Topics Started by Saethydd

5
I Got My Best Friend Back
by Saethydd in
1. jw
2. experiences
yesterday morning i woke up to an incredibly unexpected text message on my phone.

my best friend from before i was disfellowshipped had sent me a really long message.

he apologized for the way things had been and told me how much he missed me, and then he told he respected my decision, that he understood and didn't harbor any bad feelings against me for it, that all he wants is for me to be happy.. i responded to his message and told him that if he wanted me to explain my reasons i would, but that we needn't discuss them if he would rather not.
16
Arguments I’ve Had: Historical Accuracy and the Bible
by Saethydd in
1. jw
2. experiences
when i was a jw and still living with my parents i remember the way my father held what could almost be described as contempt for archeologists, paleontologists, and other scientists who dared to try explain what happened in past.

he justified this attidtude with the argument that these people don’t have enough evidence to make such claims with any certainty.

however, i see now that his viewpoint was more likely a defense mechanism to protect his presupposed conclusion that everything described in the bible actually happened.
18
My Reflections On a Year of Freedom
by Saethydd in
1. jw
2. experiences
in late may 2017, i told my parents how i really felt about the religion they had raised me in, and by early june i was out of their house.

i've done a lot since then.

i let my hair and beard grow out a bit.
17
Visited My Grandfather
by Saethydd in
1. jw
2. experiences
my grandfather is a longtime jw with advanced parkinson's.

on the advice of a good friend mine who is inactive but not "out" i went to visit him monday and we talked for awhile.

his health isn't well, but he was happy to see me.
1
Personal Update: 3 Months Out
by Saethydd in
1. jw
2. experiences
i've been mentally free of the watchtower for nine months now, three months ago i moved out of my parent's house and gave up any pretexts of being reinstated.

in that time i've faced difficulties adjusting to my new life such as the new responsibilities i have in caring for my own needs, the loneliness that sometimes strikes when i miss my family, and the occasionally unshakable feeling of guilt over the way things are with them.. in that time, i've faced difficulties adjusting to my new life such as the new responsibilities i have in caring for my own needs, the loneliness that sometimes strikes when i miss my family, and the occasionally unshakable feeling of guilt over the way things are with them.. overall though, i feel better about my life now.

i make an effort to really help people where i can by doing more than "praying for them" or "sharing a scripture.
10
Went to a Different Kind of Convention This Year
by Saethydd in
1. jw
2. experiences
my old congregation's regional convention was the week before last, and for the first time in 20 years, i wasn't there.

instead on the very same weekend, i went to a geeky fan convention called magic city con.

i had loads of fun there, i cosplayed as a jedi and the doctor (which is my current profile pic).
3
Cooperation and Conformity
by Saethydd in
1. watchtower
2. beliefs
a common thing that jws point to as proof of god's blessing is the supposed cooperation between people of many different backgrounds.

however, i think there should be a distinction drawn between collaborations that are performed through true tolerance and open-mindedness towards another's point of view, and collaborations that are the result of a high level of conformity by its participants.. the former sort can be seen, for example, in the un, which while not perfect, i believe does try its best to foster true cooperation between people of all nations.

the latter of sort of cooperation, however, is more akin to the type found in communist dictatorships or countries controlled predominantly by a single religion which doesn't care to protect the rights of those in the religious minority.
27
Day 1: The Night of Anger, Tears, and Pain
by Saethydd in
1. jw
2. experiences
my freedom came with a heavy cost.

i couldn't stand the dishonesty so when my sister went out of town on a trip i told my parents that i no longer wanted to be a jw.

when my sister got back and i told her she was so angry, said she really wanted to slap me, then she ran off sobbing, a few minutes later she deposited every gift i ever gave her in front of my door.. my entire family has turned against me.
42
Told My Parents Yesterday That I Don't Want to Be a JW
by Saethydd in
1. jw
2. experiences
i wasn't entirely sure what to expect when i made the decision to tell my parents how i really feel, but i was prepared for the worst, fortunately, it didn't come to that.

after i told them i didn't want to go to the meetings anymore it led to a long talk with them.

they made a number of irksome and woefully uninformed statements but at least they were not aggressive and have said that they won't force me to move out over this, though, i can tell they are hoping they can convince me to "accept the truth," as long as i still live with them.
5
Enjoyed a Movie with My Future Roommates
by Saethydd in
1. jw
2. experiences
i went to see guardians of the galaxy 2 yesterday.

(great movie by the way, perfect mixture of action and comedy in my opinion.

) i told my family i would go by myself because they were all going to be at my sister's graduation.