when i left jws in 2007 i was fairly active in the ex-jw community.
i even hosted one of the meetup groups here in chandler.
when that wound down i joined a local unitarian universalist congregation.
Randy,
Good for you! My husband and I joined the UU congregation in Jamestown, NY. Last Sunday I was the guest speaker at the Erie, PA, UU congregation. I spoke on Life in a Cult and included some of our experiences. They did not videotape me. O, and I am female. Imagine a woman giving the Sunday sermon in a kingdom hall!!!
Barbara
this last tuesday was one of the most stressful and sad days of our life when we had our lab morgan put to sleep.
she was so sick and out of it we just had to do it.
when i called the spca on monday to make a appointment to have her put to sleep i felt like i betrayed her.
There's a scripture that says, "Go to the ant you sluggard" (Prov. 6:6). There should be a verse that says, "Go to the dog you disloyal one"! As much as the WT emphasizes loyalty you'd think they would take a lesson from dogs. As many dogs as we've had, none were ever disloyal, especially Morgan.
Reopened Mind
since my last post i have spoke with my parents and told them i am no longer a believer.
i told them i just can't anymore.
here is my short story.
Fognomore,
It is difficult coming out of the fog of a high control group. So, first of all, CONGRATULATIONS for your awakening.
I, too, am curious as to how your parents accepted your news. As for your wife, surely she suspects something. After all you said you hadn't been to a meeting in three months. When I started to wake up my husband was the presiding overseer. I agonized over how I would break it to him that I no longer believed. Thankfully he also was having doubts after doing some temp work at Bethel and he was wondering how to tell me! However, I have read several accounts on here where the outcome was disastrous. So please be careful. The best advice I can give is to listen carefully to what she has to say and build on that. You didn't mention if you have any children. That can complicate matters. There is a lot of good advice on here. Do your research and tread carefully.
Reopened Mind
i know what you may be thinking by the title but bear with me.
have you ever reflected on past service experiences and think wow if only i had listened to a householder?
two things come to my mind of personal experience.
former2free,
When you were a little fellow and I was pioneering I called on a kindly lady in Aloha Gardens. She always had a toy or a treat for you. I even studied with her briefly in the "Live Forever" book. I went round and round with her on why God permitted suffering. She just couldn't understand why a God of love would let little children suffer and die.
I've remembered her fondly since I left the cult. I now know why God didn't care about children or anybody else for that matter---he doesn't exist. Only humans care.
Reopened Mind
in my waking up i have come to a very emotional and costly conclusion.
i have been waking up for about 2 years.
the greatest gift we ( i ) can give our children is honesty and ttatt.
Welcome fognomore.
I wish we had given these gifts to our children when they were growing up. But alas and alack! we raised them in the cult. Thankfully, though our youngest has recently left and is raising his children with the freedoms you mentioned. I can't say the same for our oldest son, but we have hope.
Reopened Mind
doing a computer 'clean-out' came across this;.
"we need to examine, not only what we personally believe, but also what is taught by any religious organization with which we may be associated.
are its teachings in full harmony with god’s word, or are they based on the traditions of men?
All religions are based on the traditions of men as is the Bible.
Reopened Mind
just got done watching this program and what impress me the most was the bravery of those x-witnesses to sit there on national tv and tell everyone how the wt.
cult affected them.
no hidden faces, no avatar names and no disguise.
I guess I need to weigh in on this thread as my husband and son are "out". David and I discussed posting our real names on this board after seeing the stories of XJWs on A&E last Tuesday. We said the time has come to step out of the shadows to become more active.
As flipper said it will help expose the Watchtower Society and educate people about Jehovah's Witnesses. With that in mind we are hosting two parties this weekend to view the film. While we have been talking to our friends about our background, it is so far removed from their life experiences that it is difficult for them to comprehend what a high control group like the Watchtower is really like. We hope this opens their eyes to a few things.
I think it is ironic that this year's convention theme was "Be Courageous". The governing body has built a compound in Walkill where they can hide. The rank and file no longer know how to witness as they stand behind a tablet or a cart. It is the children who are on the front lines as they are made to take a stand for the religion. So, who really are the courageous ones? As my son James said they are the ones like those on the program who fearlessly stand up for what is true and real.
Reopened Mind, aka, Barbara
it has been awhile since i have visited the forum.
since the fall of 2013 i've been attending the unitarian universalist congregation in chandler, az.
i became a member in 2015. this past september i gave the sermon.
Hello rawe, Randy,
I listened to your sermon. You are an excellent speaker. Were you an elder in your past (JW) life? As Still Totally ADD said we are members of our local UU congregation. We are a small congregation with no paid minister. Thus many of our members conduct the services and we have guest speakers when we can procure them.
We have been members since 2012. As my husband said he has given several sermons there. But he was an elder for 25 years. I, too, have given Sunday sermons, mostly on my experience in the cult. Imagine that! Me, a former sister, addressing the audience directly without a man on stage to conduct! I guess I learned a lot from the Ministry School. Anyway, that’s not so remarkable outside a misogynistic, high control group.
Reopened Mind
today we celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary and my sons 16th birthday.
i feel privileged to be able to show my appreciation and love for both the men in my life without feeling guilt.
we left in 2009 as a family and have not regretted the choice.
Nugget,
Being able to observe your anniversary and your son's birthday freely is a great cause for celebration. But and even bigger cause for celebration is that you have left the WT with your family intact. CONGRATULATIONS!!
Reopened Mind
what were some funny experiences you had of things that happened during talks at the meetings?.
a few of mine:.
- a brother had dyed his hair before his talk and it was raining heavily when he arrived at the hall and the dye was running down his face during his talk and his skin went more and more grey as the black dye ran down it.
An elder was giving a question and answer part on the Service Meeting. When he asked a question no one raised their hand. He went on to the next two or three questions and still no one answered. His frustration with the audience mounted, he put down the Kingdom Ministry and proceeded to lecture us on studying the lesson. Then one brother raised his hand to tell him he was covering the wrong part.
Reopened Mind
