Hi folks whats up?
I grew up as a strict JW until my early 20's when an event happened that made me start thinking for myself, thank goodness. What I mean by strict was I think most of you will undertsand that I really believed in what i was doing, baptised at the age of 13, seriously considered bethal, pioneered and was offered to be a ministerial servent. As opposed to those of you who grew up JW but always knew soon as you were 18 you would not be going to any more meetings. I think for those of you who had a simiar experience to this, it was of great mental anguish to be 24ish and suddenly lose everyone (except my mom) you thought you were close to, 24 and having hundreds of so called friends to zero. And not just losing friends but people going out of their way to avoid you, really really hurt. How anyone one can see a positive side of Disfellowshipping or leaving the religion where its basically the same treatment is beyond me.
I'm 30 now and have restarted my life made some REAL friends and am with the most amazing woman I could ever find. I am happy now but I sure wished that while I was going through the rough times I had someone who I could relate to. No one, no matter how understanding they are could possibly know what its like to be raised as a JW unless you went through it yourself. Even now, I wish had someone to talk to once in a while. Hence me joining this forum. But I have to admit I did have a good childhood as brainwashing as it was.
My current feelings are pure hatred for all religions, I believe we aren't the most powerful beings in the universe but no man made religion will ever be a part of my life. Now thats my opinion which I am entitled to. If some of you are happily in a religion then good for you whatever makes you happy. Isn't that what life is about? Finding out what makes us happy and then doing it? It sure isn't wasting my life away studying ever changing opinions on what the bible means and all the silly made up rules around it. Does anyone really believe that facial hair will make me be judged by god in a negitive way? "Ok buddy you got a goatee there, you aren't allowed in paridise." How people can follow this garbage without question in this day and age is crazy.
Anyways I could go on for hours. I am hoping to meet some people who understand my mental anguish, yes I still carry a little bit of it around with me.