like me). It seemed to me that those who had ignored direction from the WTS and cong. elders and followed their own path regarding some of their "suggestions" (ie...higher education discouraged, work just to make ends meet, curtailed association with family members not in good standing) were happier, more stable people. I couldn't/wouldn't go back until I could figure out how to be one of them.

Of course, once away the relief was such that I didn't want to return. I was pretty conflicted about that and put myself down quite a bit for not being able to live up to my dedication. Now I realize that it's not the truth at all and there will be no going back.

122

I really blew it......I am the nightmare householder!

by Why Georgia in

jw
friends

i really blew it yesterday.

we had just gotten home from a very long day and we were contemplating what to do for dinner and then a knock at the door.

the sister was back with an elder and he asked to speak to my husband...completely got his name wrong.

luna2

They'd have to be pretty stupid....erm. Okay, well, perhaps the threat of a letter to NY and the lawyer will stop them.

((hugs you too)) That was great! LMAO @ "farthead"!