HI! This is a very intersting post! YES YES YES- I only found out recently how much the Witnesses changed the bible. I had no idea! There are SO many things that I took as truth- but man- now that I look into it- wow- what a world of difference! AND, I always was afraid to say things that were "APOSTATE" and chose my words carefully- only to find out the TRUE meaning of Apostacy is saying there is no GOD. If we were born into the faith & never questioned it- was it really our faith? I "became" a witness by my parents studying when I was 5. So, it was just old hat- NEVER questioned it- then one day when I did- WOW! NO WAY! Our minds become "dull" and just go with it- but once we take off the blinders- don't you wonder how you EVER believed ANY of it?!?! This website is the best therapy I have ever had. Had I found it in 1995- maybe I wouldn't have had two suicide attempts, and over $8000 in therapy bills. VERY HELPFUL!
Perfection Seeker
JoinedPosts by Perfection Seeker
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10
Confusion / A Thorny Thought
by Xandria ina thorny thought.
growing up in the jw religion (if you can call it that) was soo confusing.
the terror tactics have left scars on my sisters, brother and myself.
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No honorable way out
by Perfection Seeker ini am sitting here reading posts & trying to decide how to leave the organization.
i really left years ago- but three years ago got reinstated because my dad was dying of cancer- and needed to be around him.
(great reason, eh?
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Perfection Seeker
Thank you so much for your VERY helpful advice! Unfortunately- we just built a house & live 15 minutes from my family & the hall I grew up in. They have me pegged! I have had this talk with my mother- in fact I just told her yesterday the best thing about being disfellowshipped was not being in her claws & grasp & under her constant guilt. My mother NEVER lets up. The congregation has pretty much let me go- I mean- if i see them, some shun me- since I was reinstated then stopped going. Some try to encourage me- but for the most part- it is my mother. She is not a healthy mother- if you don't email her in the morning & at night- she has a hissy fit- and doesn't mind showing it! I've been to two therapists- and both have said it is not healthy how she is with her children. (I am married, 33 years old- still she "mothers" me) AND, I never brought up the witness stuff to either therapist- so they didn't even know the WHOLE story! My mother KNOWS how I feel- I told her the other day that I have a better relationship now than I did for 28 years sitting at the KH! She just can't get it through her head. My husband says stop trying to justify yourself to her, but this woman is powerful & knows all the buttons to push! My husband is pretty much here to stay with his job- but if he ever loses it- we will be SO far out of here- we'll leave tread marks across 3 states to get out of here! :-) The WHOLE problem is my dad died two years ago- so my ENTIRE family says "Dont you want to see your father again?" That pushes MAJOR buttons- and they know it. Sounds like from this board that time is the key- takes time to distance yourself, and time to figure out your own mental health is important, and not live a lie. I always tell my husband going to another church, and being HAPPY, but not be able to tell your family & be PROUD of FINDING god- its like being "in the closet" so to speak. Its hard- but for THEIR own good I don't tell them. It is all so sad. So many lives ruined. Since my ENTIRE family- over 40 members are ALL witnesses- do I "ruin" (or so they say) a "happy" family & tear them apart- to do what ONE of me needs & wants- or just go with the flow to please ALL of them? Its a no win situation but after over 15 years of wanting to leave- this website has given me MUCH strength & help. For that I am SO grateful! (Pass around the collection plate- I'm in! LOL) Thanks again! MElissa
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Run into ANYONES hands!
by Perfection Seeker in.
nevermind :-)edited by - perfection seeker on 27 june 2002 23:53:22.
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Perfection Seeker
Nevermind :-)
Edited by - perfection seeker on 27 June 2002 23:53:22
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6
MY ANNIVERSARY!!
by starfish422 intoday is 9 years since i made my stand against the oppression.
in celebration, i offer my favourite song by sloan (for you non-canucks, a great canadian band from halifax, nova scotia).
i sing this song at the top of my lungs when it comes on the radio, because i know how much my father would hate it.
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Perfection Seeker
Can't wait to be able to post a "9 year" posting in here :-)
CONGRATS
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14
No honorable way out
by Perfection Seeker ini am sitting here reading posts & trying to decide how to leave the organization.
i really left years ago- but three years ago got reinstated because my dad was dying of cancer- and needed to be around him.
(great reason, eh?
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Perfection Seeker
Thanks to all who have replied. LOTS of information to absorb. I VERY much appreciate the time & words. :)
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14
No honorable way out
by Perfection Seeker ini am sitting here reading posts & trying to decide how to leave the organization.
i really left years ago- but three years ago got reinstated because my dad was dying of cancer- and needed to be around him.
(great reason, eh?
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Perfection Seeker
Ever notice the people on this website, even though "strangers" are more supportive than any "friend" you ever had in the congregation? Thanks so much for your posts. This website is the first, and last, and about 50 times in between- thing I do each day. Only found it a few days ago- but already feel I am pulling "strength" out of it to help on the journey ahead. Thanks so much.
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14
No honorable way out
by Perfection Seeker ini am sitting here reading posts & trying to decide how to leave the organization.
i really left years ago- but three years ago got reinstated because my dad was dying of cancer- and needed to be around him.
(great reason, eh?
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Perfection Seeker
I am sitting here reading posts & trying to decide how to leave the organization. I really left years ago- but three years ago got reinstated because my dad was dying of cancer- and needed to be around him. (Great reason, eh?) I have slowly faded- probably only gone to 5 meetings since I got reinstated. I thought I could quietly fade- no label, still see family, but the constant barage of 'FRIENDS' who stop on Saturday to try to encourage me, and my family emailing & calling trying to get me to go to meetings, and the constant GUILT that gets associated with it- I just want it over. It is almost better being disfellowshipped- then they can't get their claws into you! Too bad you can't just say- hey- I am not interested- you just can't. You have to be disfellowshipped or disassociate yourself to make a clean break. I wrote THREE letters today to the local body of elders- asking to be disassociated- but deleted them all. I don't know which is worst- the DAILY emails & calls from family full of guilt, but still being in touch- or the once & for all over with! Just got an email from my mother saying "You don't love Jehovah" I get so tired of defending myself. I hate it. There is no honorable way out, is there? Even if SOMEHOW you make a break- there is still guilt & mind control for years. All because you get babtized. Wow.
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30
HOLY CRAP JWS at my door!!!!!
by LDH inok, they caught me off guard.
two young men.
they said, "hello we're bible students in the neighborhood with the latest issues of the watchtower and awake.".
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Perfection Seeker
PS- when I was going door to door- if I said- "I'll stop back later" or if someone asked me to- it could be a week, or that month- I never stopped back same day- were they just there today? Don't hold your breath. Probably won't even be same couple that stopped.
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HOLY CRAP JWS at my door!!!!!
by LDH inok, they caught me off guard.
two young men.
they said, "hello we're bible students in the neighborhood with the latest issues of the watchtower and awake.".
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Perfection Seeker
HI! What is the sheet or points you are going to use when the witnesses come back? Would LOVE amunition to use against my mother. But, don't get your hopes up, as usual, if you start making a point with them, or they aren't getting anywhere with you- they will either change the subject or excuse themselves. Nice try- and great if it makes you feel better- but YEARS of programming won't let them be "misled' by someone at the door- trying to witness to them! I am so frustrated with TRYING to "Talk" (ARGUE) the bible with my mother- she always says "Its a mystery" if she doesn't know the answer or "Just believe." Or it takes faith- or would I lead you astray! PLEASE! Now I see why children move miles & miles away from their families! I am stuck here, because of my husbands job- just 15 minutes from the KH & ALL My family & "friends' of witnesses. There is no escape! BUT, if you guys do know of a sheet of arguments or points- PLEASE share it with me- I'll try ANYTHING! P.S. Because I am not dissed- and live in the territory- and my WHOLE family are witnesses- I get two car groups EACH Saturday. They really never try to witness- just ask what my problem is- ooh & aw over my beautiful house (just built) and my new Mercedes- but I am sure they are thinking "She is so worldy & materialistic" Then don't stop! :-)
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TERMINOLOGY
by Perfection Seeker infor those of you who have successfully left the organization, how long till the "terminology" leaves?
you know "the truth" "worldly" "the brotherhood" etc.
just curious how long till i'm cured :-)
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Perfection Seeker
Divorce is a good example! Even when you leave a spouse when it is for the "best" you have memories, ties, etc. That is a great example! Thanks!