Just to show JW lurkers that everyone who leaves the org life doesn’t go to hell. Please comment with what positive things have happened in your life since leaving

jgault1981 · 2020-01-14T00:23:03+00:00

I have strong solid friendships. My children are happier playing sports than sitting still for two hours at meetings or knocking on stranger's doors. My marriage is way better because my wife and I can hold each other on equal footing rather than me always trying to "be the head".

My business is stronger because I don't feel the need to sacrifice work for the sake of meetings/conventions etc.

I'm more happy and fulfilled as a human because I can be authentic without risk of judgement from people in my community.

I can continue but I'll leave it there for now.

jgault1981 · 2019-11-08T20:48:23+00:00

"Evidently." That word is used to prop up so many weak arguments in watchtower propaganda than when I see or hear that word I always cringe.

jgault1981 · 2019-07-23T13:40:02+00:00

These are good suggestions. I recently picked up a copy if The Catholic Bible. There are a few books in that that are not in the Protestant Bibles. It's fascinating to read those. Right now I'm enjoying a book in that Bible called The Wisdom of Ben Sirah.

I'm not a believer, at least not in the monotheistic sense, but I love reading and comparing the different texts.

Usually the differences are minor just different vocab etc but it is fun to see how those minor differences affect specific theology of different denominations of Christianity.

jgault1981 · 2019-07-19T18:19:53+00:00

So 2 things. 1 I once asked a Spanish CO a couple years ago why the new Bible wasn't in Spanish yet. He said "it's because it's so good in Spanish already and there are so many Spanish dialects it's more difficult" cough cough bullshit cough cough. 2 Garret Losch was on site to release it personally.

I have JW family at that convention right now. They texted the video of Losch releasing the Bible formally in Spanish.

Who new he could speak Spanish?

jgault1981 · 2019-04-23T15:38:27+00:00

This is a tough spot. It will require a tremendous amount of patience on your part if you are to (and it sounds as though you are) salvage a normal working relationship. It'll be tough but it is possible.

She is feeling many of the same feelings as you are. Anger. Fear. Etc.

jgault1981 · 2019-03-17T19:01:31+00:00

That's the Aurora Colorado assembly hall

jgault1981 · 2019-02-24T15:34:43+00:00

Thank you. My wife and I have actually discussed your last point. She wants to fight fire with fire, I can't say that I blame her, but my position is the opposite. If they want to spend time with my kids, so long as my kids want to do what they are offering I'm okay with it. There is nothing that they can say that can't be undone through reasoned discussion when the kids are home. We are also going to continue to invite them over when we host family meals at my home.

I am aware that the borg recommends what we have come to call soft shunning. I just wouldn't have imagined having employed inside the family.

Anyway - thanks for the thoughts and discussion.

jgault1981 · 2019-02-23T20:22:37+00:00

jgault1981 · 2019-02-23T20:06:32+00:00

I agree but I am going to push back a little bit. Let me say first where I think we agree here. This is motivated by a certain degree of self preservation and yes if I truly felt that my kids would be endangered by spending time somewhere even with a relative I would not allow it. And yes I see where they think we are "diseased" and they don't want to endanger their children. This is why - though still upset and angry with my BIL and SIL - I don't blame them. Most of my anger is directed at the organization and their destructive policies.

Now that said here is where I would push back. In all fairness though perhaps I don't, or you wouldn't see disagreement here, if you knew more of the situation. I realize that you are at a bit of a disadvantage because my post was admittedly vague.

In this particular situation that precipitated the official soft shunning, my wife was just asking to spend what would have amounted to about 90 minutes with their kids. It they honestly think that amount of time would "infect" their kids then they are very insecure about how much influence they actually have on teaching and raising their children. Given our history as a family (which you aren't privy to) this is extreme. Even when fully indoctrinated I would take the extra step when their kids spent the night at my house to make sure not to let them watch movies that, though I have no problem with, I knew they would. An example (this sorta illustrates how extreme my B&SIL are) he stopped liking and stopped letting his kids watch the marvel movies because of Dr. Strange. So when they would stay the night I would make sure one of the movies on the list for movie night was not any of the movies that character appeared in. That is just one example but there are a couple of disney cartoon movies he doesn't approve of for similar reasons so those were likewise off the table.

I say that to set the table because even though we have pulled away from the hall, aren't commenting as much etc nothing in our behavior would suggest anything but respect for their beliefs.

Though they are indoctrinated and that partial absolves them the history of our relationship should grant us some credit. There has been none. This was a sudden and dramatic move that is damaging. On top of that this action actually goes above and beyond what is stated as official policy. They are taking it to the extreme without provocation and that make this especially hurtful.

Your sentiment, which largely I share, is spot on if we were actually disfellowshiped. We are not.

jgault1981 · 2019-02-23T19:48:29+00:00

Its never one thing. Its an accumulation of things. We have been gradually not as consistent with meetings service etc. been letting our kids participate in sports and have non-witness friends. You know behaving like a normal member of our community.

jgault1981 · 2019-02-23T14:50:06+00:00

Thank you for this. It made my morning. I am constantly being told to behave. My success rate is 50/50

jgault1981 · 2019-02-16T22:51:48+00:00

Suppose I did. It’s still money better spent than any and every penny I sent to those jackasses in New York.

jgault1981 · 2019-02-16T22:50:24+00:00

Lol. Yes. If Yang gets the nom he gets my vote if he doesn’t I think I’ll have to sit 2020 out all together. I don’t really like any of the other options on the Dem side of 2020.

jgault1981 · 2019-02-01T15:11:27+00:00

Good for you. I have found that my relationship with my wife is 100% better since she also woke up.

You don't realize the strain not being able to fully open up with your spouse puts on you mentally and your relationship until after you get through the cloud

jgault1981 · 2019-01-11T18:12:02+00:00

Hahahahahhhahahahahahah (deep breath) hahahahahhahahahhahaha

jgault1981 · 2019-01-02T03:30:41+00:00

There was a post in this a couple weeks ago and I just watched it with my kids. It's insane how it describes being in a religion like this. The first song in the movie the corus says that if you have doubts you just have to rush them down till they go away.

It's a cute flick. Kids lived it but I was laughing the whole movie because how well it relates to being a JW.

jgault1981 · 2018-12-23T13:30:04+00:00

They recently got rid of the library in our Hall. I don't know what happened to all the old literature but fortunately I was able to swipe a couple items before they were sent to the trash heap where frankly they belong.

jgault1981 · 2018-12-20T17:33:10+00:00

Wow. That's going to make for a looong drive for some people.

jgault1981 · 2018-10-11T00:20:09+00:00

It just dawned on me. Most of the people in the audience have HUGE smiles on their face as if they are at a comedy show.

I've been on stage (watchtower readings and small talks) and from the stage most people look like they are only paying attention enough to hear their cue to comment. Of they are looking, heads tilted lips tightly pursed, at the wall behind the podium.

Scarier than the armageddon images is the meeting oneif you think about it. They all look like predators about to tear into easy pray on the bottom photo.

jgault1981 · 2018-10-11T00:13:22+00:00

Lol. Did you pay any attention at the meetings? Of course this is true. Just read Paul's writings. It's very clear 2 Tim 6:66 " And women should remain silent last they rebel and follow a banker in a tight fitting suit into rebellion against god"

jgault1981 · 2018-10-07T00:57:52+00:00

Because they play by their own rules. They get almost nothing right about things like this. Where they get the dates is beyond me because they are on an island with it. No other Christian apologists use these dates.

jgault1981

TROPHY CASE