A personal journey

I'm a JW and I'm satisfied with my religious decision. However, in the tiny congregation I am in (also in a tiny country bumpkin town), the people are so into nitpicking. And it's really annoying because everything I do is scrutinized and re-scrutinized. I think this is because of where we live (small southern town), and because my sister and I are the only young people there. It's like we're celebrities and it's annoying. My clothing is constantly scrutinized (I dress modestly, if old-fashioned. Mostly 60s/70s inspired dress. Believe it or not, they want me to dress more modern.), my hair is constantly being critiqued, my shyness is looked down upon, my general appearance is constantly being scrutinized. And, they not only complain to me about how I look, they complain to my parents. So, I get a double dosage of nagging. And since I am doing nothing wrong, I am not changing based on people's viewpoints. No scripture or Bible-based literature tells me that my appearance should be altered, so I'm dressing as myself, not some fake persona they want me to be. However, my sister never gets this and she honestly looks and dresses like Audrey Hepburn. No way I'm dressing like that to avoid criticism. I'll stick to my bohemian style, thank you. Anyway, sorry for the rant but that's the hardest thing for me to deal with being a JW.

"Why is it ppl feel they don't belong because of fuckin religion???"

I can't speak for everyone, but I was ground in it in such a way that it is difficult for me not to look at things without my 'god colored goggles on.

"And all those wars and other things happening in the world are cause by PEOPLE under the guise of religion."

I know that. Everybody knows that. What makes you think that is so profound about this statement? You assume that I am not familiar with history but I've always been a student of history. You don't need college to read and study.

"Religions are interpreted in so many different ways, don't go flaming your response at mainstream religions when your issue is more with today's society instead."

Mainstream religion sucks balls. Many of its baptized members have no concept of the scriptures or the principles it teaches me and it doesn't surprise me that you don't believe in God. And, as a student of history, I am sure that you know of its involvement in all of the world's atrocities, including small native communities like my own where religious leaders would physically and sexually abuse Native Americans (my grandmother and great aunt were recipients of such abuse) and a lot of issues that we are left to contend with today are due to mainstream religion.

I Do Not Think You Completely Understand My Issues (How Could You? You Don't Believe In God.) I Like Your Attitude & Whatever Disagreements We Might Have, I Know You're An Intelligent Person (And Do Your Research. Recent History Will Show You That JWs Don't Go To War & Have Been Imprisoned Because Of This),

hoserdomechild

This sounds like a period of transition within which you have not quite found the right balance for yourself. But come on, there are more than 2 oversimplified realities: being a goody two shoes, or, being a real bad bad boy.

Truthfully, I find the JW stuff pretty extreme and rigid with a lot that is imposed from the outside that you are just supposed to take on faith. Its not the only religion that does that.

Frankly you may want to go back to a more mainstream church for your spiritual life & to get a better sense of proportion & scale. I think JWs recruit a lot from Catholics, but whatever, try something more mainstream that will enable you to integrate the spiritual & daily living sides of existence.

Quite Normal. I had the same experience when i was younger. Ask yourself, what do you beleive? Go from there. Get yourself a good paying job and go on like you were intended too. Stray from Xenu and the space religion though. Bad news they are.

If u believe so strongly then don't go back to a religion? Why is it ppl feel they don't belong because of fuckin religion??? Why can't you merely exist while on your path for some sort of spiritual answers that you are obviously quite intent on getting. I was baptized a catholic but I don't even believe in god, Christian or otherwise. And all those wars and other things happening in the world are cause by PEOPLE under the guise of religion. Religions are interpretted in so many different ways, don't go flaming your response at mainstream religions when your issue is more with today's society instead. Go sign up for a history course or something at uni, it might give you some answers you seek and some facts about the rest of the world without your god colored goggles on.

What's the fucking question? You used to be some religious twat and then snapped out of it (well done). And now you're some sort of wandering soul...? Great story, would read again.

I have had several encounters with JWs over the years, and came close to joining up with them, but was lucky enough to always fall-out with them before that happened. I have heard lots of stories of people who had mental problems after, or during, associating with them. Like someone else said above, they are pretty extreme. They can be pretty strict and some of them are real control freaks. I guess some of them are happy, but I do not believe that I could ever be happy living their sort of lifestyle. To each their own.

You need to do something that will give you a new perspective on life. Go out, travel, smoke some pot, take a cooking class, just try something new.