I just wanted to add that since I had stopped associating with JW's, the pressure, I felt while in the truth, just went away. So far, I have had no abnormal episodes for years, now. I don't know if there is a coralation but there is hope!
more2C
am i the only one here who's completely crazy?
got diagnosed bipolar earlier this year, broke the news to mother (staunch jw) and she just said it explained a lot.
thanks, ma, you can stop blaming yourself for me now!
I just wanted to add that since I had stopped associating with JW's, the pressure, I felt while in the truth, just went away. So far, I have had no abnormal episodes for years, now. I don't know if there is a coralation but there is hope!
more2C
am i the only one here who's completely crazy?
got diagnosed bipolar earlier this year, broke the news to mother (staunch jw) and she just said it explained a lot.
thanks, ma, you can stop blaming yourself for me now!
Welcome Chimpgirl!
I too, suffer from a bipolar disorder. I am very lucky because I have a mild form of it, and have responded well to medication. I find that the more educated I am about the illness the easier it is to live with it. Reading and participating on this message board has helped me a lot, too. You will find many different opinions on just about any topic. It is a great support group.
I can recommend the book, by Jerry R. Bergman, Ph.D. called:
Jehovah's Witnesses and the Problem of Mental Illness
I got my copy at Amazon.com
Looking forward to more of your posts,
more2C
i am new here, i found this website a few days ago and have not been able to stop reading it.
my father was a jehovah witness, as was his sister.
the worst treatment i have received anywhere in this world came from these two people.
I like your name Celebrate! You have many more things in life to celebrate...so it was a good name to pick.
more2C
i am new here, i found this website a few days ago and have not been able to stop reading it.
my father was a jehovah witness, as was his sister.
the worst treatment i have received anywhere in this world came from these two people.
Welcome (((((Celebrate))))
I am so glad you found the courage to share your story. Therapy helped me also. I found that the "truth" put so many extra pressures on to me. I didn't realize this until I drifted away, and found the peace and love from many of those that post on this board. I still am reminded how great the truth is from my JW parent which is always a struggle. I am glad you have found this site. It can be addicting but it is very theraputic.
Welcome! Looking forward in reading more of your posts.
more2C
i am a 4th generation witness (on both sides of the family) and indeed my entire family (save for the few who "fall away" in every family) are jehovah's witnesses.
my dad is an elder, my mom a regular pioneer and my two elder sisters the same.
my younger sister is 17 and still unbaptized, so therefore she is sort of a "black sheep" in our family and "spiritually weak" for not having already "taken the dip in the pool" (however, due to her overall open-minded nature, i am perhaps closest to her).
Welcome crownboy!
Thanks for sharing your story. I always enjoy reading new stories of how people realized the truth wasn't for them. I guess it reinforces the correct decision we made in life. I only make it to the KH for the memorial once a year to please my parents. I dread it every time.
more2C
this has taken a lot of courage to post.
my life with the jws has been one hardship after another.
i am sharing this to help others see that jws claim to be loving and forgiving people while they are not.
Hi Cassi,
Thank you so much for finding the courage to come forward with your story. I just cried reading it. Whether you realize it or not, you may have helped and given hope to others. You are a very courageous woman and I know that you will be able to overcome any other obstacles that may come your way. You are such an inspiration!
more2C
1969: i was still studying with the jws, attending meetings, and preparing for baptism.
one of the requirements was that i notify my previous religion, the roman catholic church where i was baptized as a baby in 1951, and demand they remove me from membership.. catholic policy: i wrote to my priest in southern california to follow-up on the jw requirement to write to the catholic church and demand removal.
but, unlike most churches, the catholic church never removes anyone from the membership.
I enjoyed reading your post, Amazing. I am so glad you got the chance and opportunity to reconnect with your former priest. Your story goes to prove that it is never too late, to ask for forgiveness.
So glad your story has a happy ending!
more2C
i've seen loads of live acts, back when i was a "young person asking" i watched the crystals, heinz, johnny kid and the pirates, brenda lee, joe brown and others all on one show.
so very innocent!.
come my eventual departure from dubdom, i resolved to see all these bad people playing their music live.
U2 -- Seeing Bono live was worth the four hour drive to Montreal to see them! Wow! What an excellent light show, too! It was so funny listening to the audience singing the english lyrics with a french accent.
more2C
as some of you may know i drifted from the jw's in 1990. i just started to research the jw doctrines in depth.
why did it take so long?
because i was afraid.
Hello Cassiline,
I agree with the others, that what you are feeling is quite normal. I drifted away in the 90's, also. There are many feelings that seem to crop up as part of the grieving process. Don't ever feel that you are alone. There are many people that have felt this way. The more educated you are about coping through this will definately help. There are many more books that deal with this. I can recommend Ray Franz's book Crisis of Conscience and I just started reading his second book. (It's a thick one!) Anyway, there are many stages of grieving because of what we have been through, and there are many more people on this board who can help you through this. Anger can definitely motivate you to turn something negative into something positive.
more2C
i just thought i'd drop a note.
i have been reading these boards for over 2 maybe 3 weeks, and a couple days ago registered.
even though i have never posted i feel like i know a lot of you already.
Welcome aboard! I have learned a lot by reading and posting here also. It can definately be addicting. I am still amazed how we can relate to each other by having been in the truth. We have so much in common. There are so many different stages that people here are going through. You can find various opinions on just about any topic. Welcome and I look forward to many of your posts.
more2C