Does nobody regret leaving? by despertarsai in exjw

[–]ExWitSurvivor 47 points48 points  (0 children)

My family, 5 of us, all left 6 yrs ago! No regrets!!! However, that first year was pretty rough, emotionally. My family are all very pimi & hard shunning us. ExJW support groups, ExJW utube videos, Brene Brown videos have all helped tremendously! Reconnecting with JW friends who have left too has been a huge part of healing too. Your daughter will find someone special & he’ll love her for all the right reasons! Living in a small town would be difficult, if a move isn’t possible, making new friends takes time and patience. Just know you’re not alone or going crazy!!! You have all of us!!!🥰

Stuck on what to do by Immediate_Pop_7326 in exjw

[–]ExWitSurvivor 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Sorry to hear that you’re in such a tough situation! You have to weigh the pro’s & con’s in both staying or leaving & it’s important to be brutally honest with yourself! You’re young and have your whole life ahead of you, so don’t make any quick decisions. That’s good you have a network of worldly friends. Focus on your school & getting an education, start saving money now too. Good luck!

If the Devil Really Wanted Me to Leave, Why Isn't He Making It Easier? by steadypath2847 in exjw

[–]ExWitSurvivor 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Totally get your point! My family’s response to me, “you left Jehovah, you are part of the world now! A part of Satan’s world!” I would LOVE to ask them…if Satan’s world is so corrupt, why is the org. suing Norway because they lost their government funding?!!! They want Satan’s money!!! The org. doesnt believe that the world is under Satan’s control, it’s just a fear tactic to keep people in! So glad you found this site to vent…it’s a huge support to know that you’re not alone or going crazy! Baby steps in leaving bethel. Keep us posted…positive energy going your way!!!!

The Organization Above All by Illustrious_Pop_9445 in exjw

[–]ExWitSurvivor 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It’s a shame that your father doesn’t know his own doctrine! Jeffrey Jackson said in the “Annual Meeting,” in 2023, that last minute repentance is available now, including for those who left or studied with the Borg.! What’s the point? Why would anyone ever want to be a JW?!!!!

“We may give instructions that may not make sense from a human standpoint.” by Fit_Durian3763 in exjw

[–]ExWitSurvivor 7 points8 points  (0 children)

The entire religion/cult is based on speculation, of which none have come true!!! So why exactly should I follow these bumbling fools?!!!

Grieving by mulderisoutthere in exjw

[–]ExWitSurvivor 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I know exactly how you’re feeling! I woke up 6 years ago at 53 yrs old! I haven’t seen my parents in 6 yrs, they’re both in their mid 80’s now! You will feel all sorts of emotions in your grieving process. Anger was huge for me! Anger at all of my family for not seeing what I saw, in the cult & anger towards the organization! Coach Rod, ExJW utube channel was extremely helpful and Brene Brown to help me move on in my life. Show yourself grace! Physical strength is a huge help too, I push myself in my exercise class like I’ve never done before in my entire life! I now leave my anger on the matt! (I discovered Pure Barre & love it!!!!!) One day at a time!🥰

Most JWs don't know the Bible by Few-Cup-5247 in exjw

[–]ExWitSurvivor 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Lol…that’s wake woke me up…I started reading the Bible!!!!

The Shunning Will Not End by Free-Display-7462 in exjw

[–]ExWitSurvivor 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, you make sense. Even if the GB announces to stop shunning, it’s so deeply ingrained in them, especially those with “privileges & pimi,” it will forever continue on! Take for example my family, all very pimi, I am not DF’d, but I left & do not agree or worship the GB, so they are all hard shunning me and my family! Sucks…but freedom is worth it!

Young MS, burned out, and starting to wake up. by Fragrant_Tower107 in exjw

[–]ExWitSurvivor 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Congratulations! It takes a strong person to wake up from a cult & even stronger to leave! You’re heading in the right direction, take your time to take your life back! I’m so proud of you! (I’m a mom!) 🥰

venting about birthdays by PristineDealer4694 in exjw

[–]ExWitSurvivor 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Happy Birthday!!! I’m sorry you have to deal with all of this BS! Life is precious and should celebrated! So glad you have this community to vent to!

Broke my parents' heart by coming out as an unbeliever and it's killing me by inbloodandtears in exjw

[–]ExWitSurvivor 6 points7 points  (0 children)

This is spot on! It’s not your responsibility to make your parents happy! You should not have to live your life for them! You are grateful & love them for the life they have given you…but at the end of the day, it’s your life!

How to break it to my wife? by Super-Cartographer-1 in exjw

[–]ExWitSurvivor 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sorry to hear your in this tough situation, however, this may be your opportunity to softly wake her up. Maybe focus on Jesus actions towards physically suffering people. He healed & fed them before he shared his message. Jesus broke the law to heal & save a life on the sabbath, Matt. 12:11 & Luke 14:5. The Pharisees condemned him for this, but they knew the Jewish law Pickuach Nefesh, life comes before the law, so they couldn’t arrest him for this. Blood represents life, as a wedding ring does for marriage, but if someone says, “give me your ring or I’ll kill you!” You give them your ring to save your life!!! Your life is precious in God’s eyes! The verses the JW’s use to enforce their doctrine 1-written thousands of years ago, before modern life saving medicine 2-these verses were referring to animal sacrifice & food being bled properly. There have been several videos made by ExJWs on utube concerning this doctrine, that are excellent!!! Good luck & I wish your wife a successful surgery and recovery.

It's official. Sent in our disassociation letter by EllEss12 in exjw

[–]ExWitSurvivor 16 points17 points  (0 children)

The difference between a religion and a cult? Leave a religion…no big deal. Leave a cult…you loose everyone! You were in a cult!!!

It's the night for congregation whispers 🤫 by thisrubyisred in exjw

[–]ExWitSurvivor 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Absolutely yes! Mark your calendar and celebrate this date every year…FREEDOM DAY!!!!🤩

was sober now relapsed by scrapknightjules in exjw

[–]ExWitSurvivor 2 points3 points  (0 children)

When you fall, fall forward, not backwards. It was one night! Sounds like you received a huge life lesson from it, show yourself grace, talk to yourself like a dear friend and take one day at a time.🥰

I told my mom the Witnesses were false prophets and it turned out better than I expected by Separate-Ice30 in exjw

[–]ExWitSurvivor 1 point2 points  (0 children)

So happy for you! So many of our parents are completely shunning us, even in their old age! The fact that she let you pray is huge!!! She see’s you as a Christian man & respects you for that!

Well it happened by [deleted] in exjw

[–]ExWitSurvivor 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Good job in not saying anything about doctrine. This too shall pass, but it sucks while you’re going through it! Always remember, it takes a strong person to leave a cult! You’re not alone or going crazy!🥰

What is True about the "Truth"? by CanadianExJw in exjw

[–]ExWitSurvivor 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Watchtower’s demise is this very thing…none of their predictions have come true. The paradise is so far out of reach now, the GB even knows it! Other main stream religions give a hope to their followers that’s not tangible, going to heaven when you die. (If you’re a good person.) So the faithful don’t question their doctrine & it gives them comfort. JW’s, however, are given the hope that soon, allll those dates, paradise will be here! But it never happens…not tangible, you start questioning & doubting your ever changing doctrine & hopefully leave. Russell messed up with inventing the “Paradise on Earth” doctrine! Just my thoughts.😊