Comments on: Why I Remain Hidden as an Ex-Jehovah’s Witness, and It’s Not What You Think

By: Jean V.

Jean V. — Thu, 13 Apr 2017 14:44:45 +0000

I am late to the party, but don’t mind me hehe. I am a student studying with the JW people, I love them so much. I just turned legal not too long ago. Do not be alarmed, I am not here to criticize anyone because I myself am looking for the truth, and trying to learn about what I am getting myself into…
I would like to begin with my father, he was a student and he loved it. But one day, he just stopped. I don’t know why. I didn’t ask. He only told me, “They are brilliant, but a bit… off with their beliefs.”
My father loves the JWs very much. However, we stopped having contact with them for a while.
It wasn’t until I was around 15 or 16 that they came back into my life. I wanted to study with them, because I saw and felt the love these people emitted off. It was wonderful, I felt truly loved and accepted. I attended the meetings and it was wonderful, everyone was so loving. Everyone talked to everyone. My Bible instructors even bought us groceries, and got my grandmother a hearing aid.
However, as an individual, I have always been very very open minded and curious. So I began asking myself questions… and I began exploring it led me here along with other places… As a result, I was… shocked? I do not even know how to explain how my heart is shredded into pieces… I just want to find the right place… I know the world is imperfect and humans are imperfect… But this has just stunned me. All I want is the truth and everlasting life with God and Jesus… I just want to be close to God and be in his new world. However, the way that you have described it along with the policies I encountered, I don’t know anymore…

I have a couple of questions I would like to ask:

1. Does some of the teachings still stick with you? Such as being politically neutral, not celebrating holidays, or birthdays.

2. I do not mean to pry into your life, but are you attending another church? If so, why did you choose that church?

3. Again, I do not mean to pry into your life, but the reason why I am asking is because JW points out a lot of stuff that comes from the Bible that literally tells me (or you) to stay away from like: sexual immorality, revealing clothes, and etc. Because, they really follow it and personally I view as good because the Bible instructs to stay away from stuff like that. So, do you still stick to that… code or rule?

I know I am a little vague, it’s because I am emotionally distraught by all this… I just… really want to the truth and I want to be in paradise one day… Also, I really do love God, but this is just killing me on the inside…

By: Pearline

Pearline — Sat, 25 Mar 2017 19:35:01 +0000

I am so sorry for your pain. The only thing getting me through is Jesus and my family. None of them have been a JW. That is a Miracle.

Pearline

By: Pearline

Pearline — Sat, 25 Mar 2017 19:30:35 +0000

Yes I am now free. None of my children were baptized, thank Jesus for that. I remember the phrase sitting on the fence when I was in the cult. Peace and love to you. Now we have Jesus and they can not take him away from me.

Pearline

By: credo

credo — Tue, 14 Mar 2017 20:56:52 +0000

Not really

By: Michelle

Michelle — Wed, 08 Mar 2017 18:24:35 +0000

to the anonymous writer: So many jw sit on the fence and do not want to get in “trouble” so they hide who they really are in order not to get disfellowshiped. In saying that, I do not believe that ppl who disguise themselves (on the internet or in their daily lives) can really link themselves with being an ex jw. It really seems it is more like an excuse so you can sit on the fence and enjoy both worlds… not disappointing anyone in your “circle” and keeping them and yourself “happy”. well I hope you get the courage to be yourself and not let anyone depict who you are and what you should do… BE FREE

By: Jessica

Jessica — Tue, 28 Feb 2017 11:12:03 +0000

Wow I’m really sorry that you had to experience that abuse Rebecca. You’re right on every point. Horrific. Well done to you for speaking up. You sound like a very strong woman now. All the best to you xo

By: Jessica

Jessica — Tue, 28 Feb 2017 04:01:00 +0000

I left when I was 20. I was essentially born into the religion. I went through a traumatic self destructive phase after leaving which lasted around a decade. Growing up, I noticed various inconsistencies within the organization’s doctrines, but I suppose, didn’t have the internal strength at the time to really acknowledge them, other than to occasionally think to myself “thats weird” then get distracted by something else. Shortly after I left, I knew that I needed to experience life in order to know how to live it. Unfortunately, I had absolutely no idea how to do this. I was so afraid, and still feared Armageddon. Basically, things were sadly very wrong in my life from the get go and in my family. So for the last ten years I’ve been a sitting duck for any old abuser/s to take advantage, being so emotionally underdeveloped, naive, sheltered, alone, afraid. I have been isolated for the vast majority of my life, alienated. I realise now that up until last year I still bore the guilt of leaving the organization, of not living up to wts/family’s standard of “perfection”, and would do what I could, without comprising my ideals. It was a balance that I could never succeed in. I stumbled quite by accident on the scandals and controversies surrounding the organization. For the first in my life I was compelled to do independent research on wts. While it validated my thoughts, feelings, perceptions all these years, it opened my eyes, and I felt terror. I am the only one in my family that is not a witness, never baptised. But that actually doesn’t make much of a difference once you take the stance I have. I cannot unknow what I now know. My heart goes out to my mother truly. She is under immense strain in many ways, and is isolated so she cannot seek help. Like the article, the only self worth she derives is from identifying with jw’s, and the watchtower is sucking the life out of her with its unreasonable demands. She won’t leave. She is a woman of strength, loyalty and integrity. And wts uses this to their cruel advantage with millions. And now she CAN’T talk to me anymore. The rest I don’t really give a shit about, but my heart breaks for my mother. And her first grandchild is soon on the way…. Its truly not fair. I’m so hurt.

By: Why I Remain Hidden as an Ex-Jehovah’s Witness, and It’s Not What You Think – Lune Dae

Wed, 22 Feb 2017 09:57:20 +0000

[…] Source: Why I Remain Hidden as an Ex-Jehovah’s Witness, and It’s Not What You Think […]

By: Therra Boier

Therra Boier — Sat, 18 Feb 2017 12:35:09 +0000

why noone ever talks about the many jws who commited suicide? bc of the pressure in the organisation

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Tue, 14 Feb 2017 04:38:16 +0000

I was abused by my own father, a presiding overseer elder in the congregation, and the other elders knew my mother & I were being abused. I relive the trauma even as an adult in my 30’s. It had a direct impact on my future life. Yet my father and his 2nd wife say he had no impact on my mental health. This from the 2nd wife that was abised and we still have pictures of her with bruises, she called the police numerous times but my dad always got off on charges. He got off on child pornography possession charges. Yet he has not been disfellowshipped from the congregation. He isn’t active but he is still a baptized one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. And he is still preying on the vulnerable (single moms with little girls). The WTS doesn’t care! I contacted them many times by phone and letter and they treat me like I’m crazy. I’m not crazy! Even children’s aid has record of me being abused when I was very young – being beat by a leather belt until I was bloody and black and blue and then being forced to be bathed by my father in steaming hot water when I was 10 years old as he touched and watched me. He was an elder then. The WTS and other organized religions need to be held accountable if they are not addressing issues that come up in their congregations. They need to listen to their congregates, to report child abuse, and put out those predators!!!!!!! Lives are being ruined because of secrecy!