we all know that this cult will drive those trying to leave to desperate measures, and today by brother was very nearly one of those statistics.
he slashed his thigh with a kitchen knife and was bleeding out until he called the police.. i got a call on my way home from work from a police officer, coincidentally it was one of my old friends from school who's now a cop.
he told me my brother is in hospital after an attempted suicide and has lost some blood but will be ok. but i should get to the hospital as he's asking for me.
Hi Pale, Just read this sad news today, and I'm sorry for all you and your brother are going through.
It's great that you're advocating for him by speaking with his therapist. This will help the professionals get right to the source of the pain your brother is experiencing.
Good work, stay strong and please give a hug to your brother from longgone. 💙
although i consider myself completely "cured" from watchtower brainwashing, guilt tripping and propaganda, i realised today that there's not a day that goes by without me thinking of the cult we left.
i think of my former family and what i'd like to say to them, what i'd try to explain and how i'd say it without them switching the "ignore" button and running away.. today on my instagram account my little step-brother "liked" a picture i posted.
i didn't even know he was still on my friends list.
How amazing, I just sat down to post something like this. To ask if others can put it out of mind for any length of time?
It's been about one and half years out for me, and I frequently ask myself what's wrong with me that it pops up in my mind every day! Just like was said.
More than once though for me. Unless I'm completely distracted with other things, or concentrating very hard on something it comes drifting into my consciousness.
Since everything in my life involved family in the religion and other JW's exclusively, all my memories connect with it.
Example, (and I'll wrap this up before I start writing all night) I was fixing dinner and something about it reminded me of a close friend and how we cooked together, and how happy we were. Then right within that moment it comes to mind that thanks to the cult she's gone. As in no longer living. It hurts of course, and I was just fine, happy even doing an ordinary thing and suddenly I've been swept back into cult memories.
I wish we all could erase these thoughts. Perhap with time to some degree at least, I just don't know.
it now appears that the wt can df you just by marking you.
this happened to my me and my wife a few week ago.
a marking talk was given at the mid-week meeting in which no names were mentioned yet a detailed description of the "offending bastards" was delivered so that there as no doubt who this "pond scum" might be.
Dark Knight,
It's great to hear your little one is doing so well! 💖
I'm sorry that happened CC.
it was so embarrassing to stand in the classroom saying nothing while everyone else was saying the pledge. 😕
i did try a search before posting this question and found nothing current.
pew research -2016 says approximately two thirds of those born into the religion in the united states alone, no longer consider themselves as members.
(sorry, still don't know how to link, but it's an easy google search.).
I did try a search before posting this question and found nothing current.
Pew Research -2016 says approximately two thirds of those born into the religion in the United States alone, no longer consider themselves as members. (Sorry, still don't know how to link, but it's an easy Google search.)
I don't know how accurate that is but at least it's an indicator.
When I left around a year ago I actually thought it was a very small number. Of course that was based on yet another lie from the WTS. They frequently claim that most who leave come back. Ha! I know that some do, but hmm, no, far from most. 😒
Does anyone have any information about this?
i came across a youtube video published on august 11th of this year called "watchtower threw out 130 years of bad "spiritual food" with one talk" by leonard east.
(sorry, i still haven't learned how to put up a link.).
as i read the introduction from the publisher, i remembered that very talk and how i felt when i heard it.
I came across a YouTube video published on August 11th of this year called "Watchtower Threw Out 130 Years of Bad "Spiritual Food" with One Talk" by Leonard East. (Sorry, I still haven't learned how to put up a link.)
As I read the introduction from the publisher, I remembered that very talk and how I felt when I heard it. Betrayed, deceived and incredulous!
All those years struggling to figure out the meaning of all that type/anti-type stuff. Just to find out it was completely wrong. Another waste of time for all who were supposedly "diligently searching the scriptures." 😫
It was only about a year and a half before their whole house of cards collapsed for me. I only wish it had been sooner. I really hope it led many others to do the same. If that wasn't a wake up call, I don't know what is.
Does anyone else remember being in attendance for that talk? What did you think, did you discuss it with anyone else at the time? I know I didn't dare. Governing Body, and Holy Spirit you know, apostasy to think for yourself and even worse to openly say so. Crazy cult!
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.
Enjoying the day instead of counting how many hours until the meeting starts. 😊
so, so much has happened in my life over the years and continues to happen, but i won't go into the details as it would take a long time.. i don't really know why, but i returned to "the truth" 15 years ago.
in 2012 when the tv broadcasting station launched, i started to develop doubts.
the australian royal commission and other scandals made me angrier, and i now don't believe most of the core teachings.. the only reason i show up at 5 or 6 meetings each month is to keep in contact with my parents and a few other family members.. but it's killing me, literally.
Hello IC, I hope your feeling better today! There has been so much good advice here. Maybe you could find a little time to carefully reread the replies for the second or even third time. That has helped me when I've asked for help here.
Also like so many others, I've been where you are. Be strong! Use your mind rather than your emotions in this situation. The cliche that says to take a few deep breaths has gotten me through many very difficult moments.
Take them slowly, and relax your your shoulders, pause, then go on to you arms, back and so on. I've learned many coping skills from meditation apps.
One in particular is called Insight Timer. It may seem like a big undertaking if you haven't done this before. It isn't and you will be on your way becoming more in control of your emotions! It even has meditation selections for beginners. I highly recommend them. I hope this helps, and remember we're here for you. 💙💜
hello everyone, this is my fellow up from my first post, feel free to check that out if your unsure of the whole situation.
i have two twin babies that are now two months old.
i already to my ex to court, yes i took her to court and now im established as the father and ill be paying child support next week.
earlier today i was listening to a you tube video about brain plasticity, how our minds aren't hardwired, and that by changing the way we think it can make actual physical changes in the brain.
which is cool for many reasons.
one in particular for me and likely any ex jw is that the way the wts has programmed us, especially those born in, can eventually get past it.
Thanks very much for your thoughts and suggestions!
There's a lot to think about from them. It really helps to have others who understand where I'm coming from. I wouldn't consider mentioning this sort of thing with anyone other than here. Thanks again. 😊
