FT:
hey, good afternoon. I have an honest & sincere question for you:
i noticed you refer to some of the teachings that they've abandoned as "wacky." About 8 years ago, I was struggling with some of the "wackiness" as well as we were covering the Revelation book for book study. 8 years ago, 2007, I was home alone and I lurked on this forum as well as a few "apostate" YouTube channels in an effort to see if I could defend the wackiness. Several really good points were made that justified my doubts, but, I noticed a few posts & comments that confirmed my bias about exJWs. For example, lots of anger, snark, profanity, etc. it really made me uncomfortable & I ran back to my "spiritual life" in an attempt to wash all the muck away.
...BUT... even as offended as I was, the few good points that I'd read stayed with me. My last ditch effort to cling to god's chariot was pitiful. I could not suppress or ignore the facts I'd discovered--even if the delivery was unsavory for my pure JW eyes. The point is, SOMETHING brought me here that very first time. Although initially turned off, I came back here even after sincere efforts to boost my involvement in the organization.
SOMETHING brought YOU here too. My question to you is, WHAT? Why are you breaking a rule that could put you into a judicial committee by not only viewing this forum but also joining & posting? I get it that when you read some members' choice of language & tone that it can be a culture shock, but realize that some of us are irreparably hurt. Some of us have been out for decades & simply talk like regular folks do now. I highly suggest you focus on the "WHAT" that brought you here in the first place and just ignore the posts that make you uncomfortable.
if you're here for a reason, if you believe some things are "wacky," focus on THAT, not us. Otherwise, you may over-correct like I did and suffer very unpleasant symptoms of cognitive dissonance by ignoring the underlying issue that's bothering you about the organization. My rebound cost an extra 2 years of unnecessary guilt, fear and lying to myself and everyone else.
you may just need a break. Get off this forum, don't watch YouTube videos and ALSO don't read any WT material either; take a break from all of it and research specific topics at your local library. See what scholars, scientists, historians and archeologists have to say & forget all this drama for awhile. If you have the truth, it WILL endure scrutiny. Go out and confirm that for yourself away from exJW AND current JW bias.
im still a JW, btw (for many reasons), so I can empathize with your viewpoint. But for real, take a break from BOTH sides and research your issues yourself. I promise it will improve your situation.
keep us posted on your progress too. Most of us really do care, even if we don't agree. We all want the same thing: truth. So go out there & get it! Good luck :)