Warm welcome Aurora, You are very brave for leaving. I did the active/inactive thing several times before leaving for good. It will be a challenge to move forward with your life but believe me, it is well worth it and you can do it. You will discover things about yourself, cool things, that you never knew before. You can explore ambitions and dreams. I know I got honest with myself about what I really wanted in life and it was liberating. You can make friends, real, true friends who won't leave you just because you don't believe the same things they do. Maybe you can go back to school or join a local club/association or volunteer for community service - you could meet loads of people that way. Also, if you're interested in politics you can volunteer at one of the local campaign offices. There is a lot to do, places to see and good people to meet. I met wonderful people at church (yes, I'm a Christian and I love it - but you may not be ready for that yet, believe me, I understand) You have plenty of options. It's so sad how JWs expect you to self destruct after leaving them. This board was a life saver when I first left, with all the support I got. And I met my husband on this board too so you never know:) JWs don't understand when you are thriving, happy and blessed. The best sermon you can give to a JW is to be happy. Welcome again! - Love, V Sky
Victorian sky
JoinedPosts by Victorian sky
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36
Hi, First Post
by AuroraB inhey there.
i'm new to the forums and just had to say hi, and thank you to all of you who've shared your stories which have let me know finally and for sure that i'm not crazy and nowhere near as abnormal as i've been feeling...well, forever, really, but more so over these last few years!!!
i can't tell you what a good feeling that is, but i suspect you already know.
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JWs came to my door
by Victorian sky inthe boy was about 7 years old.
' he looked at his son and didn't answer.
'can you shun this boy?
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Victorian sky
Thanks everyone for all your kind words, especially in regards to our son. I hope and pray that this JW does think. I've been a mom for only a few months and I could never imagine rejecting and hurting my child the way the GB dictate. It is so sad. I think it's the most evil thing they ask of the rank and file. I think they know that if they did away with their shunning policy the congregations would have a mass exodus. How many of the 'friends' are just there because they are afraid to lose their family and all the friends they have ever known? It's a method of control fueled by fear. I hope that man and his son break free.
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JWs came to my door
by Victorian sky inthe boy was about 7 years old.
' he looked at his son and didn't answer.
'can you shun this boy?
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Victorian sky
Hi all. Haven't posted in a while - primitive genius and I had a baby! (A gorgeous boy) So we've been busy to say the least. Had a wake up call this morning from JWs. Since I faded 5 years ago, this is only the second time JWs have come. At first I wasn't sure if I was going to answer but I did. It was a father and son. The boy was about 7 years old. I asked 'JWs?' The man smiled and said 'Why, yes'. I said, 'I feel very sorry for you and your son.' The smile went away instantly. He said 'What do you mean?' I said, 'My husband was in your religion. His parents and sister shun him because in good conscience, he could not remain a part of your organization.' The JW said 'They shun him?' I said 'Yeah, they haven't spoken to him in 3 years, how unloving and sad is that?' He said, 'It's not unloving.' I said, 'Then what do you call it?' He said, 'Well I can show you in the bible...' I cut him off and said, 'Oh my inlaws have shown me those verses that you all take out of context. JWs, Mormans, Scientologists and other fringe groups are the only ones who interpret those verses to kick out former members, real Christians don't do that. Jesus would never treat people the way your religion does. My father in law is one of your elders and he's too holy to come to our house. The only way he saw his only grandson was because we took the baby to him.' The JW said, 'Well if wrong doing was involved...' I said, 'My husband is a good, moral man, his big crime is no longer believing in your religion. So tell me, when your sweet little boy grows up and decides to think for himself and he tells you he no longer believes your religion is The Truth are you prepared to turn your back on him?' He looked at his son and didn't answer. I asked again. 'Can you shun this boy? Your own flesh and blood because that's what your religion will tell you to do.' He looked at the boy again and said nothing. I said, 'How can you be a part of an organization that tears families apart? Where's the love?' He still said nothing, he just looked at me and fidgeted from foot to foot. I felt myself getting emotional and I was afraid I'd start crying and appear crazy, so I said 'Have a good day, I feel sorry for you and your son and I'll pray for you.' Don't think he liked that at all. So I'm hoping that the next time JWs come to my door, I'll be more prepared. I want to be calm, cool and collected. I wanted to help him and that boy but I didn't know how. Just thought I'd share.
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Do Jehovah's Witnesses REALLY Love Others?
by minimus inthink about it---witnesses proclaim that their identifying mark is love.
they are the "most loving organization in the world".
they personify christ and are the only "true christians".
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Victorian sky
JWs want to really love people but they can't. When you are asked over and over again: Who do you love more? Jehovah or your mom? Your husband? Your best friend? How do you reply to that? Years of brainwashing, conditioned responses and massive guilt trips have resulted in cruel and unnatural behavior by otherwise good people. My In Laws are a case in point. They were wondeful people unitl they found out that we were not only inactive but Christians when they found out we go to church that was it. These good, 'loving' people not only shun their only son and me but my father in law hasn't even seen our son and he's nearly a year old. He is welcome to see our child but he won't because we're no longer 'in the truth'. How sick and twisted is that? JWs are the saddest people in the world and many of them don't even know it.
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MY DAD HAD A STROKE
by Mary ini just got a call from my mom.
my father's had a massive stroke and is in the hospital.
i'm leaving now to go to the hospital and i probably won't have time to post here for a while until we know what's happening........
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Victorian sky
Mary, I hope and pray your dad will recover soon. All our love, V-Sky
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UPDATE: Semi-Back-in-Business
by RichieRich inover the past couple of weeks, i've learned a lot about myself and those around me.
life might suck, but life moves on.. mom's grip is weakening, prob.
because she's getting tired, or because she's beginning to realize how things are.. not everything i have done is admirable, but its done.
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Victorian sky
Hi Richie! Great news on the p.o. box We'll be in touch soon. Love ya, V Sky & Prim G.
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I'm new here.
by The inhey everyone, as the subject might sugest... im new here!
they say first impressions last and i hope i make.
this a good one.. .
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Victorian sky
Welcome The! Please keep posting, we're all here for you. I would suggest borrowing as many old publications, especially Russel and Rutherford's masterpieces from the KH library, that will answer your question on what makes a false prophet. I know what you mean about not feeling any closer to Jehovah at the meetings. Been there, done that.Keep praying and God will guide you. There is a lot of hope out of the org. -Unconditional Love, V Sky
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I'm Gonna Be A Grandfather!!!!!
by minimus inmy daughter and her husband told me and her mom last night that she is due december 24th!
it will be our first grandchild.
she'll be 28 and is sooooooo excited!
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Victorian sky
M, congrats! Many blessings
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Shunned!!
by RichieRich ini work at target.
back in the good ole' days, witnesses used to come in all the time to see me.
i would say that there were maybe three or four families that came in regularly.. since the announcement was made though, i've had at least 35 diiferent people come in.
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Victorian sky
You Go Richie! Very proud of you, keep showing them how happy life is when you are free. Poor things, I feel so sorry for those young people. They're not even allowed to be young and to enjoy their life. You're doing so well Richie, there will be good days and bad but you're strong and when you're not, you have us to lean on. Love ya, V Sky
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an "Adult's" View.
by RichieRich inhere i sit, in my public library, typing away a computer from a hot nasty seat.. but i wouldn't be anywhere else in the world right now.
(okay, maybe a couple of other places).
i have to be at work in 40 minutes, and its a 15 minute drive from here, so lets not expect a novel of a post.. yesterday was my birthday, and they did a little cake thing for me and all that which was nice, but otherwise, nothing is new.. my mother seems to be cooling off, but lets just say that the "excrement flinging fan" hasn't been turned off yet.. i'm 18 now, and nothing is different.
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Victorian sky
Richie, Happy Birthday! Glad to hear you're okay. Things maybe rough now but there's always tomorrow and it's full of possibilities. Let us know when you get that p.o. box, we'd love to write you. I agree with what others said, essentially, don't go off the deep end now that you're free, that's what the JWs want so they can say 'See, this is what happens when you leave us.' The best revenge is to live a fantastic, successful life. As one poet says, 'be so good at what you do that people can't take their eyes off you.' Be the best and the dubs will wonder how and why. Love, - V Sky