Captives

Many Jehovahs Witnesses are afraid to leave the organization because what if the faithful and discreet slave is correct? As a JW I often worried the same thing. That is until I started doing some research. Yes, I was afraid to use the internet and read "apostate" literature. Yes, I was afraid someone was looking over my shoulder and would turn me in......but I was determined once and for all to make a decision. I either had to cut the ties or go back to the organization. I had been inactive before, for 10 years. But, always too scared to look further into the org. itself I never really belonged anywhere. That is a very lonely place to be. I started by reading the Proclaimers book written by the watchtower organization. It has alot of information but I found that I could find more info. by looking up some of the terms I was unfamiliar with but that were not elaborated on. For example Beth Sarim. I had never heard that term before and being fourth generation JW I was surprised that I had never heard my family talk about it before either. The other resource I found very helpful was the book Captives of a Concept. It is written very well and helped a lot with my questions and my fears. I would encourage all that have questions about the "f&d slave" to read this publication. If interested you can find it here. Captives of a Concept (Anatomy of an Illusion)

Former JW Offers Encouragment

My husband and I have been former JWs and away from the organization for almost two years now. I have not really blogged about it because many of my relatives are still very active in the JW community. I am sure many of you will understand exactly how I feel. And that is why I am going to blog about it now. I am tired of feeling like I have done something bad. I made a decision with an honest heart and a decision that we think is the best one for our family. I am just so thankful that my immediate family is still in tact!! I would like to offer my encouragement and experience for those of you who are considering leaving the organization or who have already left. I am not trying to talk people into leaving. For those of you who love it and your family is healthy and thriving---great. But, for those who are hurt or just do not agree and have decided to leave but are scared---I want to let you know that there are a lot of wonderful people who have been through it either as a JW or another organization and are standing by willing to help you overcome your fears and anxieties. Yes, there are a lot of angry people also, but that is understandable due to the highly emotional issues at stake. We all have to work through the disappointment and anger that we may feel after leaving disillusioned. This takes time and a lot of love and encouragement. It is out there. But, you do have to filter through quite a bit sometimes. I have spent a lot of time filtering through the former JW websites and ex-JW websites and I would like to share the ones I have been helped by. I hope it is useful to you and saves you some time and frustration which is what you have probably had too much of by now. Leaving an organization that claims to speak for God or is God's mouthpiece is NOT an easy decision! But, please do not stay locked away in your home like I did for ten years (the first time I went inactive). Please do the proper research now and get the appropriate help for yourself and your family so that you can MOVE FORWARD in a positive way. Life is too short and God is a happy God. He does not want you to just survive...He wants you to be happy too!!!! And there is a lot of information out there that proves there is a Plan Of Salvation for Righteous Gentiles besides being in the JW organization. I hope this helps. Best Regards! J.