maybe you are an atheist.. maybe you are agnostic.. you have left a cult, left behind an entire belief system, complete with detailed instructions on how to live..rules to follow for every aspect of your very life.
you know it was a big lie.. you are now naked, staring at your soul.
just you, just your own thoughts, just your own voice, your own feelings.
For me, the wonder was that anyone could love me, that anyone would find me desirable, attractive or a person of real quality. I found it difficult to love myself, so I couldn’t believe that anyone outside my immediate family could or would ever do so or had in the past.
Quendi, that is how I feel. I believe that love happens to some people, and for others is one way thing. What I learned is that where is love there is also pain, and I certainly hope that others don’t feel the same way as me.
as jw's we are taught that we are better than others; that we are almost superior to them.
after finding out ttatt, and realizing that others are actually smarter than me, i feel quite small and insecure about myself.
how do i start friendships with people i knew (sort of) for years, who i was trying to convince that the end is coming soon?
Thank you all for good suggestions. Since I posted this I was on holiday and took one opportunity to socialize with neighbours and their friends. I felt a bit awkward at times but it’s a start.
LouBelle I wish I was a bit closer, I would love to have a coffee with you, and with all other kind people here. But for now I am grateful for this forum.
as jw's we are taught that we are better than others; that we are almost superior to them.
after finding out ttatt, and realizing that others are actually smarter than me, i feel quite small and insecure about myself.
how do i start friendships with people i knew (sort of) for years, who i was trying to convince that the end is coming soon?
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as jw's we are taught that we are better than others; that we are almost superior to them.
after finding out ttatt, and realizing that others are actually smarter than me, i feel quite small and insecure about myself.
how do i start friendships with people i knew (sort of) for years, who i was trying to convince that the end is coming soon?
as jw's we are taught that we are better than others; that we are almost superior to them.
after finding out ttatt, and realizing that others are actually smarter than me, i feel quite small and insecure about myself.
how do i start friendships with people i knew (sort of) for years, who i was trying to convince that the end is coming soon?
Thank you everyone.
I have never been mean to people because I was witness and have always respected others' opinions. But I was trained to think that I was better than others (knew more than them) or as their superior, and that came across when I was interacting with ones who weren’t witnesses. I acted like a bible basher. It helps knowing how others dealt with their exit.
mrsjones5 – That is so true, especially as I am getting to know myself. I have completely new view on things than some 2 years ago.
James – So I am not the only wallflower?! It is so tempting to just run away and make new friends, but not possible at the moment so I will have to laugh at myself, which is something I can totally do!!!
Clarity – You are more now ............. not less! Thank you for that. I haven’t thought about it that way. I always had a dose of humour in my life, I seem to find it in any situation. Being brave is something I lack.
Poppers – I take that on board, although I would make myself even more vulnerable at this moment in time by doing so. I don’t really have people I can call true friends now, just acquaintances, and first I need to see where I stand with them before gushing out my insecurities. Do you think that’s fair?
DOC – Just saying that I re-evaluated my thinking is not a bad thing. I only hope that the inquisitive community I live in won’t have too many follow-up questions.
Ammo – thank you darlin!!! It is encouraging to hear you had such a good experience with your friends. I’m definitely not the sharpest tool in the shed however, I am trying to find my place in the normal world and give my share.
as jw's we are taught that we are better than others; that we are almost superior to them.
after finding out ttatt, and realizing that others are actually smarter than me, i feel quite small and insecure about myself.
how do i start friendships with people i knew (sort of) for years, who i was trying to convince that the end is coming soon?
That's the problem, I think they do.
as jw's we are taught that we are better than others; that we are almost superior to them.
after finding out ttatt, and realizing that others are actually smarter than me, i feel quite small and insecure about myself.
how do i start friendships with people i knew (sort of) for years, who i was trying to convince that the end is coming soon?
As JW's we are taught that we are better than others; that we are almost superior to them. After finding out TTATT, and realizing that others are actually smarter than me, I feel quite small and insecure about myself. How do I start friendships with people I knew (sort of) for years, who I was trying to convince that the end is coming soon? I had an opportunity recently to get out and socialize with some acquaintances I haven’t talked to for years (but they still know me as a Witness who goes around preaching) but I didn’t. How do I start a normal friendship with them? Also, as I said I feel quite small and humbled at the moment, almost like there is nothing that I can contribute to society. Did you ever need to fight that feeling and how did you overcome it?
we all memorized the definition of faith... faith is the assured expectation of things hoped for...yadda yadda.. it seems like more and more as time goes by and our scientific knowledge base grows, we need less and less faith and fewer things can be attributed to god.. do you think we need faith or is faith just a word we use to feel ok about being too lazy to keep looking for the answers ?.
what does faith mean to you now?.
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A theory is always up for falsification. Faith is not open to falsification. It's very nature requires one to be biased.
One's faith is usually based on one's expectations. I sadly don't have faith anymore in people around me or God. Faith for me is almost like gambling.
As THE GLADIATOR said What is - is. Faith is a luxury I can no longer afford
NewChapter I really like your reasoning.
step right up!
take your pick of any of the 100 billion or so people that ever lived.
who did you want to meet?
Back then, Jonah! I always liked rebels.
Now Heath Ledger, Sinatra, Elizabeth I, C Darwin, people that died on Titanic and any individuals that made great impact in their lifetime. These are just the first that come to mind.
BOTR mentioned some great people I admire.
Time travel would be awesome!!!
completely non-jw related this but value the diversity of experience and viewpoint on this forum.
i am going to sketch this out quick as i can but please ask any questions if the gaps need filling.. as some may know, i have been married for 12 years with two children (8 and 4).
my wife stopped work when the eldest was born and has been a stay at home mum since.
Hello
I didn’t want to write an essay on your thread so I’ve sent you PM.
