Do you ever mention to anyone you were a JW ??? or keep it secret ???

by run dont walk 27 Replies latest jw friends

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  Evesapple

  I don't tell just anyone. 1st of all I do not consider myself one anymore, so there is not point in bringing it up. To those I develop relationships with ie., spouse, close friends...then yes, I do bring up my past because there are always questions regarding family. Otherwise, your past is personal, and what you were does need to be discussed unless you want to.

  When I was a witness, yes I told people mainly if they asked, or if there was questions regarding holidays. It was no biggie...I had to do it, but I was never proud of it.
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  Tinkerbell4125

  Only if it happened to come up....I'd rather talk about more possitive things.
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  smurfette

  I agree with pc on this one.

  I've been at my current job, a fairly good sized casino, since just after my escape so all the old timers at work have seen how much I've changed in the last ten years. When I was first out I talked about "the cult I grew up in" on a regular basis. I don't talk about it much anymore but whenever anyone at work has an issue with the witnesses, be it how do I get them to stop coming to my door, or my family members are studying with them, they seek me out or are sent to me for advice.

  I wonder if the local congregations are wondering about the unusual amounts of people in the area asking to be added to the "do not call" list?
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  DanTheMan

  I talked about it quite a bit with coworkers, family, etc. when I left but it doesn't come up very often now.

  I haven't had a situation where I found out that an acquaintance was studying or something like that. That is such a delicate situation. You don't want to make it sound like JW's are hell on earth, even though they are, because right off the bat if a person is studying they're going to be hit with "Satan is going to try to make you stop studying" and all that nonsense.
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  darkuncle29

  To people that knew me as a JW, school or work, I usually tell them bluntly that I am no longer a JW. Some of them ask and we talk about it. Others do not. I consider my anti-witnessing very important, but I try not to be whoo-hoo about it.
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  Thirdson

  I rarely confessed to being a JW when I was one, and I hardly tell anyone I used to be one. My closest friends know and obviously my wife and her family and her closest friends know. Matters of religion are discussed occasionally at work but the issues that made you different, Christmas, birthdays etc make no difference now. Those that know my personal history will never, ever become JWs.

  3rd
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  aarque

  I once worked with a woman who was very into her religion (Baptist, I think) One day she asked me what I followed. I told her I had been raised as a JW. She looked at me, astonished, and said "You're forgiven!"
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  BLISSISIGNORANCE

  When I was a dub I was never embaressed about it and defended the borg in every way, as long as it didn't go against my conscience. When I started working I made sure it be known because of Xmas and birthdays.

  And if I met people I knew at the door I always spoke about why I was there and never had a problem with being ridiculed or feeling shy. I believed in it and I did what I believed was right to do.

  But just as equally, when I left I didn't hide that either. And I am very open about why I left. I have been 100% honest and open in both situations. I figure I owe it to people, to forewarn them and hopefully protect them from the cult.

  Cheers, Bliss