Users
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Billzfan23
I left the org a few years ago. If anyone is ever in the Boston or New England area, feel free to hit me up.
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NanaR
Fifth generation JW, now Roman Catholic (as of March 22, 2008). Favorite quote: No one heals himself by wounding another. - Saint Ambrose, fourth century. Web site that I recommend: http://www.catholicxjw.com My blog: http://nanaruthann.blogspot.com To listen to my conversion story, download this podcast: http://www.archive.org/download/cxjw019/cxjw019.mp3 email: [email protected]
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zarco
I think I mentally checked out after 1975. My family had moved to where the need was greater (West Coast to Midwest). We had sold our house and most of what we owned and went to serve out the few years before Armageddon. Floyd Kite, Angelo Manera and others made very direct comments about 1975 as did the WTBTS. We were living off the proceeds of the home sale for the most part. The upside was we met a long of great people. After 1975 (I was in high school) I vowed never to trust the Society again. I met my then wife in the Midwest and we did the JW thing for several years. I served several positions, PO, Sub-CO, rooming guy at conventions and advised WT Treasury and all of the sorts of the things that we were supposed to do. My spouse was a believer and our daughter got baptized but she, like me, realized it was not the "truth". Since I never trusted the advice of the Society completely I made sure that all of us went to University. I did this while working and wife and daughter both went full time after I had finished and daughter was old enough. It set us up for our eventual exit. We also did other pretty lame rebellious things like Thanksgiving and New Years celebrations. We also did low-key birthdays celebrations. During our life, like others, we saw all sorts of injustice. From child abuse issues, to judicial committees being drunk on power, the devaluation of women in the organization (like crazy Ted J telling women to stay with abusive mates). The generation change, blood issues and other doctrines were all factors. But after our daughter didn't want to live the half-in-life anymore and moved to Europe to finish college my then wife decided to explore things a bit on her own. In her exploration, and with some prodding from our daughter and me, she quickly realized that the religion was not only a sham but also harmful in its teachings and left immediately. I respect her a great deal for the quick decision, I was somewhat happy being in and doing my own thing while having a fun group of people to hang out with. When she decided to not go to meetings any longer I wrote a letter resigning my positions and we never looked back. A wonderful scholar named Leolaia was very instrumental in solidifying our decision. We are both married to other individuals - wicked worldly people, haha - and are all very happy with life and where we are at. I stop by this site from time to time to check in on what is going on with the JWs and the latest scandals. I love where we are. I do not mean to make the exit sound easy. It was emotional at times and only a handful of our past "friends" stay in touch. But it was the best decision of our lives.
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OnTheWayOut
I had trouble with GENERATIONS and 1975, so I researched these for years using only WT material. Once I knew the TRUTH was not the truth, I turned to the internet and found all this wonderful information that confirmed my belief. I am OnTheWayOut because I am totally inactive but still fading. I want to try to help the wife out, or at least keep a good relationship with her, and my JW mother. I want to avoid DF or DA for their sake. I resigned as an elder in August 2006 and quit the Theocratic Ministry School, citing doubts about our teachings. I no longer have doubts- I know WTS is a mind-control cult. I met with the CO in early October 2006, he told me to decide what I want to do (practically told me to get in line with organization thinking or get out). After 12 years as an elder, he gave me 15 minutes of his time, this works great for my fade- shows me what a person's value to the WTS truly is. I stopped reporting field service, stating that the CO stumbled me. In Jan. 2007, I had a serious talk with wife about WTS being a cult, she seems to understand and will try to respect my feelings, I will respect hers. In April 2007 I told her I don't want to attend meetings, anymore. She actually took it well, hope it holds up. In summary, I went from active elder one summer, to spiritually dead (according to WTS values) the following Spring. I am bitter at the organization because it stunted my personal growth for nearly 20 years. The individuals are just captives of the false concept that they are serving God. Hate the Printing company but help the members if you can. In May of 2008, I spoke to my mother at length about my problems with WTS. She won't shun me, so basically I am done worrying about fading. I don't care about the other JW's, as long as my wife and mother can't/won't shun me. I will stay in the fader status out of kindness to my wife, but it doesn't really matter anymore.
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Open mind
Ms. OM and I were both 3rd gen JWs. We completely shunned my gay, DFed, older brother for twenty years. I awakened to TTATT circa 2006. Ms. OM about 3 years later. Kids never took the plunge and we're all successfully faded. We've reconnected with my oldest brother and have patched things up pretty well. Getting much closer to being an ex-ex-JW, although I doubt I'll ever be 100% JW free.
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