I am an ex Jehovah's witness. AMA

[gem584848838]

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

I say brainwashing because that is actually what it is. You are not allowed to question anything! Whatever the governing body (the head of the organisation) says goes. If you do question anything then they will say you are an apostate and you can be disfellowshipped from the congregation.

All their teachings are either from the bible or their own publications.they won't even consider anyone else's point of view. When you become a Jehovah's witness you will be encouraged to leave behind your old life which can often include family members and friends. They Are 'worldly' people and bad associations.

I was brought up in the religion and it was really pushed on me. I knew if I left I would lose my family and friends and my home. That really scared me and I did feel forced to stay for many years

If/when you went door to door, how did you feel about people debating your religion - at that time? Did it ever make you question your belief?

I'm very live and let live but I'm afraid I have a deep dislike for JW practice, their beliefs and practices are very controlling, cult like and destroying.

@AllTheWhoresOfMalta Thank you. That's awful! Poor woman!

I didn't mind that much as a child. I guess I had all my JW friends and was preoccupied with them. My mum was good and made sure I had lots of sleep overs with them and saw them lots so I wasn't bothered about birthday parties. It was actually harder when I went to work with Xmas dos and parties

We were taught that 144, 000 went to heaven but the rest of us would be on earth which would be a paradise sounds ridiculous now I hear it

Thanks for replying Gem. I find all faiths very interesting , I am a sort of practicing RC myself but don't agree with a lot of it ! I wish you love health and happiness.

We were encouraged to speak to those we worked with about the religion but I never did. I was too embarrassed!!

That's awful about the Jehovah's witness wedding!! I am surprised they didn't try and preach to you though!
It can be typical of some JWs.they can be very judgemental of non believers

Me too. Free for 25 years now. I simply walked away so wasn't disfellowshipped and wasn't shunned. I think it would have been easier if I was.

It was! I’m not exaggerating...they physically turned away from me and
wouldn’t speak anymore.

Right birthdays. The reason that they give for not celebrating is that birthday celebrations do not please god due to them having pagan roots, the early Christians not celebrating birthdays and both mentions in the bible of birthdays are shown in a bad light.
When I was younger in my family we gave presents to each other on our parents anniversary. My parents made sure we didn't miss out.

And blood transfusions. They claim that they don't accept these as the bible states to abstain from taking blood. Therefore they wouldn't accept a blood transfusion, give blood or eat anything with blood in it e.g. black pudding.
They accept vaccinations.. I had all of mine when I was little. Ivf would be fine too

My first boyfriend was a JV I met him at 15 (he 20) and spent 10 years pretty much locked away and told I couldn't see my friends and family. He was sleeping with me throughout despite not being marrie d. Is this common? I often wonder if he truly beleived or just wanted to control me

@TheBabyAteMyBrain unfortunately I did go door to door. Or rather i was forced to. Yes it did make me question a lot. I was majorly embarrassed usually because a lot of people's arguments were very valid. It was this plus researching on the internet that helped me leave

Your description is spot on of the religion. It is a cult. No matter how much they try and say they're not they are and unfortunately they do destroy lifes and families

Thank you for answering that.
What happens at conventions? There is a large one very near me at a football stadium regularly. Everyone dresses up, kids too but what actually goes on?

@Walnutwhipster well done. I'm so glad everytime I met another survivor. I don't think either situation is the easiest. There is no easy way to leave

@RLOU30 that sounds like he was a controlling idiot that treated you very badly Some Jehovah's witness men can be controlling but that's like any group of men. And if he was sleeping with you without being married then that's a big no no. I would be surprised if he only said he was a JW, maybe his family were but he wasn't and hadn't been baptised

I'd love to know that aswell @Alpacamabags I've seen coach loads of Jehovah Witnesses at a local football stadium all in their finest clothes, but no idea of what happens inside. Is it just like a large service?

Would you accept a blood transfusion now?

The conventions are like longer versions of their normal meetings. A full day of talks by brothers. They may also have a bible drama that is acted out by a group of brothers and sisters. There is also a baptism with many people being baptised to become a Jehovah's witness. It is shattering! 3 days of religions talks and we would usually have to be up at the crack of dawn to get there on time. The only fun thing was dressing up, I loved getting new clothes for the conventions

I know this sounds silly but why do JW dress so smartly?

@AngelOfDeathNix yes I would definitely accept a blood transfusion for me and my baby daughter. One of the first things I did when I left was give blood

Why are JW so determined to convert everyone? They've set up camp outside the train station I get off at for work, and they stand there all day even in the pouring rain. How can it be so important?

They dress smartly because they believe it shows the kind of people they are and reflects their morals. They believe it shows respects to god. Btw women are not allowed to wear trousers to religious meetings or on the ministry, they can only wear skirts for these occasions but definitely not mini skirts!

@AllStarBySmashMouth They truly believe that it is that important. They believe that we are living in the last days (although they have been saying that for the last 100 years!) So they have to save as many people as possible before Armageddon comes. That's why they are there all the time. To save all us sinners

I was going to ask about wearing skirts. What is the reason women can't wear trousers?

My DC both happen to have friends who are JWs. They understand they can never come to their birthday parties but we don't really understand why they aren't allowed to come round and just play on a normal day? They are allowed to see each other at school but not out of school for some reason?

Sorry another question, there are JWs outside my work most days with a stand of leaflets but they never actually approach people, just sit there, so I'm guessing they don't get much 'trade'. Why do they do this?

Are people in the cult living with the constant thought that the end of the world might come tomorrow? If so how do they handle it?