Comments on: Why Is It So Hard For Ex-Jehovah’s Witnesses To Stand Up To The Watchtower Society’s Faithful?

By: Nicholas Carroll

Nicholas Carroll — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 01:36:02 +0000

Just wanted to say that this was an interesting read. Last week, I saw an excellent Danish movie (“Worlds Apart”) about a JW girl who falls in love with a non-member and the conflict it started with her family and church. It’s really good! Highly recommended. I know little about the JWs, aside from a few co-workers over the years who always proselytized…especially whenever someone experienced a death of a loved one. It was annoying. One tried to get me to attend a Kingdom Hall with her, but I resisted, even though I’m naturally curious and tolerant, and interested in different religions. I told her that I wasn’t interested in her church because I love Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter and my birthday. There’s no way I’d give up any festive occasion for some controlling, conservative church!

I think people need to understand that there are people who actually like being controlled and others who are independent minded. An independent minded person is not going to like an authoritarian religion (and I include the Mormons, Scientology, Unification Church, and Assemblies of God in this category, along with JWs). Joining because you’re afraid of Armaggedon is like staying in bed because you’re afraid an asteroid is going to hit you as soon as you walk out the door! There is rational fear and then there’s paranoia. No thanks!

By: Stacy

Stacy — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 03:52:51 +0000

Thanks for the response….. and for your candor. It actually made me think twice about commenting here. I really don’t want to start a debate or anything heated because that doesn’t do anyone any good.

Thanks again!

By: The Atheist Geek

The Atheist Geek — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 21:51:47 +0000

“I’d like to comment on some of the things I’ve read here… but only with your permission.”

Now you’ve done it. Guess I’ll have to write up some comment/posting rules for everyone in the future.

But as to your question, fire away. Comments are welcome. But with a warning: this is a site for atheists, ex-Jehovah’s Witnesses, and sci-fi geeks. If you are posting here with a pro-religious or pro-Watchtower agenda in mind, you may not receive a very warm welcome from everyone. That would make you the first poster to leave comments like that, BTW. So if that’s your aim, we’ll both be wondering about the reaction you’ll receive.

If a debate ensues and gets too heated … or people start arguing in endless circles … I will probably step in. I may create a forum some day for people to have conversations like that, but comment sections really aren’t the right place.

All that being said, your next post will go straight to the site without my approving it first.

By: Stacy

Stacy — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 20:33:36 +0000

Hello….
I’d like to comment on some of the things I’ve read here… but only with your permission.
A little about me…
I am no longer a Jehovah’s Witness by name, but I have never been able to let it go in my heart. I left the organization about 9 years ago. I was an Elder, I gave public talks, I was a book study conductor and the Theocratic Ministry School Overseer among other things. I left my wife who was/is a Witness and my two children who are grown now with kids of their own. I have never met my grandchildren because of my decision. I lost all of my friends and in many ways now do not ‘fit’ anywhere. I just finished watching the movie Religulous and thus did some internet searching on why there was no direct contact or even mention about the Witnesses…. and I came across your site. I would like to be able to not only answer any questions people might have, but I would like to make a comment or two if possible.

Thanks
Stacy