eteacher
JoinedI live in upstate NY and have 3 kids from a long term relationship. I was raised JW from the age of 2 years. I was formally baptized at around 18 or 19. I left the organization shortly after I became pregnant with my second child. My father was a very spiritual man and he felt terribly conflicted when I left. He was encouraged not to speak with me by members of the congregation. I experienced a great deal of ostracism at a young age, but my faith in GOD was never an issue. I had been sexually abused within the congregatin for many years. My own mother practices spiritism in the form of ouija board participation and ritual voodoo practices. JW's are very secretive and I believe they are a cult that is based upon occult practices. I have seen many JW children become worse off than the so-called "worldly" children we were not allowed to associate with. There are some with obvious mental problems, sexually deviant behavior, and problems adjusting to a life outside of JW culture. Only by the grace of GOD have my eyes been opened to the beauty that is still in this world. Only by the grace of GOD can I accept myself as an independent human being who does not need the approval of a group for validation. Only by the grace of GOD can I appreciate the most basic tenet of all true religions "LOVE". GOD is LOVE. GOD is not divisive, cruel, opressive,or unduly controlling. GOD admonishes us to LOVE one another as we LOVE ourselves. That admonition does not leave room for the mind controlling intimidation that every JW is subjected to on a daily basis. I have found "the truth" in many religions and to some extent I am grateful to have been raised in the JW organization. I gained a thirst for true knowledge and a deep devotion to GOD, as well as a consciousness of my spiritual needs. However, contrary to what JW's teach I believe that "the truth" can be found in many teachings. I have studied Buddhism. I have gone to Seventh Day Adventists meetings and I keep an open, intelligent, and questioning mind. I believe that my experiences in the organization of JW's only served to bring me closer to GOD and loosen the grip that blind obedience had over my dear father, a man who struggled with his desire to believe in that organization until the day he died on April 01, 2003. May GOD bless and keep all of those who visit this site and continue to give us all the courage to be who we are,and speak what we know to be true, for we are all children of GOD no matter what race, religion, or sexual orientation we identity with.