Apr 12, 2024
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In light of the new announcements made by the Governing Body, I wanted to share a few reminders. If these changes bring anyone hope for a better future within the religion, I am not trying to take that from you. I believe we are all allowed to be happy.
Women are now allowed to wear pants to meetings - But we are still not allowed to divorce abusive spouses. We are forbidden from having any position of authority within the congregation. We are still considered the "weaker sex" who must submit to their husband's. There is still the pressure to have sex with one's husband because it is a "marital duty."
Witnesses are now allowed to speak to disfellowshipped individuals - But only to try and convert them back. Not to reconnect with old friends or to even ask them how they are doing after losing everything. Witnesses still cannot talk to us as people, but only through the means of conversion.
Men can grow beards - but still lack basic autonomy over their bodies. Still no tattoos or piercings. Still no "flamboyant" attire that might label them as homosexual.
All in all, I see these changes as new manipulation tactics. As a way for the organization to say, look how progressive we are being! Look how welcoming and supportive we are! They are trying to deflect from the long list of constraints against the members. Trying to hide the irreversible pain and trauma that is still inflicted upon disfellowshipped individuals. These changes are breadcrumbs. They do nothing to reverse the institutionalized horrors of Jehovah's Witnesses
For anyone reading this: may you go in peace and happiness 🩷🩷
*Me, a recovering ex jw, mentally preparing for a chill night out with friends*
I'm allowed to do this. This is ok, I'm allowed to have fun
Hey to any exjws.
While I may not know you, I know the pain you are feeling. I have felt how suffocating it all is, I have bled like you might be right now, I have done things I'm not proud of just to cope with it.
I'm telling you this because please don't ever for one moment feel like you deserve this. You are not alone. You are not sinful. You are not wicked. You will get through this. You will make it past this.
You can trust me when I say that because I made it through.
We are survivors
❤️
I'm making this post as a reminder to myself:
Healing isn't a linear process. There will be times where it feels like you are going backwards instead of forwards and that's ok. It's going to take a long time to undo everything I was taught in the first 18 years of my life, and that's also ok.
❤️ I'm at the point in my healing journey where I no longer feel anger about the injustices I endured within the cult, just sadness and empathy towards those still being brainwashed. I, too, once thought Jehovah’s Witnesses were the true religion and that the rules I obeyed made me a better person. I don't see other Witnesses as evil (some exceptions of course, there are always individuals who abuse the system) but as people who are scared and vulnerable and just trying to do their best. May they all find peace and escape the oppressive grip of the organization ❤️
Kinda intrigued now by JW lore stories, besides the Smurf one does anyone have any others?
Free Will is my girlfriend