Why I am leaving JWD

by logansrun 66 Replies latest jw friends

  • logansrun
    logansrun

    I'm leaving this forum...at least temporarily. As I mentioned in conversation over dinner at the Chicago Apostafest, my upcoming school schedule (which begins next week) combined with my workload will make it very difficult to be an active member on this forum. Perhaps I'll check in occassionaly when life is a little slower but for now I'd better distance myself from the on-line scene or else the other elements in my life will suffer. With this in mind, some departing thoughts....

    I continue to hold to the suspicion that most ex-JWs do not manage their thoughts and emotions with regard the WTS fairly or rationally. Yes, the Society is wrong and we have been hurt. But, it wasn't that bad. There is plenty of good in the Witnesses -- both as individuals and even as an organization -- and it behooves us to look for it. Of course, "good" and "bad" are subjective human constructs so it could be argued that there is no objective reason to believe that the organization is "good" in any sense (or "bad"). Nevertheless, for pragmatic reasons -- to keep your sanity -- look for good. You will find it.

    It takes two people to make one enemy. Think about that.

    There is no such thing as a "normal" life; no one has a "normal" life. If you think your childhood was "stolen" from you by the JWs (as I have sometimes thought) take a drive in a ghetto and ask yourself if these kids playing in some delapidated sandlot have "normal" childhoods? Yes, they celebrate Christmas too. Take a walk in a nice suburban shopping mall and see the fourteen-year-olds with cellphones and ask yourself if that is somehow "normal" for a member of homo sapiens. Look at the superficiality and ask yourself if a theological grand narrative is so much worse than the banality of lunch at Taco Bell and the latest "reality" show. Accepting that there is no such thing as "normal" will go a long way in your "recovery" process.

    Just let go.

    This being said, there really is nothing "abnormal" about logging on to the internet every day to engage in a diatribe about some well-known but little understood Christian sect. I can't point to some objective piece of logic which says you shouldn't do this, but at the same time I can't point to any objective fact from the Universe which states that murder is wrong. Nevertheless, I believe it is. I also believe that there is more to life than the "Evil" Watchtower.

    I just bought a plant and it is delightful.

    With this in mind, it is time for an interlude. I have lots to do. I wish you all the best. For those that wish to keep up with my goings-on -- I do consider some of you as friends -- my email address is [email protected]

    Peace unto you,

    Bradley

  • BrendaCloutier
    BrendaCloutier

    Bradley, take care, hon, and bless you. I've always respected you and I hope you come back our way. Good luck in school. You'll do well. Please do drop in. Or drop me a line if you please at blcloutier at yahoo dot com.

    Hugs and love

    Brenda

  • Billygoat
    Billygoat

    (((((bradley))))))

    You are wise in so many ways and I'm glad to see that you've healed as much as you have. Some of us are still working to get there. Take care and get good grades. Don't be a stranger. Pop in and check in with us when you can or when you feel like it.

    Love,

    Andi

  • Justin
    Justin

    Thank you so much for putting things in perspective.

  • bikerchic
    bikerchic

    Darn!

    ((((((((Bradley))))))))

    Just when you start to show some real growth you go and leave.

    I think you'll be just fine, go and make a wonderful life for yourself.

    Kate (who know's normal is a setting on the dryer)

  • stopthepain
    stopthepain

    good luck bradley,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,but one last argument

    your right,no one has a normal life,what is normal..blah blah blah

    But is it wrong to want your parents ,whether together or as individuals,to love you more than some organization,to always support you even if it doesn't exactly please a group of 10 or so old men whom they don't even know,to think about the psycological ,emotional and physycal development of thier child over the miniscule and ultimately foolish rules of jehovahs witnesses?Maybe I just had immature parents who never should have been having kids,but I do know my parents were good people who a organization used for its own selfish and egotistical doctrines.If everyone loved thier families,and made common sense desicions,we wouldn't be talking about this.I can't live my life and punish myself for some kid growing up in the ghetto,or worry about kids in malls with cellphones.I can though,someday,when I have the courage and circumstance,break the cycle,and love my kids unconditionally,not based on money or religion,or looks,or faults------and do everthing in my power to help them,without forcing idealogical crap down thier throat.

    maybe that will never happen,I dont know.

  • upside/down
    upside/down

    Couldn't agree more with your post!

    Peace "unto" you too.

    u/d Well Done


  • iiz2cool
    iiz2cool
    Yes, the Society is wrong and we have been hurt. But, it wasn't that bad.

    Speak for yourself. Until you've walked a mile in the shoes of an abuse victim, you have no clue.

    Period.

    Walter

  • Elsewhere
    Elsewhere

    Looks like you found your closure and its time to move on...

    Good luck!

  • upside/down
    upside/down

    stp- noticed you mentioned that they force this ideological crap down our throat. I for one ate this "crap" right up. I volunteered for it, no one forced me to do anything. I was naive and submissive. I was even WARNED. But I was free to make my own (turned out to be poor) choice. Just as I am free to LEAVE from under the Dub "yoke".

    logansrun point is well made.

    u/d A-ha!


Share this

Google+
Pinterest
Reddit