a "sister" i know is in her late 80's.
her friend was 90 and on her deathbed.
(just a week ago.
My Catholic grandmother at age 96 was thinking about religious stuff. Not long before she died I heard her ask this question: "I wonder if everything they told us is true?"
My mother, her daughter, was disgusted--"She's too old to be asking questions like that."
so far my oldest niece and oldest sister cut me off.
i'm waiting for the goodbye texts from my other siblings.
my parents asured me they would never cut me off.
You will never have to "look over your shoulder" after this. There is a strain when you have to hold SO MUCH BACK. You will get through--but I do hope your mom and dad stick with you for everyone's sake.
Take care.
i remember one picture of a pretty little girl holding a plastic bucket in paradise next to a tame lion.. i asked my wife if there is going to be polution in paradise?
of course the answer is no!!!!!..
i asked her where did the plastic bucket come from?
Having worked in factories in the past, I remember when I looked at some tracts for the first time and noting that there seemed to be several items in the illustrations that were produced in that way. I remarked to an elder: I don't see how any of us are going to be working in factories.
He had nothing much to say, as I recall.
i'm fed up of my still-in wife using this excuse that they can utter wrong beliefs and doctrines.. .
the fact that there are imperfect humans involved in the organisation is very much irrelevant.. .
we all accept, including jdubs, that these men are just men who may think and say wrong things like the rest of us as they go about their own lives.
Apog--
that makes me wonder,now--are they less perfect at 7 than they were at 8?
i'm fed up of my still-in wife using this excuse that they can utter wrong beliefs and doctrines.. .
the fact that there are imperfect humans involved in the organisation is very much irrelevant.. .
we all accept, including jdubs, that these men are just men who may think and say wrong things like the rest of us as they go about their own lives.
BU2B,
Fantastic point!
the double bind strikes again!
"Be obedient to those taking the lead...." Heb.13:17
"So, then, each of us will render an account for himself to God." Rom. 13:12
http://www.itv.com/news/wales/2014-09-29/jehovahs-witness-sex-abuse-victims-call-for-organisation-to-be-held-accountable/.
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Hey, hey, Motorman!
First post!
See you soon again?
SlidingFast, Great article--brave people to lay it on the line for the public.
THINK PEOPLE!! JWs ARE JUST PEOPLE--NOT A 'SPECIAL POSSESSION'--as long as you put up with this mind control you are merely specially possessed.
i was wondering how many of you suffered badly with depression when you were in "the truth" and if you feel your depression was related to being part of the organisation?
are you better now you have left or still have issue's?
whatever your experience's i would be very intrested to know (if you feel you can talk about it.).
Ajax,
Found your note this morning. Your kind words coming out from the flat screen nevertheless were full and round for me. thanks
--The anonymity that is neccesary to be open about our pain imposes certain limits here. But along with it there are aspects that are unbounded and wonderful as well---from out of the blue we can experience a drive-by soothing.
Have a lovely day.
Maeve
i finally registered on here after reading on the forum for almost two years on and off (more often the last year).
to give you some background on who i am i can say that i'm a girl in my late teens and live in western europe.
my mom is a jw and my dad is not.
The elders may want to talk to you--but they have no"legitimate" reason to do it.
My daughters left "the Truth" while they were still in the home. My husband was not a JW. All three girls went to college and are doing well.
I do and did then believe there must be choice in becoming a member of a religion. Coersion is ALWAYS wrong. and I did stand by the girls--even the one whose leaving was a torment for us both--she was baptized. (a long and interesting story)
It may be hard to live with honesty but in my opinion it is by far the healthiest thing you can do nfor now and for your future.
Take care and---good for you. You sound like you are a grand girl.
Maeve
sometimes people make special connections to animals.
sometimes they bond very deeply and are real friends.
yesterday was the end of such a friendship that lasted ten wonderful years.
I know how much you had to love your friend to end his suffering. Nothing says it so well as that. It is amazing to find such friendship and love in the hearts of another creature, isn't it?
Take care,
Maeve
i was wondering how many of you suffered badly with depression when you were in "the truth" and if you feel your depression was related to being part of the organisation?
are you better now you have left or still have issue's?
whatever your experience's i would be very intrested to know (if you feel you can talk about it.).
I was a cradle Catholic, wandered into the clutches of the Witnesses at 35 years of age.
Catholic guilt and Irish genes, a difficult family situation and the being a JW for 22 years.
Depression? OH YEAH! up-and-down-in-and-out. the only good was reading the gospels without the propaganda attached. all that eventually got me through religion and out.
In and out of counselling when I could afford it--even as a JW. Small spurts without real--like taking an antibiotic for tooshort a time.....
This past month suffered a mental collapse that sent me to a mental health facility. I am having to deal with the aftermath--
-I do recognize the effects of trusting a sky-daddy to write the narrative of your own life. I suffer terribly from overwhelming sadness at the mis-use of the precious time with my children and husband. when I see the strugglesof my children I cannot help but grieve for my mistakes.
JW's suffer certainly from religious distortion of our mental/emotional growth. But other religions can be hazards to us as well.
