Every child raised as a Jehovah's Witness will have different circumstances. However, the intensity of pressure to conform remains constant.
Here’s my story:
I didn't come from the standard Jehovah's Witness background, since I only had one parent who was a Jehovah’s Witness. She wasn't raised as one, though. My mom was actually raised Catholic but her family wasn’t very religious. My mom was introduced to the Watchtower Society by her first husband's family. Her brother-in-law and his wife were Jehovah's Witnesses and her husband was beginning to study with them. One night, they offered to go out to dinner together, but they deceitfully took her to the Kingdom Hall, first. Initially my mom was angry about being tricked. However, since she had never been encouraged to build scriptural foundation for her beliefs, she was swept away charismatic presentation of twisted scriptures. As a result, my mom became a baptised Jehovah's Witness. Her husband did not. Their marriage ultimately failed due to his ongoing affair with another woman. My mom moved back to her mother’s home, pregnant with her second child.
Shortly after, my mom became acquaintances with my father, a controlling man who had no religious beliefs or morals. I believe she was desperate for someone to take care of her and her children, and my dad took advantage of her vulnerability, weaseling his way into her life. Not long after, she was pregnant and disfellowshipped. My mom was 7 months pregnant with me when they were married.
I don't know what transpired for the next five years, aside from hearing that my father was relentlessly cruel to my mom’s sons (my half-brothers) especially the one who was later diagnosed with Asperger’s, taunting him for his delayed development. I've also heard chilling stories of border-line abuse in the name of punishment. But I was completely unaware of this. He was actually pretty good to me until my pre-teens, and I was even a "daddy’s girl."
When I was five, my mom was reinstated as a Jehovah's Witness. At about the same time, my father got custody of his two sons from his previous marriage. (I have four half-brothers, two from each parent.) My mom had already started taking me and her sons to the Kingdom Hall. My dad's sons only attended a few meetings before deciding not to go back.
I had no friends at school since my two Jehovah's Witness friends moved away.
I continued to go and a year later I was thoroughly indoctrinated. I was NOT at all like other children. My mom had already ingrained into my brain that "Bad association spoils useful habits." This would include everyone who is not a Jehovah's Witness (aka "worldly" people). Let me paint a picture of what that looks like in action. At age six, I had no friends at school since my two Jehovah's Witness friends moved away. I remember sitting on a swing next to a “worldly” classmate and suddenly realizing that I was becoming friends with this girl. Immediately, I explained to her that I was not allowed to be friends with her. I also explained that sometimes I forget and asked her to remind me not to talk to her in the future. We were only SIX! My dad’s sons had friends, so we were allowed to play with them when they came over. However, my mom was very uptight about me playing with any boys. She always wanted me to be proper and scolded me for being playful and silly. And I was not allowed to make any of my own friends. If I got caught talking to a neighbor when my mom got home, I would quickly end the conversation and head inside feeling shamed by my mom’s disappointment in me.
So in just one year of attending the Kingdom Hall, I already secluded myself from society and I already knew the basics of the religion, including which Bible verse to share with other students about what God’s name “really” is (however, I now know this is false.) I would take WTS publications to school to defend my religion and try to win converts before I was even on the “big kids’ side” of the playground. I would ask to be removed from any classroom birthday or holiday activities. Sometimes, my father would encourage me to celebrate holidays, and twice I gave in. But I felt torn inside, because God was displeased with me for doing so. I sometimes laid in bed asking God to make my dad a Jehovah’s Witness so he wouldn’t have to die in Armageddon.
As soon as I was able to read, I was pressured into studying the WTS publications. I hated to read and often got drowsy while attempting to read their propaganda. But, I always strived to do what was right, no matter how difficult it was. I was also trained to answer objections to my religion and shut out any opposing views. Questioning the Watchtower Society, I was told, was the same as "Questioning God!" Three to five times a week, my mom would ask the same question: "Have you studied for the meeting, yet?" She was constantly hounding me and almost never had a nice thing to say. I was also taught how to go out in door-to-door service as young, trembling child.
I did have some good times during these years, most of which I attribute to my oldest brother (my mom’s son) who always looked out for me. He was the one who glued us kids together. We were a team, the kids versus the parents. He sheltered me from the chaos of my unblended family. However, the pressure built up to a degree that he could no longer take, and he buckled. My dad continued his verbal abuse towards my mom’s sons, and my mom countered using my dad’s son as a pawn. Their real dad was no better, treating them as second-rate to his daughters from the “other woman,” whom he married. It got worse. After he failed to stay faithful to his second wife, he ended his life, leaving my brothers (and even my mom) with scars I will never understand.
These events drove my oldest brother to drugs, alcohol and the type of friends that go along with that life style. At this point, he was an unbaptized publisher and was constantly being reprimanded by the elders and eventually he left, never to return. Being that I was still so young, I didn’t understand what was going on with him. All I knew is that he was "bad" because he "had 'the truth' and he left it!"
Now that the glue in our family had become undone, my life began to take a turn for the worst. Without him to make sure that there was fair play, my other brothers began to pick on me relentlessly. Even my mom wouldn’t stand up for me! Instead, she always told me just to ignore their taunting and scolded me for fighting with them. My mom was trying to turn me into a clone of herself. For as long as I can remember, she has been a down-trodden, non-confrontational people-pleaser. No doubt this demeanor is a strong factor in why she fell into the snare of the WTS. My mom would project this attitude onto me, expecting me to let everyone walk all over me. It wasn’t just with my brothers. My father would hypocritically spank me for not eating peas, when he wouldn’t even allow beets into the house. My mom said nothing. When I told her that the girls at school picked on me, my mom insisted that the other girls must have had a good reason for not liking me. (They did. It was my lack of social skills and odd religious behavior, but I was too young to comprehend this.)
No matter how much I wanted to please her (and "Jehovah"), it just wasn't in my nature to accept these injustices. I would have extreme crying bouts, shoving my face into the pillow and screaming at the top of my lungs, leaving my door open for all to hear. I always hoped that my parents would see how deeply I was wounded and come to my aid. They never did. This led to some very dark thoughts at the age of 10. Since it didn't seem enough to them that I was hurting so deeply, then I began to imagine "how sorry they'd be" if I were dead. I never had the guts to actually attempt suicide, nor did I want to displease God! But, I was so angry to the core that I often fantasized about the sorrow and regrets they’d have if I chose to go through with it. I wanted them to hurt to the same degree that I was hurting!
When I was about twelve, while visiting my uncle, he told me that he had a book with all these facts about CT Russell being a liar and a crook. I didn't dare look at it (for doing so would be “questioning God!”) but just the “what if” thoughts freaked me out. I felt sick to my stomach and couldn't sleep that night. I just couldn’t bear to think that I was wrong, that my mom was wrong, and that our congregation was wrong. And it was dangerous to toy with the idea. After all, I’d already been warned about “apostate lies.” I convinced myself that whatever that book said, it just couldn’t be true. I went back to trying to please "Jehovah" and my mom, JW-style. With time, I even repressed the memory.
At age 13, I began getting pressure from my mom to get baptised. Every time someone my age or younger was baptised, my mom would nudge me, as if to say, "What about you?" She thought it was admirable when an eight-year old was considered mature enough to make that decision, as did the rest of my congregation. Mature or NAIVE?! The other two girls my age were already baptised and, in the eyes of my mother and my congregation, I was becoming a public disgrace.
I was constantly compared to one of these other girls, specifically. The other girl was far more sheltered and far more indoctrinated. Both of her parents were Jehovah's Witnesses, her father was an elder, and she was home schooled. She was baptised at about thirteen. Her P.E. requirement was fulfilled by door-to-door service. She put so many hours into “field service” that she was considered a “pioneer” (I think it’s about 60 hrs a month) and her name was mentioned monthly in the Kingdom Hall.
By age fifteen I started realizing that I'd never chosen my religion and began questioning my faith.
Of course, this would again result in my mom giving me the “comparison nudge.” This other girl was considered to be more “spiritual,” more “mature” than I was. After all, I was still an unbaptised publisher going out in service less than 15 hours a month. If my hours fell under 10 a month, I had an elder of the congregation calling my house asking to speak to me to find out why my hours dropped…… Oh, I don’t know…. Maybe going school, doing homework, studying for meetings three times a week and going door-to-door more than two hours a week is a bit much to ask of a thirteen year-old!
By age fifteen I started realizing that I'd never chosen my religion and began questioning my faith. Everything I’d done was a result from outside pressures, especially that of my mom. Thankfully, I had not yet been baptized! (This is an important fact. All the Jehovah’s Witness children who were baptized, even at the ripe old age of eight, suffered far more when they chose to leave. There are strict rules regarding former Jehovah’s Witnesses. They are considered apostates and “are worse than ‘worldly’ people because they had ‘the Truth’ and turned away from it.” They loose all their friends and even some family members refuse to speak to them. Even though I am not technically an “apostate,” JW’s who know my past will still avoid me like the plague!)
I had really dark thoughts about God. In fact, my favorite song at the time was "Blasphemous Rumors" by Depeche Mode. This was a result of being taught some conflicting ideas:
1) Never question my beliefs.
2) All non-JWs who don't question their beliefs will be killed in Armageddon.
See a problem? Yeah, it made me think that God, if He existed, was cruel! I wanted nothing more then to hope, against all odds, that evolution was the source of life. Since I was taught that there is no hell, I figured I was gambling, at most, an untimely and gruesome death at Armageddon. I felt "I'd rather die than serve a god like him." I refused to look at arguments for creation and always used this cop-out: "One day, I'll figure out what I believe. But for right now, I'm just gonna live life as I please."
My parents' marriage was falling apart. By this time, I was fully aware of who my dad really was and I hated him! The elders deemed that my mom had grounds for separation since my father was verbally abusing my entire family and was sexually abusing her, driving her to a suicide attempt. I was thrilled when we moved out. Only three weeks later, my mom dragged my brother (with Asperger’s) and me back to my dad’s, crying and pleading the whole time. (Eventually, they divorced.) Since I realized no one was looking out for my best interests, I pinned them against each other, to break free from the control of the Watchtower. As long as I was living in my father’s household, my mom didn’t have the power to force me to go the meetings. I used my new-found freedoms to choose my own friends. My previous best friend, a Jehovah’s Witness was actually a bit pushy with me, but because she was the only JW in my grade level, she had become my best friend by process of elimination. But now, I had options!
I made quick friends with a classmate who had a crush on me. Although I wasn’t interested, our friendship grew. He was there for me when I needed to be angry and vent. He was there for me when I needed to cry. And he was there for me when I needed to laugh and for the first time in my life, I had someone to be silly with! It wasn’t long before we fell in love. My mom strongly objected to our relationship. But I’d never been able to gain her approval in the past, so her continued disappointment had very little effect. She kept hoping that I would return to the Kingdom Hall and stop dating a “worldly” boy. I did neither. After four years of dating, at age twenty, I married him!
At age 21, God revealed Himself to me. He warned me that if I didn't turn to Him, that I was headed for hell.
My husband was raised Christian but wasn't exactly strong in his faith during his teen years. As he got older, he began taking his faith more seriously. He also began praying for me on a regular basis. God honoured his prayers. At age 21, God revealed Himself to me. He warned me that if I didn't turn to Him, that I was headed for hell. I woke up shaking and crying. For the first time in six years, I prayed. I poured out my heart and begged God to show me who He really is. I began going to a Christian church and independently comparing it to the doctrine I was raised on.
My mom lent me some materials to aid in my research. One of the publications I borrowed was a Kingdom Interlinear (A Greek-to-English Bible translation). When I saw the discrepancies between the original Greek and the English of the New World Translation, I knew that the WTS had intentionally altered their Bible to conceal the Deity of Jesus Christ. In one moment, I knew they were a false prophet and couldn’t be trusted on any theology. And even though I became a born-again Christian, I still grappled with confusion over the indoctrination of my past. I still had to cover each issue, one by one, to figure out what was true and what was not.
My mom and I tip-toed around religion for five years. Recently, we reached a boiling point. This resulted in sending me back through the doctrinal differences, since I needed a stronger case to prove to her what I already know. This time, when I researched, I dug much deeper than before. What I’ve discovered was so sickening that it makes me physically nauseated. In addition to faulty doctrine, I discovered a long history of false prophecies. I also found a history of flip-flopping on their position regarding blood transfusions and organ transplants. They’ve even repetitively protected rapists and child-molesters and shunned the victims, labeling them as “fornicators!” Learning the depth of deception and the horrors that are taking place within Kingdom Halls, I finally felt free letting go of the legalism that I had been clining to, even after five years as a Christian. I now know the source of my unexplained depresion and I am beginning a journey towards true healing, that only God can bring. God's grace is overflowing in my life and I'm brought to tears when I realize how much He loves me. I'm figuring out who I am, and I like the person that God is turning me into!
Now, I actively work towards opening the eyes of the members of this horrendous cult, including my mom and one brother who are still active Jehovah’s Witnesses. I have a solid case, but they’ve been so indoctrinated to assume that any former member is spreading vicious lies that they refuse to even look at the evidence. I have not been disowned, though (which most former JWs are disowned by family members) and I look for open doors to share my faith.
Even my oldest brother, who never returned to the Kingdom Hall, still carries the wounds of his spiritual abuse, along with the other trials he’s endured. He’s into his thirties now and has achieved some level of stability. He’s now married, owns a home, works full-time, attends a trade school and has three dogs. However, he is still attempting to mask his pain with marijuana and alcohol. Deep down, he still believes in the teachings of the WTS. He can’t yet see that the god of the Watchtower is not the God of the Bible. As a result, religion is too painful for him to consider, at this time. It’s just recently that God has allowed me to see his inner pain and I am beginning to reach out to him, with positive results.
As a Christian, I am learning to forgive my father for what he’s done to my family. I no longer hate him but he has not changed, so I keep him at a safe distance. I worry about him and his sons the most, since they are all content with their Godless lives of depravity. Their names are often included in my very long “prayer list.”
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USA says on 2012-02-12 09:46:02 about ElEigwdZAynVa
LzY4Rb I do`t see a feedback or the other coordinates from the blog administration!...
Dmonk says on 2012-01-16 13:55:21 about JW
I grew up a JW and believed it- but turned away. It plagued me for years that i knew the truth in the bible, and after 13 years im coming back. I feel so happy and am not depressed about this world that is falling apart anymore and have a hope for the future!
Cinna bunni says on 2011-09-07 08:24:24 about
This is truly a brain washing cult. It has ruined the lives of so many. Including me. Because of raised (forced) in this cult I make sure that I do not force any beliefs on my children!
jj says on 2011-08-23 19:50:59 about you
All religions are nuts. I find it crazy that you are now a Christian. It's the same BS.
Velta says on 2011-04-11 14:50:38 about My heart relates to your pain
My parents became JWs in 1938. I was 7 years old. I grew up, just as you, with few friends and rejection by my classmates. My parents did not stand up for me when I was hurt at school by my teachers or classmates. I was told I had to defend my faith and Jehovah by myself.
I began going from door to door by myself with a bag of books and a phonograph with Judge Rutherford's lectures at the age of 10. I was made to stand in the corner at school for not saluting the flag and called nazi and facsist and expelled from school in 1941. Of course, I could not celebrate any holidays or participate in music or plays, sometimes because it had to do with a holiday or just on the principle that I had to associate with "worldly" people. Being a JW child is hell, even if you have kind parents. The WT dictates to them the way they bring up their children and they follow that instruction because they believe that the WT is "Jehovah's Organization". My heart goes out to all of you who have had such a hard time. For those of you who are happy in the organization, I am glad. Not all have had such a hard time, but there are a lot who have. Do not judge!
Here is our website: www.imdoingeverything.com/maes
keira says on 2011-04-10 03:22:27 about URGENT I NEED HELP PLZ
I am 13, Baptized at 11, I really only did it because my Mum wanted me to, and I liked the attention I was getting. But two years later, I really wish I hadn't. When they ask youu to do a personal dedication to Jehovah through prayer, I literally just said, " Yeah sure I wanna get baptized." && I hate to say it but, I REALLY WANT TO BE WORDLY!!!! My mom will be so mad though, and never talk to me. & then I would get crazy like she does. Please help, this religion has given me much hatred for it. I dont wanna wait till I am 18, but also if I wait, they are going to pressure me to progress, like Pioneer or somthing. PLEASE HELP ME!! I WISH MY MOM WOULD JUST SAY TO HELL WITH THIS RELIGION. I AM SO DEPRESSED BECAUSE OF IT. PLEASE REPLY AS SOOOOON AS POSSIBLE. :(((((((((
bin bin says on 2011-02-11 17:08:28 about disfellowshipping
Was raised my whole life in that ridiculous religion, with abusive parents, who were pioneers and elders, but never had a clue how to raise there kids, or what it was like to be happy!! So glad I had the strength to leave and to raise my children in a loving environment!!
Daughter of jw says on 2010-12-07 04:12:47 about 16 yr old x jw
I had nearly the same experience growing up and being raised as a jw. My mom was very abusiv to me ( i was an only child). We moved 4 hours away from my family i was never associated with any of them i never had any holidays. i had no friends so i feel your pain. i am still trying to deal with it. when i was 13 i became addicted to meth and quit wheni was 15 not i am 16 and pregnant with my first child. and once again when i am at my weakest the jw's try to console me...but i know there tactics i;ve done lots of reasearch as well. your article made me feel good that some one feels the same way that i do =)
blabla. says on 2010-08-07 05:21:53 about growing up.
I feel the same way about JW. Both my parents were introduced at an older age, and are married, and are very strong believers of this. I never had any friends, at school or in the congregation. I was the only child in the congregation. I had one friend who lived next door to me, she was my age, but her parents smoked and they were inactive Catholics, so my parents deemed her "bad association" and that their house was "full of demons". I am 15 years old, and I am clear with my parents that I don't want this. They don't understand and think it's a "phase". My mother and I have had very abusive and sometimes even violent arguments about this, which sends my father to tears most times. I've considered self harm, suicide, or running away, but I never had the courage. My mum accused me of having "demons inside of me". I could write forever about this, but I just wanted to thank the writer for writing this, it helps me to know I'm not alone, and I don't belong in a mental ward. And that people who haven't been through this, will NEVER understand how it feels, or what it does. After a lot of research, I believe this is a cult.
Happy!!!! says on 2010-04-23 04:54:22 about Judgement?
Confusing information is soooooo useful to those who plant the seed of evil, and sit on the sidelines to watch the destuction of thousands of millions of people who don't take the time to truly find Jehovah! and his true purpose for those who choose the right path. Prov. 27:11
thetruth says on 2010-03-31 01:22:17 about thelie
I could write a book about my life "stuck" in this religon as a child. I do think this religion is full of uneducated people. I'm sorry your mother ever got envolved with this religion. What she should have done is find the mother within herself and leave the deadbead men and consentrate on making her childrens lives better which would have been made her life better. I dont' have the time right now to go into the complete waste this religon is but you will hopefully read my book when it comes out.... I will tell you that if I go to a meeting this Sunday I won't leave anything new and it will be the same rerun that I left at 16...I'm now almost 50.. They would still choose their religon over me....
honeybee says on 2009-10-25 12:21:36 about this story
I'm 22 and I'm a christian and my ex boyfriend is JW. He didn't tell me he was a JW until 3 months into our relationship. Then soon His parents wanted to meet me. Everything seemed great when they met me, I thought they liked me but then 2 weeks later (4 days after his birthday) he broke up with me, We loved each other, and he said he wanted to be with me but as he cried he still didn't give me clear reason why he was breaking up with me.. I had hoped that I could help save him and that he would find Christ but we haven't talked in 2 months since the day he broke up with me.. I hope he realizes the truth one. I still love and care about him. I don't untersatand why he broke up with me if loved me? and How easily he could stop all communication with me. One day everything was great, the next day everything we had was over. I'm so confused...
Missy says on 2009-10-25 12:05:37 about this story
I'm 22 and I'm Glad you wrote this story.. I'm a christian who dated a JW. He didn't tell me he was a JW until 3 months into our relationship. Then soon His parents wanted to meet me everything seemed great when they met me i thought they liked me but then 2 weeks later (4 days after his birthday)he broke up with me, :( We loved each other, and he said he wanted to be with me but he never gave me clear reason why he broke up with me.. That hurt so much. I had hoped that I could help save him and that he would find Christ but we haven't talked in 2 months since the day he broke up with me.. I hope he realizes the truth. I still care about him.
Missy says on 2009-10-25 12:02:35 about this story
I'm 22 and I'm Glad you wrote this story.. I'm a christian who dated a JW. He didn't tell me he was a JW until 3 months into our relationship. Then soon His parents wanted to meet me everything seemed great when thtey met me but then 2 weeks later he broke up with me, 4 days after his birthday. : ( We loved each other, and he said he wanted to be with me but he never gave me clear reason why he broke up with me.. That hurt so much. I had hoped that I could help save him and that he would find Christ but we haven't talked in 2 months since the day he broke up with me.. I hope he realizes the truth. I still care about him.
Lex Watson says on 2009-09-30 17:11:47 about from these turn away
Having a form of Godly devotion but proving false to it's power, and from these turn away. (New World Translation)
me says on 2009-09-30 16:49:42 about JV's
Yes I grew up as a JW from age 4 to age 14. No one understands what it is like until you have been there done that. I finally got my mom to leave them. One of the things I repeatly would ask her was "Why do you not celebrate the birth of your children since you love us so much"? Got my first birthday cake when I was 16 from an aunt. :) My mom raised 4 kids by herself and did a great job. So I know that some of their teachings helped us but a lot of things hurt us too. My father died suddenly when I was 7. He was not interested in the JW's. All you can do is go on and try to be the best person you can be. Another thing that always bothered me was why would you disfellowship one who needs help or hurting? That is not what love is all about. As a child in school I can remember the other children telling me it was time for me to go to the libary when a holiday party would begin to start. During grade school JW's are not allowed to say or cross their hearts for the pledge which drew negative attention my way as well. Another is how excited I was to be in choir or to play an instrument only to be told that I can no longer participate due to the group singing or playing music/songs that the JW's did not approve of. Really now! Mostly I remember my mom always trying to survive the best way she new how. The JW's took advantage of her.
lovely life says on 2009-09-30 16:42:23 about
I was also raised a Jehovah's Witness and there are stories like this one out there. I don't doubt their truthfulness. However, as I had loving parents who, as parents do, taught me their beliefs and showed me why they believed it was a good way to live, I did accept it. Religion can be a lovely thing and can be a vicious tool if used improperly. Hardly does this mean that an entire religious belief is wrong, my experience with JWs has been far different than this writer's was. I've always had many friends who are not Jehovah's Witnesses and I appreciate the public speaking training I received as well as the ability to stand up for myself from a young age. It has served me well as an adult and enabled me to not be pushed around by people, I took rejection very young and I know my mind ever so much better. There are always more sides to any story and my compassion goes out to this writer who had a bad experience. I hope she finds the healing each of us deserves. And I hope this story of one person does not sour anyone to Jehovah's Witnesses in general. Some very kind and amazing people are among them and should not be disregarded for the bad experience of one.
ms. chris says on 2009-09-30 16:22:27 about JW's
It's unfortunate what people will comment on even though they have no experience or information on a subject. I was also raised a jehovah's witness and it is very hard for a 7 year old to go to sleep every night wandering if she will wake up the next day or will armageddon come during her sleep and take her and all her loved ones away. Imagine the thought of that at age 7, always wondering if she is a good enough person. What child deserves that pressure? And sure, some of their teachings and beliefs did make you a stronger person, but does a child have to pay for those attributes in such a frightening way. As an adult (and a non-JW), I still now struggle with the thoughts of what religion is the true religion. But as stated by Allie, I try to be a Gof-fearing woman and I raise my children with the same morals. I feel for children who are stuck in that religion because it can be so lonely and depressing for such young minds.
JudgeRutherford says on 2009-09-22 18:27:04 about this
So you left the Witnesses and became a born-again Christian? LOL
Pedro says on 2009-09-17 05:32:10 about Counterfeit Christians
The Jehovah's Witness cult is an insidious organization that calls itself "Christian" yet it denies the fundamental doctrines of the Gospel and Bible. In other words, it is a fraud that sucks many families into its vortex of deception and chaos.
It's a typical smug religious organization that is self-righteous and full of error.
Carlos says on 2009-09-11 16:03:27 about JW's
I grew up JW's and I know thats the true religion, but Im just too lazy to commit to it, hopefully someday I'll return to it.
MY NAME IS ROHAN says on 2009-09-10 14:45:19 about
CONFESS TO GOD THAT YOU HAVE SINNED AGAINST HIM,REPENT OF YOUR SINS FRO YOUR HEAR AND ASK JESUS TO SAVE YOU BEFORE YOU LEAVE GOD EARTH *ROMANS 10;9-13;PSALMS 32:5* AND READ AND OBEY GOD'S WORD TILL YOU DEAD. CHARLES T.RUSSEL STARTED THAT CULT AND THEY ARE NOT TRUE JEHOVAH'S WITNESS BECAUSE THEY ARE LIARS. DO RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET,CHICK.COM & ALSO ABOUT BIBLE TRANSLATION BECAUSE THE NWT IS NOT ACCURATE IN IT'S TRANSLATION OF GOD'S WORD. IT IS TWISTED TO KEEP THOSE WHO FOLLOW THE FOOLS IN DARKNESS AND AWAY FROM GOD WHICH IS WHAT THE DEVIL WANTS.
Steve says on 2009-09-10 06:50:04 about JW Abusive cult
The Jehovah's Witness cult is an insidious organization that calls itself "Christian" yet it denies the fundamental doctrines of the Gospel and Bible. In other words, it is a fraud that sucks many women into its vortex of deception and chaos. It's a typical religious organization that is self-righteous and full of error. Much error has come from this Cult
Janet says on 2009-09-08 10:55:09 about JW WBTS is a CULT
I have looked into the theology & history of the Watchtower & am thoroughly convinced without a doubt it's a counterfeit Christian cult.
1. Bases many beliefs on numerology
2. corrupt translation of the bible (NWT)
3. Founders were into demonic occult teachings
4. Doctrines have changed over time
5.1914 Jesus *invisible* return
6. only 144,000 go to heaven
7. two classes of saved Christians
8. *whole* blood and autologous transfusions a sin,but okay to use fractions donated by Red Cross blood donors
9. genocide of 6 billion plus men women children at Watchtower Armageddon
etc.....
Watchtower *propaganda* publishing empire has printed up billions of pieces of literature carried by hand by their followers to our very doorsteps.
Well then, what is the vital message by their own admission.
ANSWER:That Jesus was enthroned in 1914 and the Watchtower people were the only ones 'with the wisdom to discern it',consequently Jesus rewarded them by making them the exclusive inheritors of his kingly assets.
Thus making Jehovah's Witnesses the one true religion by default.Nobody but Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Jesus had any form of advent in 1914,it is plain that the date came from William Miller the Watchtower totally plagiarized it right up to the same month that Miller himself proclamed the month of October,they just changed the year ahead 60 years.
JH says on 2009-09-02 18:43:29 about Overboard
I too was raised JW and I no longer am active in the religion. However, it seems to me that your distressing childhood was more the fault of your parents than their religion. I didn't have any close friends growing up, because of the religious factor, but I turned to books. The "intense pressure to conform" is not more intense than the pressure you would have felt to conform to the actions of the popular girls at school, had you befriended them. I do have some good, close friends now, so it's not like my childhood religion stunted my growth somehow.
As for "becoming drowsy while trying to read their propaganda," I found it wasn't all that much different than trying to stay awake/pay attention during a particularly boring lesson at school. And going door-to-door was good practice in dealing with rejection and continuing on, which is a valuable sales skill and life skill in general.
There is always intense pressure to conform, wherever you find yourself in life. For me, I have found that my background helps me resist pressures to conform: for example, I never "conformed" to the teenage tendency to drink to excess and experiment with drugs and promiscuity. I don't think the religious beliefs are worth my allegiance anymore, but I am grateful for my childhood, since it made me the person I am today. You should place the blame for your sad experience squarely where it belongs: with your parents' dysfunctional marriage.
Sara says on 2009-07-28 10:14:56 about The Truth - of this article
It is sad the ignorance people have. I grew up as a JW with two parents who were both converts from Catholic. The childhood was lonely and frought with fighting against your own nature. I however submitted getting baptized at eleven and finally leaving fully at tewnty. I spent four years battling disfellowshipment for my husband who was never baptized. Life is hard enough without feeling a god will kill you for questions or strike yourco-workers dead for thier own ignorance. The hatred and judgment I can say at least, I never passed to my children. Thank God I found the strength to get out. I have not seen my parents in over ten years as a result.
allie says on 2009-03-30 15:05:27 about religion???
i was raised JW, my story is similair to yours, with one parent in the "truth" the other not... actually a die hard catholic. i attended catholic school and was forced to make my self stand out and make a stand for jehovah every day. as far as i can see there are no blatant lies in how you describe how there organisation works. i thought there wasnt meny people that could understand what its like growing up like that, ive been out of the jw sence for 9 years and this if the first time i have reseached anything about it. it is very comforting to know that others have gone threw what i am still dealing with. it took along time but i think i have arrived at a point where i can say i know what i beleave and i am proud to stand up for it, i will never lable my self as ANY religion EVER again,. i go by i do the best i can do everyday, and when my time to be judged comes, by who or what i dont know nor do i think that it is important, i can stand with my head up because i did the best i could do every day, and if "god" is going to kill me for that then thats no i god i want to worship!!!i have said this to JW who have tried to get a "lost sheep" back and even they cant argue with it.go thats the biggest problem with religion.... people focus on all these stupid detail and profficies and whats gonna happen when we die? or when armageddon comes? WHO give a shit!!! really?? why dont we all just try to be good, nice, responcible people right NOW, who respect everything around them??? isnt that whats important?? "the now". really for all you crazy jesus people out there, he was trying to set an example, he was focused on "the now" back then.. if people put more effort in to his acts, rather the jesus christ the religious symbol ,and applied them to regular everyday life , instead of turning him into a rock star and creating all these religions the cause division,suffering, haterd and wars,n shit we would all be allot better off..right?
allie says on 2009-03-30 14:58:45 about religion???
i was raised JW, my story is similair to yours, with one parent in the "truth" the other not... actually a die hard catholic. i attended catholic school and was forced to make my self stand out and make a stand for jehovah every day. as far as i can see there are no blatant lies in how you describe how there organisation works. i thought there wasnt meny people that could understand what its like growing up like that, ive been out of the jw sence for 9 years and this if the first time i have reseached anything about it. it is very comforting to know that others have gone threw what i am still dealing with. it took along time but i think i have arrived at a point where i can say i know what i beleave and i am proud to stand up for it, i will never lable my self as ANY religion EVER again,. i go by i do the best i can do everyday, and when my time to be judged comes, by who or what i dont know nor do i think that it is important, i can stand with my head up because i did the best i could do every day, and if "god" is going to kill me for that then thats no i god i want to worship!!!i have said this to JW who have tried to get a "lost sheep" back and even they cant argue with it.go thats the biggest problem with religion.... people focus on all these stupid detail and profficies and whats gonna happen when we die? or when armageddon comes? WHO give a shit!!! really?? why dont we all just try to be good, nice, responcible people right NOW, how respect everything around them??? isnt that whats important?? "the now". really for all you crazy jesus people out there, he was trying to set an example, he was focused on "the now" back then.. if people put more effort in to his acts and applyied them to regular everyday life , instead of turning him into a rock star and creating all these religions the cause division and haterd and wars shit we would all be allot better off..right?
Hulu says on 2009-03-16 18:41:48 about Lies
This is a story full of blatant lies. Sounds like you had a messed up home life. Nobody pressures anyone to do anything. Stop spreading your hateful lies!
Andy Gibb says on 2008-12-12 00:25:09 about
Unless you grew up in it you wouldn't understand.Most people join when there adults and drag there kids in,not having to go thru what she and I did,thats why only 1/3 stay in when there adults.They go door to door and prey on the week and offer friendship and a sense of acceptence as long as you play ball
Andy Gibb says on 2008-12-12 00:24:02 about
Unless you grew up in it you wouldn't understand.Most people join when there adults and drag there kids in,not having to go thru what she and I did,thats why onlt 1/3 stay in when there adults.They go door to door and prey on the week and offer friendship and a sense of acceptence as long as you play ball
Sir Bernard Quatermass says on 2008-12-09 16:08:38 about Beliefs
Being a Christian of no specific church, and a world wide traveler. I have observed a variety of so called Christian orders that have a tendency to "pick 'n choose" what happens to suit their fancy. On the other hand, the J.W.'s I have observed, are the only ones that carry out their ministry according to scriptures as outlined by Jesus. This individuals experience, sounds like one who rather pass up the "spinach for "tickle your ears" desert, which is common place in organized religion...
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I had no friends at school since my two Jehovah's Witness friends moved away.
