I used to be a Jehovah’s Witness - Ask me anything

[ExJW]

More or less grew up amongst JWs, was baptised and very active in the religion for over 10 years including going door to door etc.!
Left by choice about 9 years ago and am treated as excommunicated / disfellowshipped.
Happy to answer any questions though they keep changing some of their doctrine so on that front I may not be 100% up to date.

lessstressedhemum that's awful. I hope that girl is ok. They always seem so loving and happy :-(

Thank you - I hadn't heard of apostasy (film) or any of the other films mentioned but I'm going to try to find them all now.

My family used to be JW’s too. My Dad has severe depression and as a result stopped coming to meetings, etc. They said he also needed to stop writing/ researching things like the war because it was violent and not in line with their beliefs. My Dad is a very successful author and historian. He decided to leave the religion after years of faith. One day some of the JW came to our house and talked to my Mum and me, completely blanking my Father IN HIS OWN HOUSE. That was it for my mum and I. There was no way after that that I could be with people who ignore people in their own house after they had been ill. We get shunned on the street when we occasionally see some of them. I had some knock on my door the other week who basically said that my brother who is gay would only be accepted into Gods Kingdom if he could give up his lifestyle because it was his choice to do things that way. I was disgusted that wonderful, caring people who do only good for others are pushed aside due to things outwith their control. I told her as much politely but It was hard to hear. We have one wonderful JW woman who we see as our family who is so wonderful to us and we love very much. She isn’t like the others and is very caring towards all.
Gosh, thats a long post! Sorry for the bit of a rant.

Why are JW so against blood transfusions? Honestly can’t Fathom a religion who would allow their child to die.

My DM was in a relationship with a JW, his daughter was offered an amazing opportunity and scholarship to study medicine but was discouraged to follow this up by all of her family and to focus on her religion instead which she agreed to do.

How common is this?

My DM and I were both really shocked. DM is no longer in a relationship with this man as his religion took over every aspect of his life.

Brenda, it certainly used to be very common. "Worldly" education is not encouraged at all. Why pursue education and career in a world that isn't going to last more than a few years? Much better to concentrate on Jehovah and knowledge of His truth. Actually, imo, not pursuing education and outside knowledge makes people less likely to question the ridiculous beliefs. And not going to uni means that young folk aren't mixing with people who encourage them to try new things or think for themselves.

The blood thing is due to their interpretation of a verse in the Book of Acts. Chapter 15 verse 29 tells us to abstain from blood amongst other things and JWs include transfusions in their interpretation of eating blood.

Hi OP
This has been really interesting, thank you. Do you think that sex abuse is covered up in the same way it has been in other religions? I'm not suggesting it's any more prevalent in one religion than any other, but it does go on. I ask because someone close to me was a victim of childhood abuse by a family member. He even pleaded guilty in court (she wasn't the only victim), but the elders chose not to disfellowship him unless she gave evidence against him. He went to prison in the end and she still goes to the same Kingdom Hall which offered her less than no support.

Oobis, yes it is. For the elders to take any action there needs to be two adult witnesses to the abuse. Even then if the perpetrator "repents", then they want do anything. I had a friend whose husband was actually convicted of child sex offenses. Even while he was in prison, he remained a member in good standing and she was told to stand by him and when he came out he was welcomed back with open arms and she was pushed to the edges of the congregation.

I can't really put into words how I feel about that. You've already said they target the vulnerable. That's inhumane. And to think they believe they have high moral standing.

Thanks for the reply btw. I know I got to this thread late!