So sorry for your loss Frezia.
I wish you comfort and strength for the journey.
less than 5 hours ago my great dad fell asleep the last time :( still in a bit of a shock and sad that i will not see him again...i promised myself that once he is here no more, i will somehow make my move out of this organisation who kept us all captive believing in a fantasy of an everlasting life :( i am in a tricky situation, since raised as jw, still in, married to an active jw, and pretty sure that all in my social and family circle will turn their backs on me if i finally say goodbye to a fairytail ;(.
So sorry for your loss Frezia.
I wish you comfort and strength for the journey.
http://watchtowerdocuments.org/coping-with-shunning/.
by barbara anderson.
when my husband and i left the religion of jehovah’s witnesses (jws), we, like countless others, lost family members and friends because of the witnesses shunning doctrine.
Good article Barbara, thank you for writing it. So true...sigh.
This past Friday and Saturday, I went to a viewing/funeral of a co-worker. I spent time with a relative and another nice lady who were chatting about their religious experiences through the years, Catholic, evangelical, Episcopalian, etc. One knew I was raised a JW and had left, the relative I knew had a daughter that was a JW and a former missionary. When I was asked what does a JW do when they leave the church, I paused for a few moments to gather my thoughts. The relative looked at me and said, "are you shunned?" I said yes. This started a good discussion exposing this despicable practice by JW's. I love that...I love the exposure of this seemingly harmless and "nice" organization/people of their hateful actions. There is nothing loving about it. A two year old can see that.
just a remembrance of the woodland hills, ca assembly hall.
i am enclosing a partial copy of a wikipedia article covering the purchase and subsequent sale of the facility by the jw.
i am enclosing the link and please pay attention to the bold portion of the document.. the theater project was backed by entertainers bob hope and art linkletter, along with cy warner.. the 2865-seat facility opened july 6, 1964 with the sound of music.
DNC, thanks for sharing that about Drew. I did not know that. He's wonderful artist.
i’ve noticed many people posting on this site seem to have completely given up on religion/spirituality.. but some have attended services at another religion, or just follow their own heart regarding what to believe.. my question is how does anyone deal after leaving with all of the witness crap that we believed about babylon the great, the great harlot, spiritual prostitute, etc., etc.
i’m finding out that i seem to have built myself a pretty solid wall regarding religion.. some people can just chuck all beliefs into one basket saying that they are all basically garbage,,, and that is ok, no problem i respect that.. but for myself there is a certain part of my personality that needs a spiritual belief not like the witnesses in any way, but something to meditate on, and contemplate.. being a witness taught me how bad it is to actually think of god in any other way besides what the jw’s believe.
and now when i attend any other service, the dark jw side seems to pop out and seriously makes me believe that everything i see/do/say is wrong.
When I left I took the time to research things I never had time to study before. The cross, salvation, kurios...several subjects. My gut feeling all along as a JW was they were making it up as they went along. I found out they didn't really come up with anything new...their doctrines were based on teachings that already existed. So no magic for me in the JW.
I listened to xtian radio on my commute for a while, and lo and behold, they sounded just like JW's with just a slight tweak in destinations. When I thought about going to church, I just felt I had enough religion for a lifetime. I wasn't going to learn anything new after years of defending my faith and bible study. I didn't really "need" religion like I thought I did.
So I did the work for my own "spirituality," and was able to sort out what was best for me. I recommend taking time to do the same, and not make decisions based on what others think you should do. Your feelings will sort themselves out accordingly. Good luck.
well, hell!.
i had dizzy spells and near-fainting and nausea for a few days, so why wouldn't i start thinking about death, ya know?.
am i just very lax in my responsibilities in having no plans at all?isn't that irresponsible?
NN, there is a specific organization that my cousin was affiliated with. He was an oncologist and sadly passed from cancer. I just don't remember the name at the moment.
If that doesn't work out I will glad give my body to a giant squid. I love those things!
Actually, I have thought if at some point I was facing a sure death for some reason, I would consider a "one last cruise" (wink wink wink) if you know what I mean.
for those interested, this is the video of mouthy's (grace) funeral from september 8, 2016. https://youtu.be/yvmiwo0ycds.
thanks again everybody for the kind words about her - she will be sorely missed by our family as i know she will be by many of you too!
.
What a beautiful tribute to an amazing lady. We loved Grace. Thank you so much for sharing. What a blessing to have had her as your family. xx
just a remembrance of the woodland hills, ca assembly hall.
i am enclosing a partial copy of a wikipedia article covering the purchase and subsequent sale of the facility by the jw.
i am enclosing the link and please pay attention to the bold portion of the document.. the theater project was backed by entertainers bob hope and art linkletter, along with cy warner.. the 2865-seat facility opened july 6, 1964 with the sound of music.
If you search for Woodland Hills on this site you will find several threads on the hall.
I have great memories of assemblies there even though I was assigned to the hood, LaMert Theater. I had friends in the valley and we went to visit from time to time.
due to unforeseen circumstances, i need to say goodbye.
proverbs 14:16 nlt.
i have every faith that the governing body of jehovah's witnesses will bring about needed change very soon given the continuous pressure they face.
WFWR, the letter you produced is well thought out and quite logical. Remember, faith does not produce results. It only "hopes" something happens or someone takes action.
Strength for your journey.
well, hell!.
i had dizzy spells and near-fainting and nausea for a few days, so why wouldn't i start thinking about death, ya know?.
am i just very lax in my responsibilities in having no plans at all?isn't that irresponsible?
Prob donate to science. I had a cousin who was a doctor who died from cancer and that was his wishes. So for research I go.
PS. Thinking maybe a destination "celebration of life" with something symbolic (and eco friendly) floated out to sea. Probably Mexico.
Haha! Good one.
Mad Andre on here had one with a drawing of a tower with a circle with a line through it that said "Apostate Headquarters." Loved that one too.