2013 Survey: Inactive / Faded

Who can answer this Survey?

  • Those who WERE baptized as Jehovah’s Witnesses
  • Those who are NOT currently disfellowshipped or disassociated
  • Those who do NOT currently attend meetings or go on field service on a monthly basis
  • Those who consider themselves “faders”
  • Both those who consider themselves of the anointed, and those with an earthly hope
  • Both those who continue to share the beliefs of Jehovah’s Witnesses, and those who do not

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39 thoughts on “2013 Survey: Inactive / Faded

  • March 2, 2013 at 3:35 pm
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    I don’t agree with their view/stance on homosexuality.

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  • March 3, 2013 at 3:04 pm
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    I made one mistake, I don’t think the legal entities of Jehovah’s Witnesses should enjoy charitable or non-profit status, I must have ticked yes by mistake.

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  • March 3, 2013 at 3:36 pm
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    I also include myself in a category of persons who may find myself leaving due to wanting to have a clean conscience before myself and my creator. It is a moral decision I am in the process of making.

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  • March 4, 2013 at 3:54 am
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    I disagree with their stance on same sex relationships, adultery being the only reason for divorce, enforced subservience of women eg wearing a tissue on my head or only sitting at a table on the platform and no microphone duties, stupid hierarchical titles, guilt and fear tactics, recruitment practices, expecting small children to sit still and be silent for hours at a time, elder’s dismissive attitude towards depression, inconsistencies between congregations regarding “wholesome” entertainment, women not being allowed to wear trousers even when there is snow, no local charitable or community work, a report being made about you and sent when changing congregations (unless it is for paedophilia and this should be made public). My biggest gripe however is that no-one leaves Jehovah’s Witnesses with their dignity and reputation intact!

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  • March 5, 2013 at 7:10 am
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    I very recently chose to become inactive, after researching the Candace Conti case last October/November. It has been an enlightening few months, as I stumbled onto Jwfacts and could not stop reading. There have been many things I haven’t agreed with for some time, yet couldn’t bring myself to leave as I have a teenager and truly felt this was the best way to raise her. We’ve just begun the fading process. I really appreciate your blog, Cedars. It has been quite helpful and enjoyable to read. Thank you for all your hard work.
    Amelia, I agree with all of your comments, especially the tissue on the head “)

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  • March 6, 2013 at 7:52 pm
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    1. The idea that women should ALL wear matronly skirts can be uncomfortable and humiliating – to be told what they can/ and can not wear – it’s like if we were stuck in the Puritan days or we are competing with the Amish style or Pilgrims.

    2. The idea that men should be dressed like salesman – in UNAPPROACHABLE to most people in this day and age and people feel so uncomfortable around it – they tell me they don’t want to open the door because people feel poor or intimidated by the “suits”.

    3. Re-examine the policy on Jesus and what he commanded on sharing the meal – that it REALLY is truthfully – for everyone. How can you say that he’s only speaking to the apostles…. when in the other verse (he is only speaking to the apostles… about go forth and make disciples of yourselves…) was that ONLY for their ears too?
    This is truth – that refusing the communion is an anti-christian thing to practice.

    4. Change back John 1:1 – after all – it is truly from demons anyway (Graber).

    5. Replace Jesus’ name EVERY place it was removed in the NWT because that is truly disgraceful and anti-christian.

    6. Stop making it so difficult to baptize members – whereby they must become “sales-people” in the active sales-force of the organization in order to QUALIFY… Jesus will hold the organization accountable for same.

    Reply
  • March 7, 2013 at 10:56 am
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    The views on same sex relationships – many of my friends are gay / lesbians and my best friend is actually gay. My son has gay tendencies and i can’t imagine disowning him!
    Women wearing head pieces – why?
    Depression is real – society does not allow us to get therapy! Always telling us to pray and rely on Jah. If we don’t, we are not spiritually strong!
    Sports – kids needs to burn energy not walking door to door!
    Non freedom of choice – you join by choice but you leave you lose out everything.
    Beards / goatees – my biggest gripe of all! Jesus is portrayed as the one wearing a beard and mustache and its taunting all the men!

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  • March 8, 2013 at 2:06 pm
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    I pretty much disagree with every single doctrine/practice of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Their stance on higher education is deplorable. Their refusal to allow young kids to actually get out and play sports or do other extracurricular activities that would keep them from being socially retarded is nothing short of sheltering them and keeping them controlled by making sure all their “extra” time is put toward the religion. Their treatment of those who are depressed is disgusting. The most they have is a tract that doesn’t offer “comfort”, it offers a way to be indoctrinated.

    There’s a line in one of their songs. “Never let the world into its mold now squeeze us”. Yet, that is just what being a JW is. It’s being squeezed into a mold, becoming a cookie-cutter version of everyone else. Same views, same types of clothing and hairstyles, same phrases that no one but a JW understands. They’re duped into thinking that they have “real freedom” because they don’t believe in the doctrines of “Christendom” (of which they are actually a part…every Christian denomination is a part of Christendom. Yet, they use it as a derogatory term to mean every other Christian religion that are NOT them). They don’t believe in hell. They don’t believe in life after death. But they don’t see all of the freedom they LOSE by being JW’s. They think they have freedom to choose…but let’s see one of them choose to disagree with one of the doctrinal changes that are set forth by the almighty Governing Body. They’d be in a Judicial Committee for apostasy before they could blink. That’s not freedom. It’s not choice. It’s control. And the sad and sick thing is, they think there is a paradise coming. They live for the next life, not for the only one they have. So millions of lives are being completely wasted because they are just “hanging in there”, waiting. Always waiting. Until they don’t have to wait anymore because they died waiting.

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  • March 8, 2013 at 4:14 pm
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    I believe witness “culture” has nothing to do with Christ and his teachings. The hierarchy based on “privileges” and hours counted in service makes for a beauty pageant type atmosphere- the members judge each other by outward appearance.

    The strange practices and customs that have sprung up in an insular world- constant tattling to the elders, the vicious gossip spread to mark and “keep the congregation clean” and the conditional love is destroying millions of lives.The governing body and every member of jw.org are zealously pursuing a life of evil. They have abandoned charity,hope, compassion and agape love. The org is a high pressure conformity cult.

    I was a true believer. I no longer believe that I will return to the org. Death is preferable to “life everlasting in a Paradise Earth” because if jw.org represents god then I am humbly asking ‘him’ to please let me die. I cannot spend an eternity or another minute here on earth shunning,judging or feeling proud because I’m a witness. The meanness stops with me.

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  • March 11, 2013 at 1:15 pm
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    I disagree with their stand on homosexuality, creation, rape, suicide, their controlling of every spare second of a person’s life, their judging of “worldly” people, their judging of each other, the pressure they put on people to stay – else they and their children will die at armageddon, the fact that they claim that a person leaving the faith is destroying their family – rather than the family members who shun being the destructive ones, it would be easier to list what I DO agree with ….

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  • March 18, 2013 at 7:03 am
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    I am so astounded at the amount of JW website and blogs since the Conti case in July last year. As an Ex JW – (JW at age 5 and left at age 16) – I was considered the worldly one, and the trouble maker as I had an enquiring mind and enquirng minds wanted to know things. I never bought into the Adam and Steve theory, amongst others, and always asked “BUT WHY?” And the standard reply was we had to have faith, and just blindly believe. Well I could not do that. AS JW little kids and teenagers, we were not allowed to do anything, so our lives were pretty dull and filled with JW humdrums of ugh, getting already too tired to continue writing this crap about the JW.

    I feel robbed of my childhood, and the lack of educational opportunities by the promotion by the JW’s of no further education. Keeping them stupid. Just like the slaves in the south and the black population in South Africa under apartheid rule who were denied education. So being a JW is the same. Keeping them inline by keeping them stupid.
    However this rule only applied to some. Most of the elders in our congregation sent their children to university, and they were always dressed in the latest fashions, while the rest of us peasants had to do with hand-me-downs, and be as drab as can be. It was definitely a case of US V THEM. And having stupid parents in a stupid religion, who follows like sheep, creates a dangerous world for a little girl. Where sexual abuse is brushed aside, and those even more stupid “kingdom hall priviledges” which strives to “elevate” the idiots by being unpaid workers doing the cleaning, gardening – what a racket! lol! So being a little girl asking WHY? was not appreciated and certainly frowned upon AND DEFINITELY NOT ENCOURAGED!!

    THe JW’s run on the DO AS I SAY AND NOT AS I DO modus operandi.
    WHAT A JOKE! I AM SO THANKFUL FOR THE INTERNET AS THIS WILL BE THE ALL TIME EXPOSE OF ALL THE EVILS OUT THERE.

    Great work being done by everybody who have started blogs, websites. There is a momentum here and it is growing stronger. Thanks to everyone!

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  • March 18, 2013 at 7:39 pm
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    Keep up the good work on your site. It is amazing to me after leaving the religion how insignificant it really is. It’s become obvious why they forbid reading outside information because the entire belief system is like an overinflated balloon that pops with the slightest poke. I am simply fathomed that I was ever so ignorant of facts.

    Best Regards

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  • March 30, 2013 at 7:49 pm
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    I strongly believe the Bible prophecies and I’m looking forward to them happening in the very near future, most especially the prophecy in Daniel 2:44 that says “And in the days of those kings (elders) the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be brought to ruin. And the kingdom itself will not be passed on to any other people (elders). It will crush and put an end to all these kingdomhalls, and it itself will stand to times indefinite.
    This is what I always pray to my God Jehovah. When I commented in the Watch Tower study I imitated Jesus when he said “You hypocrite! sons of the vipers…..you’re shutting the kingdom of God” the elder called me for a judicial committee and right away shunned me. They call 2 patrol cars to make sure I couldn’t get into the kingdomhall anymore. The fornicators are rejoicing when I attended in the other kingdomhall, the Jehovah’s witnesses fornicators who had been living in together for years before they got married, and not even received a counsel from the elders because the male was a son of an elder, and a circuit overseer, even serving a district overseer before, the female who is now a legal wife, proudly answered in the watch tower study saying “marry only in the lord…” because of her jealousy towards me who find a decent non Jehovah’s witness husband. I’m proudly say, I never committed fornication because I have a real fear of my God Jehovah. Jehovah knows why I didn’t chose a Jehovah’s witness husband.

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  • April 23, 2013 at 6:41 am
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    Wow. I love 99% of what you just said. Add being disfellowshipped as if a wicked man for struggling with alcoholism. Now I attend AA (even if its held in a church) and I’m getting actual help instead of more guilt and shame and being shunned. What a joke that I put up with this crap as long as I did!!

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  • April 23, 2013 at 9:59 pm
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    Recently decided to stop attending after seeing a servant molest a child and then the CO sweeping it under the rug. Even the PO wasn’t told after I reported it to several elders. And I was accused of spreading gossip regarding the situation although my reputation was pristine and I was known for NOT gossiping. I still just shake my head. Prior to that I just had the sense that something wasn’t right within the organization. Because I did not gossip I learned things from elders…usually a slip of the tongue and mind because I guess they felt safe in telling me. Some things I have never told a soul, but the things I heard made me wonder. And when I tried to get answers (not publicly btw…just in private conversations with elders) my questions were dismissed. I finally had to ask myself ‘when I had stopped critically THINKING’ about things? I DO believe in God and I DO believe that He will clean up the earth one day but I have come to believe that ALL religion is in for a big surprise when that day comes. Nice people on the whole but I cannot continue to be in an organization that is more and more beginning to look like every other religion out there. After 43 years, I decided to separate myself and leave myself in God’s hands. And I have to admit…I never felt better.

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  • April 24, 2013 at 4:28 am
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    I would like to be in direct contact with some of you whom I see now I have so much in common with! I thought I was alone in this struggle. My email is livingstonbrian1@msn.com for anyone who wants to reach out to a kindred sufferer. I am only wondering now how to share this with my wife in a safe way?

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  • July 14, 2013 at 6:34 am
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    The Society’s view of institutions outside itself leads to unhealthy levels of fear and paranoia. The teachings about apostates – which do include nearly all former JWs, contrary to popular beliefs – is just as fearful. The Society’s view of its own authority is very much like that of a cult. The Society’s view of homosexuals is pathetic. Much of the Society’s advice on life and dealing with personal problems renders its “wisdom” as worse than useless; in fact, it can be quite harmful. The Society’s dishonesty/horrible research practices in creating its publications are inexcusable when you consider the fact that millions look up to it as a source of information and wisdom.

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  • July 14, 2013 at 9:48 am
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    I agree with this as well. Jesus never spoke a word himself against it and had quite the close relationship with a couple of fellows himself. Homosexuality in the Bible today should be as wrong as sisters getting a haircut….in other words – it should be accepted.

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  • July 14, 2013 at 9:49 am
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    Katz Awakening
    I don’t agree with their view/stance on homosexuality.

    I meant to say this is what I agreed with

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  • July 16, 2013 at 7:05 am
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    the GB is held like an idol. They are in a position like the pope and it seems obvious that Jesuits have formed the doctrines within the last 40 years

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  • August 18, 2013 at 3:16 pm
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    I’m sorry cedars. I’m a bit confused with the tick boxes to the questions. On all the questions I could tick multiple boxes. However the question failed to tell explain this. So sorry if I gave a wrong answer.

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  • August 18, 2013 at 3:25 pm
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    I think one of the follow-up questions to ‘Have you known of any suicides?’ should be; ‘How many suicides do you personally know of?’ Also, ‘How many cases of pedophilia do you personally know of?’ The results would be enlightening. Also, would have liked to see a question about ‘How do you view homosexuality, now you’re inactive/out?’ Another question…. ‘How long did it take you to fully wake up?’ Cedars, Thanks for taking the time to help the poor unfortunates who are in the process of getting out! Great site!

    Reply
  • August 19, 2013 at 9:54 pm
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    I agree with itsacult’s suggested additions…these could be very insightful also. Thanks Cedars.

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  • August 22, 2013 at 12:54 pm
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    I agree with these. Also R rated movies prohibited, and the belief that God hates me if I watch any violence, my favorite show being Law and Order. I think it doesn’t make sense God will take away my life for watching TV.

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  • September 16, 2013 at 10:00 am
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    Me either, it’s a total croc: their interpretations are deficient of practical wisdom and not objective. They think that you can switch your sexuality on and off like a button.

    FYI there is a Facebook page for gay practicing and ex Jehovah’s Witnesses. Also, there is the Global Commonbond society for gay practicing and ex Jehovah’s Witnesses. Support those groups to form one united voice against this organisation and its hate.

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  • September 16, 2013 at 10:14 am
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    It would be good to allow a comments box under the questions, as my answer for a few questions was not in the short list, so I couldn’t really provide an accurate response to the question – an academic would consider the questions loaded, and I want to give objective answers. I was brought up to give truth and that’s what I want to convey, the truth: the Jehovah’s Witness organisation is a threat to psychological/ mental stability of it’s member participants etc etc etc.

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  • September 21, 2013 at 1:05 pm
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    I disagree with the whole counseling procedure that dictates that the man can tell the elders about the wife, but if the wife wants to discuss problems with the husband, the husband needs to be present. That is prejudicial and unfair.

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  • September 27, 2013 at 12:45 pm
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    I’m in the same boat as you. Not disfellowshipped, just inactive now for 8 years. I’m working on a documentary. I could really use your help. I googled Jehovah’s Witness survey and found you. I’m trying to design my own survey, about similar issues. If your interested please let me know. At that time I can get into further details about my experience as a JW. Thank you for all you do. Tone is so important in order for us to successfully reach hearts. You do a very good job of that. I commend you. I want the same tone for my documentary.

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  • October 6, 2013 at 11:02 am
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    It’s hard to answer some of these questions when you no longer accept any of their premises.

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  • October 6, 2013 at 2:58 pm
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    I disagree strongly with the stance on homosexuality, disfellowshipping (especially preemptive shunning), evolution, and the general discouragement of knowledge outside of the organization’s teachings (especially SCIENCE).

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  • October 14, 2013 at 9:59 am
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    I have not really “faded” away. I have told all of my friends and family that I no longer consider myself a Jehovah’s Witness. It was at their insistence that I did not publicly leave the organization the way I wanted to. They feared being forced to shun me, and out of respect for them and not wanting to cause them further pain, I did not write a letter or speak with the elders. After several years, the elders have not once asked me what is going on.
    My biggest reason for leaving is dictation that I must not be friends with people of the world. I have many LGBT friends and relationships that I have developed over the years. These friends have been there for me in ways that the Jehovah’s Witnesses never were. Yet, the teachings of Jehovah’s Witnesses would have me treat them like evil doers and condemn them. As a loving person, I could never treat someone that way. Especially not a person who had shown me more love and consideration than “Jehovah’s people” had.
    Jehovah’s Witnesses are told to be loving above all else. Yet they are taught practices that are in no way loving, kind, or understanding. I could no longer follow those teachings and still face any god on judgement day with a clean conscience.
    Since I left, I sleep more peacefully and love people more fully. I’ve not regretted it for a single moment.

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  • November 11, 2013 at 4:59 pm
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    I find the stance on vaccination to be wildly hypocritical being that there are both blood products and aborted fetal cell lines in many vaccines now and during the time that all blood and blood products were strictly forbidden. During the time of smallpox they were vehemently opposed (and rightly so as the arm to arm vaccines were nasty business spreading all manner of illness and killing many) and then just sort of switching sides later on ignoring the huge change in doctrine. How can the information they give be coming from God if you are to be disfellowshipped for taking a blood transfusion, but injections of animal blood and the tissue of aborted human fetus’ are a ‘conscience matter.’ And any group that doesn’t forbid infant circumcision which is essentially non-consensual mutilation has a serious problem too. These are things that I realized after having left and started researching health and medical related topics for my career. Also, ‘masturbation leads to homosexuality’ and homosexuality being a ‘choice’ is just absurd. Pedophilia should be a disfellowshipping offense, not homosexuality. In fact pedophilia is the *only* case in which I think shunning should be mandatory, as well as the common sense of reporting a dangerous criminal to the authorities. Thank you, Cedars! What a great resource you have created here. The site comes off very welcoming, and with no judgement. Happy to see all the support available. Best to you all.

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  • November 21, 2013 at 2:13 am
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    No wonder suicide rate among JW is soooo much higher than the rest
    of society……The Governing Body calls apostates mentally diseased…they need to look in the mirror…..do they even know what self actualization and enlightenment means?

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  • November 21, 2013 at 2:16 am
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    I agree I would love to leave comments on each question we vote on.
    Two suicides in my family…. so far

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  • November 23, 2013 at 5:13 pm
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    I really agree with you. What loving god would have all his followers permanently in waiting. It is a cruel thing to give up the chance of friendship and social activity even in innocent things such as local sports, music and dancing. I have been in a new congregation for 8 years and have never been invited to any social gathering. So I am supposed to have no “worldly friends” and have none in the congregation either. And yes, I suffer from depression. Not surprising really is it. I really regret what my kids missed out on because all their young lives I thought I was doing the right thing. But after being victims of a paedophile elder for 10 yrs each they have now broken free and I am joining them. I’ll spend my last few years happily, unlike the previous 43yrs.

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  • December 2, 2013 at 10:21 am
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    Discouraging independent thinking should tell us everything. We can’t think for ourselves but have to accept whatever the Watchtower tells us without question? This is the true definition of a cult. There is no way around it and I finally had to admit this to myself and see the organization for what it is – misleading, self-serving and a false religion profiting from its members. I cannot with a clear conscience continue to teach falsehoods and mislead others into WTS slavery. The last straw was being told I should stay with my husband even though he nearly killed me (he was a Ministerial Servant). I’ve left for good and I’m finally free. I hope others wake up and have the strength and courage to leave as well. When you separate yourself and get out, you will see even more clearly how the WTS has enslaved you.

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  • December 3, 2013 at 10:33 am
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    Pam, I am so sorry for what you went through.

    The inability for abused spouses to divorce and remarry “in The Lord” is one of the examples I give for the WTBTS being totally wrong on this issue.

    We have a choice to either take the words about adultery being the only grounds for divorce literally or not. I choose not to. It is unfair to expect an abused spouse to remain with the abuser, or be unable to divorce and remarry in the WTBTS.

    I will not intrude on your situation by espousing my own reflections on the nature of God and Jesus.

    Suffice to say that your situation does not go unnoticed by many of us, who for whatever reason, have left the WTBTS.

    I wish you peace and strength to live the life you choose.

    Excelsior!

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  • December 24, 2013 at 6:17 pm
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    I second this opinion! That should have been included!

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