Ex-Jehovah's Witnesses or former studys, what horrible experiences have you had?

Question

Do you still carry scars from your JW childhood? Do you feel like no one understands your pain or you can't connect with anyone about it? Do you feel almost like a victim of child abuse because of your JW upbringing?

I have been experiencing bitterness and anger for years now because of it and can't let it go. I can't find anyone like me for support. Does anyone else feel the same way? When will this pain end? Why can't I let go of my anger? It's ruining my life.

This question is for ex or non-Jehovah's Witnesses. Please do not answer if you are one, I don't want to hear your bias and uncompassionate comments.

This is a good video I watched on youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kINzfGskjA&mode=related&search=

Answer 1

My girlfriend is an ex Witness.

She would say it ruined her childhood, and permanently scared her adult life.

Answer 2

Someone asks a similar question some weeks ago, so this is a paste of my answer: As an Ex Jw, I am drawn to questions about the religion. Many questions I just read and don't respond, but some times I feel impelled to respond to others because I see many misleading answers from JW's. JW's are always looking out for the benefit of the "organization" and in doing so they sometimes give "waterdowned" and "half-true" answers to questions. When I see this behavior, I comment to set the record straight. I do so in order to help people who may be led into the organization under false pretenses. I am not overly concerned with keeping people from becoming JW's, ultimately, I think God guides and leads people as he sees fit. However, I do feel that if a person wants to become a JW, they should know exactly what they are getting themselves into, and this means knowing the Good and Bad of the organization. I think with true information they would be more likely to make a better decision about religion. I know many of us Ex Jw's can only wish we knew before our baptism into the organization, what we know now. It would have saved us from now being considered "outcast" because we have chosen a different path.

Answer 3

You sound like a typical ABUSE EXCUSE type. You do terrible things, but you're not at fault because you were abused as a youth. What a bunch horse crap.

If you need a story, I'm sure I can make one up. I was disfellowshipped in 1982 by the Corning, CA congregation, for cause, which was correct, but I could have appealed the decision. I didn't.

My mother became a witness when I was in the 2nd grade.

As for anything terrible, sorry, nothing terrible. It has been offered a few times to have a ghost writer come up with something that I could than sell. I guess I could have been well off by selling a story than though was false, people are so gullible to believe it without question.

I could use a few extra dollars. What would you offer for me to make up a believable story? I've been around a lot of politicians in my work with divorced and single fathers, so I've seen how the best liars there are doing their thing.

Answer 4

I wouldn't call it abuse, but I definitely know how hard it is to live a normal life after being raised a Jehovah's Witness. They try so hard to alienate their members (especially the children) from anything outside the religion, so once you leave you feel awkward in the outside world. I'm still bitter that I don't have many happy memories from my childhood like birthdays or Christmas. I remember most of the Jehovah's Witness parents (including my own) being very cold to their children. Everything was about the church. I no longer speak to my few family members who are still in the church. Not because of their choice, but because they are misserable people as most witnesses that I have met are.

As an adult I try to make up for what I lost. I go all out for holidays and I probably smother my family a little bit too much. So I guess to answer your question you should just be a happy person and live the best life you can.

Answer 5

First off I just want to say that I will be compassionate to you. Im sorry you feel this way, that something happened in your life to cause you to turn your back on Jehovah and away from the truth. In all fairness you are going a little too far with saying 'a victim of childhood abuse'. Im not exactly sure what has lead you to feel like this but it wasnt because of Jehovah or the ones to believe in the truth.

Oddly enough I think you might be experiencing this confusion, or pain because you lost what was real. Youve been thrown out into the world without a shield and from being in the truth you know what the world is like and who is the ruler of it. This pain and anger is coming from Satan.

In a situation like this you should pray to Jehovah, if it was in you heart, and Im sure momentairly a weight would be lifted. But I understand that isnt what you believe anymore

I will, how ever, pray for you. Hoping that you will know the truth and that you arent affected by this harm.

By the way I am 19. I started studying when I was 17 and just had been confirmed in the Catholic religion. I realized I didnt know anything about my religion and did some research. Jehovah must have seen something in my heart because while wanting this research I stumbled across a few Witnesses in my town. I was baptized at our assembly this past August. I have lost some because they dont agree with my decision, but no matter what I still have Jehovah.

I hope that you find your peace...goodnight

Answer 6

I'm very sorry you feel this way. Jehovah is God Almighty and he cares about you very much. I searched and searched for the truth until I started studying with Jehovah's Witnesses in 1996. I knew after studying with them that I had found the true religion. My Wife and I got married in May of 1996 and we also got baptized in 1996. We just had our 11 year wedding anniversary on May 1st and had our first Baby Boy on May 2nd 2007 !!! We are very happy. I know that Jehovah is the true God and that his Son is Jesus Christ, and I will never allow anyone to mislead me away from my God and best friend Jehovah. Sure imperfect man might hurt our feelings and cause us some grief but this is not Jehovah's fault. I pray to Jehovah that this heart felt comment reaches your heart.

Answer 7

For many years I experienced a wandering life as a 'disfellowshipped' person, but in all honesty I was a bit closed minded about the rest of the world at large. I have no bitterness toward anyone now, least of all myself, and would never consider rejoining J.W. (or any church)
You sound like a person who blames others for their own shortcomings and are pretending to be a 'victim' -A fun game, maybe? It relieves you of no responsibility at all, and perhaps this is the real source of your rage.
Grow up.

Answer 8

I guess I was lucky because all of my experiences with Witnesses have been positive. I am sorry you have long lasting anger because it will ruin your life, as you have said it is. I wish I knew how to help you... Are you religious now? Is there anybody you can talk to? Please take care of yourself. I held on to anger and hatred for many years and it made me very ill. Finding inner peace can be a real struggle but I have finally managed to do just that and I am finally truly happy for the first time in my life. Best wishes.

Answer 9

Take the good bits and use them.
Take the bad bits and cut all ties with.
That's the trouble. There's truth mixed with lies, and you have to sift through it all to make any sense of it. I am sorry that you had to suffer this. I am sure that you have taken some convictions with you, and left others behind. Examine the worst one, and find a parallel teaching that helps explain it better.

Hope that helped.

Answer 10

Slander.

http://watchtower.org/e/20000622/

Answer 11

When I went to the Assemblies of God church they showed us (men's youth club) a video about the JW. It scared the heck outta me. It made them look like a bunch of liars who just wanted money from everyone who went there. I'm not a christian anymore and pass on the word of "maybe something else". Sorry for your pain but you have my enduring love.

In Tao