It breaks my heart to read your stories. Although my childhood in the exclusive JW world was a very happy one, I've recently realized how hard it was for many others, as your experiences confirm. I'm so thrilled I woke up early enough for my kids to be raised normally. I feel very sorry though for those kids still in who have no choice...
goldensky
JoinedPosts by goldensky
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15
Being A Borg Kid
by Pig ini never became a zelouse witness, but i do remember being a borg kid.
there was no one my age at the meetings for most of my childhood.
except at one stage there was this half in half out family who had a fat annoying kid who never stopped boasting.
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34
A Newbies Story
by Lets Think inresigned as an elder last week.
briefly this is my story.
i was raised as a witness in the 60s and 70s.
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goldensky
Dear Lets Think, I very sincerely congratulate you on your bold and honest step. You belong to a select minority now, those who are brave enough to live coherently, whatever the cost. Because resigning your eldership is by no means an easy thing to do. But the reward is definitely worth it: you will see an honorable man whenever you look at yourself in the mirror and be able to hold your head high amongst your fellow humans, even if many don't approve of you.
I anticipate though you may well feel the need to make further adjustments as time goes by, but I'm sure you will face any future decisions with the same boldness you have already manifested. All the best to you.
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28
Elder's message to me, on me being disfellowshipped tomorrow.
by whereami init saddens me greatly to see all that has happened and to see my friends in this position.
for me its a great loss but i hope that it will only be temporary.
please allow jehovahs discipline to mold you and youre way of thinking.
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goldensky
It breaks my heart to think of the needless suffering many are forced to go through. I really, really wish you lots of courage. .
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50
A Short Introduction............
by Night Owl ini am a former ms and have been active and inactive since i stepped down about 20 years ago.
i am currently inactive.
i may attend a meeting or two a month, sometimes none.. i have no feelings of animosity towards the organization, or anyone in it.
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goldensky
Dear Night Owl, I think your attitude is fantastic. It's very "evolved", if you see what I mean, and I admire that. Although I imagine that's an inborn tendency in you, I'm also sure you've worked hard to develop it, and the results you are reaping are well worth the effort: peace of mind and heart and the capacity to look ahead without the burden of the past. Although of course some circumstances make it easier for some than for others to achieve that inner wellbeing, I'm sure you are in a position to help some to attain it as well. Thank you very much for offering your selfless help.
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28
Elder's message to me, on me being disfellowshipped tomorrow.
by whereami init saddens me greatly to see all that has happened and to see my friends in this position.
for me its a great loss but i hope that it will only be temporary.
please allow jehovahs discipline to mold you and youre way of thinking.
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goldensky
Have good courage, Whereami. You sound like a strong person but you may have to face some low moments in the next few weeks. You'll get over them quickly, I'm sure. We are here for you. I wish you all the best.
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newbie
by bobfleur inhello everyone, my name is bob and i am a recovering jehovah's witness.
i have a beautiful wife and four equally beautiful children.
my major malfunction is that i am very much a believer and as most here would agree, some major teachings do not line up in harmony with scripture.. god used the help of a pastor friend of mine and together we were able to show my wife from the bible certain biblical truths do not line up with "the truth".
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goldensky
Dear bobfleur, welcome to the board. You've been honest with yourself and very fortunate that your wife has agreed to join you. I'm sure both of you will find your way in your search for truth. All the best to the six of you!
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61
Where now?
by bez inits been a long time coming but i kinda think im finally at the point of no return....... right or wrong, i have spoken to my 'friends' about my new feelings and the fact i no longer believe that this is gods chosen people etc etc... and have already been told that if i was to now celebrate my childs birthdays , her 'truth' friends would not be able to come to sleep again and associate with her... (she is 7).
this is despite the fact they are allowed to play with there non witness friends who live down the road....why??
the explanation is that their daughter would perhaps feel it is ok to do this when it is not... i ask why could they not just simply explain it is not our family's belief anymore (as my husband is with me on my decision), and my response is that it would be difficult to do that as we once were witnesses and now are not so it would confuse her daughter and make her think its ok to do these things now... .
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goldensky
Dear bez, first of all, welcome to this board!
Secondly, don't worry about your daughter: she'll be perfectly allright. As other posters have said, she'll soon make new friends and won't miss her current ones at all. I left the organization one year ago and told my two kids -then aged 10 and 7- we'd not be going to the Hall any more because I had developed serious doubts, and I can assure you they adjusted in just a matter of weeks, even though "the truth" was all they had known all their life. They are nowadays happy, well-balanced kids, totally adapted to the "outside" world and with a much wider variety of friends than when we were restricted to the Witness world. It's me now who has to catch up with them in my getting used to this new planet! Ha, ha!
As for your beliefs, don't worry too much, just do whatever feels right to you. I still pray to Jehovah, although the content of my prayers has gradually changed. I'm not even sure whether He exists or not, but I still love him. Each one of the posters here is on a personal journey whose outcome none of us knows and we just have to flow along and enjoy the happiness of having been set free.
I'll be looking forward to learning more about you. All the best to you. OLGA.
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In which ways do you think this forum has helped you as a person?
by cyberjesus ini came here to learn more about the jws.
i ended up leaving them.
i learned to open my mind to opposite thoughts.
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goldensky
Oh, in many ways indeed. To be honest, I didn't come here for information or support, since I had fully taken my stand on my own and happened to come across this site by sheer coincidence. I began to read the threads just out of curiosity, but I was astounded to find so much objectivity, humility, reasonableness, tolerance, empathy, understanding... that I was tremendously encouraged to try to imitate you guys thus becoming a better human being (at least that's my impression about myself nowadays, ha, ha!).
And I've met wonderful people like you, dear Cyberjesus, which feels oh, how good...! I always enjoy your posts.
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36
An Apology to Snowbird
by Dark Side ini apologized to snowbird in private for a insensitive and disrespectful comment i made on her "swan song" thread.
i told her i would post a public apology on the board if she wanted me to.
so here is my apology to snowbird exactly as i wrote it.. it's been brought to my attention a number of times that my comment to you on your "swan song" thread was offensive and uncalled for.
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goldensky
Dark Side, now I know why I never disliked you.
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46
You know your an Apostate when
by pleaseer2001 inok jesika and i started this in chat so here it goes,.
you know your an apostate when..........worldy is a word used for your friends.
you now your an apostate when ............your parents call after five years....and say anything new!.
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goldensky
... when you toast for the first time in your life and the clinking sound of the glasses brings a vivid image of long-held chains falling off from you, and you smile inside, fully aware no one present at that crucial moment has the slightest idea of what that trivial gesture has meant to you...