What brought you here?

by leaving_quietly 30 Replies latest jw friends

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  eyesropen323

  I was raised as a JW from 8 years old. I am almost 40 now. I have been doing my best in this religion for years. Was a pioneer early in my life etc...A few years ago I was doing research for a talk and was on the JW.org website. I read, again, how the religion was founded. It was founded by Russell who was well off. I have read this before but for some reason this time I could not get this out of my head. It was some rich man who founded the JW religion. I started doing research on my own about him. And then researched Rutherford. I was surprised and disgusted. This religion was not founded on love. It was founded on money, brainwashing, control and arrogant men. It is a business who is exempt because it hides behind 'religion' As I used my own brain to think things thru, I thought about the donations given and how those monies are not seen by all the followers. The fact that ultimately each Kingdom Hall is owned by the Watchtower sickens me. And how each member is to devote their own time and money to the upkeep of these buildings.

  Also, the hiding of wrong doings. The poor children who are molested and basically forced to see their molesters day in and day out cuz NOTHING is done!!! This hits close to home because my husband is one of these cases. And I only found this out in the past month after discussing the Conti case with an Ex Elder. I asked him if there were any cases like that in the Kingdom Hall I was associated with and he said "yes". He wouldn't tell me who the victim was but after telling my husband who the molester was he shared with me what happened to him. And his faithful, foul mouthed JW mom still is married to the prick! It was my husband's step-father! And for the past 30 years this man has been allowed to be a part of the congregation. Sickening!!!!

  The Ex Elder I mentioned suggested this site to me and I have thanked him for it. I have taken my husband and children out of this relgion. I still have other family members in it. And just their unchristian, self righteous, judemental, nasty attitude, towards me is enough to show me that this JW religion is NOT the 'truth'. I hope one day that their eyes will be opened just as mine were. I am a much happier person for it now.
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  ilikecheese

  I found this site because my unbaptized JW boyfriend was really trying to get me interested in the religion. From the basics I knew, I didn't really agree with most of the stuff, and I wanted to come up with good ways to counter his thinking. It's hard when you've had no prior exposure to the JWs. This website has helped immensely. It's also helped me to realize that if he doesn't budge on the whole JW thing, we definitely can't get married. I wouldn't want my future kids thinking that their mother is going to be destroyed sometime "soon."

  So, thanks guys! You all are so helpful!
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  umadevi

  I had doubts on WT stand on blood issue, education and few other things. I was afraid to voice out as my friends were all strict JWs. I googled JW and few sites came up. When I visited JWN for the first time I cried as I realized I was not the only one who had doubts. This site has helped me to exit WT cult.
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  yknot

  Awhile back I was wanting to show something on www.watchtower.org to some Sisters.....

  Being a bit overzealous as I was clicking a long ago device known as a 'mouse'....

  The mouse slipped in my impatiences....and clicked on the link below www.watchtower.org

  Next thing I knew I was face to face with one of Terry's comments...
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  harleybear

  I came to this site after being ot from the org for years. Actually it was Quendi who is a dear friend told me about the site and I jumped right in. So glad I did. I have received so much great support and advise. I find that the site for the most part is factual, fun and most of all real. As a born in 5th generation gal it has been nice to see that I am not the only one here. Thanks you all for your support
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  RAYZORBLADE

  I had been out of the JW's for approximately 20 years when I found THIS site. I had visited other sites, but I still bitter and combative. So I just dropped off of those other exJW sites.
  
  In January 2003, I discovered what was then loosely known as: JWD.

  I hadn't been very interested in what was going on in the organization I had once foolishly believed in. Part of me was also curious to know: 'are there any people that I used to know, also in my predicament?'. Surprisingly, there were. It has been great becoming reacquainted with people I once rubbed shoulders at the Kingdom Hall with; now ex-Jehovah's Witnesses.

  This site also did lay to rest some things I did not know about. Various JW beliefs and prophecy changes; the 1914 (This Generation) and many other tidbits, which just basically sealed the deal for me. There was a time where I had that inkling of: 'what if they were right?'.
  
  Thankfully, that was quickly put to rest and well, this site had plenty to do with that.
  
  I also got to meet some decent folks over the many years. I went to one Apostafest in Detroit (September 2003). That was fun.
  
  It's interesting popping in here periodically and view the many, many new members. It's also hilarious to see some of the same old characters and nutjobs as well.
  
  Great site overall. It's the bees knees for questioning Jehovah's Witnesses and liberated ones as well.

  Thank you Simon. Glad to have you in Canada.
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  sseveninches

  I was researching the greek word "porneia" to see what the real meaning of the word is...I was having trouble accepting the fact that the WT can just define a 2000+ year old word that's not even in use anymore, and change its meaning as they see fit. I was doing this research because I was starting to think that religion in general is the reason sex is so taboo in this world...and then I discovered this site.

  I read the thread that Google linked me to, which was discussing a watchtower study article that was talking about sex. Then I went to the list of threads, and couldn't stop reading, because I was discovering so much information, especially on the things that I've been asking myself/doubting for a long time. I discovered this site at about 13:00, and went to sleep exactly 12 hours later, reading this site non-stop. I discovered everything wrong about this organization, and just recently the fact that voting in elections is merely a conscience matter, and not forbidden like JWs think. It can be found in the 1999 watchtower, 1 November, pg. 28-29 "Questions from Readers".
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  dazed but not confused

  
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  Lozhasleft

  I was in pain. Still quietly trying to recover from the WTBS, I joined a site and many there spoke about this site. I looked for it and joined. It was scary, but I had nothing lesft to lose. Probably one of the better decisions I ever made.

  Loz x
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  Pink sapphire

  I've been out for many years now, but the fear of reading anything anti-jw remained with me. I hadn't really thought much about support for myself but a quick google search brought me here a few months ago. I wish I had that courage years ago.