Growing up in  Jehovah Witness home

Growing up in Jehovah Witness home

Spirituality

Kali

PenTesting

Joined
04 Apr 04
Moves
257772
189d

Here is one story:

I need to preface my answer with this: everyone’s experience is not going to be the same. While I hold the religion in extremely low regard (not the members themselves) for it’s clear cult practices, the guilting, the child sex abuse scandals, the personal effect on my mental health, etc., you can at least expect a baseline of a typical crummy JW childhood: no birthdays/holidays, no “worldly” friends, etc. Your parents are the ones who are going to make it somewhat bearable or a literal hell.

I had the unfortunate luck to have controlling and abusive parents.

I used to get beaten if my parents found out my Watchtower wasn’t studied (which entailed not only highlighting the answers but reading every scripture cited (unless it was already quoted) and writing it down in the magazine) for that Sunday. I still remember every Saturday night standing before my stepdad handing in my magazine for him to judge whether it was adequately studied or not.

The other thing I hated was the end of assemblies/conventions. As soon as we were on the road the dreaded question came up: “what did you like about the assembly/convention?” If I was fortunate enough to go last I could think of a BS response from whatever notes I took; if not, my usual response was “I don’t know”. That would result in getting berated about my apparent lack of spirituality the whole ride home, and on arrival, a beating or whatever punishment was deemed fit.

I was taken out of school and put in homeschool which effectively locked me in the house from 12 years old to when I finally was kicked out at 18. What is more, my peer relationships at the Kingdom Hall was even restricted depending on their “spirituality level.” If they were good enough in my mom’s eyes, at most they could come over to our house. Anything less and I couldn’t even work in field service with them. This, to this day, has severely hampered my social skills and had made me become severely judgemental.


https://qr.ae/psYtaw

Treat Everyone Equal

Halifax, Nova Scotia

Joined
04 Oct 06
Moves
625204
189d

Thank you for sharing your experience with us all.

I am sure life was no picnic for you growing up for sure.

-VR

Joined
14 Mar 15
Moves
28864
189d

@very-rusty said
Thank you for sharing your experience with us all.

I am sure life was no picnic for you growing up for sure.

-VR
It wasn't his personal story.

Lover of History

Northants, England

Joined
15 Feb 05
Moves
322024
189d
1 edit

@Rajk999

If the account is true it’s nothing short of disgraceful.

Joined
14 Mar 15
Moves
28864
189d

@medullah said
@Rajk999

That is nothing short of disgraceful
Sadly there are many other such stories.

Lover of History

Northants, England

Joined
15 Feb 05
Moves
322024
189d

@Ghost-of-a-Duke

There are but, but not every story is true. I have never personally seen such behaviour and unequivocally condemn it.

Mutara Nebula

Joined
16 Feb 08
Moves
119334
189d

@medullah said
@Ghost-of-a-Duke

There are but, but not every story is true. I have never personally seen such behaviour and unequivocally condemn it.
You “unequivocally condemn” every behaviour you “haven’t personally seen” ?

Treat Everyone Equal

Halifax, Nova Scotia

Joined
04 Oct 06
Moves
625204
189d

@divegeester said
You “unequivocally condemn” every behaviour you “haven’t personally seen” ?
Are you a member of the JW'S? 🙂

-VR

Treat Everyone Equal

Halifax, Nova Scotia

Joined
04 Oct 06
Moves
625204
189d

@ghost-of-a-duke said
It wasn't his personal story.
My apology to him, it sounded as if it was. Anyways shame on the Parents!

-VR

Mutara Nebula

Joined
16 Feb 08
Moves
119334
189d

@very-rusty said
Are you a member of the JW'S? 🙂

-VR
No.

Mutara Nebula

Joined
16 Feb 08
Moves
119334
189d

@very-rusty said
My apology to him, it sounded as if it was. Anyways shame on the Parents!

-VR
What are your thoughts on the JW upbringing on their children?

Kali

PenTesting

Joined
04 Apr 04
Moves
257772
189d

@ghost-of-a-duke said
It wasn't his personal story.
Lol ... VR is very well aware of that. He just taking a jab at me.

Kali

PenTesting

Joined
04 Apr 04
Moves
257772
189d

@medullah said
@Rajk999

If the account is true it’s nothing short of disgraceful.
Of course and it was very common in those times. I suspect this person was growing up back in the 60s/70s

Treat Everyone Equal

Halifax, Nova Scotia

Joined
04 Oct 06
Moves
625204
189d

@rajk999 said
Lol ... VR is very well aware of that. He just taking a jab at me.
🙂.....What me?

-VR

Kali

PenTesting

Joined
04 Apr 04
Moves
257772
189d

@medullah said
@Ghost-of-a-Duke

There are but, but not every story is true. I have never personally seen such behaviour and unequivocally condemn it.
Why would someone take the trouble to write about their own life story and not tell the truth? I wont doubt that is possible but it was be rare. These are life stories which are written because the person is troubled and damaged emotionally.

I know of JW families who, although not physically abusinng children, they deprive them of birthdays, Mothers day, Christmas Day and other normal celebrations. They feel like outcasts among their peers.

There is no biblical support for imposing such restrictions on children.

Cookies help us deliver our Services. By using our Services or clicking I agree, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn More.