I'm an ex Jehovah's Witness AMA

[StressyMessyJess]

Any questions Ill try to answer as honestly as possible 😊

They probably assume you're atheist, most people are in the UK.
Honestly most JWs are very normal people and aren't trying to convert everyone they meet x

It depends on each JW. Some are more devout than others. Most are still encouraged not to take part in birthdays but for instance my nephew and nieces certainly would accept bags, eat birthday cake at school, etc.

It took me a long time to properly celebrate Christmas, it was so ingrained into me not to. The last few years Ive had a small tree and I love it! Still dont go overboard with it as a lot of my family are JW so we obviously don't celebrate with them

Good to know your family have accepted it OP.
I have some cousins who are JWs. They are some of the most lovely people I know.
But, it makes me deeply sad how it prevents them from being a part of wider family birthdays, Christmases etc. I really feel they miss out.
I also think this religion has been a big part of the reason neither of their kids went to uni - despite being very bright.
Their refusal to engage in politics also disturbs me.
I also dislike how they call the JDubs “brothers” and “sisters” - they aren’t their family and they probably wouldn’t be their friends if they weren’t all part of the cult.
We agree not to discuss their religion. Which makes it easier for us all to spend time together, thank goodness!
I live in hope, one of their kids will break free as you have OP 💛

The bit I could never get my head around (assuming it's accurate) was the non-acceptance of blood products in an emergency. Have you known anyone in real life who has prevented a child or loved one receiving blood products which could have saved their lives?

Yes unfortunately I have 😔
It's probably the toughest thing for me. It's a damaging and dangerous belief

Thanks for this.
Yes I secretly hope all the children escape!

Completely immoral imo.

Agreed

How much of your income went to the church? Thanks.

Do you see it as a cult?

None. You can contribute if you want to but my family didn't, or we gave very little if we did

Hmm I see the reasoning but I see it as a strict religion. I would find it hard thinking of my family member being in a cult, which has very sinister overtones

This is really interesting thankyou.

When did you find out about Christmas and did you feel upset that you weren't allowed to celebrate it?

Do you get JW's trying to persuade you to come back?

Do JW's think of themselves as being part of Christianity or something else entirely.

My teenager wants to know how JW's persuade people to join them, seeing as they don't do anything fun (although I don't think anyone joins a religion for the fun bits!)

You mean Everyone Else Burns

I always knew about Christmas and its spoken about, if negatively, in the religion. It didn't bother me not celebrating as a child, its only now I'm an adult I feel sad for my young self!

I get the odd letter or invite from my family or other JWs but I think they've realised I'm a lost cause!

Yes JWs class themselves as Christians.

Haha yes there's not much fun to tempt people in with! I think people enjoy the community nature and friendships and obviously they believe they are doing the right thing by God

Sorry missed this!
I haven't seen it no, I'll give it a go.
I have reconnected with a few old ex JW friends, its good to talk through our experiences with hindsight

Thank you for posting on this topic.
Can you tell me why JW don’t celebrate birthdays? Christmas I can understand a bit (although as a spiritual but not religious person I’ll happily celebrate the significant festivals of most religions). Thanks

It’s Everyone Else Burns, a PP has clarified. I hope you enjoy it.

The reasoning is that the only instances of birthdays mentioned in the Bible are by 'wicked' people and result in one of God's people being killed. JWs believe everything in the Bible is there for a reason so this must be God telling us birthday celebrations are wrong.
Its tenuous and bizarre reasoning.

How do JW view other Christian sects of religion, like c of e, catholics, mormons, etc? And actually other religions such as muslim, Buddhism, hinduism?

They have a general level of respect but class all other religions as 'false prophets'

And is that why they are not allowed Christmas? Because it’s Jesus’ birthday?

No, I think its pretty widely accepted that Jesus wasn't born in December and that Christmas is essentially from pagan origins. Christians just sort of took it over and built the nativity story around the date.

Do you still agree with refusing blood transfusions?

Absolutely not. I think they are amazing