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AMA

I am an ex Jehovah's witness. AMA

343 replies

gem584848838 · 11/10/2019 21:08

Not sure if this will be of interest to anyone! As per the title I am an ex Jehovah's witness that had been disfellowshipped from the religion. AMA

OP posts:
RoseQuartzGlow · 14/10/2019 12:46

@cabbageking
I agree you are courageous . I am getting really curious about your experiences actually.

UltimateSalt · 14/10/2019 23:30

There was a big scandal with child abuse in the Netherlands recently, and it was a lot worse than one rogue congregation.

www.dutchnews.nl/news/2018/12/police-raid-jehovahs-witness-buildings-in-sexual-abuse-inquiries/

Smotheroffive · 15/10/2019 00:28

Ooo dear...

Seems JW have confirmed whats been said on here by pp, that JW have their own ways of dealing with it, and do not suppprt the authorities dealing with the crime that it is, furthermore...

.. called for an investigation after the church said it would not sanction an independent inquiry into dozens of claims of abuse.

Protection

The church authorities say that measures have been put in place to protect children and very few victims have come forward. However, a foundation set up by victims of sexual abuse within the Jehovah’s Witnesses has already registered 276 potential cases of abuse

So, what now?

Yes, other forms of religion, and other organisatios have perverts who rape children and women too, but the more controlling and closed these communities the more these deviants practices continue unabated under cover and allowed to go unchallenged.

UltimateSalt · 15/10/2019 18:00

There really does seem to be a systemic problem.

Varric · 16/10/2019 11:47

OP, is it true that the sometimes target vulnerable people like the elderly who live alone?

JayDot500 · 16/10/2019 14:43

I have never been a JW, but even I was shunned by my grandma and Uncle as a child because my mum left (she was baptised at 16, left at 19 because she didn't agree with their rules).

I've studied with them a bit (as a promise to same said grandma on her death bed) but found the 'teaching' to be dictatorial. There is no real back and forth, just rehearsed crud. All questions given at meetings have pre prepped answers already given to 'bible students'. When I started asking some fair, imo, questions, they stopped my study sessions.

So even though I have never been baptised, and I really do have some amazing family members in 'the truth', the following is some of the things that have happened to me, or that I have observed.

-my dad was talked out of walking me down the aisle because my wedding was in a Catholic church. Very out of character for him. He is still a JW but bitterly regrets that decision.
-my mum is still shunned by her brother, and is still not invited to family weddings and such. She has had depression due to this. There are now camps within the family who won't go to events if my mum isn't invited. Imagine all of this family drama just because someone is getting married/dies
-my sister has anxiety, all the door knocking did not help. The carts have been a saviour to her

  • my cousin almost died due to the blood issue. Her mum went against teachings and happily, she got the transfusion. They are both still in, but mentally out. They won't leave as it's all they know.
-my uncle isn't becoming greedy and looking to his dad's house (my grandad isn't a JW) as q way to find his retirement since Armageddon hasn't yet come. My grandad is very much alive and kicking, but he is forcing him to feel like he needs to sell up and move to smaller accommodation. Luckily, my aunt put a stop to this once she asked my grandad if he actually wanted to move, and he said no.

More has happened, but this religion is a farce

Deicide · 19/10/2019 16:57

Ban the cult.

Alsohuman · 19/10/2019 18:58

How would you propose banning them? Russia and Nazi Germany tried. It didn’t work.

Varric · 19/10/2019 20:53

At least classify it as a cult like France does with scientology.

Alsohuman · 19/10/2019 21:40

And that would make what difference?

Varric · 19/10/2019 22:38

It would recognise it for what it is, at least.

Alsohuman · 19/10/2019 22:50

And again, what difference would it make?

AlexTheKid · 20/10/2019 07:20

It might make people think twice about joining?
It might make people question things more once they were in?
It might create better support for people who've managed to leave?

Alsohuman · 20/10/2019 12:00

Anyone being converted will know the JWs’ teaching that being persecuted is proof that they are the one true faith, as will those who are already members. They expect and even welcome it. As far as I’m aware our society doesn’t offer formal support for people leaving cults.

Varric · 20/10/2019 13:00

We should though. Recognising that you're in a cult is one of the first steps to leaving one, and maybe this would help people do this.

If even one person escapes, it's worth it.

Grinchly · 20/10/2019 13:56

I'm an atheist, and have no truck with any form of organised religion. It's inexplicable to me. Kudos to all of you who have managed to get out of the cult, it must have taken a very special strength of mind.

The only JWs I've known did my parents' cleaning. She was an ex nurse, so maybe a convert? They were both very kind and decent people and never mentioned their religion to me at all, and I think they were paying their children through higher ed. They've been to family funerals too, all of which is apparently a no-no.

So are there different shades of JW ism?

hailtothejarl · 30/10/2019 19:55

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downwithjrm · 05/11/2019 11:58

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