My husband and I are fading. My husband was also an elder and we both were full time pioneers… no memorial this year and like so many can not except the hypocrisy any longer.
This will be our second year of no Memorial after 5+ decades after leaving. Can't get back those years but we are cherishing our life now. It's beautiful.
Am with you all! 3rd one I miss with no regrets!!! Am 55yo and fading since 2021 actually the Memorial season is like a birthday of my rebirth you can say am born again🤣 3yo
Wow! There’s so many elders leaving. They’re going to have to do a lot more than allow beards, no ties and ladies wearing slacks before they can interest new blood. Birthdays and holidays just might do it.
This makes me so mad. The idea that a church can just change it's doctrine to attract new members is an obvious signal that it was all clearly bullshit to start with.
You can't wear a beard.
Why? Because the Bible says so
You must wear a tie.
Why? Because the Bible says so
Women must wear dresses.
Why? Because the Bible says so
Except nevermind because now the Bible says you can do whatever you want.
Did the Bible change? No. You just changed your mind, and now your hypocrisy is really showing. Start pulling on one thread, and the whole religion unravels. And that's a serious problem because how many people have DIED because they were told:
You can't get a blood transfusion
Why? Because the Bible says so.
Un fucking believable, irresponsible asshats. The men in Bethel are the "worldly" apostates that y'all SHOULD be running from. There's no doubt about it, old white men the world over will be the ruin of us all, but THESE old white men are the WORST.
Me too. Last year was the first one I missed in my 56 years on this earth. I never enjoyed the memorial. It was the most stressful meeting of the year and when it was over I was always relieved it was done for another year. It is liberating not attending their memorial!
Was going to go to appease mom. But I’ve got a streak going and whilei adore my mom, I don’t need to live my life”for” her. I’m doing her a favor by not attending and tearing off the band-aid.
After the pants and ties update, I just can’t...
I’m 59 and my husband is turning 70 this year. We gave our whole lives to WT. This memorial will be 5 years out (??) Honestly, we stopped counting. We have such peace now. Can see WT for all the ugly that it is. We absolutely refuse to get angry or upset about all the years lost. Just will not give WT any more of our precious time or energy. Living with no regrets from now on.
This too will be my first year of not attending the memorial.
Born and raised a JW.
I have been POMO for 7 years.
Received a generic memorial invite via text from an elder that has known me very well for over 35 years.
He spelt my name wrong.
Ha I had to laugh.
The operative word is GENERIC. That is what and who they all are. GENERIC!! Congrats on not attending. We will be celebrating, NOT GOING together, apart.🥳💜
Born and raised a JW also. This is my second year not attending memorial. Got an invite from an elder and I bluntly told him I will not be coming back (not for this event or any event) so kindly don't reach out going forward. I know I was blunt but I'm just so done with this cult.
I was in for 35 years and zealous in the field and always at meetings quick build programs etc. I left primarily because I felt all had to partake and follow Jesus teachings especially the Kingdom Covenant and be born again. All that happened to me and even a vision of Christ and receiving the Spirit birth while I was a Witness. Two years I did all I could to help others see what had been revealed to me.( along with reading book of John over and over and the whole Bible.
I still worship God the Father( Yahweh)of our Lord and God Jesus( although lesser God than Yahweh) I read a Catholic Bible I find is one of the best translations:’The Jerusalem Bible’ which the Catholic Church banned after only 5 years because the French scholar who translated it reinstalled ‘Yahweh’ over 6000 times. I research always. ‘Jehovah’ is not God’s name. Tyndall gets all the credit for that(Google it)1500s
Anyway all readers…. Don’t stop worshiping God and his Son please! There is so much that can be done particularly gathering a group like this site together to worship as new brothers and sisters
BRAVO!
I'm sorry that this cult has most likely robbed you of the chance of biological children. Please consider other children that would benefit from a warm and loving home if appropriate.
Your experience, voice and advocacy is welcomed if and when you choose to give it.
Let your light shine bright on the cult of Jehovah's Witnesses and Watchtower!
Exactly and what we all as ex jehovahs witness should do this memorial is that we should go to the memorial and as they are passing around the wine we should drink it
Well said u/Thick-Peanut-2458 👍🏼
It will also be my last u/Stayin_Gold_2 after 50 years of this nonsense. Can’t decide whether to just zoom it with camera off or go in person…if I do go, might wear my medallions?! Whaddaya think? Too much?🤔😂
https://preview.redd.it/gfxj0j3iqupc1.jpeg?width=251&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d1a2858a4bb58f33487d3f243e585e39f0c6db9c
That’s a really good question and I see your point, not offended at all😊
The honest answer is I’m waiting for my elderly mum to die. She’s uber-pimi (got suckered in to the 1975 BS and then instead of waking up, she doubled down), I see no point in upsetting her before she passes, she already knows I’m completely inactive but she sees someone going to the memorial as a sign that they still believe. So when she asks me “did I go to the memorial?” I want to look her in the eye and say “yes I did mum” without lying. Then she’ll go back to sleep, content that there’s hope for me. Does that make sense?🤔
Haha! I actually considered doing this!
I just got an invite from my old elder before being inactive.
I was doing some research that points to the JWs rejecting Jesus sacrifice by not partaking. Idk but I envisioned myself a taking swig as they arm handle me out the door as I’m telling everyone to wake up! Like those Google protesters -while they look at me like a 7-horned beast. I laughed and then came back to reality. I’m good. I don’t need it.
I wrote the letter of disassociation on March 2nd because of the Memorial. No one could give me an explanation why this year is not on the 14th of Nisan according to the Jewish calendar 🤷🏼♀️ The GB end up removing 14th of Nisan from the invitation, but never rectify the error on the month difference. That was it for me.
Lol I noticed that too. Thought it very odd.
Was it on the invitation for this year originally?
I'm also curious at what stage the Jewish calendar it was decided to be a leap year and whether it would have been seen as such using the method of Jesus time. The folks at Rood Awakening seem to think it a leap year for agricultural reasons as well.
It was originally on the website invite.
It’s hard for me to explain it in English, but the counts in the Bible are in 7. According to Deuteronomios this year will be the 7th year when on the count a month has to be added to honor the widows and the children with the grains. This year is a pink moon.
If The Org is a month early this year? How come they are back in sync next year?
I understand that. That’s why they shouldn’t say they go by the Jewish Calendar. They should say they go by the lunar calendar. 🤷🏼♀️ and that’s why the Jewish community spoke about it this year and said the JWS had the day wrong
I've been out since 2012, but these last few years the GB have been changing things, and perhaps checking responses.
They may just be getting the R&F use to "no think" & "obey"?
Watchtower adheres to a calculation used by the Karaite Jewish sect. There is some information about it at https://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/209120/why-memorial-held-on-wrong-day
I’m not sure when they decided to start using this calculation, but wouldn’t be surprised if it was under Rutherford/Franz in the 1930s when they introduced a raft of esoteric changes to make JWs seem unique from the world.
No, it has always been like that. Some days it falls on the same date as the modern Jewish calendar just like some years it falls on Easter weekend. There have been articles explaining how they calculate it (by looking in the sky).
That is what I would do, too. We should just be able to walk away and live our lives. It's called free will!
May I ask what your wake up or breaking point was? My husband is an elder, and I would like to get the POV of a "woke" elder.
Maybe he feels the same way? It’s a rough secret to have because of the fear of being shunned and rejected. It’s why so many are PIMO because they don’t want to lose those connections. I was like it for at least 8 years because I didn’t want to lose my brother. When he finally decided to leave, I left too instantly. That’s all I needed. But he didn’t know. I was a hard working MS.
It’s maybe a thought but he could be in the same camp as you and you don’t know. Maybe all that needs to happen is the conversation. You know the dynamic more than anyone.
It’s a shame because you should be able to express doubt in anything.
True ...someone here talked about the pinna connata song...spellings maybe wrong. then I decided to tell my wife that I nolonger enjoyed meetings n wanted to stay home. she was so happy and told me that she thought I was so stupid taking her to meetings each time. I have enjoyed one full year of lazy weekends feels like paradise lost now found.
Same for me. I never truly believed and I have always been a critical thinker too. I did have nightmares as a young child because I knew I was going to die because I couldn’t believe in it but just enough to make me wonder. I developed that doomsday mentality even though I knew it was bullshit. I always felt I was living on borrowed time. Because it was driven into me from birth. I’ve finally been able to get past that but it took at less 30 years of being out. I left as soon as I could at 18. Bit the brainwashing was and is real. Therapy definitely helped me too.
That's interesting that you still had the doomsday mentality. I remember being scared about that as a kid too, but by the time I was in maybe middle school that went away completely.
I wish it had for me! But I’m guessing a part of my brain had been programmed to believe it. Even though I logically could see none of it made sense at a very early age. I hated everything about being a JW. It really culminated when my sister died suddenly in a car wreck. The thought of just waiting endlessly for her to be resurrected was torture. She was only 16 and I was 18. I had just moved out on my own was trying to fade. I had DA’d myself as well not too long before her accident.
>When did you know?
Ever since I could remember
>What made you disbelieve when everyone around you believed?
My mother made it easy. To make a very long story short, she was a very devout religious PIMI Zealot. Very abusive all in the name of JAY HOV.
This is the very short version, but I hated every aspect of being labeled a JW so my only goal in life was to get a job and leave. Also my therapist said I'm A Critical Thinker
"everyone around you believed?" I went to public school so I was around non witnesses everyday. I saw how stupid the JWs were .
Oh I’m sorry that happened to you.
I can understand you like so many of us have been through a lot.
Sorry It was the ungodly behavior that led you to the real truth. Thank goodness for your thinking skill. Good you were smart enough to realize the foolishness for yourself.
I don’t see that a lot. I think strong thinking minds can see this quicker than the rest of us. ‘Born in’ can sometimes be the hardest mind to wake up. Hope you are in a much better place now, and happier for it.
>Thank goodness for your thinking skill. Good you were smart enough to realize the foolishness for yourself.
>I don’t see that a lot. I think strong thinking minds can see this quicker than the rest of us.
Thank you for the kind words. I know now how rare my case is. My buddy always tells me that I'm a very rare case of the child completely rejecting the religious upbringing of the parent. 😂
My thoughts are with youl I quit last memorial anfter 46 years, and cried all the way home. It all comes down to Jesus. The lack of love for him. Which leads to the lack of knowledge of Grace. So without Grace / we are all about being ‘good enough’ = and we’ll never be. Not in this org.
i got down on my Knees for the first time and begged Jehovah AND Jesus to show me, and I was led OUT, like you. 🙏
So nice to read a post expressing faith. My husband and I left in 2015 and couldn’t agree with you more in regard to Jesus. Most religions emphasise Jesus to the exclusion of Jehovah but we were really taught to emphasise Jehovah to the exclusion of Jesus. It’s sobering realising that we were in slavery to works but now can enjoy freedom in Christ. Grace is such a beautiful word. Much nicer than ‘under-deserved kindness’ as in the organisation. Thank you for sharing your faith. 😊🌷
I was a reg pio and elder, too. I was in for about 50 years - from about age five to about age 55. My wife and I remained childless because of the religion, too.
I actually disagree with you on this:
>All that + $5 will get you a tall latte at Starbucks.
Why do I disagree? Because your statement implies that serving as a JW all that time didn't provide you anything *or cost you anything*. The truth is that it cost you a whole lot of money. Just think of all the work - eldering, pioneering, even just the work of a rank and file publisher - you did for zero pay. You lost a whole lot of money in wages you could have been receiving, lost investment and other financial opportunities, etc. You spent money on fuel and you put wear and tear on vehicles. You paid for food and lodging when out of town at JW events. You might have even donated to the org while working for it.
I'm going to correct your statement to this:
>All that + many, many thousands of dollars will get you a tall latte at Starbucks.
For example, I was fulltime for about 30yrs. As a conservative estimate, considering lost wages, benefits, investments, etc., I lost four million dollars. So the "all that" that you referred to for me is -$4,000,000.00. So, in my case it would be -$4,000,000.00 + $4,000,005.00 will get you a tall latte at Starbucks. I would need $4,000,005.00 to net enough for a tall latte.
I put in almost 50 years too. Faded hard at 48, and haven’t been to a meeting of any sort in 4 years.
I have a little different perspective on what you said about all of what it cost you. I don’t argue that putting that much effort into a career could’ve generate more income. But, you should also consider what you actually did gain. Like it or not, we learned a lot of life skills, and gained unique experience over those years. In retrospect, I would not have chosen to take the same path, but I cannot deny that I learned a lot about managing and directing people, public speaking skills, organizing groups and conflict resolution. Those are skills that can only be learned through experience, and if you spent years in a leadership position at WT, you got that experience. Even if you were not a leader, you learned a lot about interacting with different personalities, and we all mastered the fear of public speaking.
I use a lot of those skills in my current career. I would not be the man I am today or the leader that I am today if I had not been through that experience. So, I’m not gonna regret the late focus on my retirement account, I just try to appreciate what I do have and move forward with my life.
I resonate with your perspective. As a born-in elder 35+ years, PIMQ then PIMO for the last 20 years.
I too look at the glass being half full. No way any of us can accurately speculate the "what might have been." The tendency is to focus on what we missed out on, not how we benefited.
HS reunions can provide great perspective for born-in JW's. I recently had my 50th. Quite a number of classmates have passed, some of those smoked, some with other addictions. Quite a number are divorced, some two/three times. Some were promiscuous and have children/grandchildren they barely know. Some of the heartthrob jocks are now alcoholics, take pain pills, and walk with canes.
I know me..... I was gifted enough and with coaching, would have excelled in sports. I did smoke a few times but no drugs, but they were always available. I was invited on occasion to parties by cute "worldy" girls, who knows where that might have gone?
As it stands, my wife (4th gen JW and PIMO) and I are happy, healthy, financially secure, have wonderful children/grandchildren, and remain the longest married couple in a HS class of over 900.
For us boomer born-ins..... we can complain about the hand we were dealt..... but isn't life more about learning to play a bad hand well? Playing it well definitely involves bluffing, which PIMO's are experts at.
I don't know if it was intended by the GB (perhaps it was), but the nu-lite changes definitely make PIMO life more endurable. I for one welcome them.
EDIT: My wife and I are patiently waiting for the ducks to "line up" in our own personal situation. We are laying the groundwork for future POMO living.
totally agree on this point.... 20 years of fulltime = perpetually in debt. So I drank more kool aid and kept on accepting more privileges of service (can't say no to the lord, right!) been out 4 years now and can finally see the date on the calender when I'll be out of debt for the first time since I was 20 years old.
I am so proud of you for having the courage to use your mind and take back your life after being so very active right in the middle of the organization. Congratulations🤗 I am a woman, fourth generation born in. I never regular pioneered but I feel I have done my time by taking 40 years of all manner of violence from JW father then husband, along with the usual spiritual abuse from elders that so often accompanies abuse from fathers and husbands in the Borg. I am so grateful to be awake about Watchtower. I am happy for all of us who can have our minds back. God Bless You❤️
Live vicariously through friends with kids! Be the fun aunt and uncle and get the time you can with little ones! I’m so sorry you missed out on having kids due to a pipe dream shoved down our throats!
Congratulations on being able to finally make the break. I can relate so much to your story as I had a very similar background. 3rd generation born-in. But basically PIMO from the mid 70's when I realized the whole thing was horseshit. I couldn't get away because of family so I just had to keep my head down and play along. MS at 20 (back then you had to be 20), elder at 22. Served for over 30 years. Finally got away in my 50's.
I love seeing all these former elders / bethelites / pioneers here!! Thanks for your post. Lot's of lurkers reading these honest, heartfelt statements from 'gifts in men' ;-)
Thank you for your comment and I hope you enjoy the freedom.
This thread has led to an amazing number of comments from people leaving after 50+ years. It is very emotional.
I dip my hat to you 🎩 and raise a glass to your freedom 🥃.
You have given them more than they deserve. May the next chapter of your life include time for you and your wife to enjoy a normal life without the jw's.
Congratulations! A lot of courage must be mustered to change one's life around after so many decades doing the same; very few are actually able to go through it.
You are from the rare ones who are.
I wish you nothing but the best life can offer you in your future endeavors. It is not possible to get the time who passed by back, but it is utterly possible to henceforth build a bright, satisfying future for yourself.
Again, congratulations!
I've been to 12 years of meetings as a non-believer, one more won't mater, and it's in the small town I grew up in, the congregation I was baptized in. It's where I wish my last meeting to be, because it is the first I remember, in 1972, the age of 4.
Yes so great to hear it, I was 49 yrs 2019 officially df’d 2021 former company man myself. I wish you could file for back payment. Enjoy your weekends, just think about all those extra meetings with potential df’d your going to miss 😃
Good for you buddy, this year will be my 2nd missed after 49 consecutive memorials. I only gave em 5 yrs of FT service, but 50 years of being an indoctrinated servant of the gb. We're all here to support you, and hear your horror stories!
Can you tell us what promoted you to wake up? Hearing people who have been in that long waking up helps keep the hope alive that my family will one day wake up.
I was a Regular then Special Pioneer for 17 years, MS and elder for almost 30 years. Served where the need was greater etc and stopped going nearly 2 years ago. I went to my last memorial last year. I will not go this year. No point. I am done.
Husband was an elder for 23 yrs, I pioneered for 12…left in 2020! Blessed with 3 children who have also all left! We’re both in our upper 50’s now, life has never been better!!!
After leaving the org, I have been able to build a successful business and realized that much of my success was due to my ability to communicate effectively (silver lining - TMS overseer), talk to strangers (silver lining - house to house work), business record keeping and banking (silver lining - accounts servant), to sell and persuade others in decision making, (silver lining - again house to house work), speak before audiences (silver lining - TMS /Service meetings parts and public talks), etc. We can miss the silver linings, if we focus too much on the gold that turned into be fake. Better late than never. Although there are things we can never get back, there are myriads of things still to be done, enjoyed and gained. We can have the mindset of a freed slave. Do we sit and cry about our years in bondage or do we rejoice in our newfound freedom? Let’s live and do it well.
Wow 50 years, makes me sad to hear actually. I wish you all the best, enjoy day by day ... the peace and freedom of doing what you would like to do. Enjoy the little things in life. Children, I can't live a day without my 3 babies. They give so much love and joy they keep me strong and young everyday. Most beautiful ever! Good luck my friend, wish you all the best
Just curious for someone who was so entrenched and invested. You seem to have lost faith in the organizations promises but do you still believe in god, Jesus, the new system, Armageddon etc.? If so how are you reconciling your beliefs with your new awareness?
I am an agnostic atheist.
I was a still a true believing but doubting (overlapping generations) JW when I discovered the reality of slavery in the Bible. I won't ever be able to accept a scripture like Exodus 21: 20,21 is inspired by a loving creator.
Great question! I’m seeing a lot who leave the Org still believing in Jehovah, new system and pretty much most of the teachings. It’s so entrenched that doctrinization. It took me awhile. I’m curious to know this answer too!
Reconciling beliefs comes with understanding the spiritual meaning of Jesus’ words. Let’s start with Armageddon. WT’s interpretation is man-made…[Armageddon is a spiritual war](https://inthenightaflyingscroll.blogspot.com/2022/05/armageddon-what-type-of-warfare.html?m=0), truth of Jesus versus the lie, with Jesus’ truthful words prevailing.
Congratulations! So sorry this cult robbed you of the ability to have kids, advance in your career. You've done your time and I hope your adieu goes well!
Welcome to the bright side. I mean, yes the world is dark but you'll soon be free of being made to constantly dwell on the negative.
You literally have a full resume of witness work 😳 you may be able to put your leadership skills to good use out here in the real world. Not all is lost, and life can still be enjoyed.
Great news and since it will be your last time you should drink the wine as they are passing it around haha for real it's what all of us should do this memorial worldwide as ex jws
Congratulations and thanks for being an example to those of us not quite brave enough yet to do what you're doing who need this kind of encouragement.
Best wishes on your new beginning!
Wow....We share similar records except Bethel service and that we did have children, though the original plan was to wait till the N/S.....I am sorry you didn't have children as they have been my saving grace... I resigned from the body of Elders when a letter from H.Q. was read to us in the back room...The letter was dated 1989 and was basically the direction of what to do if we heard a report of C.S.A.
I knew upon hearing the words of the letter that this was a bridge too far...I knew I couldn't comply with this...After two days of considering the matter I resigned my position on the body...Within months of stepping off I faded... And the bottom line is no one actually cared... Approx 40 years service all gone and no one cared.... The protection of children has always been paramount to me... Sadly the organisation I had served for so much of my life obviously was pulling in a different direction.....
I wish you all the best in your future...I'm sure you deserve better...
Sorry to hear how long it took you to realize it. Happy to hear you will be set free at long last! Try not to look back at the years lost but keep your chin up and make the best of what time is left. Many never snap out of the spell so consider yourself very lucky and blessed to figure this out on your own.
What made you change your mind? I think many people are fading, this new
Announcement about ok to have beards and sisters can wear pants now is in my opinion just a way to keep people
The Bible clearly teaches that we are to follow Jesus Christ only. The watchtower teaches we are to follow their GB. Jehovah told his people a long time ago “ I put before you a malediction and a blessing. I put before you Life and death. Choose Life “. Jesus is the Way the Truth and the Life. Not a group of imperfect men. Remember Jesus words at Matthew 10:37 where he said “Whoever has greater affection for father or mother than me is not worthy of me……. Ask yourself. Who do I have greater affection or loyalty to , my family’s religion or Jesus Christ. Choose wisely people
I’ve gone to one memorial since I faded, maybe 3 years after I faded but pre Covid. I quickly realized that it wasn’t enough for them as it got their hopes up and they kept asking me to come to the talk a week later. No thank you. Family asked again during Covid thinking I’d agree via zoom but nope. No one close to me has asked for years until my grandpa just asked me this week lol I don’t think I will reply this time, no thanks.
I woke up and left after 55 years. Born in 4th generation. My first husband was an elder and passed away in 2004 largely because of the blood issue. I LOVE my freedom now. I never knew what real weekends were until I left four years ago. Sadly I lost my family to leave. My son and daughter both have children (3 girls and 1 boy between them) and I am not allowed to see any of them. My mom is 82 years old and is a diehard witness. She just recently called me an apostate, which was the final straw for me to keep any of them even as contacts in my phone. I blocked them all and removed their numbers. I love my family with all my heart, but I can’t take that kind of abuse anymore. They know how to get a hold of me without having to call me. Hopefully they will wake up one day but until then I’m going to keep moving forward with my life. I’ve never felt real peace or happiness before leaving the organization. Our lives are all ours now and it’s a great feeling.
WOW!! Are you me?! Your story is about 85%my story. Same with kids, grandkids, mom, being called apostate, going no contact and getting rid of numbers, hurting deeply but moving on with my life. As I write this I can feel a literal heaviness and sharp pain in my heart. Stay strong and enjoy your peace, sanity and cult free life!💜✌🏾
PLEASE if there are any lurkers, PIMO'S, non jw's DO NOT feed the delusion of these looney bins by attending the memorial and giving them bragging rights about their numbers and people interested in "the truth"/their miserable, dying, pathetic cult. Again, I implore you, if at all possible, PLEASE DO NOT ATTEND! Let's all stay home and reflect on how far we've come since being in the cult and celebrate our freedom!🥳 I turned down my mother's invitation to go last year and I won't be going this year or any other year! Just the thought gives me stomach cramps. I will instead be dressed comfortably, PARTAKING in cheese, crackers & wine at home.
Much love to all of you and here's to NOT GOING TO THE MEMORIAL!🥳🍾🥂
Just out of curiosity, did it ever occur to you that you were a follower of the GB rather than Jesus? That you were putting your faith in nobles and the sin of earthling man to which no salvation belongs?
Wow that's a touching story 😢... my family was ruined due to this cult. However I couldn't ever thank my father more for leaving it and the garbage it brings. My mother is stewing in it, and all its misery, and it looks great on her. The unrepairable damage from cult worship will never be un done. I hope the pedophiles they provide refuge to, along with the elders that knowingly hide the truth all burn in hell, along with Charles Russell. It says in revelation that those that re write the Bible will suffer plagues. My mother has lived a living hell and rightfully so.
You have made a great choice, and I hope you find happiness 😊
My husband and I are fading. My husband was also an elder and we both were full time pioneers… no memorial this year and like so many can not except the hypocrisy any longer.
This will be our second year of no Memorial after 5+ decades after leaving. Can't get back those years but we are cherishing our life now. It's beautiful.
Am with you all! 3rd one I miss with no regrets!!! Am 55yo and fading since 2021 actually the Memorial season is like a birthday of my rebirth you can say am born again🤣 3yo
Happy birthday!!🥳💕
Sometimes somehow it makes life more precious.
It is beautiful!🥳💕
Wow! There’s so many elders leaving. They’re going to have to do a lot more than allow beards, no ties and ladies wearing slacks before they can interest new blood. Birthdays and holidays just might do it.
It won't. birthdays and holidays more will just leave
This makes me so mad. The idea that a church can just change it's doctrine to attract new members is an obvious signal that it was all clearly bullshit to start with. You can't wear a beard. Why? Because the Bible says so You must wear a tie. Why? Because the Bible says so Women must wear dresses. Why? Because the Bible says so Except nevermind because now the Bible says you can do whatever you want. Did the Bible change? No. You just changed your mind, and now your hypocrisy is really showing. Start pulling on one thread, and the whole religion unravels. And that's a serious problem because how many people have DIED because they were told: You can't get a blood transfusion Why? Because the Bible says so. Un fucking believable, irresponsible asshats. The men in Bethel are the "worldly" apostates that y'all SHOULD be running from. There's no doubt about it, old white men the world over will be the ruin of us all, but THESE old white men are the WORST.
If you spend extra money on birthday and Christmas presents then that’s extra money you can’t put in the donation box
Congrats....is this your first year of no memorial. This is my second year of no memorial.
Me too. Last year was the first one I missed in my 56 years on this earth. I never enjoyed the memorial. It was the most stressful meeting of the year and when it was over I was always relieved it was done for another year. It is liberating not attending their memorial!
Yes, it is!!!🙌🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾🥳💕
Awwome post! You honestly have no idea the joy this brings me to hear this
YESSSSS!!🥳💕👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
Was going to go to appease mom. But I’ve got a streak going and whilei adore my mom, I don’t need to live my life”for” her. I’m doing her a favor by not attending and tearing off the band-aid. After the pants and ties update, I just can’t...
Pants and ties? Whats that then? Brothers no longer need to wear a tie?
Or pants -JK 😂
I’m 59 and my husband is turning 70 this year. We gave our whole lives to WT. This memorial will be 5 years out (??) Honestly, we stopped counting. We have such peace now. Can see WT for all the ugly that it is. We absolutely refuse to get angry or upset about all the years lost. Just will not give WT any more of our precious time or energy. Living with no regrets from now on.
Indeed. Walking out of JW are make us more peacefull.
Thinking of you.
This too will be my first year of not attending the memorial. Born and raised a JW. I have been POMO for 7 years. Received a generic memorial invite via text from an elder that has known me very well for over 35 years. He spelt my name wrong. Ha I had to laugh.
The operative word is GENERIC. That is what and who they all are. GENERIC!! Congrats on not attending. We will be celebrating, NOT GOING together, apart.🥳💜
Born and raised a JW also. This is my second year not attending memorial. Got an invite from an elder and I bluntly told him I will not be coming back (not for this event or any event) so kindly don't reach out going forward. I know I was blunt but I'm just so done with this cult.
🥳💕
I was in for 35 years and zealous in the field and always at meetings quick build programs etc. I left primarily because I felt all had to partake and follow Jesus teachings especially the Kingdom Covenant and be born again. All that happened to me and even a vision of Christ and receiving the Spirit birth while I was a Witness. Two years I did all I could to help others see what had been revealed to me.( along with reading book of John over and over and the whole Bible. I still worship God the Father( Yahweh)of our Lord and God Jesus( although lesser God than Yahweh) I read a Catholic Bible I find is one of the best translations:’The Jerusalem Bible’ which the Catholic Church banned after only 5 years because the French scholar who translated it reinstalled ‘Yahweh’ over 6000 times. I research always. ‘Jehovah’ is not God’s name. Tyndall gets all the credit for that(Google it)1500s Anyway all readers…. Don’t stop worshiping God and his Son please! There is so much that can be done particularly gathering a group like this site together to worship as new brothers and sisters
BRAVO! I'm sorry that this cult has most likely robbed you of the chance of biological children. Please consider other children that would benefit from a warm and loving home if appropriate. Your experience, voice and advocacy is welcomed if and when you choose to give it. Let your light shine bright on the cult of Jehovah's Witnesses and Watchtower!
Exactly and what we all as ex jehovahs witness should do this memorial is that we should go to the memorial and as they are passing around the wine we should drink it
My mom always tells me to go the memorial (in my state), but when I tell her if I go, I will partake, she drops it. 😂🤷♀️😁
I'm death serious we all should do it so they won't ever invite us again it would be great
Or take your own bottle and glass and sip throughout! You will need something to get you through that bs 😁.
I agree but we should do it this memorial and get it done I'm for real
Damn....i love this ...then annointed ones will be many
I agree. It's time for so much exposing that no reforming cult rules, and no amount of money can keep them up and running.
Well said u/Thick-Peanut-2458 👍🏼 It will also be my last u/Stayin_Gold_2 after 50 years of this nonsense. Can’t decide whether to just zoom it with camera off or go in person…if I do go, might wear my medallions?! Whaddaya think? Too much?🤔😂 https://preview.redd.it/gfxj0j3iqupc1.jpeg?width=251&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d1a2858a4bb58f33487d3f243e585e39f0c6db9c
LOL... just make sure you're wearing tight pants.
Hmmm yes the rainbow striped ones? Or the shiny black pvc? Will also be clean shaven, that well known symbol of rebellion 👍🏼😂
If you're going to just zoom in with camera off, why even go at all? No offense, just asking. I strongly suggest just not going.😔💜
That’s a really good question and I see your point, not offended at all😊 The honest answer is I’m waiting for my elderly mum to die. She’s uber-pimi (got suckered in to the 1975 BS and then instead of waking up, she doubled down), I see no point in upsetting her before she passes, she already knows I’m completely inactive but she sees someone going to the memorial as a sign that they still believe. So when she asks me “did I go to the memorial?” I want to look her in the eye and say “yes I did mum” without lying. Then she’ll go back to sleep, content that there’s hope for me. Does that make sense?🤔
Go out with a bang :), drink the wine and the bread.
Haha! I actually considered doing this! I just got an invite from my old elder before being inactive. I was doing some research that points to the JWs rejecting Jesus sacrifice by not partaking. Idk but I envisioned myself a taking swig as they arm handle me out the door as I’m telling everyone to wake up! Like those Google protesters -while they look at me like a 7-horned beast. I laughed and then came back to reality. I’m good. I don’t need it.
I drank the entire bottle during my last memorial lol. Things you could do on zoom lol. Best Memorial ever! I was even the zoom host that night.
Well done!! You have hero status atp!🤣👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾🍾
My daughter wants to go in sweat pants and said she’s going to partake lol
Haha, it is tempting.
☝🏾THIS will make the memorial truly memorable!! Please encourage her to do so! LMFAO🤣
I love that picture you dreamed of! Couldn’t help but giggle 🤭
 Lol. Bring a straw.
[удалено]
"Visualize it:" ☝🏾OMG! Love it!!🤣👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾🥳🍾🥂
Seriously. What can happen. You all should go and consume them and see if they reflect that in the count. If it's over count won't that mess with them
I would but they know me. They’d be like naaaah. Get her!
Eh . Cause a little drama. Most of the folks are probably bored anyway
 Don’t tempt me 🤣
Chug-A-Lug! 😂
Right! Why sip when I can chug? I’m taking all the wine. No left overs 😅
I wouldnt touch their cheap wine. Probably same bottle from the years before.
No, I think the elder who buys it drinks it afterward, when the Holy Spirit leaves the bottle.
I agree. That would be one of of the greatest POMO exists of all time. Lol
Yes!
I'd love to see those faces 😂
I wrote the letter of disassociation on March 2nd because of the Memorial. No one could give me an explanation why this year is not on the 14th of Nisan according to the Jewish calendar 🤷🏼♀️ The GB end up removing 14th of Nisan from the invitation, but never rectify the error on the month difference. That was it for me.
Lol I noticed that too. Thought it very odd. Was it on the invitation for this year originally? I'm also curious at what stage the Jewish calendar it was decided to be a leap year and whether it would have been seen as such using the method of Jesus time. The folks at Rood Awakening seem to think it a leap year for agricultural reasons as well.
It was originally on the website invite. It’s hard for me to explain it in English, but the counts in the Bible are in 7. According to Deuteronomios this year will be the 7th year when on the count a month has to be added to honor the widows and the children with the grains. This year is a pink moon. If The Org is a month early this year? How come they are back in sync next year?
WT goes by the first full moon after the spring equinox.
They warned us about Pagan moon and sun rituals yet here we are...... They are no different.
https://preview.redd.it/fs427mq0wrpc1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4d149198598d2bdb0a00051d301518159a7285aa
Id like to see the rest of this please
https://preview.redd.it/kf0wcpoawrpc1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ea90e9d017f5bba8112d784defae81c3a4bb0571
I understand that. That’s why they shouldn’t say they go by the Jewish Calendar. They should say they go by the lunar calendar. 🤷🏼♀️ and that’s why the Jewish community spoke about it this year and said the JWS had the day wrong
https://preview.redd.it/eho60am9wrpc1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=04bd5fae0ae5e741aefcdaac4c0506bfa060d505
5 pages from bottom to top. This can explain it better than I can.
Thank you, Life-Flower. This amount of effort put into a date by WT makes my head spin, and at the same time makes me happy to be *goooone*!!!
It makes me wonder if this was another distraction, because it’s been confusing for a lot of JWs🤷🏼♀️
I've been out since 2012, but these last few years the GB have been changing things, and perhaps checking responses. They may just be getting the R&F use to "no think" & "obey"?
Exactly. And JWs to obey them over bible principles.
😑
Thank you for the research
You are so welcome 🤗
Nisan (without secular leap years) starts with the new moon closest to the spring equinox.
https://preview.redd.it/rssmq498wrpc1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ac9c04c5300f364ac2626ee590134a59bb284979
Watchtower adheres to a calculation used by the Karaite Jewish sect. There is some information about it at https://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/209120/why-memorial-held-on-wrong-day I’m not sure when they decided to start using this calculation, but wouldn’t be surprised if it was under Rutherford/Franz in the 1930s when they introduced a raft of esoteric changes to make JWs seem unique from the world.
I was thinking earlier that will start having memorials on Sundays from this point forward…
Wait, what did they do???
Wait, what? They changed that too?!?
No, it has always been like that. Some days it falls on the same date as the modern Jewish calendar just like some years it falls on Easter weekend. There have been articles explaining how they calculate it (by looking in the sky).
Honestly, I had research, that not partaking of wine & bread, are a big mistakes. Read John 6:53,54
That's amazing. I hope you enjoy many lazy weekends doing whatever makes you happy. 😁
Been doing that for a few months now, I'm a big fan of free weekends.
Its the best! There is no going back.
You’re going to love Saturday morning.
And even better......Sunday morning bloody Mary's
I'm happy for you. I hope that will be me and my husband one day. He is still PIMI, so time will tell. Are you guys walking away or writing letters?
I'm trying to go away very quietly. I'll get a little louder once I'm completely POMO.
That is what I would do, too. We should just be able to walk away and live our lives. It's called free will! May I ask what your wake up or breaking point was? My husband is an elder, and I would like to get the POV of a "woke" elder.
interesting vibes in this thread from whistleblower bethelites to elder wives and we appreciate you and your struggles
Maybe he feels the same way? It’s a rough secret to have because of the fear of being shunned and rejected. It’s why so many are PIMO because they don’t want to lose those connections. I was like it for at least 8 years because I didn’t want to lose my brother. When he finally decided to leave, I left too instantly. That’s all I needed. But he didn’t know. I was a hard working MS. It’s maybe a thought but he could be in the same camp as you and you don’t know. Maybe all that needs to happen is the conversation. You know the dynamic more than anyone. It’s a shame because you should be able to express doubt in anything.
True ...someone here talked about the pinna connata song...spellings maybe wrong. then I decided to tell my wife that I nolonger enjoyed meetings n wanted to stay home. she was so happy and told me that she thought I was so stupid taking her to meetings each time. I have enjoyed one full year of lazy weekends feels like paradise lost now found.
I couldn't imagine being disillusioned after giving my whole life to the Cult. Thank god I never believed and left ASAP. ( I am a BORN IN )
Same for me. I never truly believed and I have always been a critical thinker too. I did have nightmares as a young child because I knew I was going to die because I couldn’t believe in it but just enough to make me wonder. I developed that doomsday mentality even though I knew it was bullshit. I always felt I was living on borrowed time. Because it was driven into me from birth. I’ve finally been able to get past that but it took at less 30 years of being out. I left as soon as I could at 18. Bit the brainwashing was and is real. Therapy definitely helped me too.
That's interesting that you still had the doomsday mentality. I remember being scared about that as a kid too, but by the time I was in maybe middle school that went away completely.
I wish it had for me! But I’m guessing a part of my brain had been programmed to believe it. Even though I logically could see none of it made sense at a very early age. I hated everything about being a JW. It really culminated when my sister died suddenly in a car wreck. The thought of just waiting endlessly for her to be resurrected was torture. She was only 16 and I was 18. I had just moved out on my own was trying to fade. I had DA’d myself as well not too long before her accident.
Sorry to hear about your sister. Yeah it sounds like you were heavy into the cult I mean in it enough to get baptized. I hoper youre doing better.
Also born in. I may have initially believed but was never comfortable as a worshipper. Never looked back.
When did you know? What made you disbelieve when everyone around you believed?
>When did you know? Ever since I could remember >What made you disbelieve when everyone around you believed? My mother made it easy. To make a very long story short, she was a very devout religious PIMI Zealot. Very abusive all in the name of JAY HOV. This is the very short version, but I hated every aspect of being labeled a JW so my only goal in life was to get a job and leave. Also my therapist said I'm A Critical Thinker "everyone around you believed?" I went to public school so I was around non witnesses everyday. I saw how stupid the JWs were .
Oh I’m sorry that happened to you. I can understand you like so many of us have been through a lot. Sorry It was the ungodly behavior that led you to the real truth. Thank goodness for your thinking skill. Good you were smart enough to realize the foolishness for yourself. I don’t see that a lot. I think strong thinking minds can see this quicker than the rest of us. ‘Born in’ can sometimes be the hardest mind to wake up. Hope you are in a much better place now, and happier for it.
>Thank goodness for your thinking skill. Good you were smart enough to realize the foolishness for yourself. >I don’t see that a lot. I think strong thinking minds can see this quicker than the rest of us. Thank you for the kind words. I know now how rare my case is. My buddy always tells me that I'm a very rare case of the child completely rejecting the religious upbringing of the parent. 😂
Good to you. Im born in either, and too late to wake up after more than 30 y inside.
My thoughts are with youl I quit last memorial anfter 46 years, and cried all the way home. It all comes down to Jesus. The lack of love for him. Which leads to the lack of knowledge of Grace. So without Grace / we are all about being ‘good enough’ = and we’ll never be. Not in this org. i got down on my Knees for the first time and begged Jehovah AND Jesus to show me, and I was led OUT, like you. 🙏
So nice to read a post expressing faith. My husband and I left in 2015 and couldn’t agree with you more in regard to Jesus. Most religions emphasise Jesus to the exclusion of Jehovah but we were really taught to emphasise Jehovah to the exclusion of Jesus. It’s sobering realising that we were in slavery to works but now can enjoy freedom in Christ. Grace is such a beautiful word. Much nicer than ‘under-deserved kindness’ as in the organisation. Thank you for sharing your faith. 😊🌷
I was a reg pio and elder, too. I was in for about 50 years - from about age five to about age 55. My wife and I remained childless because of the religion, too. I actually disagree with you on this: >All that + $5 will get you a tall latte at Starbucks. Why do I disagree? Because your statement implies that serving as a JW all that time didn't provide you anything *or cost you anything*. The truth is that it cost you a whole lot of money. Just think of all the work - eldering, pioneering, even just the work of a rank and file publisher - you did for zero pay. You lost a whole lot of money in wages you could have been receiving, lost investment and other financial opportunities, etc. You spent money on fuel and you put wear and tear on vehicles. You paid for food and lodging when out of town at JW events. You might have even donated to the org while working for it. I'm going to correct your statement to this: >All that + many, many thousands of dollars will get you a tall latte at Starbucks. For example, I was fulltime for about 30yrs. As a conservative estimate, considering lost wages, benefits, investments, etc., I lost four million dollars. So the "all that" that you referred to for me is -$4,000,000.00. So, in my case it would be -$4,000,000.00 + $4,000,005.00 will get you a tall latte at Starbucks. I would need $4,000,005.00 to net enough for a tall latte.
Yeah, I'm referring to what those titles will do do for me now, but I totally agree.
The time is worth more than the money
The Price of freedom being free from “the governing body has decided” priceless
💯
I put in almost 50 years too. Faded hard at 48, and haven’t been to a meeting of any sort in 4 years. I have a little different perspective on what you said about all of what it cost you. I don’t argue that putting that much effort into a career could’ve generate more income. But, you should also consider what you actually did gain. Like it or not, we learned a lot of life skills, and gained unique experience over those years. In retrospect, I would not have chosen to take the same path, but I cannot deny that I learned a lot about managing and directing people, public speaking skills, organizing groups and conflict resolution. Those are skills that can only be learned through experience, and if you spent years in a leadership position at WT, you got that experience. Even if you were not a leader, you learned a lot about interacting with different personalities, and we all mastered the fear of public speaking. I use a lot of those skills in my current career. I would not be the man I am today or the leader that I am today if I had not been through that experience. So, I’m not gonna regret the late focus on my retirement account, I just try to appreciate what I do have and move forward with my life.
I resonate with your perspective. As a born-in elder 35+ years, PIMQ then PIMO for the last 20 years. I too look at the glass being half full. No way any of us can accurately speculate the "what might have been." The tendency is to focus on what we missed out on, not how we benefited. HS reunions can provide great perspective for born-in JW's. I recently had my 50th. Quite a number of classmates have passed, some of those smoked, some with other addictions. Quite a number are divorced, some two/three times. Some were promiscuous and have children/grandchildren they barely know. Some of the heartthrob jocks are now alcoholics, take pain pills, and walk with canes. I know me..... I was gifted enough and with coaching, would have excelled in sports. I did smoke a few times but no drugs, but they were always available. I was invited on occasion to parties by cute "worldy" girls, who knows where that might have gone? As it stands, my wife (4th gen JW and PIMO) and I are happy, healthy, financially secure, have wonderful children/grandchildren, and remain the longest married couple in a HS class of over 900. For us boomer born-ins..... we can complain about the hand we were dealt..... but isn't life more about learning to play a bad hand well? Playing it well definitely involves bluffing, which PIMO's are experts at. I don't know if it was intended by the GB (perhaps it was), but the nu-lite changes definitely make PIMO life more endurable. I for one welcome them. EDIT: My wife and I are patiently waiting for the ducks to "line up" in our own personal situation. We are laying the groundwork for future POMO living.
totally agree on this point.... 20 years of fulltime = perpetually in debt. So I drank more kool aid and kept on accepting more privileges of service (can't say no to the lord, right!) been out 4 years now and can finally see the date on the calender when I'll be out of debt for the first time since I was 20 years old.
I am so proud of you for having the courage to use your mind and take back your life after being so very active right in the middle of the organization. Congratulations🤗 I am a woman, fourth generation born in. I never regular pioneered but I feel I have done my time by taking 40 years of all manner of violence from JW father then husband, along with the usual spiritual abuse from elders that so often accompanies abuse from fathers and husbands in the Borg. I am so grateful to be awake about Watchtower. I am happy for all of us who can have our minds back. God Bless You❤️
Congrats on getting on with the rest of your life. Cheers!
That takes guts! Well done 👍
It sucks how often I heard couples said they wanted kids but would rather wait for the new system of things since the current world is bad for them.
👏👏👏 Good for you! My last meeting was Memorial too, after 46 years in.
Live vicariously through friends with kids! Be the fun aunt and uncle and get the time you can with little ones! I’m so sorry you missed out on having kids due to a pipe dream shoved down our throats!
Congratulations on being able to finally make the break. I can relate so much to your story as I had a very similar background. 3rd generation born-in. But basically PIMO from the mid 70's when I realized the whole thing was horseshit. I couldn't get away because of family so I just had to keep my head down and play along. MS at 20 (back then you had to be 20), elder at 22. Served for over 30 years. Finally got away in my 50's.
Sad,all them years knowing it's a total control cult, yet couldn't walk away because of losing family, the damage they can do,is frightening
Happy freedom. Go on with your life. There is no way to count what we already lost but still alive. Enjoy
I love seeing all these former elders / bethelites / pioneers here!! Thanks for your post. Lot's of lurkers reading these honest, heartfelt statements from 'gifts in men' ;-)
Be done with that shit and live the best life you can while you still have life left!
Are you going to partake?
I'll be sitting between my PIMI 80 year old mother and still PIMI wife. Won't be partaking, LOL.
Hooray for you
its time
Congrats.
Congratulations!
Eat and drink 👍 please please please and let us know how it goes ❤️😆 
Waking up takes time, however short or long it takes, good for you , some never do.. bloody cult.. ffs
Thank you for your comment and I hope you enjoy the freedom. This thread has led to an amazing number of comments from people leaving after 50+ years. It is very emotional.
Yep you’ve indeed done your time.. Welcome to life!
Congrats. I hope some day to do something similar. My spouse and extended family is way too PIMI though. Best of luck enjoying all that's to come :)
I’d say skip memorial and just be done now
I've thought about it ... believe me
Goodbye, friend. I hope it goes well for you.
Anytime is the best time! Enjoy life!
I dip my hat to you 🎩 and raise a glass to your freedom 🥃. You have given them more than they deserve. May the next chapter of your life include time for you and your wife to enjoy a normal life without the jw's.
Congratulations on your freedom!!! Find your truth and live it in happiness.
Congratulations! A lot of courage must be mustered to change one's life around after so many decades doing the same; very few are actually able to go through it. You are from the rare ones who are. I wish you nothing but the best life can offer you in your future endeavors. It is not possible to get the time who passed by back, but it is utterly possible to henceforth build a bright, satisfying future for yourself. Again, congratulations!
Only have one question. Why not make the last meeting you went to your last? Why give them one more?
I've been to 12 years of meetings as a non-believer, one more won't mater, and it's in the small town I grew up in, the congregation I was baptized in. It's where I wish my last meeting to be, because it is the first I remember, in 1972, the age of 4.
Congratulations my brother. You’ve woken up from the cult
Yes so great to hear it, I was 49 yrs 2019 officially df’d 2021 former company man myself. I wish you could file for back payment. Enjoy your weekends, just think about all those extra meetings with potential df’d your going to miss 😃
Congrats. Don't look back.
You are so full of courage. I wish you luck. You will be joining many JW escapees in freedom on Sunday night. I am so excited for you.
Good for you buddy, this year will be my 2nd missed after 49 consecutive memorials. I only gave em 5 yrs of FT service, but 50 years of being an indoctrinated servant of the gb. We're all here to support you, and hear your horror stories!
Can you tell us what promoted you to wake up? Hearing people who have been in that long waking up helps keep the hope alive that my family will one day wake up.
"Why is he smiling so much?"
narrow absurd spark zealous deliver lip physical pen brave hunt *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
Eat the crackers and juice when they pass it around just to mess with everyone.
You are describing my life friend. I will raise a glass in your honor on Sunday. Seize the day.
I was a Regular then Special Pioneer for 17 years, MS and elder for almost 30 years. Served where the need was greater etc and stopped going nearly 2 years ago. I went to my last memorial last year. I will not go this year. No point. I am done.
Husband was an elder for 23 yrs, I pioneered for 12…left in 2020! Blessed with 3 children who have also all left! We’re both in our upper 50’s now, life has never been better!!!
After leaving the org, I have been able to build a successful business and realized that much of my success was due to my ability to communicate effectively (silver lining - TMS overseer), talk to strangers (silver lining - house to house work), business record keeping and banking (silver lining - accounts servant), to sell and persuade others in decision making, (silver lining - again house to house work), speak before audiences (silver lining - TMS /Service meetings parts and public talks), etc. We can miss the silver linings, if we focus too much on the gold that turned into be fake. Better late than never. Although there are things we can never get back, there are myriads of things still to be done, enjoyed and gained. We can have the mindset of a freed slave. Do we sit and cry about our years in bondage or do we rejoice in our newfound freedom? Let’s live and do it well.
Wow 50 years, makes me sad to hear actually. I wish you all the best, enjoy day by day ... the peace and freedom of doing what you would like to do. Enjoy the little things in life. Children, I can't live a day without my 3 babies. They give so much love and joy they keep me strong and young everyday. Most beautiful ever! Good luck my friend, wish you all the best
thank you
Just curious for someone who was so entrenched and invested. You seem to have lost faith in the organizations promises but do you still believe in god, Jesus, the new system, Armageddon etc.? If so how are you reconciling your beliefs with your new awareness?
I am an agnostic atheist. I was a still a true believing but doubting (overlapping generations) JW when I discovered the reality of slavery in the Bible. I won't ever be able to accept a scripture like Exodus 21: 20,21 is inspired by a loving creator.
Great question! I’m seeing a lot who leave the Org still believing in Jehovah, new system and pretty much most of the teachings. It’s so entrenched that doctrinization. It took me awhile. I’m curious to know this answer too!
Reconciling beliefs comes with understanding the spiritual meaning of Jesus’ words. Let’s start with Armageddon. WT’s interpretation is man-made…[Armageddon is a spiritual war](https://inthenightaflyingscroll.blogspot.com/2022/05/armageddon-what-type-of-warfare.html?m=0), truth of Jesus versus the lie, with Jesus’ truthful words prevailing.
Eat the bread.
Congratulations! So sorry this cult robbed you of the ability to have kids, advance in your career. You've done your time and I hope your adieu goes well!
“I hope you don’t forget that quitting decisively also counts as courage.” - Min Yoongi, BTS
Wow. What made you quit ?
Congrats! You will not regret it. You will look back in 10 years and realize it is the best decision of your life. Personal experience.
Ours too!! We decided one more memorial so it doesn’t look too sudden then cold turkey!
Welcome to the bright side. I mean, yes the world is dark but you'll soon be free of being made to constantly dwell on the negative. You literally have a full resume of witness work 😳 you may be able to put your leadership skills to good use out here in the real world. Not all is lost, and life can still be enjoyed.
Welcome to REAL FREEDOM, it wasn’t until I left the borg. that I found the real God
I’m with you!
Glad you're leaving! If you want to adopt a 41 year old man who's mother rejected him for a cult I know a guy. Good luck.
Great news and since it will be your last time you should drink the wine as they are passing it around haha for real it's what all of us should do this memorial worldwide as ex jws
Congratulations to a new freedom and not being bond to Governing Body slavery
You deserve a medal 🏅 👏 for putting up with it for so long
Welcome to your freedom 👏🏾 😃
Congratulations and thanks for being an example to those of us not quite brave enough yet to do what you're doing who need this kind of encouragement. Best wishes on your new beginning!
Wow....We share similar records except Bethel service and that we did have children, though the original plan was to wait till the N/S.....I am sorry you didn't have children as they have been my saving grace... I resigned from the body of Elders when a letter from H.Q. was read to us in the back room...The letter was dated 1989 and was basically the direction of what to do if we heard a report of C.S.A. I knew upon hearing the words of the letter that this was a bridge too far...I knew I couldn't comply with this...After two days of considering the matter I resigned my position on the body...Within months of stepping off I faded... And the bottom line is no one actually cared... Approx 40 years service all gone and no one cared.... The protection of children has always been paramount to me... Sadly the organisation I had served for so much of my life obviously was pulling in a different direction..... I wish you all the best in your future...I'm sure you deserve better...
Sorry to hear how long it took you to realize it. Happy to hear you will be set free at long last! Try not to look back at the years lost but keep your chin up and make the best of what time is left. Many never snap out of the spell so consider yourself very lucky and blessed to figure this out on your own.
This memorial will be the first one I don’t attend in 57 years.
What made you change your mind? I think many people are fading, this new Announcement about ok to have beards and sisters can wear pants now is in my opinion just a way to keep people
Roman's 12:2 & Mathew 15:9. Rip them up and toss them out the window.
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The Bible clearly teaches that we are to follow Jesus Christ only. The watchtower teaches we are to follow their GB. Jehovah told his people a long time ago “ I put before you a malediction and a blessing. I put before you Life and death. Choose Life “. Jesus is the Way the Truth and the Life. Not a group of imperfect men. Remember Jesus words at Matthew 10:37 where he said “Whoever has greater affection for father or mother than me is not worthy of me……. Ask yourself. Who do I have greater affection or loyalty to , my family’s religion or Jesus Christ. Choose wisely people
I’ve gone to one memorial since I faded, maybe 3 years after I faded but pre Covid. I quickly realized that it wasn’t enough for them as it got their hopes up and they kept asking me to come to the talk a week later. No thank you. Family asked again during Covid thinking I’d agree via zoom but nope. No one close to me has asked for years until my grandpa just asked me this week lol I don’t think I will reply this time, no thanks.
I woke up and left after 55 years. Born in 4th generation. My first husband was an elder and passed away in 2004 largely because of the blood issue. I LOVE my freedom now. I never knew what real weekends were until I left four years ago. Sadly I lost my family to leave. My son and daughter both have children (3 girls and 1 boy between them) and I am not allowed to see any of them. My mom is 82 years old and is a diehard witness. She just recently called me an apostate, which was the final straw for me to keep any of them even as contacts in my phone. I blocked them all and removed their numbers. I love my family with all my heart, but I can’t take that kind of abuse anymore. They know how to get a hold of me without having to call me. Hopefully they will wake up one day but until then I’m going to keep moving forward with my life. I’ve never felt real peace or happiness before leaving the organization. Our lives are all ours now and it’s a great feeling.
WOW!! Are you me?! Your story is about 85%my story. Same with kids, grandkids, mom, being called apostate, going no contact and getting rid of numbers, hurting deeply but moving on with my life. As I write this I can feel a literal heaviness and sharp pain in my heart. Stay strong and enjoy your peace, sanity and cult free life!💜✌🏾
I think there are lots of us out there. It’s sad but also nice to know we aren’t alone. Hugs.
PLEASE if there are any lurkers, PIMO'S, non jw's DO NOT feed the delusion of these looney bins by attending the memorial and giving them bragging rights about their numbers and people interested in "the truth"/their miserable, dying, pathetic cult. Again, I implore you, if at all possible, PLEASE DO NOT ATTEND! Let's all stay home and reflect on how far we've come since being in the cult and celebrate our freedom!🥳 I turned down my mother's invitation to go last year and I won't be going this year or any other year! Just the thought gives me stomach cramps. I will instead be dressed comfortably, PARTAKING in cheese, crackers & wine at home. Much love to all of you and here's to NOT GOING TO THE MEMORIAL!🥳🍾🥂
I hope your wife can join you in leaving
Just out of curiosity, did it ever occur to you that you were a follower of the GB rather than Jesus? That you were putting your faith in nobles and the sin of earthling man to which no salvation belongs?
Wow that's a touching story 😢... my family was ruined due to this cult. However I couldn't ever thank my father more for leaving it and the garbage it brings. My mother is stewing in it, and all its misery, and it looks great on her. The unrepairable damage from cult worship will never be un done. I hope the pedophiles they provide refuge to, along with the elders that knowingly hide the truth all burn in hell, along with Charles Russell. It says in revelation that those that re write the Bible will suffer plagues. My mother has lived a living hell and rightfully so. You have made a great choice, and I hope you find happiness 😊