i have very recently come out of a bout of severe depression which lasted for years.
i have ginormous underlying issues which i hardly talk about, especially to my family.. today my sister came in, wanting to force me to do something she wanted.
her strategy was to make me feel bad for feeling bad, just to show me that my problem (which she has no idea of but thinks she does) wasn't the biggest in the world.
Tempest I had depression when I was in that religion. An elder kept coming up to me and telling me to keep smiling the Kingdom Smile. One day when he looked really fed up I told him to smile the Kingdom Smile, he never said it again.
When it comes to depression if someone hasn't had it they are clueless I'm afraid. Yes if they could only see our scars. I used to think if people could only feel what I'm feeling for five minutes.
he had a human father.. all those doctrines of redemption, ransom and forgiveness come to nothing in the face of reality.
we need to look after each other..
I'm not convinced he even existed. - Cofty
It's interesting that you've come around to this idea, you used to think there must be at least some historical basis for JC. Not that there is anything wrong with changing one's mind. I must say I have doubted for a while that he ever existed too.
while in service on saturday, i was sitting with an elder that i have known for years having a coffee break.
we were discussing the up-coming convention and what we had to do etc.
then, (there was a tv up on the wall in the coffee place where we were) on the screen burst the news of the nepal earthquake.
i have often wondered if there is more harm done to people who are stifled or smothered from expressing their natural conduct, feelings or actions because of it being condemned by religious ideals?.
so if a person keeps suppressing their real personality and tries to mould themselves to the "perfect" or "ideal" version as expected from those controlling them, could they eventually "bust" so to speak?.
for instance, witnesses condemn many forms of entertainment.
i had a horrible conversation with my 14 year old last night which i regret.
im still in but doubting more and more every day.. she is recently baptized.
she is outgoing and gorgeous and make friends easily, although not so much with the sisters in our hall, who pick her up and drop her again regularly , leaving her out of parties etc but then bringing her back into the circle, dropping her again...and so on.
It's so upsetting seeing a child distressed I know. Sadly in this religion the members are very oppressed by the GB and the elders that they judge and oppress one another in turn. You have one child out and your daughter is reaching out to her school friends which is good.
She is finding her way, but I know how heartbreaking it is to see a daughter upset. Yes the JWs will judge and exclude her if she makes friends at school but that will help her see what the religion is really like. I feel for you, hang in there.
i have often wondered if there is more harm done to people who are stifled or smothered from expressing their natural conduct, feelings or actions because of it being condemned by religious ideals?.
so if a person keeps suppressing their real personality and tries to mould themselves to the "perfect" or "ideal" version as expected from those controlling them, could they eventually "bust" so to speak?.
for instance, witnesses condemn many forms of entertainment.
sorry for the long post but i need help.
ive been a jw for 20 years - still active and attending meetings, baptised at 18, i have recently become very dissillusioned.
a few reasons: ill treatment of my kids by a prominent 'assembly speaker' elder, then my son left the truth at 15 (not baptised) and was 'dropped' instantly, despite this community having been his whole life for 15 years.
Hi LHS123. I know this is difficult just take a deep breath. You are an open- minded person who really cares about others. Like you I grew up in this religion, I'm in the UK too, pioneered because I thought I was saving lives. Sorry I know this is hard but it isn't the 'truth' just one of many thousands of religions.
Take your time don't do anything in a hurry. Just keep reading and keep venting here if it helps you. Welcome to the rest of your life.
joined the site, not that i have much to share.. i'm married to a jw (wife).
i never have been or will be a jw, i honestly hate the wt (not the jws).
being married to a jw, can sometimes make you crazy, i never believed any of the bs.
my wife is a jw, and is teaching our eight year old daughter jw beliefs.
i am trying to teach her about evolution and critical thinking skills.
here is a conversation we had today (as best i can remember it):daughter: "why do bad things happen?
I think your answers were brilliant. Children just need their questions answered at that age and you did that. Even though I had my daughter after leaving the cult she still had teachers at school talking about Bible stories. I just answered each question, made her think as you have and let her form her own belief system.
She is now an atheist but when she was small she believed in Jesus because that's what she was taught at school. I never forced her to stop believing in something she liked at the time. Young children can be very stubborn. I think you are doing great just answering her questions.
the borg's tactics on most jw work.
they put fear into their mind, they guilt trip them and basically make them scared to do anything when they are away from the kingdom hall.
it allows them to control every aspect of their life.
