Hey all,
Thank you for your advice. I had a great opportunity today to meet with some amazing ex-jw's in my city and the overall consensus was that I should NOT meet with the elders. Like what many of you mentioned it really poses a huge risk and will only put me under more suspicion. My fading I think has been very abrupt and sudden which is likely drawing undue attention to me and to have this meeting with them would just lead to a judicial committee and the rest is history. I just have to keep my mouth shut and fade out slowly.
winnie12
JoinedPosts by winnie12
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29
Should I meet with the elders?
by winnie12 inso i posted my story somewhere on this board but long story short i have been expressing my doubts to my mom who is a jw.
i have been fading since december 2013 and went to a sunday meeting for the first time maybe two weeks ago.
i went only because i wanted to use the library that my hall has which had books published by the society from the early 1900's.
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winnie12
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29
Should I meet with the elders?
by winnie12 inso i posted my story somewhere on this board but long story short i have been expressing my doubts to my mom who is a jw.
i have been fading since december 2013 and went to a sunday meeting for the first time maybe two weeks ago.
i went only because i wanted to use the library that my hall has which had books published by the society from the early 1900's.
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winnie12
And I like what was said about being prepared. I've been reading Franz's CoC and am enjoying it a lot. I'm on jw-facts daily and making notes. I will have to thoroughly prepare myself but also control my emotions so as not to give any impression that would cause suspicion. I'm going to really have to control myself. Thanks for all your replies I really appreciate tge advice you've all given!
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29
Should I meet with the elders?
by winnie12 inso i posted my story somewhere on this board but long story short i have been expressing my doubts to my mom who is a jw.
i have been fading since december 2013 and went to a sunday meeting for the first time maybe two weeks ago.
i went only because i wanted to use the library that my hall has which had books published by the society from the early 1900's.
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winnie12
Hey thanks for your replies. I agree with what you both said that I should only have one elder present and my mom there. I'm not a minor, I'm actually 22 but we are really close. I just feel like this meeting will benefit her more than me . I already know what the elders will tell me in regards to changed doctrine and false predictions. But I want my mom to hear for herself what a sham this religion is.
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29
Should I meet with the elders?
by winnie12 inso i posted my story somewhere on this board but long story short i have been expressing my doubts to my mom who is a jw.
i have been fading since december 2013 and went to a sunday meeting for the first time maybe two weeks ago.
i went only because i wanted to use the library that my hall has which had books published by the society from the early 1900's.
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winnie12
So I posted my story somewhere on this board but long story short I have been expressing my doubts to my mom who is a jw. I have been fading since December 2013 and went to a Sunday meeting for the first time maybe two weeks ago. I went only because I wanted to use the library that my hall has which had books published by the society from the early 1900's. My mom decided to join me in the library which is in the basement while the meeting went on and I was able to show her how the society had told people that the end would come in 1914,1975 etc. Almost everyday since I have been telling her new things I am learning about the jw's through my research just to get her thinking. Anyways she suggested that the elders could meet with me and answer my questions. Based on their ability to answer my questions I could decide what I want to do. She said they were interested in meeting with me. Is this a trap? Im hoping that I could have this meeting with them with my mom present so that she could see that they can't give a satisfying answer to the questions I have. Would it be a good idea to meet with them?
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40
New here, just wanted to say "Hello"
by Goldiver inhello all, it is nice to have a forum for former jw's and see i wasn't the only one out there having serious doubts.
my parents got into it when i was about 4 years old.
my family was part of the granville ny congregation.. my dad in time became an elder.
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winnie12
welcome thanks for sharing your story.
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42
New here
by winnie12 inhey i'm new here, i've been reading up so much here and on other sites about tatt and it has really settled a nagging feeling of doubt within me.
truly i have been lied to and have been trapped in this cult.
i've been suffering with depression, anxiety, attempted suicide, hospitalization, anti depressants, loneliness all this while being in supposedly surrounded by "the happiest people" on earth.
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winnie12
Thank you all for your kind words. My dad is a great help right now. I had a long conversation with him about the ins and outs of being a jw. When I first has told him at the begining of our discussion that I wanted to stop attending meetings he was shocked. He like many married to jw's thought it was a great place for a young person for myself to be. But when I told him I would like to go to university he was puzzled as to way I could not go. When I explained what the organization tells young onea about regarding "higher education" he was shocked. He compared it to the way the Taliban in the Middle East prevents women from getting education so they can contiune to control their lives. He told me he was behind me 100% and that I should do what feels best. As mentioned I am going to fad slowly, my mom I think knows something is up and the one elder in particular I've got to be extra careful around. I am leaning more towards a quiet departure that won't draw too much attention. Anyways I truly feel like a weight has been lifted and I'm actual excited and hopeful about the future. I cant wait to see my therapist next week after the hoildays to talk about this breakthrough.
I had mentioned that I wanted to go to scho overseas. I'm in Canada right now and had been over to the UK before and loved it. I am looking into universities over there and for me personally I think being far away from home and finally being on my own I can really find myself. I know that sounds so cliche but it holds true to my situation. Thank you all again for your kind words!
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42
New here
by winnie12 inhey i'm new here, i've been reading up so much here and on other sites about tatt and it has really settled a nagging feeling of doubt within me.
truly i have been lied to and have been trapped in this cult.
i've been suffering with depression, anxiety, attempted suicide, hospitalization, anti depressants, loneliness all this while being in supposedly surrounded by "the happiest people" on earth.
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winnie12
Wow, I just thought I would check to see if anyone replied to my post and I am just beaming with joy from all the encouragement and positivity you all are sending. It feels so good to know that I am not alone and that many of you are or have dealt with a similar issue. thank you so much, I'm juat going to keep planning and building my life out there and wharever happens happens. I need to be happy and start enjoying life.
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42
New here
by winnie12 inhey i'm new here, i've been reading up so much here and on other sites about tatt and it has really settled a nagging feeling of doubt within me.
truly i have been lied to and have been trapped in this cult.
i've been suffering with depression, anxiety, attempted suicide, hospitalization, anti depressants, loneliness all this while being in supposedly surrounded by "the happiest people" on earth.
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winnie12
Hey I'm new here, I've been reading up so much here and on other sites about tatt and it has really settled a nagging feeling of doubt within me. Truly I have been lied to and have been trapped in this cult.
I've been suffering with depression, anxiety, attempted suicide, hospitalization, anti depressants, loneliness all this while being in supposedly surrounded by "the happiest people" on earth. Through this I've had no real support from my congregation. I've had more love shown to me from my dog. I literally feel trapped though. Because my mom is a jw and she is the only one I fear losing in all this, I've got no friends in the hall and I could care less if they stopped talking to me. I'm worried about disassociating or fading from the organization. Last Wednesday I had breakdown at the hall. I was in the library and of course my mom dragged two elders down to talk to me. I just told them that I felt like I couldn't do this anymore, live up to the bible and that I didn't feel good being at the hall and preferred staying at home. On Monday one of the elders asked if I would like to be removed from the school because it could be adding undue pressure on me so I said yes. I want to just fade but I'm worried my mom's naivety may lead to her speaking with one of the elders about what I have told her. I'm trying to form some sort of plan. I still live at home but am planning to go to university out of the country and actually do something with my life. I'm glad to have my dad's support as he's not a jw. I guess I just like to have some support because I don't have anyone I can actually discuss this with in my life. Any advice/suggestions/experiences in much appreciated.