Tell us a little about yourself and your family.
.My
Dad was conned into being a Jobot when his life fell apart.
Were you a born in or a
convert?
.Born
in, sadly.
Are your parents / family
JWs?
.Mum
is still officially a Jobot. My step sister is officially a Jobot….beyond that,
I lost touch.
How many generations have
been JWs?
.2
Did you hold any position
in the WTS? (MS, Elder etc...)
.MS
then Elder
Did you *really* believe
in the bible, in spirits (angels, demons)?
.When
I was a fully hypnotised Jobot, yes.
Did you get baptised? When
and why?
.Yes.
1973 because I wanted to get girlfriends in the Jobot world.
What was the initial
trigger that made you start questioning things?
.When
I was an Elder, the 7 day appeal period against ‘Jehovah’s™ infallible decision
for Judicial comitees.
Where did you find
information? Internet sites? Books?
.Apostate™
leaflets at first. Then the internet.
How difficult or painful
was the process of leaving?
.Excruciating.
It tore me apart. Then the wife left because the Elders (one who wanted to have
sex with her, at least), told her she must leave me and the kids.
Was it a big dramatic exit
or a careful quiet fade?
Both.
I just said I wasn’t going back to meetings and the Jobots made it dramatic.
Did you convince anyone
else to leave with you?
.Nope.
How were your family
relations affected by your decision?
.See
above. The wife left and smote the family asunder. It was dreadful.
Were you or are you still
being shunned by those who didn't leave?
.Probably.
I don’t much care now. I never see them.
How long have you now been
out?
13
years.
Was there anything you
looked forward to doing when you left?
True
religion. What a pratt I was!!
What are you most proud of
achieving since you left?
Meh..Nothing.
It’s all been a waste of time. Perhaps that I play in one of the top local rock
bands in this area?
Is there anything you miss
about life in the congregation?
Sleeping
at CONventions.
Red pill or blue pill? Do
you regret waking up to reality at all?
Both
but at least I’m authentic even if I’m not getting my leg over anymore
Did you become an atheist
or transfer your faith elsewhere?
All
over the place with it. Still can’t settle.
How do you now feel about
religion in general?
It’s
good in some ways in the sense of community but dangerous in a tribal sense.
Do you feel any guilt
celebrating xmas or birthdays or doing any other JW "no-no"s?
.I
still don’t really celebrate them. More out of habit than choice
Have you attended any
face-to-face meetups of ex-JWs?
.Yes.
A few. Some on here have met me and I them,
Describe your circle of
friends - mostly other ex-JWs or regular people?
.No
circle of friends. I’m pretty much a loner apart from a couple of chaps in the
band I play in.
Do you tell people about
your JW past?
It
rarely if ever comes up. Mostly, no.
Do you feel animosity or
pity toward current JWs?
I
feel nothing.
How do you respond to
witnesses when they call at your door?
I’m
a ‘do not call’.
Storm the barricades or
tend to the wounded? (do you favor activism or support)
You
spelled ‘favour’ wrong. Ho ho ho. I don’t do anything concerned with Jobots
anymore.
What do you think is the
most effective approach to reaching people still in?
.I
neither know nor care anymore. But I’d say, let them be. If they want to waste
their time giving money to Watchtower™ so that TOMO the turd can remain drunk
and protect paedophiles, that’s up to them.
Do you think the WTS can
or should be destroyed, will continue on as-is or grow / change?
.It
doesn’t matter what I think. There are so many people fooled by it that it’ll
continue to provide little boys and booze for the Governing body to abuse
How has your life been
impacted by your JW past?
.It’s
a total and utter wasteland
Are there things in your
life you blame the WTS for?
.Yes.
I never got to shag loads of women
JW upbringing - a
protection or a curse?
.Absolute
curse of the lowest order
How do you fill your time
now it's not filled with meetings and field service?
.I
don’t. I spend time with the grand kids. I gig with a rock band. But it all
feels so hollow
Do you still have an
interest in JW beliefs and doctrines?
.Not
an interest. I just laugh and sneer at them
How much of your time is
still spent on JW related matters?
.Only
when I check in here for fun
What do you think of the
ex-JW community?
.They’re
just people. I don’t see it as a ‘community’. Just a bunch of people that might
talk once in a blue moon
Do you see yourself still
being associated with the ex-JW community in 5 or 10 years time?
.I’ll
probably look in here from time to time but above that, bugger all, really
Do you fear the future?
.No.
What advice would you give
to anyone starting the journey of leaving the WTS?
.Keep
a low profile and don’t jump from one load of sh1t to another. Stay calm and
don’t get caught up in anything. It’s all just people attention seeking the
same as celebrities and politicians
What would you change in
your life if you could go back and talk to yourself?
.Shag
loads of women
Do you have any regrets
about life since you left?
.I
don’t really feel I have a life I did
Can we read your
life-story anywhere? (links to online or books)
I
did have a book on Amazon but I deleted it when I lost interest in all things
Jobot. Here is about the only place left where my stories are