Hi
Nice to meet you all. Long time lurker, but now I can get my twopenneth in.
A brief history.
Born into the religion, but it never really took hold - thankful for an easily bored mind and strong, worldly grandparents.
Never very interested - dragged from meeting to field service. In the teenage years I wanted university and my parents want a pioneer. It all went downhill from there.
Married early to escape, divorced, then re-married. Then the urge to find out who was right took hold. I needed to find my truth. I thank my wife for that.
The whole JW thing is a complete lie - from beginning to end. A farce - so obvious to everyone on the outside.
If Orwells book, 1984, described a religion, it would be the Jehovahs Witnesses. The difference is telescreen would be your own conscience.
But, I have been very lucky; time heals.
My parents never disassociated me. My love for my parents is only now matched with their love for me and my family. When together, religion related issues are never brought up and everyone is happy. But it is so sad to watch them on the eternal "you must do more" treadmill. Every spare minute in personal study, field service, elders meetings, bookstudy, meetings.
I am just so revulsed that such wonderful, loving people can be ensnared, for over 50 years, by this hateful belief system. They were caught by a missionary when my father was in the armed forces in the 1960's. They were newly married, homesick, young, niave and they needed a bit of empathy and support - it came with a life sentence.
They are beyond contempt.
On that note - glad to be here.
S