chicklette
JoinedI spent nine years devoted to the organization only to be usurped by my then husband who joined in order to use submissiveness to the hilt. I was followed to an EMT course by the elders, and endlessely interrogated by them. Once my husband began spreading rumors about me, no one in our little town would speak to me or listen to my side of the story. I had the audacity to question their baptising children, as Jesus was in his 30's and a model for us. I saw so much hypocrisy and finally realized that this could not be God's organization. It was no different than those they regularly put down. I left with my two children, who were scarred by their father telling them daily that I was going to die, and making them answer 'mom' to 'who is going to die'. They were young then. Raymond Franz's book helped me immensely. I was crushed that two nosey elders could ruin my good standing in the congregation, but they did, and I had no microphone or witness to show others how they threatened and lied to me. They wanted me to repent of the sin of being abused by my then boss. Hence, I left and was disfellowshipped for not repenting. While I hate the idea that this has happened to countless others, I am glad to not be alone. I still love Jehovah, as he does me. I also know that there are many sincere people in the congregations, as with all religions. It's a darn shame they cannot practice what they preach and must lead double lives.