I was 13 at the time that my only brother and his new wife introduced Jehovah's Witnesses to my family.. It was christmas time and we as a family were coming together to celebrate as we had done for as along as i could remember.. My brother said that him and his family would no longer celebrate and that we could discussed it at a later time..
I was so upset.. My brother throwing away something that was so important too me...Well I needed to know.. So my sister-in-law took me to my bedroom and showed me where we as christian shouldnt celebrate a holiday that is not of God.. Again I was so upset and confused....
Later the blood issue came up..My mother and father was upset by the thought that if anything happend to my niece and nephew that they would go to court to make sure they were taken care of.. and I told my mom why shouldnt she find out what they are being taught and then she would have grounds to fight if she had too...3years later my mother and father became a JW...
I struggled with this.. I never felt worthly of Jehovah and his love.. I was so bad of a teenager.. So into the world.. How could he love me.....At 16 i was hooked on cigerettes and wanted to quit..
I went to my parents and they went to the Elders of their congregation.... One of the elders agreed to speak to me.. WhenI went to the meeting i poured out my heart to this MAN.. and what he told me is that he could use me for time because i wasnt baptised... I was so hurt and turned off .. that it took many years and tears before i could get over that insult..
Years pass quickly.. and I am now in my 30's . I just came out of an abusive relationship and was then practicing Wicca... I was in a battered woman shelter.. and met a woman of the christian faith..
She gave me a book that talked about spiritual abuse.. Here i was feeling abused and used and this book told me because i wasnt sharing God with my children that i was committing spirirtual abuse against them.. I got so scared i called up the local kingdom hall and started a study with one of the elders wife.. it didnt take to long to quit smoking and dedicate my life to Jehovah... I was bapitised 5 months later and my oldest daughter bapitised a month after me.. Life was great.. except i still felt as if i wasnt doing what i should for Jehovah.. I was being told that i needed to get off welfare.. get a job.. when i did.. it was with a store that had catholic backing.. because it was tied to the beast.. i was made to quit as not to stumble a sister.. my daughter was working the field for 40 hours a week. and she was subject to people looking at unmarried brother lustfully.. when she said something. they teased her.. she soon stop going to meeting and field service..
Shortly after... i met a man and he came over one day.. sitting in my kitchen with a cup of coffee i was witnessing to him about Jehovah.. I went to the bathroom. and 3 sister came by.. They saw the man and left. . 2 hours later.. the elders wife i was studing with called and wanted everything that she lent me.. I was marked.. that quick...No phone calls where except by me.. No visits.. Shunned that quick... Needless to say I stopped attending services and bible studies..I was faithful up until then.. it took 4 months for an Elder to call me. Asking me what was going on and why i had stop attending... A little too late... I still feel sad inside. My brother, we havent talked in 5 years.. And I have moved 15 miles from him.. We still dont talk...I still have question on doctrine.. Heaven, Hell etc. When a JW comes to my door i react in anger.. Sending them packing.. In a chat room. the same.. I just cant seem to get over all the experinces i had.. I still love Jehovah and Jesus.. I still need them in my life.. What is the next step? Is there life after being a JW? I dont know..