i am not, nor ever have been, a witness.
i have a very dear friend who is a former (actually still is technically, as i understand it) witness and who is trying to adjust to existence in the "world.
" i am here on this site to better understand the hell she has been subjected to all her life and the hell she is and will still go through on her journey.
Erasescars,
Your friend is truly blessed to have a friend like you :-)
Hang in there with her- she's been through alot. What "outsiders" don't realize, the BS they feed you when your "in" is that if you ever leave, there is NO hope for you, since the witnesses are the one & only direct link to god. If your friend is on this site, then she will find help & guidance, as will you, if you continue to read & educate yourself.
Wishing you & your friend much happiness,
Melissa :-)
i noticed that in september 2001 there was a change in the contact adress in the jw literature.. for example, awake!
september 8th, 2001 says on page 5: would you welcome more information?
write watch tower at the appropriate adress.
FIRE DRAGON & AMAZING- Thanks for the information. I've been curious for some time- but didn't want to probe my mother much- since every question I ask is followed by about 10 hours of preaching. MUCH easier getting the answers here. THANKS :-)
i noticed that in september 2001 there was a change in the contact adress in the jw literature.. for example, awake!
september 8th, 2001 says on page 5: would you welcome more information?
write watch tower at the appropriate adress.
Speaking of changes, why are they no longer mailing out subscriptions? My mom told me its so people APPRECIATE them, the cost of mailing, blah blah blah- and so only active people get them. My sister said it is probably cause Apostates keep getting them- and pointing out errors. Just curious WHY they are stopping. I have thrown mine away for 2 years without even opening them, so no great loss here! :-) ANYONE?
well i had a surprise yesterday.
i received a phone call from an old witness friends daughter.i used to watch her a lot and she was almost like one of my own.
her mom had emotional problems and wasn't too fond of kids.
This is a hard one- on one hand, I wish someone had guided me out earlier. On the other hand, just like someone who needs to diet, but doesn't until the time is right, maybe her time isn't right yet. That would just sever your ties, and cause hard feelings. There are ways to question someone, in efforts to help them, or show them the other flip side of the coin. I guess you gotta ask yourself- how much would she lose & how much would she gain? She has a daughter to think about now, too. Nice she has another "mom" to lean on. She trusts you. Personally, I am MUCH happier out. I would LOVE to "save" my mom, yet she is SOO happy in, and has her support group, etc, and would be TOTALLY lost without it. So, it works for her very well. So, I wouldn't try to talk her out. Its a personal thing. I was NEVER happy in- and miserable. If this lady is happy with her new found renewed interests, let her enjoy it. Most likely will be short lived.
so, whats the straw that broke the camels back in your life?
what was the final last straw that made you say thats it- no more?
i have so many-for 15 years i kept getting that last straw-and trying to ignore it- but i think the last straw was when my dad died- everyone kept (keeps) giving me the line of bs about never seeing him again unless i go to meetings.
AHHHHHH- thanks for the information! Will get a lawyer on retainer tomorrow- lol! :-) Course, I did like the comment someone wrote about streaking with I QUIT on their butt-lol. I always thought it would be cool for someone who still had priveledges (man- what a crock) to get up front to do a part then start saying negatives :-) But, us "sisters" don't have a lot of room. I guess to me- I think it would be fun to sit at the meeting and when they said anything- like a public talk- say- yeah, right- out loud- a bunch of times till they kicked you out, but you'd have to attend to do that- not worth it :-)
i always hear at least two stories a year about someone i know who's left the "truth" goes back despite the trauma surrounding their departure.
this morning i heard yet another story.
a few years ago and elder's wife in my former uk congregation abruptly left the organization, surprising everyone and getting a big df in the process.
Zenpunk- If you are asking for everyones two cents worth- here is mine, no charge :-) I think that people go back- not to be FULLY active, but to not be shunned & to have some sort of ties left. I know I went back- because my family- I got reinstated to take label off- then never went back. As far as the airplane story- that would shock ANYONE! That would draw 99.9% of people to GOD. Yes, go back to GOD- but not in the Witness organization. Find him without all the BS & GUILT. The witnesses are a cult- and once you get near- it is like a vacuum- they suck you in- and after awhile- you believe it all again. Find god- pray to god- thank him for saving your life. But, realize you left for a reason, you know it is not the ONLY direct line to GOD. Pray for guidance. He will show you. Best wishes-MELISSA
i was only here before to chat with you, but i didn't tell my story.
i want to share it with you now and i would love to here your opinion.. my name is tamara and live in chile.
i was very young when i had many questions about life and god.
Tamara- That is where the witnesses mess you up- your last sentence- can I still talk to god- YES YES YES YES! He is there for EVERYONE!! Sinners are the ones who need him the most! Who of us is perfect? NOONE! Jesus died for ALL of our sins. We just have to confess them & repent & try to live the best lives WE can- not what an organization tells us- otherwise, it is OUR conscience that stops us, or someone elses? Living in fear of reprocussions from an ORGANIZATION is no good. The ONLY person you need to worry about is GOD- make it right with him, and all will go well. BEST WISHES! MElissa
i have been a lurker for quite some time now (3 years maybe), and i vist the site a few times every couple of months.
however, a situation has presented itself and i need to talk to someone.
my "story" from 3 years ago is posted on http://www.jwfiles.com/jws-leaving/paul.html for some background info (i'm 26 now).
HI! So sorry to hear about your situation. Everyone has a story- and each one has its own twists. First of all, your dad will face no reprocussions, since you don't live at home- his "status" won't be challenged. Second of all, since you have NO desire to be a witness, but want to not be disfellowshipped, you can lie your a** off & say it was the first time & you're so sorry & repent- and be PRIVATELY reproved- which only means you can't answer. (Like that's a priveledge. Third, you can adopt the baby out to me :-) My husband & I just came back from trying to adopt a month ago- talk about heart ache! ESPECIALLY after ESCAPING from the organization, I want to raise a child, NORMAL, without all the witness bs & guilt & crap. I wish you luck in all you do- and yes, I know how you feel. I was disfellowshipped, got reinstated just to take the label off- so my family COULD talk to me- although having them NOT be able to wasn't all bad.....lol- but now, my mom told me when you get disfellowshipped, its an automatic YEAR of regular meeting attendance to get back in- so I know I could NEVER do that- so if I get out- its forever. Good luck. Keep writing & posting & talking- it really does help. Oh, and if you want to adopt your baby out to a wonderful couple in Iowa- let me know :-)
it was one year ago today, that i mailed my disassociation letter.
i had postponed my da'ng to spend months (many sleepless) gathering research to help "rescue" my jw friend of 26 years.
i called her finally on june 30. turns out, she could have cared less.
Congratulations! The few, the proud, the Ex WItnesses :-)
so, whats the straw that broke the camels back in your life?
what was the final last straw that made you say thats it- no more?
i have so many-for 15 years i kept getting that last straw-and trying to ignore it- but i think the last straw was when my dad died- everyone kept (keeps) giving me the line of bs about never seeing him again unless i go to meetings.
CC-RYDER- that is a VERY sad story about your wife & you. Just curious, had you contacted a lawyer- what would be your BIG BANG out? :-) Since I am not DA'ed or DF'ed- and now attending church- I wonder if they find out- what will happen-wouldn't mind suggestions :-) The more I read & post on here- the more bitter I get- so might want to go out with a big bang as well! :-)
SpiderMonkey- do you know how many times I wanted to say NO to starting a meeting with a prayer? EVERYTIME they come- they say that- and inside I always say NO- but never voiced it! A few months ago- I was over at my moms house- the elders were doing a shepherding call on my sister who lives in the same apartment complex as my mom. They saw my car- so came & stopped at my moms. They TRIED to witness to me- and share a few scriptures- I went about what I was doing- then they said- can we say a prayer with you? I looked at my mom- who knew I wasn't happy- she had her BEGGING eyes= PLEASE DONT STIR UP TROUBLE- so they started a prayer- and when they opened their eyes- after a long 3 hour prayer of preaching (could have been like 3 minutes- but you know how time stops) I was out the door. I went & drove away.
My mom has continued to talk to me- but the a couple of weeks ago- my brother- "OH, THE ELDER" stopped to see my mom- and said she was putting nails in my coffin- and told her what her conscience should allow- so she stopped talking to me for a few days- then started again-but is afraid my brother will find out. My god- this woman is 55- and is afraid of getting caught. What a crock. Too bad they can't see it.
