Ok - what do you think of this:
I was raised a Jehovah's Witness, but my father never really was one. He is a horrible person and I hope he dies, BUT, when I was 11, he verbally abused me so bad it got to the point he told me he hated me, wished I wasn't born (I'm his only daughter and his oldest child - how nice) and told me he never wanted to see me again.
I was an outcast in the church because my dad had left my mom but still lived in the finished basement - so since we still associated and such i was considered "bad association" by them.
So - being 11 and all - I was obviously depressed.
One day after a church session, I had a meeting with Elders (meaning i did something bad). I forget what it was about, but they told me the same thing my Grandfather did.. That I have no reason to be depressed. If I really loved Jehovah, I would be happy.
My grampa actually said "how dare you be depressed when you know Jehovah. Don't you love him?"
Is that horrible or what?
2007-12-20 04:52:47 · 16 answers · asked by LS 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Yes - definitely not alone! Sorry, forgot to add the "how horrible is it these things happen when it comes to god" part.
2007-12-20 04:59:34 · update #1
thanks for that babyme - but I am a little older than that - now an avid atheist and I am the happiest person in the world.
Religion is not for everyone, and believing in god did not make me happy, so now I am an Atheist and it's great.
I hope you all are happy with your religious choices.
2007-12-20 05:01:21 · update #2
I think that's horrible what happened to you, that was child abuse and you have every right to be depressed and angry if the JW Church further hurt you by turning their backs on you. Its very unfortunate that you had the misfortune of being a member of the JW cuz they're a cult. I too had abusive treatment as a child, my mom used to physically, verbally and psychologically abuse me, leaving me with physical scars, emotional and psychological scars til this day and my Dad abuses me in different way even today. I was so hurt and damaged that I eventually broke down and became severely depressed; when I couldn't take it anymore, I went to a mental health crisis center and saw a psychiatrist and a psychologist simultaneously to sort through my problems. Other than trying to numb the pain with medication and even after learning to reprogram thinking skills and patterns, I was still unhappy. I was an atheist for most of my life and was not happy and found life to be meaningless and empty. I did not find happiness til I found and invited Jesus Christ into my life but I'd never become a member of a church and have them control me; I will sometimes attend churches of various denominations so long as I know its not a cult but I will not register with any as to become an official member of that church. There was a time when I was spiraling downwards out of control, I went into a Catholic Church for confessions and right after confessions I didn't stay for Mass service and left and haven't been back there since. When I want to study the bible in a group setting, I'd go to another denomination church strong and on track in interpreting the bible but then I don't attend Sunday church services and then I'd attend a baptist church for Sunday services but won't register there either. I take from each what I need and discard the rest. When in doubt I will dig into the bible for instructions and pray to God for guidance and help; He has never failed me.
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Sweetie
2007-12-20 05:12:15 · answer #1 · answered by ♥Šωèé†íé♥ 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As a former Jehovah's Witness I know how you feel. When I was 13 my parents were dis-fellowship-ed for various reasons. Even though the Elders wanted to keep my siblings and I connected to the Church it felt weird. All I can say is to stay strong in your relationship with God, even though I am no longer a Jehovah's Witness any longer but a Christian I know that He sees your pain and will give you the peace you so desire.
2007-12-20 13:08:13 · answer #2 · answered by nathanjonramirez 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is a terrible thing that happened to you. Please do not blame Jesus, he would have never done such a thing. Consider the following:
Mark 9: 36 Then he put a little child among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, 37 "Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes my Father who sent me."
...
42 "But if anyone causes one of these little ones who trusts in me to lose faith, it would be better for that person to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone tied around the neck.
Jesus is my Lord, God and King. E-mail me if you want to discuss how to know the real Jesus. The one who loves and values children. The one who is God.
2007-12-20 13:03:19 · answer #3 · answered by δοῦλος Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Blessings to you... Do you ever wish you could take someone's pain away? I wish that i could do that for you. I hate to say it but they were wrong. My mom is a Jehovah Witness, I am Christian but we are experiencing life. It's not always easy. We go through things and we do not understand the purpose and we become depressed. It has nothing to do with a lack of faith, in my opinion. I wish you well.
Love in Christ
g
2007-12-20 13:19:26 · answer #4 · answered by g 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have had similar experiences, although not raised as a JW. Look...even as Christians who love Jehovah, or Jesus, we get depressed. God never said life would be easy.
What is the good news is that through prayer and being able to turn of age, you can choose to change your personality, beliefs, and decide whether or not you want to remain friends with your parents.
Good Luck to you, I know you will get it figured out. Remember that you are not a product of what your parent(s) tried to make you believe.
2007-12-20 12:58:50 · answer #5 · answered by Big Bear 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Feel sad for you hope you can forgive and forget all the bad in your life and it makes you a stronger person. Feel you should get some consoling to help you over some of the hurts.
2007-12-20 13:04:12 · answer #6 · answered by Bruce Q 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That is hideous and you have a Right to be furious. The real problem is that they probably won't help you see a doctor and get some medication for your depression. so just keep wishing and hoping for the day you turn 18 and you can turn your life around.
2007-12-20 12:58:59 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Sorry to hear your dad is such an as#. Happy to hear you are free from the clutches of organized religion. Good for you!
2007-12-20 13:04:08 · answer #8 · answered by Blame Amy 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sounds really sad. I am very sad for you.
Obviously your depressed because of the way you have been treated all these years by verbally abusive men.
You should seek help. Depression is nothing to play with. It ruins your life.
I think you need to distance yourself from these people and find your spirtual needs on your own
2007-12-20 12:58:32 · answer #9 · answered by chersa 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
That's a terrible story I am sorry. I hope you are able to move on and not continue the cycle of abuse as you create your own home and family.
2007-12-20 13:03:21 · answer #10 · answered by Rational Humanist 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋