by pomo6780 33 Replies latest jw experiences
It wasn't happening that whole families left when I stopped attending. But I remember meeting at Flipper's Tahoe-fest, a whole family that left together when the husband stayed in just long enough to make sure his family woke up. It was a wonderful thing.
I think it would often be true that one spouse is more ready than the other, and the kids are just ready anytime to drop that crazy cult.
I think the main reason for leaving is that the kids have introduced their parents to their friends not in the org and the parents wake up after seeing the world isn't bad after all.
That could be a reason. That would never fly in my family, though. I think that elders are placed in a bad position. They are placed in positions of authority, which some may find cool, but time after time becomes clear to many that they just don't have the life experience, leadership skills or political spine to continuously deal with people's personal problems and provide the very bad advice that they are bound to give. And then, they don't even get a thank you from their peers nor (horrors!) the WT.
Many elders are just burned out. Just my opinion.
Have you seen whole families leave? If so, for what reasons?
Not all at once, like a family Exodus. However, I've seen family members following the steps of some who leave, and the the entire family being out, and yes, like you say, happier, healthier and more vibrant.
My whole family left. I missed alot of meetings for work. After awhile work became an excuse to miss more meetings. Collectively we awoke to TTATT. I remember sitting in the living room and discussing how we all felt and then we just stopped attending. Went to one memorial in 2008. That was it. Never been back and never will go back.
Yes...this WHOLE family left. Yes...we were stumbled. Watching the blatant hypocrisy, judgement and just plain down right abuse this organization lays on it's members is just staggering. Life is good! We hope to hear of more entire families leaving in the near future!
Families leaving -- Thor Speed. Can't wait to know one -- the fortunate ones that make the great escape! I left about '96 due to horrifying lies, hypocrisy, EVIL. I was afraid to leave (brainwashed) but the fear and angst of staying was killing me. One horrifying/distressing cult!
Our entire family (me, wife, kids) has left the Borg. Apparently, the kids were PIMO for a long time and I strategically began to verbally explain my doubts to help my wife awaken. Surprisingly, she was already far more awake than I ever imagined. It was a tough severing of the Borg ties. Since we are just "weak, inactive and stumbled" the other JW extended family (the ones that matter) do not shun us, but the relationship is a bit strained with one of them. Of course, no problem with family members that are PIMO for their own reasons. We just could not "fake it" anymore.
POMO:
I imagine this would be very distressing to people in the congregations to witness this.
When one person leaves the religion the JWs can always say 'well, that person had a problem..' But, when a whole family leaves they can't necessarily say this.
This is a very good thing for the family who leaves together and I hope it happens more often. It's like giving a collective middle finger to the hypocritical JW religion. Let this be a slap in the face to them!
It's great to hear this sort of news, but it lacks specificity. How many entire families have left that porno knows of?
My personal family left over a period of 2 years. This occurred 5 plus years ago. My siblings with their families are all still ragingly "in" but since none of me or mine are actually DFd, they are somewhat fragmented in how they chose to deal with us and associate with us. Some more, some less.
I dont think they (my in family members) realize how very close to the edge as far as being mentally ready to walk some of the younger still in family members are. These young ones confide but vaguely. I listen with complete empathy and support but do no "campaigning" for leaving.
I think it should happen organically on its own if that is the choice.
Stan Livedeath,
No, although I have exited for a while, I can't reveal the areas for reasons of lurking still in family or old friends.
