Cult with no way out!!!

  • Thread starter Thread starter excaliber
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
E

excaliber

Guest
I have finaly come to realize, that
there is no way out of Jehovah’s witnesses FOR ME.

I am in RCIA and I want a christian
baptism, I can easily see where Jehovah’s witnesses are wrong theologicaly.

And yet I canot leave it!!
My whole family is there, all my friends…If I plan on getting married anytime soon then there is a 90 percent chance that iit will be to a Jehovah’s witness.
This cult was NOT designed for people to leave.

I have NO family ties to the catholic church. Why is this important? Because a faithfull Jehovah’s witness has NO close relationships with ANYONE outside
there organization. That means leaving is social suicide, and in this
economy I would lose ALMOST EVERY relationship I ever built.

exjw’s Im sure understand.
I guess I am doomed to be a Catholic, stuck in the Jehovah’s witness organization.

anyone else see a way out, that I don’t see?
 
Only that you talk with the priest in the parish where you are taking the RCIA. I am truly sorry that the path of suffering is looming in front of you. Take comfort in these words.

Matthew 19:28 Jesus said to them, "Amen, I say to you that you who have followed me, in the new age, when the Son of Man is seated on his throne of glory, will yourselves sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
29 And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life.
 
Well I’m actually an ex-Catholic myself. 😃

The early Christian martyrs gave up everything for what they believed. In the early days of Christianity, becoming a Christian meant you were sentenced to death. Here’s a list of the patron saints of converts.

If I were in your situation, I would stay in the Org for a little while longer, and make a huge effort to expand your social base to include non-JWs. This will make leaving the Org much easier, although it will still be very difficult. If you feel that God is calling you to the Catholic Church then you must obey Him if you wish to be spiritually happy.
 
The advice in the previous posts is very very good!

Here is a link to The Journey Home show’s audio library which contains some coversion stories of former Jehovah’s Witnesses. I went through the index and found these shows by number which feature former JWs. I have not listened to them but perhaps you may find some useful advice for your situation.

ewtn.com/vondemand/audio/frmselecrprog.asp?seriesID=-6892289&T1=journey

Show index numbers:
41
100
120
154
194
227

You will be in our daily prayers!!! It appears that you are experiencing a similar forsakeness and abandonment that Jesus felt and suffered on the cross. Bless your heart! Just remember that at the moment of complete forsakeness Jesus commended His Spirit into the hands of His Father, and Life and Salvation prevailed!

In this time of your forsakeness, we pray that you follow Jesus’ example and commend your spirit to God and trust that He will lead you through this!! Our prayers are with you as you come to the Catholic Church!!

God bless all!!!
 
excaliber said:
I have finaly come to realize, that
there is no way out of Jehovah’s witnesses FOR ME.

I am in RCIA and I want a christian
baptism, I can easily see where Jehovah’s witnesses are wrong theologicaly.

And yet I canot leave it!!
My whole family is there, all my friends…If I plan on getting married anytime soon then there is a 90 percent chance that iit will be to a Jehovah’s witness.
This cult was NOT designed for people to leave.

I have NO family ties to the catholic church. Why is this important? Because a faithfull Jehovah’s witness has NO close relationships with ANYONE outside
there organization. That means leaving is social suicide, and in this
economy I would lose ALMOST EVERY relationship I ever built.

exjw’s Im sure understand.
I guess I am doomed to be a Catholic, stuck in the Jehovah’s witness organization.

anyone else see a way out, that I don’t see?
Click to expand...
This is precisely what Jesus meant when he said in Luke 12:51-53
51 ‘Do you suppose that I am here to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.
52 For from now on, a household of five will be divided: three against two and two against three;
53 father opposed to son, son to father, mother to daughter, daughter to mother, mother-in-law to daughter-in-law, daughter-in-law to mother-in-law.’
Click to expand...
Converting to His Church is not an easy thing to do. You will be ridiculed and spat upon, just like He was. Remember that He said “the world will hate you because it hated me first”.

Unfortunately, there’s no easy way about it, but perhaps someone can give you advice as to ease the transition a bit. But it won’t ever be totally pain-free, unfortunately. Keep praying that God give you the strength to continue.

You’re in my prayers! :gopray2:

… oh and do go and watch the Journey Home episode. There’s a few EJW episodes. Here’s a link I remember from one of the ExJW on the show: catholicxjw.com/
 
Look in your parish bulletin and see what activities they offer and get involved. You will meet new people and most likely new friends.
 
You’ll have a much larger family in the Catholic Church. We have the Communion of Saints, the Holy Father and the Blessed Mother to rely on. Most importantly, we partake of the Bread of Life, the Lamb of God, the Body and Blood of Jesus, by receiving the Holy Eucharist. The Catholic Church is awesome. 👍 You will be in my prayers. Many blessings,

Shannin :grouphug:
 
rayne89 said:
Look in your parish bulletin and see what activities they offer and get involved. You will meet new people and most likely new friends.
Click to expand...
I have been trying to do this.
I admit to being a little shy, because I normaly don’t go to events ment for couples or groups,
because I would be going alone.

For example a dance…I don’t want to go to those alone. Most gatherings are ment for groups, they will even say"bring your friends" ofcourse my friends won’t come near a catholic church LOL

Also I was working evenings, which put me at work during almost EVERY social thing.

Im not sure what God wants me to do, it will take years to meet people outside the Jw’s at this pace.

Well for now jehovah’s witnesses can be good friends, the friendship
is conditional though.
 
excaliber said:
I have finaly come to realize, that
there is no way out of Jehovah’s witnesses FOR ME.

I am in RCIA and I want a christian
baptism, I can easily see where Jehovah’s witnesses are wrong theologicaly.

And yet I canot leave it!!
My whole family is there, all my friends…If I plan on getting married anytime soon then there is a 90 percent chance that iit will be to a Jehovah’s witness.
This cult was NOT designed for people to leave.

I have NO family ties to the catholic church. Why is this important? Because a faithfull Jehovah’s witness has NO close relationships with ANYONE outside
there organization. That means leaving is social suicide, and in this
economy I would lose ALMOST EVERY relationship I ever built.

exjw’s Im sure understand.
I guess I am doomed to be a Catholic, stuck in the Jehovah’s witness organization.

anyone else see a way out, that I don’t see?
Click to expand...
Hi excalibur, it is the same for many who leave mormonism as well. When I left, I moved to a different part of the city, and I found a new community in my new life, that of atheism. All of my friends, my husband, were atheists when I decided to go to RCIA.

I faced that point where you are. It feels very lonely. And I won’t hide that this is still difficult for me at times. (You should also realize that it has only been a year since my baptism.)

You are in fact contemplating leaving a life you are familiar with and know well. If you honestly believe this is where God is leading you, then ask Him to give you the courage to do what you need to do. And don’t fear. Fear is something that keeps us from taking those big leaps of faith. Let God hold you up, He is there, and will not abandon you.

Lent is here, and it is a very good time to fast and pray about this decision. To discern where God is leading you and work out with Him what you need.

And to honestly contemplate if you are going to pretend to live as a JW, and how over time where this will lead. Are trading not doing the difficult thing now, for facing more difficulties in the future? Including, your peace with yourself and God. Now is the time, before you are married, to work this out. It is much more difficult when there is a spouse involved. 🙂

God has not led you into a trap. Sometimes, He leads us to places where following Him is the difficult path.

God bless you,
Rebecca
 
excaliber said:
I have finaly come to realize, that
there is no way out of Jehovah’s witnesses FOR ME.

I am in RCIA and I want a christian
baptism, I can easily see where Jehovah’s witnesses are wrong theologicaly.

And yet I canot leave it!!
My whole family is there, all my friends…If I plan on getting married anytime soon then there is a 90 percent chance that iit will be to a Jehovah’s witness.
This cult was NOT designed for people to leave.

I have NO family ties to the catholic church. Why is this important? Because a faithfull Jehovah’s witness has NO close relationships with ANYONE outside
there organization. That means leaving is social suicide, and in this
economy I would lose ALMOST EVERY relationship I ever built.

exjw’s Im sure understand.
I guess I am doomed to be a Catholic, stuck in the Jehovah’s witness organization.

anyone else see a way out, that I don’t see?
Click to expand...
I can understand that. I have never been a JW; but I attended their worship services for a few weeks at one time in order to learn more about them, and I could see what a powerful grip they get on you if you associate with them for a while. The best suggestion I have is that you move to a different part of the country (preferably long ways away) where you are not known as a JW, get a job and try to live a normal life like anyone else. After a while you will find that their grip on you will begin to slip away. If you can get married (to a non-JW), that would make it easier.

zerinus
 
RebeccaJ said:
Hi excalibur, it is the same for many who leave mormonism as well. When I left, I moved to a different part of the city, and I found a new community in my new life, that of atheism. All of my friends, my husband, were atheists when I decided to go to RCIA.

I faced that point where you are. It feels very lonely. And I won’t hide that this is still difficult for me at times. (You should also realize that it has only been a year since my baptism.)

You are in fact contemplating leaving a life you are familiar with and know well. If you honestly believe this is where God is leading you, then ask Him to give you the courage to do what you need to do. And don’t fear. Fear is something that keeps us from taking those big leaps of faith. Let God hold you up, He is there, and will not abandon you.

Lent is here, and it is a very good time to fast and pray about this decision. To discern where God is leading you and work out with Him what you need.

And to honestly contemplate if you are going to pretend to live as a JW, and how over time where this will lead. Are trading not doing the difficult thing now, for facing more difficulties in the future? Including, your peace with yourself and God. Now is the time, before you are married, to work this out. It is much more difficult when there is a spouse involved. 🙂

God has not led you into a trap. Sometimes, He leads us to places where following Him is the difficult path.

God bless you,
Rebecca
Click to expand...
Isn’t it true that mormons CAN speak to exmormons?

Some menchoned moving far away…do we realy think that is wise with the current economic situation, to cut yourself of from support?

It is good you were able to start a new life. It is true that I would not be able to change my mate after marriage…but what choice is there?

Also I know other people who cut all ties with the cult…it did not go well with them. One person converted with his wife, that dosent happen often though, most people ruin all there family relationships.And I don’t have my own family, to destroy my relationships with nothing to fall back on would be foolish on my part. There is simply no provision for getting out of cults, cults are alowed to control people and there is no legal action to protect yourself.
 
excaliber said:
Isn’t it true that mormons CAN speak to exmormons?
Click to expand...
There is no official shunning. However, it doesn’t always go well. Some people, their families cut them off, others, close relationships end. It’s pretty much a given that you’ll lose some relationships, you just don’t know which ones, as everyone reacts differently.

I didn’t move all that far, the way the mormons structure their communities, in wards, all I had to do was move to a different ward. I moved about 15 miles is all. No one knew me there, which made it easier. I tried to remain involved in my mormon family life. It came to a point where I realized they were excluding me, you know, just not inviting me to things. When my daughter was younger, I tried to help her build the relationships with her cousins, my family wouldn’t allow their children to play at our house and they never invited my daughter to theirs. One of my brothers has never been to my house, not once. So, I quit trying to be a part of their lives years ago. I live my life. They live theirs. I stay close to my parents, in that I help them out, visit them, etc. But I don’t tell them about my life. Once in while, they like to remind me what a bad parent I am for not raising my daughter as a mormon. 🤷 It is their belief, not mine. I try my best to respond by not responding.
Some menchoned moving far away…do we realy think that is wise with the current economic situation, to cut yourself of from support?
Click to expand...
This is entirely your decision. You can weigh it out, if it makes sense for you to move a short distance, a long distance, or not at all. Perhaps in this economic times of trouble, the opportunities are in a different place anyway, ya know?
It is good you were able to start a new life. It is true that I would not be able to change my mate after marriage…but what choice is there?
Click to expand...
Pray and ask for God to guide you. You aren’t trapped. God led the Hebrews to the edge of the Red Sea. He made a way for them, He can make a way for you.

This is an opportunity, for freedom. You can view it that way. 🙂 A time to do what you have always wanted to do. If you are concerned about finding a wife, maybe moving somewhere that has a large Catholic population would be the thing to do. I don’t know how old you are, but if you are still college age, a Catholic college might be the thing?

Think outside the box that the JW culture has put you in. You are free to fly where you like!
Also I know other people who cut all ties with the cult…it did not go well with them. One person converted with his wife, that dosent happen often though, most people ruin all there family relationships.And I don’t have my own family, to destroy my relationships with nothing to fall back on would be foolish on my part. There is simply no provision for getting out of cults, cults are alowed to control people and there is no legal action to protect yourself.
Click to expand...
There are organizations that help people transition out of cults. The sort of thinking you have going here, is exactly how a cult wants you to think. You can’t leave.

This is a lie. You can leave, it may be at a high cost, it may not be. Do you know people who have left where there families did not shun them? You can leave. And you never know who may follow behind. Someone invariably will, and you’re leaving will give them courage.

If you do know someone who has left, perhaps you can find them and ask them to help you. Even if it is just an ear that understand where you are and where you are going. Are there any websites that support people who are or have left?
 
excaliber said:
I have finaly come to realize, that
there is no way out of Jehovah’s witnesses FOR ME.

I am in RCIA and I want a christian
baptism, I can easily see where Jehovah’s witnesses are wrong theologicaly.

And yet I canot leave it!!
My whole family is there, all my friends…If I plan on getting married anytime soon then there is a 90 percent chance that iit will be to a Jehovah’s witness.
This cult was NOT designed for people to leave.

?
Click to expand...
I’ve known JWs so i know a little of what you are talking about…

and i’ve also known what its like to have the devil tell me that i can’t do this or can’t do that because some horrible thing will happen. Well… horrible things just seem to happen anyway… 😃 but anyway… sometimes we just have to remind ourselves that God is bigger than human institutions/so-called “churches”.

I’m thankful you realize the JW are a cult… and congratulations on coming Home… :clapping: :extrahappy: :clapping:
 
I don’t think its the devil, this time.
I think I realy am stuck.
There is a lot that you can’t realy communicate on an internet forum.

but I basicaly attempted to devote my life to God, and in fact I did work as a fulltime volunteer.
I got a lot more then what I asked for LOL.

It makes no sence!! God allowed me to find out that Jehovah’s witnesses were not who they say they are…but no way out.

Specially from the time I learned that it was not the true religion, there was no way out.
If I found out sooner I would have options, but I found out at the WORST TIME!!!

I know other exJw’s and knowone has been able to give realistic advice, probably because the situation realy is complicated.

Leaving would not mean that SOME would chose not to speak to me…ALL would chose this because I would be excomunicated. They would not be able to communicate with me for fear of Gods rath. Jehovah’s witnesses don’t have a choice…they WILL ALL shun you.

All I wanted was to serve God sheesh LOL. I don’t think its necessary to torment myself and my whole family by DECLARING to everyone that I want to be catholic. What they don’t know won’t hurt them or me.

Besides a lot of them CHOOSE to believe, they have read in the bible
john 1:1 and they don’t want to believe it. So it is there fault.
 
excaliber said:
I have finaly come to realize, that
there is no way out of Jehovah’s witnesses FOR ME.

I am in RCIA and I want a christian
baptism, I can easily see where Jehovah’s witnesses are wrong theologicaly.

And yet I canot leave it!!
My whole family is there, all my friends…If I plan on getting married anytime soon then there is a 90 percent chance that iit will be to a Jehovah’s witness.
This cult was NOT designed for people to leave.

I have NO family ties to the catholic church. Why is this important? Because a faithfull Jehovah’s witness has NO close relationships with ANYONE outside
there organization. That means leaving is social suicide, and in this
economy I would lose ALMOST EVERY relationship I ever built.

exjw’s Im sure understand.
I guess I am doomed to be a Catholic, stuck in the Jehovah’s witness organization.

anyone else see a way out, that I don’t see?
Click to expand...
Perhaps I’m missing the major problem here? who is saying you can’t stay friends with the JW people in your life right now?

It’s not like JWs never talk to people who are catholic. Trust me, they’re at my door FAR too early every sunday morning to be sure i’m awake for mass at least 3 hours before I have to be 😛
 
excaliber said:
Leaving would not mean that SOME would chose not to speak to me…ALL would chose this because I would be excomunicated. They would not be able to communicate with me for fear of Gods rath. Jehovah’s witnesses don’t have a choice…they WILL ALL shun you.
Click to expand...
Oh sheesh, I didn’t know this part.

I would say eventually you are going to have to come out about being catholic now. Maybe not at this time and place, but take some time to rebuild your new social network in the meantime. A profession of faith ultimately cannot be silenced, just as the youth minister at the protestant church i was forced to go to learned that if he didn’t want to be corrected by a 12 year old on the scriptures after classes, that he shouldn’t say anti-catholic things to the “students”. You will see, eventually keeping silence will be too much to bear… I will pray for your strength and courage for when that time comes.
 
promethius said:
Perhaps I’m missing the major problem here? who is saying you can’t stay friends with the JW people in your life right now?

It’s not like JWs never talk to people who are catholic. Trust me, they’re at my door FAR too early every sunday morning to be sure i’m awake for mass at least 3 hours before I have to be 😛
Click to expand...
Promethius, talking with a non-JW for the purpose of converting him to the Witnesses is part and parcel of being a JW; shunning former members (including those of one’s own family) who have left the org is also part and parcel of being a JW.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top