So,we joined a cosplay group.Today, we all dressed like pirates and raided the Krispy Kreme and Long John Silvers. We got to sing, act and entertain children. Everyone is so nice and it's so much fun.We are able to support many different charities.We have also been able to redefine the words 'meeting' and 'convention'.
notalone
JoinedPosts by notalone
-
3
Talk like a pirate
by notalone inso,we joined a cosplay group.today, we all dressed like pirates and raided the krispy kreme and long john silvers.
we got to sing, act and entertain children.
everyone is so nice and it's so much fun.we are able to support many different charities.we have also been able to redefine the words 'meeting' and 'convention'.
-
-
-
47
here i am
by notalone ini was a 4th gen born in.my adult children were the 5th.
my mother was one of the newly'anointed' we have all left.
i have been lurking since october.i was really too terrified someone would find out who i was and what would happen.well we are out now so here is a part of my story.
-
-
notalone
okay, now you have totally blown my mind.I am just one of so, so many. Those who are leaving and facing family opposition, those who will truly be alone, those who gave up having a family for the 'good news' ,those are the stories that have far more value. These stories are each and every one a story that is continuing. From my heart to each of you, those who post and those who lurk and those who may just be looking for the first time, you are valuable and your story important, even if no one ever hears it. I want you to know deep down YOU are important.
-
5
LifesNotOver - Part Two
by LifesNotOver inthanks for your welcomes so far.
just so you know, i have been on here before as "thereishope".
that was my first username here a month or so ago.
-
-
notalone
Not in my 70's yet but I can't wait. I don't know how the elderly are viewed where you live, but here they have a measure of respect and can get away with almost everything. They just think your a little dotty and will smile and treat you with kindness.. I fully intend to use that to the full. Take yoga and dancing classes.Go to art fairs. I am going to wear a tiara and fuzzy slippers everywhere. State opinions, though not offensive, to anyone I meet. Play practical jokes and if I find myself in a motorized wheelchair get a colorful bicycle flag and a 'general lee' horn ( check out dukes of hazzard) and come up behind peole and say- "Yee Haa!!".
-
4
LifesNotOver - Part Three
by LifesNotOver ini just lost another long post - husband walked in!
this is very frustrating, but not your problem, it's mine!.
i was writing about how i was non-religious my entire life until my mid-fifties when i was nabbed!
-
-
notalone
I have some advise on losing a post, at my husband's suggestion I write my longer posts in word then transfer them.
-
2
How to organize to support people transitioning out of the JWs
by Zef ini've been watching escaping polygamy (a show where a group of people help people get out of lds polygamist organizations) and have been thinking a lot about how one could organize to assist jws fleeing.. would love to start a discussion on what would be needed, how it would work and the problems one would have to overcome.. brief outline of services to provide.
1. community: i think most here would agree, that family/friends are a primary reason why people stay in despite no longer believing.
no way to replace that, but providing a group of supportive ex-jw's to share experiences, hangout, do worldly activities with :) could go a long way to make a former jw transition easier.
-
-
notalone
I think this is a wonderful idea, but as you are aware many witnesses never became professionals, but we may have some personal experience in these areas.( I believe being an ex-witness gives an important prospective) I f there were a few professionals who could oversee things with volunteers in different areas you could probably get more bang for the buck.
-
47
here i am
by notalone ini was a 4th gen born in.my adult children were the 5th.
my mother was one of the newly'anointed' we have all left.
i have been lurking since october.i was really too terrified someone would find out who i was and what would happen.well we are out now so here is a part of my story.
-
-
notalone
Wow, I mean wow. I am humbled and grateful for all of you. When I finally decided to post I had a lot of anxiety, in fact I didn't even tell my family until it was up. Yesterday when we got home and I pulled up this site I didn't know what to expect- this was not it. I read out every post to my family. We were profoundly touched. As my daughter said “ We were always told 'witnesses are the nicest people in the world' but it turns out it's ex-witnesses.” To all of you who in your kindness have reached out , Thank You!
Now there have been some questions that I want to address so I will do my best while trying to not give out information that would compromise anything.
1, As to how many in my family have left. None of my husband's or my siblings are associating any longer or are ever going to return. My mother has left. We also have some other relatives who on there own have followed the same course. This would be three generations that are spread out.
2.As to the perpetrator, a legal course was taken to protect many for a very long time. He also has another pending case as well as is a person of interest in another incident. My daughter will never see him again.
3.As to my daughter, we continue to get the help she needs. She is now surrounded by people who have shown the value and support her no matter what and that goes a long way.
4.As to the questions regarding 'the revoking of our implied invitation'. There was not public display. There was no vandalism. In fact the only ones who were involved was the perpetrator and the elder who was violating the restraining order. The police were called. This was near the hall but did not occur on the property. There was no meeting at the time. The elder told us directly that he “was not under man's law.”
5.As to the elders harassing us., due to the nature of a now in effect court order and their previous actions they are not to contact us or seek information about us.
6.love cuddly atheists!
7.JW daughter- I will always have room for another sister.
I am sorry I didn't get back sooner we had a little trouble with the internet and I am NOT computer savvy.
I welcome any private messages and I am very experienced with helping those with suicidal thoughts and mental health problems ( though not a professional. I have contributed to a book on bi-polar) . Once again thank you.
-
-
-
notalone
I'm a Kevin and I'm okay...I sleep in on Saturday.
-
47
here i am
by notalone ini was a 4th gen born in.my adult children were the 5th.
my mother was one of the newly'anointed' we have all left.
i have been lurking since october.i was really too terrified someone would find out who i was and what would happen.well we are out now so here is a part of my story.
-
-
notalone
Okay, I am actually doing this. I was a 4th gen born in. My adult children were the 5th. My mother was one of the newly'anointed' We have all left. I have been lurking since October.I was really too terrified someone would find out who I was and what would happen.Well we are out now so here is a part of my story. PLEASE, I am still a person of faith so please don't attack this in the responses.I accept those who are atheists, agnostic,Muslim,Jew,Mormon, Hindu Buddhist and evangelicals .
It all started when my daughter came forward with an accusation of molestation within the congregation.First, we went to a specialized therapist and gave a vague warning to all the parents in the congregation. When she was ready we went to the police. Then we went to the elders. I am a strong willed person who reads and researches everything. I NEVER just accept what I am told. Though we were told we were believed., nothing was done. At every step they would say well if we just had such and such then we could do something. So we brought medical records, other victims, eyewitnesses at a hotel with another minor, sexual paraphernalia.Then they told us we had to sit in the hall with this person,and we could tell no one.They started horrible false rumors. Then we received death threats from the perpetrator. We went to the police. We got a restraining order. The elders did not follow it and in fact helped the perpetrator violate it. This was reported to the police. We were told if we continued with this legal case our" implied invitation to attend the hall would be revoked".I had never herd of such a thing. I looked through all the literature- nothing. I asked for the articles concerning 'revoked invitation'- nothing. Here was when things changed. I did the unspeakable and looked up this term on the internet. I was still scared so was very careful. I had also began looking up news articles about jw's. This was last summer then I found ARC. I sat there screaming at the computer. I had thought everything was local, now my universe collapsed. It was everywhere. What was happening to my family was carefully directed by the org. I started to research everything. I came to this site. I started to join but chickened out but, I did keep reading. every book, elders letter, experience .Through this site I found Beorean Pickets. This was helpful. Through all this painful process we have managed to come out as a complete family including my anointed mother. The cult has had a hold on my family since Russell but now we have all left.
-
60
New Here ... Just woke up
by Sevan inhey all, .
this is my first post.
i haven't been out in service or to a meeting in over a month.. i realize now that i've been having serious questions for years and many articles and talks have greatly disturbed me over the years.
-
-
notalone
Congratulations, my family woke up last fall. we have managed to all come out together including my 'anointed ' mother. We have not turned in time 7 months as of July. So I am going to be very honest about things. First,, talk to no one..Have all communication be through emails or text ( wriitten proof of everything and it gives you time to be very vague in your responses). Say you are having trouble keeping everything in order and that this will allow you to take time and answer clearly. If you see someone in the store say your doing fine but really have to go. Send an email to all elders in your congregation stating that you want all future conversations through email or written letters. If they do not follow this ( they won't so be careful to not get baited into verbal conversations) have a lawyer send a 'cease and desist letter'. We just sent our letter last month. A friend told us that bethel told them not to contact us any further.Assume everyone will be quick to turn on you. Assure any concerned persons you are okay and that you will let them know if you need help. There won't be as many as you might expect. Next, you are going to go through the grieving process. Disbelief, anger, bargaining and finally acceptance. Try new things, explore life and love. See all the abundance around you. One day you will wake up really happy and you will know you are truly free.
ps if you still want to believe the bible check out beroean pickets at http://meletivivlon.com/
This has helped my family reason and undo all kinds of things that they put into our minds.
-
20
It won’t be much longer now.
by Tameria2001 ina couple weeks back my husband got a phone call from his brother, whom he hasn’t spoken to in nearly 17 years.
well i take that back, he did speak to him at the family reunion, asking him to leave.
my husband basically told him to f off, he would leave when he’s darn good and ready, but he didn’t use the word darn.
-
-
notalone
Ok, I first joined as our family was waking up,but I have not had the courage to actually post- until now. First, I am so sorry that your family did not give you the love and support you deserve,but I am glad that this was able to help you see real truth and to find out who really loves you. I think the object is to rattle them to their core. You don't want to feed into their paranoia about the outside world, instead undermine all they hold dear. I know for many years when family spoke about disfellowshiped ones they would always say,"They know it's the truth." So in your situation I would find the biggest cross I could find, preferably with alot of bling, dress in a black pantsuit, and carry a large King James Bible.Stand near the sign in book with your aunt ( don't just run to your seat like a scolded puppy). If you feel really adventurist, shout a nice Hallelujah at the end of the prayer.