Thank you Deborah Dykstra for all your hard work in getting this book published. You persisted through the difficulties and the criticisms. Many will now benefit from your efforts.
My deepest sympathies on the loss of your dear husband.
Thanks also to Mike & Kim for getting the word out that this book is available.
in my case; 27 years.
7 of which were as a ministerial serpent ... sorry, i mean 'servant' ;).
From age 5 to 27. Not to mention all the years spent undoing the damage.
knocked on a door on a saturday morning.
a window opened on the floor above me.
a grizzled old man stuck his head out and said, " we're all heathens here!
I had a bible study once and she began attending the book study with me. I'd drive the five miles each week and pick her up and drop her off. Suddenly she was not home for her book study. I called and spoke to her husband. He said she had left him but I could still call on him. I had never met this man and I got a funny feeling about it. We arranged a day and time and I took an elder with me. The husband opened the door wearing a bathrobe. The elder and I said a few words and quickly left. It was extremely awkward. Needless to say I never called or visited again. Now, thinking back, I believe this was a ploy to stop all visits. It worked.
new letter today (please visit avoidjw.org for a copy of the official letter and yes, i also noticed they got the date wrong!).
february 28, 2017. to all bodies of elders.
re: visiting disfellowshipped or disassociated individuals.
In recent years, many disfellowshipped or disassociated individuals have returned to Jehovah after having seen Jehovah’s Witnesses carrying out their ministry in public places. Others have approached the elders after reading a copy of the Return to Jehovah brochure or watching JW Broadcasting.
One thing I've learned to always ask is ---"Is this true?" So WBTS - how many individuals have returned to Jehovah after reading the brochure or watching JW Broadcasting? One? Two?
i have made a poll to try to determine the impact of the wt's no blood policy on ex members.. if you are an exjw, please participate.. vote here:.
*oops...hang on here...i have to make a new poll...this one lets you vote more than once.
i will post the new one .
Ten years ago I had three surgeries in a four month period. The first two with no blood transfusions. (it wasn't needed) The last one with multiple blood transfusions. I am alive today because of it and have no regrets or guilt.
background:.
my parents got the “truth” while i was in primary school.
i was baptised at 14. i loved school and was extremely studious.
Welcome doubtfull1799!
Thank you for sharing your story. I agree with many of the other posters that you shouldn't disassociate as you have family still in. Better to fade. There are experiences of other people on this site who has helped their spouse get out by being very patient over time.
I can relate to alot of what you wrote and for a long time was angry at all the 'wasted years' I spent as a JW. I was in for 23 years. Still that is better than 23 years and one day. The time I have left is my own.
You are a good writer and I hope you share your manifesto here.
There are alot of resources now (like the books mentioned by other posters and youtube sites) which are very helpful.
happy brithday my dear wife.
what a lucky man i am to have you as my life mate.
i am so happy we are free from this damm cult.
Happy Birthday Reopenedmind! How could being happy to have been born ever been bad!
Have a wonderful day. Celebrate Celebrate Celebrate.
many of you don't know me or won't remember me.
i left the jw's and my husband and my home last september - forging a new life in a new town.
i haven't posted here for many months, but have been reading most days.
Happy 71st! Have a great day and many more wonderful birthdays!
hi everyone i don't even know where to begin.
i recently saw leah remini's series on scientology thanks to my husband (semi-active jw) and i felt like my eyes were being opened for the 1st time in my adult life.
i felt shaken almost sick to my stomach with each episode i watched.
Welcome Confused and Angry. I remember when I first realized the Jehovah's Witnesses did not have "the truth". It was very shocking. I was angry too. There was no one that I could talk to at that time. That was before the internet. Now there is so much information available. (pace yourself as it can be overwhelming at first) Also this forum is a wonderful place to meet others that have or are in the process of leaving this organization. I no longer feel alone as an ex-jw. Each person's journey out is different. Decide for yourself what is best for you.
a bit of an update, last weekend was my great grandmothers funeral, now, she was never a jw, and never was going to be, no matter how hard my mother, and grandmother tried to preach to her, she was the type of person that would kindly accept a wt or a book, but she wouldn't bother reading them.. anyways, she was a great wonderful and inspiring woman, the funeral was extremely sad, she had been a school teacher for over 35 years and a member of various clubs, so there were a lot of folks besides family that attended.. well, anyways i was there and so was my jw mother, stepfather, and grandmother, we were cordial, didn't talk about anything jw related because, it was great grandmothers funeral, not really a time to discuss how i am an evil sinner, or how i've escaped the org by avoiding df'ing, right?
wrong, as i'm sitting waiting for the service to begin, a lady shows up, now- i have known this woman for a long time, apparently she baby sat me as a small child, (like i remember?
) so she isn't someone i was ever close with, but knew of her or when she was around would say hi to and make small talk.. to give you a tid-bit on her personality though, she is one of those crazy jw's.. she claims to have been possessed by a demon, very very wacky on the prophesies, or gb talks, etc.
This encounter would have been difficult on an ordinary day but even more so at the funeral of your much-loved great grandmother. I'm sorry you had this bad experience.
I'm very sorry for the loss of your great grandmother.
