I was 16, and wanted to make my mother happy. I remember feeling happy at the time, and thought that the committment would keep me out of trouble. I thought that my dad and my sisters would be encouraged by it. I reached a crossroads at about age 24 when my husband (now ex) got disfellowshipped. Actually come to think of it, it was prior to that. We were never good enough to be associated with. However, the ones that were not baptized were included in everything because they were taking an "interest". I never understood that. That, or why questioning things, like the blood issue, was frowned upon coming from a baptized person. It still bewilders me. The more I read, the more angry I become, and the more worried I become about my mother, who has been a witness since 78.
praying_mantis
JoinedPosts by praying_mantis
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41
Did You Really Understand What You Were Getting Into When You Got Baptized?
by minimus inthe majority of people who become jehovah's witnesses, really have no idea what they've gotten themselves into.
did you truly understand those baptismal vows that you made?
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My father is dead
by cruzanheart intoday i found out that my dad committed suicide, probably on sunday sometime.
his body was found today and the plano police department called me.
i am numb and grieving, kind of relieved for a lot of reasons, and very very sad.
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praying_mantis
Im so sorry Nina. :( Although I do not know you, you are in my thoughts. *hugs*
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How Much Does a Tattoo Hurt?
by Scarlet ini am thinking about getting a tattoo of a yellow flower on my lower back.
this tattoo artist is really good.
(http://www.avalontattoo.com/steve.htm).
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praying_mantis
I have a ghecko on my shoulder. It felt like rugburn when I was getting it done. My only regret is the location. I wished I had went with my lower back.
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'tis been a while
by praying_mantis ini think it has been two years since i posted.
my mom, however, has been dropping hints that i need to get "right with jehovah".
this of course terrifies me, considering world events, and of course i always end up here when i need a little reassurance.. anyways, i have a question: i live in texas...1500 miles from home.
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praying_mantis
I think it has been two years since I posted. My mom, however, has been dropping hints that I need to get "right with Jehovah". This of course terrifies me, considering world events, and of course I always end up here when I need a little reassurance.
Anyways, I have a question: I live in Texas...1500 miles from home. Some sisters showed up at my door once and I told them I was DA'd. One of them said there was a program for "people like you" where they could study for 6 months and be reinstated...or something like that. Has anyone ever heard of something like that????? Also, my husband said that he read something about blood transfusions on the net....and he said that the society has now stated that blood transfusions are alright to accept, as long as one is repentant afterwards. What is this crap???? Is this true????
Sorry for the questions....I just feel so confused about things right now. Nice to see everyone again.
Nic
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Want to help my JW friend
by wannahelp ini'm new here, and i want to make it clear upfront that i am not, nor have i ever been a jw.
in fact, until recently i didn't know much about jw's.
but i do have a question that i hope both jw's and ex-jw's will try and answer for me... about 10 months ago, i hired a 20 year old to work for me.. i hired him because he seemed very loyal, ethical, sincere, hardworking and honest.
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praying_mantis
I dont know what to tell you. I was baptized at 16...12 years ago. My mother, and 2 aunts are witnesses. I married, then divorced the son of an elder. Doubts flooded into my mind, starting with the blood issue about 5 years ago. I tried to voice them and get some answers, but I was basically branded as a spiritually weak sister that people should avoid contact with. I disassociated myself about a week ago. Since then, I have been looking at all the stuff that I have been told NOT to read. I am seeing things that make me so angry, so sad, and so upset that I can only take it in small doses.
You are a true friend to the man you described. The only advice I can give is to tread lightly. This is major stuff, especially if he is the son of an elder. There are times when I feel like doing something drastic to myself, because it seems like my entire universe has been tilted off of its axis. You are doing the right thing by coming here for advice. And I am impressed that you read the accounts of ex-JW's before committing yourself to anything. If I had done that at the age of 16, I wouldnt be the emotional mess I am today.
I know that there will be plenty of people out there who have much better advice regarding this than me. How I wish that I had a friend like you! Stay true to yourself, and I hope you are able to find an answer.
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Logic and Reasoning
by dutyfree ini have several questions, the first of which concerns the blood issue.. i am a bit puzzled as to why jws insist on refusing to accept blood, even if it means the difference between life and death.. in the bible it says,'... you should abstain from blood...'.
how are we to interpret that?
well, bearing in mind that it was written several thousand years ago, it would seem logical to assume that the writer's intended meaning was to persuade the people living in that time not to drink blood.
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praying_mantis
We do it because they tell us to. Because they imply that those that die have a place in the New Order. Logic doesnt
enter the decision. Then they print a bunch of articles about people who have survived without blood, excerpts from
doctors that say that bloodless surgery is so wonderful, and reap heaps of praise on people who stand firm.So yeah, basically, we refuse blood because we are told to.
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Question from a newly DF'd chick...
by praying_mantis inhello again...now that i am officially a horrible, unrepentant sinner (in the eyes of a polyester slack wearing, mini van driving, anal retentive man whore), i have a question (actually several, but i will start with one!
) brace yourselves: it is about 1975!.
where in the wt was the "prophecy" made?
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praying_mantis
Hello again...now that I am officially a horrible, unrepentant sinner (in the eyes of a polyester slack wearing, mini van driving, anal retentive man whore), I have a question (actually several, but I will start with one!) Brace yourselves: it is about 1975!
Where in the WT was the "prophecy" made? Did the WT own up to its mistake? I am curious about this, because my mom was baptized in 78, and studied for 5 years before becoming a witness, so it was in the midst of the 1975 issue.
Thanks in advance!
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Did the elders keep secret files on us?
by XJWBill inhowdy all,.
i've recently discovered all the great ex-jw sites on the internet, and i've enjoyed reading other people's stories.
but a few passing comments in some stories have made me wonder: do or did the elders keep files on individuals in each congregation?
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praying_mantis
They DF'd me, and I didnt meet with them. However, I told an elder over the phone that I would never set foot in a KH again. Perhaps that was all they needed to know.
Interestingly, he told me my "records" were sent to the congregation in the town I am currently in. I said, "Oh really. And whose property are they?" He said, "The congregations." I laughed and said, "Publisher records for someone who hasnt been in service for 4 years?"
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Newly DF'd/DA'd
by praying_mantis inover a year ago i divorced my husband.
he is the son of an elder, was addicted to pornography, and started doing drugs before i called it quits.
since then, i have met someone else.
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praying_mantis
Thanks for the reply. :) I just finished reading "kingdom smellodies" and laughed my ass off. Quietly of course...my mom might hear me and wonder what Im reading...
My boyfriend thinks JW's are a cult...he said that he "forbids" me from talking to the elders, because "they always get you to do something you dont want to do."
Prior to this whole mess, I stopped going to meetings about....3 or 4 years ago. I guess I knew they would catch up with me eventually. My initial discouragement started when my husband (at the time) asked for a KM. The elder, the PO at the time, said, "Why? You never come to meetings anyways." I went home and bawled...
I see that my story is not unique though. No wonder we are discouraged from using the internet. Its like they are terrified that we will learn the real truth.
As much as I know that what I did was not "wrong", I still have the "guilt". An overwhelming sadness. Like I am lost. Scared. Thanks for listening...
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Newly DF'd/DA'd
by praying_mantis inover a year ago i divorced my husband.
he is the son of an elder, was addicted to pornography, and started doing drugs before i called it quits.
since then, i have met someone else.
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praying_mantis
Thanks for the reply...I agree with what you are saying. Its a hard habit to break though you know? Those old thoughts and beliefs are always at the back of my mind. And I feel so GUILTY.