i was at work today and low and behold an elder from the kh i used to go to came in.
i never got to know him very well but he always struck me as pleasant and mild mannered.
the thing is i stopped going to meetings over a year ago and am now, as i have already shared, being shunned by my jw son and his wife and can't see my beautiful little grand daughter any more.. i haven't officially dissassociated and not met with any elders but don't care what action they take as they can't do any more damage to me now.
| I've been there, we all have. But what are you going to do when you find out it isn't real? I couldn't go to another meeting once I saw the WTS for what it really was. Some people just refuse to see it, and I don't feel sorry for those who choose to be blind.... Gymbob | ||
I agree to some extent that many stay in because they can't face up to the fact that it is a bogus organisation. It takes courage to walk away and lose family and friends.
Maddie
i was at work today and low and behold an elder from the kh i used to go to came in.
i never got to know him very well but he always struck me as pleasant and mild mannered.
the thing is i stopped going to meetings over a year ago and am now, as i have already shared, being shunned by my jw son and his wife and can't see my beautiful little grand daughter any more.. i haven't officially dissassociated and not met with any elders but don't care what action they take as they can't do any more damage to me now.
I actually felt some compassion for him because of him being trapped in the cult and because his world would drop out if he ever came to know that he has spent all his life under a false belief system.
Maddie
i was at work today and low and behold an elder from the kh i used to go to came in.
i never got to know him very well but he always struck me as pleasant and mild mannered.
the thing is i stopped going to meetings over a year ago and am now, as i have already shared, being shunned by my jw son and his wife and can't see my beautiful little grand daughter any more.. i haven't officially dissassociated and not met with any elders but don't care what action they take as they can't do any more damage to me now.
I was at work today and low and behold an elder from the KH I used to go to came in. I never got to know him very well but he always struck me as pleasant and mild mannered. The thing is I stopped going to meetings over a year ago and am now, as I have already shared, being shunned by my JW son and his wife and can't see my beautiful little grand daughter any more.
I haven't officially dissassociated and not met with any elders but don't care what action they take as they can't do any more damage to me now. Any way, this elder is very friendly and said that he missed not seeing me at the meetings and asked if I had thought of going again. I said that after investigation into the Organisation with regard to various matters such as the UN involvement and paedophile cover-ups etc that I would no longer be going.
I asked him if he realised how much pain and emotional damage was caused by being shunned and that it wasn't what Jesus taught people to be like. His reply was that he couldn't imagine what it must be as he had never experienced it! Then he went into the stuff about Satan controlling everything and all these things I had found out were lies. He said that it would be a shame to lose out on living in the "new system" which is really coming soon now as everything in the world points to it!
I said that I wasn't frightened of Armaggedon because it was all fear based and I had a personal relationship with God and Jesus and that I have learnt not to put my trust in any human being through experience. He said the usual thing about men (meaning the FDS) sometimes make mistakes etc but it is truly Jehovah's Organisation.
After that I couldn't talk to him any more as I was supposed to be working, so that was the end of the conversation and he said goodbye and went.
I don't know will come of all this, but as I have said, I am not worried one way or the other any more. Just maybe he might go away and ponder on the things that I said - I hope so for his sake.
Maddie
when someone told me something new, or when i heard something new, how do you decide that it is true or not?
this was the way i decided to accept things or not for my entire life until a few months ago:.
1. does what i just heard support jehovah's organization?.
What you have now is critical thinking ability. As a JW that isn't used because of the indoctrination and strong mind control.
Maddie
i was dfed from 1998 to 2002. i was scared $hitless from the 9-11 attacks and wanted to have a better relationship with my witness daughters.
well- my relationship with my daughters at the time improved - however i was still shunned by rank and file members inside the congregation.
inside and outside the kingdom hall.
Hi Mr Flipper
In answer to your question, I was at one time reinstated because back then I still half believed it was the "Truth" and also I wanted my family back. It didn't take me long to realise that if I had expected to be received with abundant love I was going to be very disappointed. There is so much fear with the JW's that there isn't much room for love which is very sad when you think of it. The so-called "spiritually strong" are the worst when it comes to showing hospitality to reinstated ones, probably because they don't want to tarnish their whiter than white reputations!
Maddie
i do understand your plight - as i have 2 adult jw daughters shunning me aged 21 and almost 20. they married witness boys 2 years ago and it's been 1 year since i've spoke with my younger daughter, 5 months since i went to coffee with my older daughter.
i call them, but they won't return my calls.
i tell them i love them, but it's as if i don't exist.
Just seen this thread Mr. Flipper and I am coping well now because of my renewed faith in God, despite the damage caused by the borg. I will always love my son and granddaughter but leave it in God's hands now.
Maddie
i say this because i have been helped so much by the many posts that represent the way i feel about the wtbts.
it is good to know that there are so many people that feel this way.
i am currently inactive and dont comment but do attend meetings for the sake of the family.. my wife is still in and i have a daughter and one on the way.
Welcome
Maddie
somebody who's become a friend is an ex catholic....pretty knowledgeable on all the mainstream christian doctrines and history etc....now into wicca beliefs....not a actual member, but in tune with the ideas....mediation, incense, being close to the earth yada yada.
not real wound up with it, not pushing it on me.....and theres no way i would ever go there.....just not my style, and think i am over any organized religion at this point.. a good friend, good person.....he cant really explain why he's into all that except it feels good....but i'm a little uncomfortable.....sad to say i think it's a holdover from the jw fear and loathing of anything remotely "demonic"......i'm a good researcher, and in 15-20 minutes on the internet i know i could dig up all the lowdown on wicca beliefs/practices/history etc.....and i know without looking it up that its all just a made-up job like so many other groups we know.....but i hold back because i'm afraid if i knew more i'd feel really uncomfortable with my friend.....i know, i know that's so lame....lol.
just wondering if any of you have any experience with the wicca thing, and what you think about all that.
Texman - Funny but there was a Wiccan celebration going on near where I was staying at the weekend. Apparently it was a "Lammas Festival" which is a bit like the Harvest Festival. They were dressed in some weird gear and all their stalls sold stuff to do with witchery - pentagons, magic, tarot cards etc. It all seemed very "dark" and demonic to me.
Maddie
ok, so i have been thinking about my time as a jw (i'm fading out - read my other posts for background info).
you know how you always hear how the ministry will bring so much joy and contentment, yadda yadda yadda?
i always hated service...always!!
"Joy" is one of the fruits of the Spirit. JW's sadly haven't got that joy because it has been lost in favour of rules and fear of not putting enough hours in.
Maddie
i want to share with you all a most wonderful experience i have just had.
i have been going to a christian church called the vineyard.
they have a live band and lots of singing goes on there.
Snowbird Peace and love to you too.
Maddie
