Comments on: The Power of Guilt http://www.exjehovahswitness.net/2008/03/the-power-of-guilt Life & healing after leaving the Jehovah's Witnesses... Tue, 07 Feb 2012 08:51:31 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: Sara M http://www.exjehovahswitness.net/2008/03/the-power-of-guilt/comment-page-1#comment-1745 Sara M Wed, 27 Jul 2011 06:40:14 +0000 http://exjw.wordpress.com/?p=38#comment-1745 I grew up with an elder as a father and all my extended family were either elders or pioneers. I choose to get baptized at 11 and Auxiliary Pioneered as much as I could. But when it came to high school and only being able to hang out with other Jehovah's Witnesses (the only kids were my brother, myself and two cousins that were Jehovhas Witnesses in my small town) I began to truly not like the religion. I was disfellowshipped at 15. I graduated at 17 and wasn't allowed to leave the house since I was disfellowshipped and couldn't hang out with anyone. I became severly depressed and tried to kill myself twice within the next 6 months. I moved out at 18 and have never been better. 6 years later I have graduated from college, own my own home, have a good job and am in an awesome relationship. But it is really starting to hit me how much I miss my family since I havent spoken to them in over a year. This article and this whole website makes me feels so much less alone.. You have no idea how much it helps. Thank you! I grew up with an elder as a father and all my extended family were either elders or pioneers. I choose to get baptized at 11 and Auxiliary Pioneered as much as I could. But when it came to high school and only being able to hang out with other Jehovah’s Witnesses (the only kids were my brother, myself and two cousins that were Jehovhas Witnesses in my small town) I began to truly not like the religion. I was disfellowshipped at 15. I graduated at 17 and wasn’t allowed to leave the house since I was disfellowshipped and couldn’t hang out with anyone. I became severly depressed and tried to kill myself twice within the next 6 months. I moved out at 18 and have never been better. 6 years later I have graduated from college, own my own home, have a good job and am in an awesome relationship. But it is really starting to hit me how much I miss my family since I havent spoken to them in over a year. This article and this whole website makes me feels so much less alone.. You have no idea how much it helps. Thank you!

]]> By: PAH http://www.exjehovahswitness.net/2008/03/the-power-of-guilt/comment-page-1#comment-1676 PAH Mon, 21 Mar 2011 17:29:29 +0000 http://exjw.wordpress.com/?p=38#comment-1676 I was not raised as a JW, but when my mother decided to study & dedicate her life, she forced all of us. I made friends and decided to get baptized by age 19. Although I had been in for about 10 years as an adolescent, I was still too immature & saw the look of fear in the eyes of some of my friends - I pushed forward & got baptized anyway and no one celebrated or aknowledged my choice because they all secretly feared I wasn't ready. Why no one stood up & steered me away has always been a mystery to me - If they cared they would have! My mother was very abusive & went as far as to call me a hypocrite for showing happiness & smiling @ the kingdom hall when in the presence of other positive & friendly people. Her abuse drove me from home, she stalked me so I went to the Navy to get even farther from her. She terrorized & frightened me so much that I never returned until 28 years later. I went to a meeting with a nice lady who came to my door & gave me watchtower/awake. I explained my situation w/out the abusive mother part because I think elders are supposed to talk to you first. She took me to a mtg anyway & I met elders (some seemed upset & stern), but I got hugs from a couple of women (welcoming me back). On the ride home the nice lady started mentioning the busy weekly schedule I needed to get back on & how I really needed to start thinking about going out door to door (even if I don't talk). I got overwhelmed by all the books (song book, study guide, watchtower/awake)and now I want to back out again. I feel guilty but I know deep down that one should feel inspired and compelled to want to go door to door & fully immerse themself into anything, not feel guilted into it. I was also introduced as an "inactive witness" who was found in the field. I felt the eyes of judgement upon me even though it is not for man to judge us, but only Jehovah. I feel bad, but I must back away once again as I do not feel deeply compelled or inspired to do more than just go to an occasional sunday mtg. So sorry to any I may have hurt by this decision, but it must be mine. I was not raised as a JW, but when my mother decided to study & dedicate her life, she forced all of us. I made friends and decided to get baptized by age 19. Although I had been in for about 10 years as an adolescent, I was still too immature & saw the look of fear in the eyes of some of my friends - I pushed forward & got baptized anyway and no one celebrated or aknowledged my choice because they all secretly feared I wasn’t ready. Why no one stood up & steered me away has always been a mystery to me - If they cared they would have! My mother was very abusive & went as far as to call me a hypocrite for showing happiness & smiling @ the kingdom hall when in the presence of other positive & friendly people. Her abuse drove me from home, she stalked me so I went to the Navy to get even farther from her. She terrorized & frightened me so much that I never returned until 28 years later. I went to a meeting with a nice lady who came to my door & gave me watchtower/awake. I explained my situation w/out the abusive mother part because I think elders are supposed to talk to you first. She took me to a mtg anyway & I met elders (some seemed upset & stern), but I got hugs from a couple of women (welcoming me back). On the ride home the nice lady started mentioning the busy weekly schedule I needed to get back on & how I really needed to start thinking about going out door to door (even if I don’t talk). I got overwhelmed by all the books (song book, study guide, watchtower/awake)and now I want to back out again. I feel guilty but I know deep down that one should feel inspired and compelled to want to go door to door & fully immerse themself into anything, not feel guilted into it. I was also introduced as an “inactive witness” who was found in the field. I felt the eyes of judgement upon me even though it is not for man to judge us, but only Jehovah. I feel bad, but I must back away once again as I do not feel deeply compelled or inspired to do more than just go to an occasional sunday mtg. So sorry to any I may have hurt by this decision, but it must be mine.

]]> By: superhood80 http://www.exjehovahswitness.net/2008/03/the-power-of-guilt/comment-page-1#comment-1631 superhood80 Wed, 05 Jan 2011 16:57:53 +0000 http://exjw.wordpress.com/?p=38#comment-1631 I too was raised as a jehovahs witness, and hated every minute of it. I was never baptised, so that guilt shiz never affected me. My parents eventually forced me to join the theocratic school, which I hated with a passion. I also hated having to go to so many bible studies, especially on a saturday, missed all my saturday morning cartoons because of bible study. I never knew so many people that are no longer in the truth felt the same way.awesome site! I too was raised as a jehovahs witness, and hated every minute of it. I was never baptised, so that guilt shiz never affected me. My parents eventually forced me to join the theocratic school, which I hated with a passion. I also hated having to go to so many bible studies, especially on a saturday, missed all my saturday morning cartoons because of bible study. I never knew so many people that are no longer in the truth felt the same way.awesome site!

]]> By: Ardere http://www.exjehovahswitness.net/2008/03/the-power-of-guilt/comment-page-1#comment-1582 Ardere Thu, 14 Oct 2010 20:38:29 +0000 http://exjw.wordpress.com/?p=38#comment-1582 Thank you so much for writing this information down! I,too,was raised a JW, but I never was baptized. This has been a real healing experience for me. Thank you so much for writing this information down! I,too,was raised a
JW, but I never was baptized. This has been a real healing experience for me.

]]> By: mare http://www.exjehovahswitness.net/2008/03/the-power-of-guilt/comment-page-1#comment-1501 mare Sat, 31 Jul 2010 15:50:57 +0000 http://exjw.wordpress.com/?p=38#comment-1501 I have a question about The elderly members. I have a Aunt who would of been 97 next month. She had two sons, one passed away January 2009, and the other one is mentally ill and is in Adult Foster care. Now May of 2009 She changed her will and gave power of attorney to a Fellow Jehova. Took family members names off and put things in trust for her 75 year old son and if something happens to him. Then the house and all her money will go to The Kindom Hall. Now have you ever heard of them befreinding them and then taking all their estates? I have a question about The elderly members. I have a Aunt who would of been 97 next month. She had two sons, one passed away January 2009, and the other one is mentally ill and is in Adult Foster care. Now May of 2009 She changed her will and gave power of attorney to a Fellow Jehova. Took family members names off and put things in trust for her 75 year old son and if something happens to him. Then the house and all her money will go to The Kindom Hall. Now have you ever heard of them befreinding them and then taking all their estates?

]]> By: DRaab http://www.exjehovahswitness.net/2008/03/the-power-of-guilt/comment-page-1#comment-1496 DRaab Mon, 26 Jul 2010 05:57:17 +0000 http://exjw.wordpress.com/?p=38#comment-1496 My friend has this same issue. Her father will not talk to her for having sex with her now husband before they were married and that she is no longer part of the cult. There has to be a loophole to trick him into thinking for himself or at least listening to reason.... Please HELP!!!!!!! My friend has this same issue. Her father will not talk to her for having sex with her now husband before they were married and that she is no longer part of the cult. There has to be a loophole to trick him into thinking for himself or at least listening to reason…. Please HELP!!!!!!!

]]> By: Tshimangadzo ndou http://www.exjehovahswitness.net/2008/03/the-power-of-guilt/comment-page-1#comment-1447 Tshimangadzo ndou Fri, 21 May 2010 07:16:42 +0000 http://exjw.wordpress.com/?p=38#comment-1447 Dear friends I i just want you to realize and know that probably God is there dear friends ,and is something existing in life,but to those who only believe.As i do believe in him for the miracle. Thank you" Faithfully yours Tshimangadzo Dear friends

I i just want you to realize and know that probably God is there dear friends ,and is something existing in life,but to those who only believe.As i do believe in him for the miracle. Thank you”

Faithfully yours
Tshimangadzo

]]> By: parabola http://www.exjehovahswitness.net/2008/03/the-power-of-guilt/comment-page-1#comment-323 parabola Tue, 16 Dec 2008 00:25:16 +0000 http://exjw.wordpress.com/?p=38#comment-323 ...I'm feeling yer words - 100%! Thanks for sharing... …I’m feeling yer words - 100%! Thanks for sharing…

]]> By: Rearing its Ugly Head » Weddingbee » The Wedding Blog http://www.exjehovahswitness.net/2008/03/the-power-of-guilt/comment-page-1#comment-117 Rearing its Ugly Head » Weddingbee » The Wedding Blog Tue, 18 Nov 2008 14:31:40 +0000 http://exjw.wordpress.com/?p=38#comment-117 [...] *Image Source [...] [...] *Image Source [...]

]]> By: Jay Laflamme http://www.exjehovahswitness.net/2008/03/the-power-of-guilt/comment-page-1#comment-118 Jay Laflamme Wed, 17 Sep 2008 05:30:48 +0000 http://exjw.wordpress.com/?p=38#comment-118 Hi I too left the JW's at 18 after being raised in the "truth". It was a very difficult transition but was well worth it to me. I also miss and love my family but feel at peace with them living their faith. I do feel sorry for them. Also, I would rather surround myself with people who think for themselves. As I now have children of my own I have said to my mother over the years that if anyone said to me "it's either have a relationship with your children and ultimately lose your life or disown them and be saved" hands down I'd choose my children!!!!!! I feel so so sorry for her losing both myself and my sister and all the richness that watching your children grow brings your life. Such a sad thing for her. Just a small comment Jay Hi
I too left the JW’s at 18 after being raised in the “truth”. It was a very difficult transition but was well worth it to me.
I also miss and love my family but feel at peace with them living their faith. I do feel sorry for them.
Also, I would rather surround myself with people who think for themselves.
As I now have children of my own I have said to my mother over the years that if anyone said to me “it’s either have a relationship with your children and ultimately lose your life or disown them and be saved” hands down I’d choose my children!!!!!!
I feel so so sorry for her losing both myself and my sister and all the richness that watching your children grow brings your life. Such a sad thing for her.

Just a small comment
Jay

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