my excuse is that i was born in the religion.
but if someone wasn’t, why would they become one?.
I was born in, but I sowed my wild oats for a time and finally committed to the borg only for family. I was at a low point in my life and needed all the support I could get as I was quite young.
I never fully believed the org had the truth--ever. While I was studying it was obvious most of the beliefs were a load of crap when many questions I asked were answered with, "You just have to wait on Jehoober."
where they stand is a strange mixture.
yes, they don't agree with abortion and homosexuality, they believe in the bible and wear skirts and ties to church .
but in many ways they're liberal.
It is important to note that the term "liberal" is different in different parts of the world. In the USA, it is more or less similar to "progressive" or "democratic" or "leftist". In the USA the liberals often like and approve govt control and expansion in all areas of life including marriage, language usage, business and child rearing.
Conservatives are pretty much the same everywhere--holding to status quo, preservationists, traditionalists, and in Western countries they are usually Christian or adhering to Christian views on morality, marriage, and family life. In the USA they dislike large government and feel govt is expensive, performs poorly, and threatens their freedoms in religion and business.
Based upon the American version of lib vs conserve, I personally believe the JWs appear to be conservative in that they hold to biblical values on marriage and sex. But, they take the control aspect much too far to be labeled as true Conservatives. They operate very much like liberals do in that they believe in strong authority governing the lives of everyone and that individuals cannot be trusted to obey, no, they cannot even trust themselves to think or say the right things. This must all be taken care of for them by the authorities. Also, correct me if I am wrong, but most JWs do not own weapons such as guns. This is a big deal to most Conservatives in USA. They distrust authority to the point that they believe the individual has the right and the duty to keep the govt in check. Therefore, they approve an armed citizenry.
Also, most Conservatives detest the practice of collecting govt benefits, and they believe private charities are the way to go in dealing with the sick and poor. The liberals, on the other hand, believe everyone should contribute to serving the poor through govt programs such as welfare. While many Jws work, the majority of the ones I know collect govt benefits and actually do this while they pioneer or slave for the "slave" full time.
There are similarities to each, but it's mostly just a cult. I'd compare it to a dictatorship posing as a conservative Christian group while actually thriving under liberal practice.
for some background - i studied on & off as a child with a jehovah's witness who has been patiently working on lots of our family for more than a decade and never gave up on any of us.
as a middle-schooler and a highschooler, my love for jehovah and any association with my childhoood bible teacher... faded.
disappeared.
I am happy for you in that you were able to leave a toxic relationship and work hard to achieve a measure of success in your life. No need to credit god with all of that. And yes, I do believe in god.
Finding a group to support you and help you out is essential to overcoming the hardships as a single mother. Many churches have groups specifically for helping young moms get on their feet. I know, because this is how I found help in my darkest times. If you found emotional and physical support with the JWs then great. More power to you. Nobody here really wishes evil on anyone.
Most people on this forum have had very bad experiences with the JW religion--horrific in fact--some suffering years of abuse at the hands of family, elders, and others associated with this faith. Which brings me to wondering why you would feel this forum is the proper place to praise such a religion seeing that many here use the forum as a sort of support group. I am further curious as to why a zealous sister such as yourself would be on a forum such as this one unless you yourself were harboring doubts of some kind. Let me advise that you would do well to listen to your inner voice that sends red flags when a situation doesn't seem quite right. I speak from experience here, and it could save you years of heartache. Think about it, you are smarter than you realize.
Also, I wish you all the best. Many people make a go of the JW religion and do great, are happy, and all that jazz. It isn't for me. It isn't for most people. And, you should respect that most people don't and won't think like you or believe like you. Also, do not seek to persecute others for their beliefs contrary to yours. It is at the hands of JWs that I have experienced the most ridicule in life. I can only think that it is due to the fact that I am a Christian, and Jesus told us that we would be persecuted on account of his name.
Sorry, but I don't check my account often enough to bother with responses, but I just thought if you wanted to post here, you obviously expected feedback, so here is my two cents.
this poor girl was baptized at 9yo.
.
she isnt old enough to buy alcohol, to vote, to decide her own medical treatment, to buy a pet, to travel alone... yet she was deemed old enough to dedicate her life to a religion that will cut her off from her family if she ever leaves.. here she is applauded for shunning her own sister who tried to keep in contact with her after waking up.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yzgnfda8ki.
This is so disturbing. Her parents and the whole cult of JWs should be ashamed. Sickening! Tax exempt status of this debacle of a religion needs to be revoked.
what simple pleasures do you enjoy since leaving watchtower?
here's some of mine, in no particular order:.
a cigar: i dont smoke cigarettes at all, but i do enjoy a good cigar from time to time.
First of all, I'm loving your beard Pale E.
Secondly, I am still married to a dub so I can't just light up a cigar anytime I please (although the thought has crossed my mind).
But the biggest things I enjoy is no more serve-us and no more guilt!
I love to sleep-in on the weekends, watch any film I want, hang out with my worldly friends, and wear tight pants!
i have just seen the film "dunkirk".
do yourselves a big favour and go see it.
(not for kids).
I saw it and will never forget it. Excellent movie, acting, and cinematography. A must see on the big screen.
i met with a jw today and they showed me a picture of the new style kh build.
the building was located in a ***strip mall**** in florida.
i'm always amazed (and disgusted) at the new and inventive ways they think of expanding their real estate holdings.. along that vein...i recently discovered this: .
That is crazy all of those KHs up for sale. I recognized one that I've actually seen in person. They really must be consolidating. Rapid contraction is now taking place.
And yes, the new KH designs look nothing like the traditional KH. They are very...erm...commercialesque in appearance. Certainly, if rapid contraction continues, the commercial ones will be much easier to sell or lease.
thought i'd share this article i was sent today.
it's getting to where you can't go and take a leisurely stroll or hike without being bombarded with the stufff we want to get away from.http://www.citizen-times.com/story/sports/outdoors/girls-gone-outdoors/2017/07/06/proselytizing-blue-ridge-parkway/452390001/.
Stonewall and crazy guy, sorry for the downvote. Fat thumbs scrolling...
just been reading about linda sarsour, the palestinian-american who is supposedly progressive but also happens to advocate sharia (- wtf?!).
she was co-chair of the wimmen's march against trump, although i don't think she wore a huge vulva-suit.
frontpagemag refers to the algemeiner: in february and march, sarsour and tarek el-messidi, founder of the non-profit islamic education organization celebrate mercy, partnered in an online campaign to raise money for vandalized or neglected jewish cemeteries.. the duo raised a total of raised $162,468, $50,000 of which was channeled to three cemeteries.
I don't know if that news is accurate, but most of what I've heard and read about Sarsour isn't good.
i would like to share my brief experience about my life from liberal jw to a ex-jw.
as i told you in my first post, i'm from juarez, mexico.
i'm second generation born-in, well not really... my mother knew jwland in 1968 and a year later, she got baptized.
Ironsnake welcome. You have a very interesting story. I have seen Juarez from across the Rio Grande in El Paso. Hola from this side of the border. Glad the Asarco tower is finally gone.
I too felt the depression and anxiety melt away when I faded. Looking forward to reading your next story.
Edited to say: I haven't read your first post yet. My apologies for the late greeting.
HAF
