*I had to go through doctrine with fresh eyes and figure out what I thought about the Bible since this was the “authority” book for JW’s. I needed to learn how I felt about everything without the influence of another person trying to tell me.
*Which brings me to another point, people who are raised in a high control group can be vulnerable to falling into another high control group much like children of alcoholics often end up with alcoholics. Insanity is normal for us. Being controlled can feel comforting. This is dangerous. Like Steve Hassan says, any group that tells you what to think or who you are is suspect. Be cautious with religions. All of them. Any group that has people at the top who have something to gain like power or money can be a sign of another cult. I wish you would talk about this more on the show.
*I did many things that were forbidden as a JW. I was a rebel and went to college. Higher education was forbidden so after I left I didn’t stop. I now have a Ph.D. in education. This is how I reacted to being told I could never go and wasn’t smart enough because I was a woman. Was this healthy? Maybe or maybe not but I am better for it. But I think it is healthy to make up for missed life learning and missed academic learning if you feel remis for having missed it.
*I read everything I could about cults and everything. Like Scientology, reading and learning outside of church books were not encourages as a JW. I read about history and religion. I spoke to people with actual knowledge about Biblical history, not church people but scholars. Even today, I watched The Vow, I watched Going Clear, everything to help me stay sharp and informed about cults and their latest tactics.
*I got involved in a recovery forum with others recovering from Jehovah’s Witnesses. It helped me work through many things.

Today I no longer think of myself as an ex JW. I know who I am. My mother is still in so my advocacy is limited because she will cut ties with me if I were to get too involved. I was involved enough in the past to have many opportunities to assist others in getting free from the thinking of JW. I no longer have an inward need to make up for my time as a JW.

I am open to talk to anyone about what life is like 20 years after getting out. As a JW. I was a regular pioneer, my step-father was a high-ranking elder, and our family, the example family on the outside. I have no regrets.

Bethany

Wow, interesting

https://news.yahoo.com/jehovah-witness-elders-made-teen-232120784.html

I am posting this because this thread concerns the JW and I hope it may be of interest to people who are reading this thread.

Susan, Can you please stop trying to take over Mike’s blog? His blog, and the program on A&E, are designed to talk about the abuses of Scientology. No one is debating your religion. Please feel free to post on another board somewhere that is more along the subject to which you are referring. Thank you very much.

Glad you understand. Steve Hassan wrote a very compelling book entitled the Cult of Trump and he is an expert on cults. So, it’s a matter of political perspective. I don’t need to look to other things in society to compare to scientology — I prefer to look at scientology itself. That is the cult I am interested in ending, not the Democratic Party or the Republican Party. There are plenty of people fighting about that. Not enough fighting for the victims of scientology.

As a new poster, I want you to know we generally don’t include political commentary here. I’m giving you the benefit of the doubt that you are not deliberately trying to steer things off the very important topic of cult abuses. So you know, there will be no responses to this comment.

Yours is an entirely partisan firestarter which will derail the blog into partisan flamethrowing. There are plenty of places for you to express your political views — here is not one of them.