Posts by SisterLiz

I'm also an ex-JW who was born in it. I had a really tough time adapting to life situations.. Social situations were especially difficult for me. I'm lucky I became good friends with another woman my age and....lets just say she's lived enough for both of us and understands my past and is always full of excellent advice and guidance. She could not believe how innocent and naive I was at my age.....she still teases me about it to this day. Suffice it to say I'm getting there......things don't shock me as much as they used to.

207

Jehovah's Witnesses Are Under Mind Control

by minimus in

jw
friends

if you were to tell a witness that they were "brainwashed" or that they were "under mind control", they certainly would not rationally accept it.the reason is because witnesses cannot distinguish between mind control and "obeying the faithful and discreet slave".

it is only after a person stops exposing himself to the subtle mind controlling tactics of the watchtower that a person can see how thoroughly duped they are in their beliefs.

how might you be able to tell that you are no longer your own person, able to make your own decisions in your life?

SisterLiz

Another form of "pressure" (mind-control...whatever) is the reactions of your JW peers when you do something "not quite acceptable". There aren't actual rules or regulations regarding certain things....they're left up to conscience, but not really. If your conscience allows it and you do it, they may not be able to reprimand you but people's behaviour around you changes and it almost seems like they're all turning their backs on you. For example, I new this woman who really liked blue nail polish (she was an elders wife no less), she noticed people acting differently with her and she could tell it was because of the nail polish. Her husband eventually asked her to stop wearing it. These subtle pressures are ways of controlling people without really verbalizing anything. People want to fit in and be on good terms with everyone so they try to fit into the mold. Individuality is definitely not recommended. How petty can they get. GOD I'M GLAD I'M OUT!!!!!!

11

anger

by Rush in

i've made a few posts on the forum to date, and have read more.

i'm in a really bad mood and looking for some shoulders to cry on.

i will try to keep my story brief.. i left the jw's 9 years ago and never went back.

SisterLiz

Hey there, It's really hard when you leave the JW's and your family doesn't. Even though, you've realized that the organization is not "the truth" and you've gone on the improve your life, you're probably depressed because maybe deep down you feel like you let your family down. Family is obviously important to you and the thought of "ruining it" for everyone is causing you tons of grief. It's difficult for your parents too because they love you but feel torn or disappointed that you left. I think that eventually they'll come around. I've seen this many times. I've actually lived it. You just keep on the road you've chosen. You make sure that they're clear that you've left for good, but that you still love them and are sorry for any grief you may have caused them but it's your life and this is the path you've chosen and leave it at that. I'm not saying it's gonna be easy, it's different for everyone, but stick to your guns and make sure they see how much you still love them. Eventually they'll adapt to the situation and things will get better.

31

I'm Getting a Tattoo!!!!

by ESTEE in

jw
friends

.

on my ankle.. here it is....what do you think???.

estee.

SisterLiz

Maybe it's an issue of rebellion against everything we were taught all our lives. One of the first things I did when left the congregation was get a tatoo. A nice 5 inch long dreamcatcher on my back, I also got a piercing. I don't regret it and who knows?....maybe I'll do it again.

16

Any talks from the hall or assembly still stick out in your mind ???

by run dont walk in

i will never forget a talk at the assembly where the speaker had a 6 year old child on stage,.

and the experience went something like this.. while at school, the child said something to another schoolmate to the effect of ............................. "i cannot associate with you, because bad association spoil useful habits.".

"and if you don't serve jehovah, you will be destroyed at armageddon.".

SisterLiz

YXL1 I remember those tell-off talks. That was my favourite part of the whole damned meeting. It was so fun to watch the person they were referring to during the talk and if we didn't know, it would be fun to try to figure it out. I remember once they were talking about sisters who wear too much makeup and we knew exactly who he was talking about. It was a young elders wife, and although she got away with adultery, I guess they drew the line at looking like a prostitute., Image is everything I suppose.

21

JW funeral! Help!

by smurfette in

jw
friends

my grandma died yesterday.

i love her very much and miss her terribly.

she joined the jw's late in life after years of my mom coaxing her to join.

SisterLiz

SMURFETTE, this is a really difficult time for you as it is. I completely agree with ASLEIF. You go there, hold your head up high, stick with your worldly family members. If anyone starts getting preachy with you just cut them off and say "This isn't the time or place to be preaching to me, I would much rather if you left me alone". Show them you're not intimidated by them. You have every right to be there. Religion shouldn't even be an issue. I'm sorry for your loss, I know exactly how it feels to lose a beloved grandparent. We'll be thinking of you, so think of us if you begin to get uncomfortable. Remember, you know something they don't, they're living a lie.

21

The JW Martyr Complex?

by lisaBObeesa in

jw
friends

like my mother before me, im a martyr.

i am almost unable to make a choice based on what is best for me.

and of course this has over time made me a depressed, bitter person who, much to my horror, explodes with rage from time to time.

SisterLiz

I remember that no matter how much I did, how hard I tried it was never enough. My mom was seriously ill and had severe asthma. The funny part was that it was the Kingdom Hall making her sick. It was newly built and the fresh paint and the new carpet fibres gave her severe allergies so she had to miss many meetings. My father had to work the evening and night shifts at the time in order to support the family and that, in their eyes was unacceptable because he had to miss the meetings. We all felt guilty, we all felt like total crap and for what? When we all finally did leave it took a while to shake loose all that guilt and fear that "God is watching you, he knows what's in your heart" bullshit. Little by little I've been able to let all those years of indoctrination sift out of my brain......now all that's left is relief that I'm out and finally free, and residual bitterness and hatred towards the society and it's followers.

90

Spells, Wiccans, and Witchcraft

by SpunkyChick in

i just returned home from a nightmarish trip to chicago.

i came in peace, and was shit on by my aunts and a cousin.

what they did was unforgivable.

SisterLiz

Yup, I'm an ex-JW who has become quite interested in Paganism....really anything occult, but mostly paganism. I also have read "the big blue book" among others. One thing I love about this is that you can practice it alone. Go with your feelings, be true to yourself.

31

Abuse was the only reason I left. Posted on the net in 1996.

by cat1759 in

jehovah's witness elders .

abused my 4 year old

when my son matt was three years old, he was molested by his 26 year old aunt (my sister in law).

SisterLiz

The anger I feel right now is incredible. I can almost feel my face turning dark red. It's incredible how full of themselves these elders are. I can't believe the way they handled your situation. What ended up happening to your ex-sister-in-law?