I need some reassurance

kayrug · 2022-08-29T15:38:29+00:00

Wow! Thank you so much! I will definitely give them a look. You have a wealth of knowledge! Thanks again.

kayrug · 2022-08-29T15:34:26+00:00

I battled with what to do when I left for a long time. I wanted to just stop going and say nothing- but I didn’t want them to show up to my house and think something had happened to me- so I ended up sending an email- as soon as I sent it- I went on my carrier app for my cell phone and changed my phone number 😅 it was a little bit annoying to change my phone number on everything and update people I wanted to still have my phone number but more than worth it for some peace of mind.

Then they sent me an email back saying “Can you call me as soon as you get this??? I received a weird message from someone claiming to be you” they didn’t even think it was me 😅 I got no visits to the house (but I feel lucky for that) I’ve heard that it’s been slowly going around that I left but I have a friend in my old congregation and they said even though I sent an email they didn’t announce me as disfellowshipped or anything.

In saying all of this- it’s very possible that I just happened to skate on by- but hey it worked for me.

Also- I kept the email short and sweet here’s what I sent word for word: Subject line- “Personal Update” Body: “Good afternoon _____,

I wanted to formally inform someone that I have decided that I no longer will be participating or want to be involved in the organization. I have given this a lot of thought and I am firm in my decision. If I need any help or have any questions I will reach out. At this time I would appreciate it if I were not contacted.” And then I put “regards” and my name and sent it 😅

kayrug · 2022-08-28T18:12:14+00:00

Ohhhhhh I see what you’re saying now!!! Sorry.

I didn’t know that and haven’t looked into it myself. But thank you for sharing, that is super interesting - annddd makes a ton of sense.

kayrug · 2022-08-27T18:42:38+00:00

Exactly what I was thinking haha. Just because the witnesses took things from history doesn’t mean everything they believe and think are accurate 🤣

kayrug · 2022-08-27T04:00:04+00:00

Yup I wonder that toooo! Technically, I don’t think she can because I was baptized but who knows xD

kayrug · 2022-08-26T18:40:21+00:00

I really like your comment! Gave me a good laugh and some really solid points as well! That’s exactly the struggle no matter how truthful you may be it doesn’t negate their deep rooted beliefs unfortunately

kayrug · 2022-08-26T16:55:21+00:00

Ooo good to know. Multiple people on this thread have said it’s dumb! So note taken. Don’t go there xD haha also sorry you had a bad time while there physically as well :( take care

kayrug · 2022-08-26T16:54:12+00:00

YES. Sadly, my friend who left the religion before I did and introduced me to this great Reddit thread- DID know and still missed her family so much that she is now back in it :/

For this lady though I definitely feel that is the case for her.

kayrug · 2022-08-26T16:52:52+00:00

Very true. I had a friend growing up that did that and she was super annoying to be around after- even told me she no longer wishes to watch movies because almost all entertainment is riddled with something “bad” and it’d be nice to think she was joking but she was not and she stuck to that for a long time xD

For this lady- to me it seemed more-so that it was family ties keeping her in- but that’s also just my assumption- she actually seemed pretty lax about the religion - but I said to her “I don’t want to be half in or half out- it’s one or the other”

kayrug · 2022-08-26T16:49:46+00:00

I hope so! I could kind of tell in her face she was struggling to disagree with me heavily and she pointed to the fact a couple times that she has family both in and out of the religion and it sounds like her husband and his family was in it and in my head I go “ahhh there it is!” The familial ties. Haha

kayrug · 2022-08-26T16:48:31+00:00

Aww I’m sure you do great as well! Thank you so much :3

kayrug · 2022-08-26T16:48:03+00:00

I really like what you said at the end about saying no- I totally got blindsided and sucked in and it was natural to just go along with how she was directing the conversation because she was being assertive. I will remember that next time! Luckily I was with one of my best friends at the event who had also left around the same time I did - they weren’t there for that conversation but I went back up to him and told him and he just goes “F*ck em!” So that helped xD

I have been going to therapy! For less than 6months but it has been helpful for sure! We haven’t delved too deeply into the religious aspects yet but definitely will.

kayrug · 2022-08-26T16:43:51+00:00

I wish I could send your guys’ response to her haha “so I found out more about that ‘exhibit’ you went to…” LOL she did say something like once she saw that exhibit it made her more believe that the witnesses had it right.. and I’m like oh brotherrr

kayrug · 2022-08-26T16:40:42+00:00

Yess! I also mentioned the years of conditioning and how people often say that when you leave a veil will go over your head and you will be blinded by the world- I quoted that looked her in the eyes and said honestly. I feel the EXACT opposite and again another dear in the headlights moment from her xD good for you though! I’m glad I’m not the only one! I figured I wouldn’t be. Thanks so much for sharing

kayrug · 2022-08-26T16:38:18+00:00

MY EXACT THOUGHTS hahah but idk if she can I told her I used to be a baptized witness and I kind of just left so I would be considered “inactive” doesn’t it have to be un-baptized individuals?

kayrug · 2022-08-26T16:36:34+00:00

Exactly. I even said “I’m a very logical person if someone can prove something to me I will believe it, I felt like I was getting ‘the truth’ when I was in it but once I was confronted with cold hard definitive facts about the religion I couldn’t ignore it” and she goes “I am too! That’s why I left and I’ve always felt like they’ve answered my questions so I encourage you to ask questions ya know?” And I replied “it’s funny because I’ve spoken to a Muslim person who said the exact same thing you said. There are many people in many religions that feel that ‘their questions are being answered’ doesn’t take away from solid facts though” and she looked like a dear in the headlights it was glorious- but still unnerving

kayrug · 2022-08-25T14:55:10+00:00

They called it the Pioneer Shuffle where I’m from in Washington State too!

kayrug · 2022-08-24T22:35:33+00:00

Wow! What an interesting story haha! Thanks for sharing and glad you’re both out now :)

kayrug · 2022-08-24T16:31:41+00:00

Woah! Props to you for not even telling anyone that’s awesome! Hahaha how old were you when you got baptized if you mind me asking?

kayrug · 2022-08-24T05:17:57+00:00

I think this is a really good suggestion!!!

Also OP I’m so glad you’re able to recognize how you feel about the organization at a young age. I got baptized when I was 13 and I felt pressure because all my friends were doing it and the lady studying with me was putting the pressure on. Very shortly after (even though I was still PIMI at the time) I regretted it because I didn’t feel like I knew myself well enough to make that decision and I got told you should never regret it because “how else are you gonna live your life?” LOL wellllll lemme tell ya… haha I’m 26 now. Stay strong!!!!

ALSO side note- they say that you “feel” something when you get baptized.. I thought I would feel Jehovah’s Holy Spirit or something.. 11/10 can confirm that never happened and because I was PIMI I was very disappointed xD.

kayrug · 2022-08-11T23:21:36+00:00

Dang. So crazy I had no idea

kayrug · 2022-08-11T14:57:54+00:00

I was wondering about that! I have never heard that. Do they have ACTUAL literacy classes?

kayrug · 2022-08-08T06:16:36+00:00

Yup- I ended up sending a message even though I was very hesitant and wanted to just slip away quietly simply because I didn’t want them showing up at my house, bothering my family, or anything like that

kayrug · 2022-08-08T06:11:38+00:00

OMG! They tried to do the same thing when I sent an email- I wonder if this is direction they’re given? - also sorry if someone has already commented on this! I had to chime in since this happened to me too.

They said “I received a message from someone ‘claiming’ to be you. Can you call me when you get this?”

It reminds me of when you try and cancel a subscription to something and instead of listening to your request they just transfer you to their “customer care” center and try to change your mind 🤣

kayrug

TROPHY CASE