I've ignored it for too long

[Ashlee]

@LeavingWT, Thanks for the suggestions. I've ordered Combatting Mind Control from Amazon today. Should get it soon.

[Master Mutant]

Welcome, In my experience therapy can be very helpful. I encourage you to try it. Just explaining what you have been through and what your feelings about it are can help you make a decision about what you believe or don't. It is not going to change your belief in God, but it might clarify your beliefs about God. It is helping me to come to terms with some very difficult things in my life while the listening has come from someone with different beliefs. I finally had to take a session because of something that happened at work, but I have continued now for over a year. I do wish you the best and I am glad you have your family to help.

[Stuart English XJW]

Hello and welcome Ashlee.

I have read your introduction and understand how you are being disturbed by the past. I was a born-in, left at 22 and I am now 46. I still have nightmares about the Field Service, the bullying at school and I still feel very bitter over the fact that this cult is still spreading guilt and fear when the date is up. The J.W.'s have failed, it's over and yet they still continue with the 'Untruth.'

I always take comfort in trying to keep my mind from pondering over my wasted youth, find a hobby, join a club, volunteer or just enjoy spending time with the family. The fact that you are free and have escaped the clutches of a cult is great, yet the old fear does remain in the back of the mind for years. I researched other faiths and realised that theology is equal to mythology; simply folklore and tales from a pre-scientific age; yet this is my opinion.

I wish you all the best in your recovery, you will find help and support on this forum. Speak again soon - regards Stu.

[Ashlee]

Thank you Stu and Master! I appreciate it! I'm feeling a lot better already because now I'm facing it, rather than avoiding it and I've learned so much already. I've realized that this whole time, I hadn't done anything to really reject the beliefs I had. Now I know why I don't believe in it anymore. It's just a bunch of mythology and a man-made cult.

[Master Mutant]

Do the J.W.'s teach that children don't have to obey their parents like some baptists do, if the children are in the church and the parents are not?

[Bears]

Do the J.W.'s teach that children don't have to obey their parents like some baptists do, if the children are in the church and the parents are not?

JWs teach children to love, obey and respect their 'worldly' parent, but obedience to the JW parent takes precedence over the worldly parent if there's a conflict over JW beliefs and practices.

I'll use an example from my own childhood: if Daddy forbids Mommy from taking you out in field service, you are expected to go along with any fibs and deception Mommy uses to hide field service activity from Daddy. If you side with Daddy and agree that you do not want to go out in field service, you are being disloyal to Jehovah and allowing Satan to influence you through Daddy.


Growing up being told that your own father is a conduit through which the Devil tries to lure you into everlasting destruction is fairly terrifying and confusing.

For single parent/split custody households where the child is JW and the parent is not, pretty much the same rules apply. Obey your parent, but only up to the point where their parenting conflicts with your religious mandates. Be respectful, but grit your teeth and fight the good fight until you're 18 and on your own.