Changing is harder than I thought

[Exian]

Red! I'm glad to have you here. I'm sorry you're going through suck a hard time. I hope you're able to stick around, this is a good place to scratch that itch and I think it will help alleviate some of the pressure.

[Whateverist]

We have other former JW's. Unfortunately my progressively fucked memory is blotting out my ability to recall the name. Help, anyone?

Meanwhile welcome aboard. You are very wise not to react heedlessly to your loss of belief until you are ready to be independent. Your maturity is enviable.

[robvalue]

Hello, welcome Red

I'm very sorry to hear your heartbreaking story. I'm so sick of the harm religion causes. Parents should be there for their children no matter what, and the fact that they are likely to blank you is appalling.

It sounds like there's not much you can do except wait until you're independent to tell everyone. I can't imagine how horrible it must be to know what an effect this is going to have. My advice would be to break up with the girl now, but without telling her about your atheism. You probably already know that and it's easier said than done.

Once you can be independent, is it possible to go to a middle ground and tell everyone you're just not interested in religion anymore and you don't want to even talk about it? Then you don't have to go the whole hog. Is there a chance they'd accept this? Or is that just as bad to them?

It must be horrid having to live a lie, I'm so sorry you have to go through this just for having a fucking working brain in your head. You'll always have people here to talk to, so whatever happens I hope to hear more from you

[Norman Humann]

That sounds awful. I feel for you. Hang in there, I'm sure everything will work out somehow. Until then, you're in the right place not to feel alone

See you around. I hope you'll stay.

[watchamadoodle]

Have you googled for ex-JW forums? I read that JWs have the highest rate of defections of any religious group, so there must be some ex-JWs that can give you ideas. Also try asking on ex-Christian forums.

Hope you hang around

[Faith No More]

We have other former JW's. Unfortunately my progressively fucked memory is blotting out my ability to recall the name. Help, anyone?

Tonus is an ex-JW.

Welcome, Redpandazzz.

[AFTT47]

Redpandazzz, I hope you stick with us. I don't know if we can help you or not but we can try. Talk to us and we'll do our best.

[Thumpalumpacus]

Indeed. I'm so thankful I didn't have to deal with your dilemma when I came to realize I was an atheist. My parents, though Southern Baptist, were my parents first and foremost, and never held our love hostage.

Any help we can give, we will.

[Redpandazzz]

I appreciate all the love I've gotten here just on this thread. I've felt so alone going through this for the last couple years without having anybody to talk to. I guess I will have to see what the future holds. I am just appalled at how quick to judge JWs are. I don't know how any parents could remove their own blood from their family simply because that person doesn't believe in someone they have never seen. Even as a child I thought that it was totally ridiculous to sever a bond based on their beliefs. Sucks to have been indoctrinated into it. It's not like I had much of a choice in my life. I was always told "You can do whatever you want but don't expect any help from us", it's like putting a gun to someone's head and saying "You can run but we are going to kill you".

[Faith No More]

Does the fact that JW's have to go to such extremes to solidify their faith ever bother them?