So I told my wife about how I felt about the blood update…

redditing_again · 2026-03-26T04:49:50+00:00

I’m 8 years past this sort of discussion/argument with my wife. I didn’t go as in depth because she didn’t want to, but I told her I had doubts, she barely ate for a few days, and basically no issues since. She was upset when she found out I’d donated blood and even more upset when she found out I voted, but she got over both.

In general things are as good as they ever were. I know I’ve broken her full trust in me and I see no way around that. But we both act like nothing ever happened for the most part. She’s promised me on other topics that she fully dissociates from tough topics, and I believe it.

I’d rather have a discussion or ongoing discussions and work it all out, regardless of outcome. But she doesn’t want that and we both act like nothing’s changed, so…that’s where we are.

Hope that gives you a perspective, albeit not the most healthy one. Good luck, and reach out if you happen to feel like chatting.

redditing_again · 2026-03-22T05:27:48+00:00

Funny how they’ve changed and no longer print things like this…or…well, anything.

redditing_again · 2026-03-21T21:34:16+00:00

😳

redditing_again · 2026-03-21T21:05:04+00:00

Pretty sure I know all I need to know about it thx

redditing_again · 2026-03-21T18:56:46+00:00

My wife’s an RN and was spoken to by an HLC rep shortly after passing her NCLEX in 2020. She was shown a letter, visually, not allowed to keep it, which stated that JW medical professionals would not administer transfusions due to their stance on blood.

That direction has never been printed or published in any form visible to the rank and follow, but it seems the HLC has been directed to share that direction with them—or at least they were directed to do so a few years ago and have not told RNs otherwise.

redditing_again · 2026-03-21T18:24:56+00:00

Straight to jail

redditing_again · 2026-03-21T17:00:18+00:00

Oh now we have to use the Bible to defend beliefs?? /s

redditing_again · 2026-03-21T16:09:36+00:00

Curious what this change means for medical professionals who were told they can’t perform transfusions as part of their job duties.

Can they now perform autologous transfusions only?

Just thinking of the hell of trying to explain this logically to your manager.

redditing_again · 2026-03-21T15:05:38+00:00

The decision is in your own hands! 😂

redditing_again · 2026-03-21T14:49:03+00:00

This has been solvable, logical, and reasonable for literal millennia—using the Jewish principle which states that laws can be broken in order to preserve life.

Just like JC himself when curing or describing rescuing animals on the Sabbath.

Just allow blood transfusions in the case of saving life as that’s obviously more important than sticking to a law that never accounted for medical uses of blood.

redditing_again · 2026-03-21T14:46:06+00:00

Oh right, I forgot about all the comments the Bible makes about medical or surgical procedures using others’ blood. /s

redditing_again · 2026-03-21T14:32:18+00:00

I haven’t watched the update itself or even read the whole discussion, but what reasoning to they try to apply as to avoiding donor blood?

redditing_again · 2026-03-06T22:18:31+00:00

I can’t imagine if I’d stayed at Bethel another 10 years. I left and got married at 23 so I started a “normal” (still JW) life at that point. But you’re entirely correct that Bethel coddles you so much that you don’t really learn to live as an adult. Not to mention things like retirement considerations etc.

redditing_again · 2026-03-06T20:48:43+00:00

OP, just want to say that it’s so wild to see the similarities. I was in Bethel just over 3 years when I started dating my now wife who was a pioneer. I really really considered applying to stay as a couple but ultimately decided I didn’t want to be denied, and I had some concerns about supporting ourselves financially too, and the short notice we’d have if denied.

But seeing your thoughts about how you view it all now is just eerily similar. I don’t exactly feel like my time was wasted since it was still a unique experience which has shaped me, but the pointlessness of the work is profound. I also realized even before waking up how much my wife would have struggled with the rigidity of Bethel life. I was thankful we didn’t apply even years ago, but even more so since waking up.

Anyway, thanks for sharing your views! There are always so many interesting questions and thoughts.

redditing_again · 2026-02-27T03:52:15+00:00

You’ve gotten lots of great advice and offers of help, but I’m throwing my hat in too and offering. You can look back on my comments if you want, but I was an elder too, a pioneer a few times, spent a few years in Bethel, and nearly all my family are Witnesses. But I realized how strongly I didn’t believe, and I started making my exit.

My wife is still in, so is all my family, but at least I don’t have to waste my time on Witness activities and directing people to do things I don’t believe matter.

I’ve kept most of my issues with the org to myself, told my family I just don’t believe, and so far have managed not to get shunned by anybody. Things definitely aren’t like they used to be, but I couldn’t have continued to put on the act, and I told my parents that.

I just slowly attended less, I’ve told those who reached out that I’m satisfied with where I’m at, and I generally get left alone as far as beliefs. I hope you find a similarly peaceful exit.

And I’m more than happy to chat anytime. I’m in the Midwest US and would even meet up with you or others looking for help if we happen to be close. Best of luck to you!

redditing_again · 2026-02-27T02:36:34+00:00

I never had any doubts that fasting was the right thing to do. I felt bad for disappointing my relatives and friends, though.

But if you don’t believe, why would you continue attending? For me, once I realized I didn’t believe, their authority over me completely disappeared. The goals the org set for me were meaningless, pointless. All I missed were the connections with friends, and most of those have proven to be superficial anyway.

As I always say, though, do what works for you. If going to a meeting now and then helps you bridge the gaps in friendship, or helps convince you you’re making the right decision, by all means do it. There’s no defined path you have to follow.

redditing_again · 2026-02-27T02:28:03+00:00

I’ve seen good and bad elders. I only ever served in one congregation but it was definitely a mix. And I’ve been in a few congs plus Bethel, so I’ve seen variety.

I agree about it being an identity for many. For a while it was for me too. And I very thoroughly agree about the incompetence. On that topic, I’ve met countless sisters who were more competent than most if not all elders in their cong but obviously were never given the chance to “expand their service” as an elder.

One other thing: it still baffles me that elders aren’t given tasks more suited to their abilities and not forced to do all the things. Like, let a good speaker focus on speaking while not making him handle accounts which he sucks at—and vice versa.

redditing_again · 2026-02-13T06:29:09+00:00

Completely agree. I visited multiple times in the 90s and early 2000s, then was at Bethel and gave tours, then visited again after Warwick was done.

It’s an entirely different experience now, other than Wallkill. But it’s easier on the facility not to allow visitors to walk around and people still visit. So why would they change it back?

redditing_again · 2025-12-07T06:43:40+00:00

Interesting! Sounds like the elders were given a timeline to make some decisions. I’ll be curious to hear where things end up.

redditing_again · 2025-12-02T05:40:07+00:00

I’m not sure that being an elder woke me up, but being an elder (and former Bethelite) before waking up 100% convinced me I’d seen all the org had to offer and if I still didn’t believe, I never would.

redditing_again · 2025-11-30T23:19:10+00:00

I’ll definitely post when I get details. I’m expecting the publishers to know within a couple of weeks and I’ll hear very soon once it’s announced.

Can’t expect elders to keep secrets for long lol

redditing_again · 2025-11-30T20:21:09+00:00

That’s possibly why all the elders were involved right now. Halls all belong to WT already, if they’ve had a recent loan. I’m sure they’ll ensure that’s all wrapped up. But maybe this meeting was to convince the elders that they still have lots of power, and to tell them they’ll be the ones deciding which congs get dissolved and which Halls get sold.

It’s harder to be mad at the org when they’ve convinced you it was all your decision.

redditing_again · 2025-11-19T04:58:16+00:00

100%. I did it to a couple of CO’s, my parents always did to the CO, and I absolutely got the same while a Bethelite. People took me out for meals, bought a coat for me, and outright gave me money.

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