[Bornieo: Fully Loaded]

Wow, how did I miss this? I don't know how I can muster my thoughts on the subject of the JW's because there’s a long history. I was born into that "religion" and was part of it until my mid teens. I don't know the extent of NGU and Traci's experiance as a kid in that atmosphere, but I can tell you I think most of my "issues" stems from the type of person my parents are/were, particularly my dad. My dad is selfish and a total jerk. That said I'm sure the teachings were taken in different context from NGU and others. I thought my family was normal and that the beliefs were normal right up until I was in school and I found out I was very very different. Being taken out of class during "holiday" celebrations (birthdays, Christmas, Halloween) not doing the pledge (I still don't know the whole thing) and not associating with other kids beyond who went to the "Kingdom Hall."

SO as I got older I became the weird guy in school and up until I stopped participating in the religion, I continued to be the weird guy. There were no parties, no real friends, and no social stuff like going to the movies. Dating was out of the question. Collage was out of the question. Etc. etc. I could go on but...

Anyway, I stopped going and soon after my parents divorced. The JW's gave my mom serious problems to the extent she had a restraining order on them. My dad is still very active and can not get thru a conversation with me or my sisters without "preaching" to us.

I don’t' consider the JW's a religion really but more along the lines of a Cult. Its extremely narrow minded, bigoted and very self important IMHO. But, like what was mentioned before, there are some good people I've met and I think try to do "the good thing" I guess. I think any religion where ultimate control is the focus point of its teachings is just wrong. IMHO religion is about one's mind, ideas, beliefs and what they believe to be right, not someone else telling them what to believe or think and that's pretty much the main point of the JWs.

For me, I've been "over" the experience for some time. Like everyone's childhood, those experiences resonate in each of our lives as mine does in my life. I can't change the past and those experiences do show up all the time, but you try to overcome them and to varying degree's that happens. But that's a whole other chapter.

Glad you're working it out T.

NGU you know you can talk to me anytime about it if you want.