# **ros4GB

[ HOURGLASS2 OUTPOST ] [ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ FAQ ]

Posted by Michael001 [Michael001] on October 30, 1999 at 07:21:30 {G0PnT/qYmkn7Cz.Hvt5EqSPOADOmNU}:

In Reply to: *ros4GB posted by Observer on October 30, 1999 at 03:48:08:

Observer,

Thanks for your comments. I have never put this information out before and it is good getting some feed-back. I think that it just re-inforces my view that for those that have been involved previously we do have shared experience. I must admit that when I first started looking around the net, I was amazed to see other people expressing the same feelings I had had previously and had at the time. Uncanny - well maybe not.

I think that the other interesting issue is that whilst part of the religion, there is a constant message that life is all bad outside of it. There is also a myth that people who leave must be carring on in some "unchristian" way (drugs, sex, drink etc.) I have observed such rationalisation by JWs when they do not really understand why a person leaves. However, as both you and I say, it is possible to become "a productive member of society", maintain a family etc. etc. Not that these things will necessarily be everyone's goals - we are all different. My point is that there are always alternative options. There is life beyond the religion.

I am interested to understand how you maintained your friendships with people in the religion. I have been able to do that with my family who remain (although the number is reducing). Previous friends are a different matter. My wife does keep in touch with one person who remains part of it. This person sincerely believes in the way of life, but is non-judgemental towards us and wants to maintain what has been a friendship from childhood. However, this is the exception not the rule. I have no contact with anyone who remains a member.

Finally, I don't think that you will get the type of information you have requested from this supposed GB member. If he is who he claims to be and been part of it for a long time then he will be going through much hard soul searching. It will take considerable effort to sort out the dilemmas he must face. This must especially be so if he literally has nowhere to go. If this guy is real, then I'm glad that I am not him. At least from the point I left I was young and able to get the benefit of change. What must it be like if you have dedicated the whole of a long life to something and then find that you no longer believe it? I shudder to think!

Follow Ups:

- ***ros4GB Observer 08:16:19 10/30/99 (0)

Post a Followup

Name:
E-Mail:

Subject: ***ros4GB

Comments:

Optional Link URL:
Link Title:
Optional Image URL:

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ HOURGLASS2 OUTPOST ] [ FAQ ]