I think knowledge is a powerful tool. If I hadn't been bound to the religion heart and soul, how could I possibly appreciate the happiness and freedom that I feel now? Occasionally I wish I would've given the opportunity to experience the camaraderie that my classmates felt,to enjoy sports or birthdays. But I'm thankful that I've given all of that to my children. They also have the opportunity to really make something of themselves. That is priceless. Bringing they were raised in it up until a few years ago, we often reminisce of the "old days". They are so thankful that the three of us have been as to grow together.
vikesgirl101
JoinedPosts by vikesgirl101
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38
Are you thankful to know TTAT or not?
by laverite ini am so thankful that i was able to learn the truth about the truthtm (ttatt).
i owe everything in my life to having left watchtower corp: my education, my position as a college professor, being able to write and publish, travel, family life, my beautiful children, being able to be openly gay -- and happy.
unlike those closeted homosexuals in the truthtm, i do not have to be afraid to be who i am.
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Being pressured and getting increasingly stressed.
by NBird inhello, i'm a 17 year old born in and i'm done with this religion.
one hundred percent.
i came to the conclusion a year ago that i wanted to leave.
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vikesgirl101
Welcome! I like the thought of filling your mind with things that help YOU grow. If you're 17, you'll be on your own soon. Having a job will boost tour confidence. Make sure you visualize your goal. It'll keep you focused. College is a fantastic asset at your age. Do you have a school counselor that you can talk to? They'll help keep you on track, so that you can accomplish whatever your little heart desires. DREAM BIG! You're an independent thinker, and that is a GOOD thing. It means that you'll go far in life.
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A day in the life of a fading JW
by dissonance_resolved ini'm five months into my slow fade and it's going so-so.
my saturday morning was spent on a 3-mile jog and taking the kids to the park, which was great, but i'm still shuddering from the potential alternative.
at the last meeting, an elderette literally blocked the exit to prevent my escape and said she just "noticed" that we were in the same field service group and would i like to work with her in service on saturday?
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vikesgirl101
I feel for you. My daughter's were six and twelve when I abruptly left the religion and their Dad. It was a long haul, especially fir the 12 year old. I also had sisters sending cards and gifts to my home, enticing me to come back. Cute! They weren't there for me when I was emotionally dying at the K-hall. It took about a year for the kids to get over it. I never pressured them. I even offered to drop them off at meetings and pick them up after. Meanwhile I made sure their lives were full.We invited worldly kids over for sleepovers, and best yet, we became involved in our community. On their own the kids could see we were even better people than we had been. They love their lives now,and their Dad is still in the Borg. You've got this! It's totally worth it!
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Former Unbaptized Publisher, New Here
by GloomySunday informer unbaptized publisher, here.. i'm new to the forums and have hesitated for months to join this forum.
i was raised in a jw family, and was never baptized, because one of my parents didn't think i should be baptized early.. my mother became inactive, but i eventually went back for social contact, eventually starting a study.
i raised a few questions, only to find that the conductor would get irritated and defensive when my questions would get deeper into the topic.
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vikesgirl101
Welcome Gloomy Sunday! I was born and raised a JW by a very unwavering family. I left five years ago when I was 32. I had two kids and a minimal support system, at best. The odds were against me, but it's been the best decision ever! Best of luck!!
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GUESS What I Can Enjoy Now, That Being In WT Kept Me From?
by Iown Mylife inbarbershop harmony singing groups!
i've enjoyed that type of music since i first heard it as a kid.
just today ran onto a local group that welcomes visitors.
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vikesgirl101
Iownmylife: I think you hit the nail on the head about being mentally free. I remember a former JW tell me when I left that they were such a mind melds. I lime that I can enjoy common mundane events like a birthday party, without this king about the disgrace I am bringing upon God's name. It is progressing. Even the air is sweeter once you finally leave!
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Losing my religion
by vikesgirl101 inhowdy!
i have been out of the jw's for about five years now.
it has been about four years since i've posted.
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vikesgirl101
Thanks for all of your insight. I am glad to know that I'm not alone. When I started to leave the Borg, I had started attending college. One of my Ethics and Philosophy classes said that religion was created to "control the masses". It's power over people has led me to believe that this logic might be true. It stuns me what people will do in the name of their Gods.
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What would it take for YOU to come back?
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vikesgirl101
There is NOTHING that would make me go back. The mental abuse is enough for me to steer clear. Leaving was the BEST thing that I ever did.
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Losing my religion
by vikesgirl101 inhowdy!
i have been out of the jw's for about five years now.
it has been about four years since i've posted.
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vikesgirl101
Howdy! I have been out of the JW's for about five years now. It has been about four years since I've posted. I have been a Christian even though I left the religion...Or so I've thought. We had found a great Country church we'd attend off and on for the last four years. But then the Pastor left and the congregation turned on eachother. It was eye opening. I've tried other churches, and I just don't feel a "fit" in any of them. I sometimes wonder if the JW's have soured me on religion. I see so mych hypocrisy in organized Religion. I am frustrated with the masses of people that feel that their church is the only life source. Or worse yet, they think only Christians are good people. They think their people can sin because they're holier than everyone else.
So has anybody else had this problem? I mean it seriously makes me HATE organized religion!
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JW's view of suidice
by highdose inbefore i was severed from the borg, i noticed that they did seem to change their minds about suidice not being worthy of a resserrection.. mind you it was very very vague in an article... and everyone was saying " do they mean this?
" or "do they mean that?".
is anyone aware of the current stance?.
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vikesgirl101
purps: That is the way it was explained to me too. It sounds like your brother's death was within the last ten years, huh? My condolences.
I attempted to take my life almost two years ago. I almost got away with it. I was in the hospital for 10 days. Anyways, it prompted me to do alot of research as to the JW and GB beliefs. I was appalled at the 1970's articles that pretty much told you that such a person was a murderer. It was like no one understood me. I was taking my own life because I was sure that Jehovah wanted me gone, because I was such a huge failure to him. Years later they understood it as an illness, which I was glad to see. It made me wonder if they changed their views because someone close to them committed suicide. I hate to speculate there.
But what I did learn is that someone who does commit suicide cannot have the funeral in the KH. That tells me that they still have mixed feelings on the issue. I asked who would have handled my funeral, and my Dad said it would be an elder, but had to be outside the KH. Not too comforting. It just validated the wicked feeling that I carried of myself.
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Womenly subjection
by vikesgirl101 indoes anybody remember which scripture it is in the greek scriptures (i want to say it was of paul's writings) that the jw's used as a reason that women had no privileges that a man could have in the congregation?
i remember doing research on it for a return visit.
basically the jist of it is that because of eve's sin, all women are inferior.
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vikesgirl101
meangirl, thanks for putting some logic to all of this. Actually everybody here seems to be on the same page on this subject. Being raised a JW, and never allowed to question some doctines (more so by my Dad than the religion itself) I am trying to put some pieces together. This issue really bugs me to no end. I kept my boyfriend up half a night complaining about this vicious scriptual circle. Although he is religious, he just doesn't care. He could roll over and go to sleep, and not think about it. Me?? I so need professional help. I am questioning if I am justifying my feelings on this without proper reason.