I don't get the impression that things have changed that much. It was a nightmare for me and my sister and I guess my parents also from 1967 until my father died in 1978. I don't know all the details that happened to my parents between 1973 and 1978 because I was no longer involved or attending meetings. I'm sure my "disappearing" did not help the way they were treated.
Scarred for life
JoinedPosts by Scarred for life
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then and now 40 years later
by bigmac ini want to put "pen to paper" so to speak, comparing what i left behind as a young jw man 40 years ago, with what ive been reading on this site.. i cant include everything in 1 post, so please put up with me while i compile my recollections.. this is not a hate-filled diatribe, but hopefully a worthwhile comparison.
i grew up as a jw, being baptised at 14, left school at 15, started pioneering at 17.. the congregation i spent 5 years in, 1966-71, brings back many fond memories, the most important being the love we all shared for each other.. the emphasis was on helping one another; circuit servant visits were eagerly looked forward to, assemblies a treat.. very occasionally, someone might slip up & sin.
usually it involved sex, most times the person was put on probation ( ever heard that word?).
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then and now 40 years later
by bigmac ini want to put "pen to paper" so to speak, comparing what i left behind as a young jw man 40 years ago, with what ive been reading on this site.. i cant include everything in 1 post, so please put up with me while i compile my recollections.. this is not a hate-filled diatribe, but hopefully a worthwhile comparison.
i grew up as a jw, being baptised at 14, left school at 15, started pioneering at 17.. the congregation i spent 5 years in, 1966-71, brings back many fond memories, the most important being the love we all shared for each other.. the emphasis was on helping one another; circuit servant visits were eagerly looked forward to, assemblies a treat.. very occasionally, someone might slip up & sin.
usually it involved sex, most times the person was put on probation ( ever heard that word?).
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Scarred for life
I am approximately the same age as you. I left behind the JWs about 37 years ago. I was raised from birth as a JW. But I was never baptized. By the time I got to the age of 14 or 15 and they were really putting on the pressure for baptism because "Armageddon would be here in the fall of 1975" I was running in the opposite direction.
The congregation that we were in from 1960-1967 brings back fond memories. We felt a part of a close community. At least we did at that time.
I do remember circuit servant visits as being positive in that congregation.
I will have to say that I NEVER thought that assemblies were a treat. Total torture.
I remember one person being disfellowshipped from that congregation. Even at my very young age, I thought this was horrible and cruel and wrong. To treat someone like that was the polar opposite of how I had been taught to treat people. That young man never came back to the JWs. His single mother was heartbroken.
We moved to a different city and the JW congregation we attended there was completely different. A Nazi concentration camp. I attended there from 1967-1973. No love. Power struggles. Fear. Guilt. That's what I remember from that congregation. There were more horrible disfellowshippings there. Inhumane.
I never heard of the word apostate until I got on this board 2 years ago.
It was wrong from the beginning. You just thought it was OK because it's all you knew as a child.
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The Journey to My First Post
by ReallyTrulyAthena inhello, jwn!.
like other newbies, im a long time lurker, first-time poster.
recently, i created a profile, but then hesitated on submitting my first post.
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Scarred for life
Welcome to the board.
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The Journey to My First Post
by ReallyTrulyAthena inhello, jwn!.
like other newbies, im a long time lurker, first-time poster.
recently, i created a profile, but then hesitated on submitting my first post.
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Scarred for life
Thanks for sharing your story. I relate to much of it. This cult destroyed my family, too. I look forward to reading more posts from you.
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Is there 'independent' thinking going on in this congregation?
by EndofMysteries ini was told that a congregation has started taking donations for those who are struggling in this time.
they said that they mentioned how catholics, etc, have salvation army and take up donations and help the poor, but jw's don't have anything like that.
i was wondering if all congregations are starting this, or one is realizing that they haven't been in harmony with the early christians.
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Scarred for life
I imagine it is greatly needed. I have no doubt that I have relatives that need this.
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The Watchtower is now the world's largest magazine!
by life is to short innewsmaxs magazine just published an article that the watchtower is the most read magazine out there it evens surpasses time.. i have never heard of newmaxs but i just was emailed this and thought you might find it interesting.
i am sorry i do not know how to give the link so i am cutting and pasting.
if someone can do the link it would be great.
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Scarred for life
Too bad nobody is actually reading it or paying for it.
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and so it begins... what next?
by bez inmy husband had another 'phone call' last night from the congregation po... the conversation went something like this..... po " i do not want to put words into your mouth but are you saying you no longer want to be recognised as a jw?".
hubby " i am not making that statement no... cut to the chase what are you getting at".
po " i have been informed you celebrated (child) birthday".
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Scarred for life
I agree with Lozhasleft. Keep your children away from anything that touches the JWs. Your family will be better and stronger for it.
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Do you think the Governing Body is having internal conflicts?
by stuckinamovement ini ask because the number of gb is lower than any time in history.
basically with the 7 (8 counting barr, is his head frozen?
) currently on,you have an average size elder body.
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Scarred for life
Tell me what is going on with the DOs . I've missed that. Thanks.
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The funniest/weirdest/dumbest Disfellowshipping offences.....Share!
by oldlightnewshite ineverybody must know of a funny/weird/dumb disfellowshipping offence.
here's mine:.
i moved to a new congregation and was related this story by a sister with the most deadly serious face.
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Scarred for life
I think all of these stories could have been my relatives.
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From hard core JW Christian to Atheist within 5 months?
by cyberjesus ini found this video and it summarizes it very simple.
i hope you enjoy it.
life is too short to waste it on fairy tales.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0wwzc-vz7y&feature=related.
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Scarred for life
Thanks, cyberjesus! Great video! I relate. It took me about 3 years to get through to the integration stage and I feel like I am still there. I am not an atheist but I relate very much to his steps.