i'd like to hear from anyone who was disfellowshipped but fully intended to go back as soon as possible and how that worked out or didn't.
i'd like to hear how soon you went back to meetings, how many letters requesting reinstatement you wrote, how you were treated, and how long it took you to get bitter and jaded.... or in the off chance you had a positive experience, what exactly happened.. really struggling here... thanks!.
You didn't 'notice' anything, Jook. I posted a link right in this thread to my previous thread in case anyway wanted to know the whole story. Since then we have appealed to the brothers again and they haven't replied.
I have been very honest about what happened and I'm not proud of it. A lot of people were hurt and I will always have a burden of guilt.
i'd like to hear from anyone who was disfellowshipped but fully intended to go back as soon as possible and how that worked out or didn't.
i'd like to hear how soon you went back to meetings, how many letters requesting reinstatement you wrote, how you were treated, and how long it took you to get bitter and jaded.... or in the off chance you had a positive experience, what exactly happened.. really struggling here... thanks!.
To DanaBug.... yeah very good suggestions. I have to pace myself for sure!
To Mad Sweeney... that's a very good point about the conditional love in the congregations. I have had an issue with that for years. My sister left for a while (she wasn't baptized) but I always made sure that she knew she was loved no matter what. My husband and I actually had her living with us even though she wasn't involved in the religion because first and foremost she was my sister.
And yes, I am very curious and I actually tried to order the book off Amazon just last night - it's currently out of stock.
i'd like to hear from anyone who was disfellowshipped but fully intended to go back as soon as possible and how that worked out or didn't.
i'd like to hear how soon you went back to meetings, how many letters requesting reinstatement you wrote, how you were treated, and how long it took you to get bitter and jaded.... or in the off chance you had a positive experience, what exactly happened.. really struggling here... thanks!.
Thanks DanaBug... your sentiments are appreciated.
You're right about getting obsessed. I'm finding that my brain doesn't shut off even while I'm sleeping. I seem to be processing everything 24/7 these days.
i'd like to hear from anyone who was disfellowshipped but fully intended to go back as soon as possible and how that worked out or didn't.
i'd like to hear how soon you went back to meetings, how many letters requesting reinstatement you wrote, how you were treated, and how long it took you to get bitter and jaded.... or in the off chance you had a positive experience, what exactly happened.. really struggling here... thanks!.
To Nickolas...
Yes. Definitely. I am afraid. Who wouldn't be? I have had it drilled into my head that this is the Truth. That turning against the organization is tantamount to turning against Jehovah. That is scary stuff. Even if I can get my head around it logically, there is still this horrible sick feeling in the pit of my stomach.
Honestly, it would be easier for me to accept that I am just a bad and wicked person than to accept that this is not the Truth. I would rather judge myself as worthless and deserving of death, than to face the evidence... but somehow I know I have to do it.
I know watching someone go through this process must be aggravating ... but this is just really, really hard and quite terrifying to be honest. I guess many of you know that.
but our situation is very difficult and quite high profile.... i was raised as a jw and my mother was very strict and abusive.
i got baptized at age 14.. my mother actually called on my (present) husband's mom in service.
she was on the initial call resulting in his mom coming in the truth and him being raised in it from about age 8 or 9.. despite a very abusive step-father, he followed his mom's lead and came into the truth.
To Saltyoldlady...
Thank you for your kindness and sincerity. I really appreciate it. I have made a note of the books you have mentioned... thank you for the suggestions.
And yes, my husband and I are very fortunate to have each other. I am very thankful and I know that at long as we are together we can get through anything.
My ex-husband (who has been a real jerk) texted me today. He told me the Great Tribulation is right around the corner and he practically begged me to come back to the Truth. So, despite the past, I at least appreciate his concern and like you said, maturity in wanting us to return.
Thank you.
i'd like to hear from anyone who was disfellowshipped but fully intended to go back as soon as possible and how that worked out or didn't.
i'd like to hear how soon you went back to meetings, how many letters requesting reinstatement you wrote, how you were treated, and how long it took you to get bitter and jaded.... or in the off chance you had a positive experience, what exactly happened.. really struggling here... thanks!.
To DiamondLiz
Yeah, my husband knows I come on this site. He is also a 'lurker' and he is really astounded by what he has been reading. When you're an active JW you tend to swallow things 'hook, line and sinker' and just go with the flow. We have talked a lot and thinking back we both admitted having pangs of doubt not too long before the sh*t hit the fan...
For me, I could not get my head around the whole blood fractions thing. To me, we either abstain from blood or we don't. Expecting regular people to do all this extra research and study to become experts on medical procedures seemed very odd to me. I've always known our beliefs to be straightforward and simple (besides the dates)... and that was the first time I EVER felt things were a little off.
For my husband, he said the whole generation thing did not sit well with him even back when he was an elder. Recently, we looked at a chart on one of the other sites that breaks down how many times the understanding has changed. I was shocked because I didn't even realize it had changed over time - and that many times? That is really troubling.
So we are doing research and reading lots of information. We recently watched the program on Fifth Estate about the child abuse scandals as well. We would never have dared to watch that before. It was all very upsetting and disturbing. We also recently read Barbara Anderson's story and also the story of Frank Kavelin.
We are working through everything and just trying to figure out where we stand... this is a very emotional time for both of us.
i'd like to hear from anyone who was disfellowshipped but fully intended to go back as soon as possible and how that worked out or didn't.
i'd like to hear how soon you went back to meetings, how many letters requesting reinstatement you wrote, how you were treated, and how long it took you to get bitter and jaded.... or in the off chance you had a positive experience, what exactly happened.. really struggling here... thanks!.
To Aquagirl....
I'm not worried about being found out.
I have always believed that Jehovah's Witnesses have the truth or are the 'real deal' as you put it. But how we have been treated feels very unloving. As I've said before, I came on this site innocently enough. I was trying to find someone who had experience dealing with a case like ours who might have some ideas for moving forward towards reinstatement. But the longer things are left the more discouraged we have grown. Then on top of it, some of the things I've been reading have clicked and honestly, neither me or my husband know what to think or even how to feel anymore.
I'm sorry if my hesitance to jump ship is frustrating to some of you but I need to do things at my own pace and in my own time.
i'd like to hear from anyone who was disfellowshipped but fully intended to go back as soon as possible and how that worked out or didn't.
i'd like to hear how soon you went back to meetings, how many letters requesting reinstatement you wrote, how you were treated, and how long it took you to get bitter and jaded.... or in the off chance you had a positive experience, what exactly happened.. really struggling here... thanks!.
To Mad Sweeney...
As I'm sure you know, this is quite a process we are going through. I am very interested in hearing other peoples experiences, thoughts, opinions and suggestions. Then I need time to process it and try to figure out where I stand.
Another member suggested reading some books - Escape, Stolen Innocence, Not My Idea of Heaven - and I got the books and am in the process of reading them. There are some startling comparisons and it has been very enlightening.
I wouldn't say I specifically came on this site asking for help... I am more interested in exploring things from another perspective and just getting opinions on what has taken place. As I'm sure you will agree, telling someone what they should do is not generally very successful. Whereas just sharing your own experiences and explaining what worked for you can be more productive and helpful. I guess what I mean is nobody can tell someone what they should do because nobody but the person in the circumstances can fully understand where the person is at and what is right for them.
So in answer to your questions I would say I am taking everyone's advice under consideration and I'm taking time to weigh it all out and figure out what's right for me.
for those that are still going to the meetings.what are they saying about eygpt, libya and tunisa and the labor protests in the united states and the increasing gas prices.are they all fired up with end times fodder.tell me your thoughts.
d.
Ha! I got a text message from my ex this morning telling me the Great Tribulation is coming and I better buckle down and get serious before it's too late. He told me to stop screwing around and that my life and the life of my baby is on the line.
but our situation is very difficult and quite high profile.... i was raised as a jw and my mother was very strict and abusive.
i got baptized at age 14.. my mother actually called on my (present) husband's mom in service.
she was on the initial call resulting in his mom coming in the truth and him being raised in it from about age 8 or 9.. despite a very abusive step-father, he followed his mom's lead and came into the truth.
I am going to order "Crisis of Conscience" tomorrow. I'm going off the big kid diving board and I'm just going to take the plunge!
Then I will look at the other book you mentioned. I also ordered the Bible Students book... "The Divine Plan of the Ages". I just want to read it and see what rings true.
Thanks to all of you.
It is painful... but coming to terms with what I have always believed NOT being "The Truth" is not anywhere near as painful as losing my family when I was disfellowshipped. If I can get through that, I know I can get through anything.
:)
