Posts by LeslieV

69

A Letter from a disfellowshipped JW

by reneeisorym in

jw
friends

there was a disfellowshipped jw that came to the witness now for jesus convention in pennsylvania.

we all tried to show him the error of the jw way but he is just so blinded that he couldn't understand what the problem is with jws (can you believe it?!

) we tried until we were blue in the face and it seemed that with every step we went forward with him one day, we went back two the next.

LeslieV

I would say mental health issues.

Leslie

57

Met anyone Famous? What were they Like?

by Clam in

jw
friends

have you ever met and had chance to talk to someone "famous"?

maybe an actor, politician, musician?

if you have were they different from their public persona?

LeslieV

I met many in Manhattan at 9/11

Susan Sarandon - very kind

John Trovalta - Incredible to all there

Chris Rock - In Trauma when he looked around and saw the destruction

Harrison Ford - was seving breakfast to the firefighters....very concerned for them

I know there is more, but I would have to look at some of my old stuff to remember. Of course, Giulani he was the most amazing person..personally going to every person he could find to thank them for coming to his city.

Leslie

77

Why Can You See Through the Watchtower While Others Cannot?

by The wanderer in

jw
friends

why can you see through the watchtower while others cannot?

compared with the six million jehovahs witnesses worldwide the .

so-called apostates are comparatively much smaller.

LeslieV

Personally, I think there is many reasons:

1. Some of the teachings might not be true, but where else would I go? I still feel the need to have a spiritual life.

2. It appeals to those with self-esteem issues....God picked me to see the "truth." Pretty difficult to acknowledge that maybe it is not true when it makes you feel better about yourself.

3. It appeals to those with power and control issues. Look at the power I have over others, I am better than those "wordly people" that can not see the "truth." If I left I would lose the feeling of power I have over others.

4. We are raised with the belief that if you have a problem, even questioning the religion..it is your failure. YOU are not spiritual enough , YOU need to pray more, read more, preach more etc. So basically when you are always told that it is your failure after awhile YOU believe it. It is not the organization..it is YOU.

5. THE biggest is loosing all your family, support, friends for many of us is all we know. How do we fit into a world that we really do not know anything about. How do you make friends with "the world" when all your life you have been warned against it. How does a square peg fit into a round hole. That is how many of us feel. JMO

Leslie

53

SIMON IS 40 TODAY!!!

by bubble in

jw
friends

so simon, how are you?

have you launched into a mid life crisis or are you celebrating in style?.

hope you have a great day and ..... happy birthday to you.

LeslieV

Happy Birthday!!! Hope you have a great day, and receive lots of presents.

Leslie

36

On our way to PA!!!

by AuldSoul in

jw
friends

ice and snow flurries most of the way there, and bitterly cold ... but we are thrilled.. a bad day today thanks to my father.

thanks, dad!

your prayer didn't work.

LeslieV

Where in PA are you going? I live just 15 miles from the border. I live in Western NYS.

Leslie

40

hello...i've had enough

by GoTan in

jw
friends

i hope this finds everyone well.

i feel like i am doing something wrong but i really don't care anymore, i've had enough.

i am 4th generation, born 22 years ago and raised a witness and need out.

LeslieV

Geee Go seems like you are between a rock and hard place. Could your education be used moving away from Ireland? I hate to say that since Ireland is so beautiful, but doesn't seem to be an easy answer.

Take your time to make any decision. Remember it has taken years to be brainwashed, it takes time for your brain to be washed cleaned from the cults influence. I personally do not believe that anyone that has been in this controlling religion does not bear some kind of scars to prove they have been in the cult. Leaving is a process...do it in steps and it will not seem so overwhelming. We are here for you.

Leslie

28

Ok so this is it

by The salmon in

jw
friends

ive been "in the truth" ever since i was 6 years old when my mother was baptised in the late 70`s.

so i sort of got dragged along to the meetings and therin started the indoctrination that was to prove to be my undoing.

ive been reading this page for a while now and read some very slick posts from dissillusioned ex members.

LeslieV

Welcome Salmon!!!!!!!!!! You have great insight, and tons of courage. Please keep coming back, and tell us the Rest of the Story. Good Luck we are here for you.

Leslie

40

hello...i've had enough

by GoTan in

jw
friends

i hope this finds everyone well.

i feel like i am doing something wrong but i really don't care anymore, i've had enough.

i am 4th generation, born 22 years ago and raised a witness and need out.

LeslieV

Welcome to the board. If you live at home it would be almost impossible to stop without living the consequences of that decision. If you do have an education, hopefully you have a job that will support you. Find an apartment that you can afford out of the KH that you attend now. It really is alittle easier away from those that know you well. Offer to work 2nd or 3rd shift if available. Keeps you out of the KH. Leave alittle at a time. The most important thing is you have to go at a pace that you can live with. Remember no matter what anyone tells you..it is your life.

Good luck and keep coming back.

Leslie

19

So long, and thanks for all the kids...

by Paralipomenon in

jw
friends

i recently remembered this jw rumor that went circulating around when i was younger.

two sisters call on a door in service and is confronted by an obviously demon possessed individual.

(the details always changed, floating lamps, speaking in tongues, the usual folklore) sensing a disturbance in the force the younger sister leaves but the older pioneer sister stays determined to give her witness.

LeslieV

I had forgotten, but now I remember that story as well. Geeee it is hard to believe that we were so sucked in by insanity.

Leslie

79

In Memorandum

by RichieRich in

jw
friends

it was the 14th of april last year that i had to sit my mother down and tell her i was an apostate.. i was closer to her than anyone else.

my father and mother are still married, but he let her raise me as a witness, and that meant it was me and mom.. me and mom in field service for 100 hours in july because she had to make her time as a regular pioneer.. me and mom fighting over what to bring for lunch to the district convention.. me and mom up late at night, when she would berate me, and then unload all her problems on to me.. me and mom and our 4 hour family studies, where we discuss 2 paragraphs of a random book, and then she would browbeat me until early in the morning.. somehow, through all that, i pretended to be a witness for years, just to appease her.

looking back, i don't know if i loved her, or if i was just afraid of her.

LeslieV

I have to agree with everyone here that your words were very moving. You have exibited courage and strength to be able to go on with life with what you experienced as a young child. One thing I am sure from reading your post...You will NEVER treat your children in this manner. It is one leason your mother taught you. Good Luck in all that you do. You are a good person.

Leslie