My parents became Jahovahs Wittnesses when I was 5 years old. I had no xmas, no BD partys, no halloween etc. I was so ashamed of my parents and of myself because of this belief that I went into reclusion. I feel like I lost the most important part of life- my childhood! Have you or know anyone who's life has been affected negatively by this religion?
2007-03-29 07:39:23 · 24 answers · asked by P/T Doctor 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I was like you, I was forced to abide by the rules. I lost my childhood and never got any social skills. I was not allowed to associate with non-witnesses outside of school. I was kept isolated. That is what they want to do, the cult forces you to have little contacts outside of it because other people may have a 'worldly' influence on you. So you basically only have other witnesses as your friends. So your life revolves around it, and if you get shunned, your life is over.
2007-03-29 07:45:34 · answer #1 · answered by Oshihana 2 · 4⤊ 5⤋
The main issue here is of children being made to feel excluded from something special. I know a man whose parents did not become JWs till he was nearly 5, so he enjoyed birthdays and Christmas. Even then, his parents still allowed him birthdays and Christmas till he was nearly a teenager. Mind you, that was in the 1940s. I understand they are far more strict now. I doubt if they would allow any interested person to be baptized if they went along with birthdays and Christmas. That, in itself, is a control mechanism.
Back to this man I knew. He became a JW and married a JW and they brought their children up the JW way, but when their kids were about 3 or 4, he introduced "Present Time" once a year (a day or two after Christmas. I know other JWs who link it to their summer conventions). But they didn't tell any other JWs about that. Their kids were therefore spared the humiliation of going back to school after the Christmas break and not having any toys to talk about. They also had the build-up of excitement and expectation that is part of this childhood experience in the West. That strikes me as balanced, but I think that couple were exceptions to the rule. JW children have an extremely hard time of it - ask any teacher.
2007-03-30 16:50:17 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 2⤋
No. Can't say that I do. As for not celebrating antiChristian holidays, well I guess if you feel that is wrong then that is your choice. You have the same free will your parents did/do to decide whether or not you/your children will participate in these events. Many children were raised with out these holidays and are fine. I personally am SO thankfull I was never subjected to these holidays. Don't get me wrong, I like getting/giving presents, and love the idea of costumes. As far as I know no one's parents are perfect. Most of us know at least one thing that our parents did/didn't do that we feel was wrong or that we would/will do differently.
Consider this, many children are rased to keep Kosher. Are their parents wrong for "doing this to them"??
2007-03-30 00:37:02 · answer #3 · answered by Ish Var Lan Salinger 7 · 3⤊ 2⤋
I was baptized when i am 15,and i used to feel the same but then ,I realized, my life went wrong wanting to have fun and felling that I missed all the fun in life because of what my parents believe in,when I got the age of 18 i decided to work and live by my own,hanging w/ friends in the world then, realized,being in my parents religion gave meaning in my life,,,walking on my own ruined everything.now still far from my family I'm doing my best to go back serve Jehovah God asking forgiveness and repentance...think carefully about how you feel!!sometimes we are being mislead by our own heart.
2007-03-31 09:47:29 · answer #4 · answered by faith 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Yes I do know.
One friend was a JW for many many years. It was not until he realized the lies of the organization that he bagan to question them. When he started to question, rather than be open and honest the leaders became very upset. He realized that the organization was more concerned about control than anything else.
To make a long story short, he left and lost nearly everything. Thankfully he found out what Jesus was really all about. Now he feels freedom not the control oriented culture he received from the JWS
2007-03-29 15:50:10 · answer #5 · answered by WhatIf 4 · 4⤊ 4⤋
Since your parents don't have a chance to tell their side of the story, we all must decide IF your parents did a poor job, or are you simply very selfish.
Did they provide you with gifts any time?
Did they do their best to provide you with happy moments?
Were they there when you were low?
Did they steer you away from untrue beliefs?
If all you have to complain about is not being allowed to have a birthday party, or get candy on hallowe'en .....3/5 of the world's children envy you.
2007-03-29 14:48:36 · answer #6 · answered by Uncle Thesis 7 · 9⤊ 2⤋
I know people who claim their lives have been affected in negative ways for most religions, or no religion at all, so what's your point. That's like claiming that an adult who abuses children has an excuse because he was abused. My guess that it would not have mattered what your parents were. you would have still found something wrong with them and have been a m rebellious child. Some children, regardless of their upbringing just turn out that way, despite all their excuses.
2007-03-29 18:41:23 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 4⤋
I've been a JW my whole life. I never celebrated those things either, but I'm not ashamed of it. As one of the other answerers said, why celebrate pagan holidays if you're not pagan? It all has to do with attitude. You obviously chose not to become a JW, but that's your choice. If you feel that your childhood was taken from you because of that, that's kinda sad.
2007-03-29 14:47:30 · answer #8 · answered by Epitome_inc 4 · 8⤊ 3⤋
It would seem that this questioner's "issues" relate more to personal and family matters, and relate less to the specific religion of her parents.
Hundreds of thousands of children among Jehovah's Witnesses are likely dumbfounded by the notion of being "ashamed" of Christian beliefs.
(Mark 8:38) For whoever becomes ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of man will also be ashamed of him when he arrives in the glory of his Father
(2 Timothy 1:7-8) God gave us not a spirit of cowardice, but that of power and of love and of soundness of mind. Therefore do not become ashamed of the witness about our Lord
Perhaps this questioner is unaware that a majority of this planet's children do not celebrate so-called "Christmas" or "Halloween".
2007-03-30 10:18:46 · answer #9 · answered by achtung_heiss 7 · 1⤊ 4⤋
Detailed facts and history on Jehovah Witnesses can be obtained on the following video.
Jehovah Witnesses History of Shame
http://youtube.com/watch?v=qqWyJg0bmlc
2007-03-30 13:34:32 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 3⤋
I'm a Jehovah's Witness.
I grew up as one as well.
And I loved my childhood.
We had no pagan Christmas, or Birthdays. But that was fine with us.
I never had to hear, "Wait until Christmas," or "Wait until your next Birthday," - which probably wouldn't come for another 10 months! I got gifts and surprises all the time.
And now I have a great faith.
I'm thankful to my parents for not lying to me about a fake santa clause or some easter bunny that doesn't drop candy but rather drops turds of paganism.
2007-03-29 14:50:29 · answer #11 · answered by ♥LadyC♥ 6 · 9⤊ 4⤋