I grew up as a Jehovah's Witness. AMA

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What's the basis behind being opposed to blood transfusions? So that one "true" Christian does not get a non JW blood?

You say people have JW bosses, friends, classmates etc - are there geographic areas where JW population is highly concentrated (like Utah for mormons) ? I've lived in the US for many years and never met any JWs at university or workplace, just the once who knocked on my door, so I am just courious where their communities are mostly concentrated.

You mentioned your step brothers. Does that mean your mom was divorced and remarried? Is that allowed?

Thank you! This is a very interesting thread.

There are congregations everywhere, in most sizable communities. They really keep to themselves and you probably wouldn't know if you met one. Most of them are very nice and won't preach to you at work, etc. It's not concentrated, lime Mormons, that I'm aware of. I grew up in VA.

My father died from a brain tumor when I was 4. My mom was Catholic and she said she was angry because she was asked to buy mass cards to get my father's soul from purgatory to heaven. The Jehovah's Witnesses came a knocking and caught her in her pain and converted her. When I was 7 , she met my stepfather, and they married five weeks later, moving my brother and I into his double wide trailer with his three sons. He was divorced because his wife cheated on him. His children didn't like him and wanted to live with the mother, and took their anger out on me, the youngest and shy one.

You can get a divorce if there's proven adultery or life threatening abuse. There are many cases of women who were being abused to set a godly example and stay because they hadn't been near death yet. The elders get to make these decisions.

[Anonymous]

The blood transfusion issue stems back to old testament law about eating blood.

[Anonymous]

When exactly were the disassociation rules eased? What are the rules on associating with non JWs now?

[Anonymous]

Why do JWs discourage higher education?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When exactly were the disassociation rules eased? What are the rules on associating with non JWs now?

Honestly, I don't know the current rules, it's hard to keep up and reading the literature depresses me, so I stay away. I used to frequent forums for those struggling, but I feel my struggle is resolved, other than my feelings about my mother.

I remember my brother, who stayed in the religion until he was 30 ish, calling me when I was about 20 and saying we could talk now. So late 80's? I did look on their website, and they state that they don't outright shun baptized members anymore unless they've committed a huge sin and are not repentant. This was not the case when I was young- just asking to remove yourself was enough. Most people just slowly stopped going to avoid the pain of disfellowshipping- drifting away was ok, they'd just go try and get you back. I was young, angry, and wanted to make a bold statement. I was either extraordinary brave or stupid, but I never regretted it. I just regret losing my mom, but she'd been lost for a long time.

[Anonymous]

Thank you, everyone, for your kind questions. This is bringing up old pain but it's good. Cathartic .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why do JWs discourage higher education?

Armageddon is coming any day now. When you graduate, you really should dedicate your time to preaching door to door, to save as many souls as possible. These people are called Pioneers and are highly respected.

[Anonymous]

Are members encouraged to tithe?

[Anonymous]

How do you get to heaven?

[Anonymous]

What role does Jesus play in the religion?

[Anonymous]

Why no holidays or birthdays?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why no holidays or birthdays?

Only two birthdays are mentioned in the bible, and both end poorly, therefore they deduce god doesn't like birthdays. Holidays are bad because they either have pagan or secular/military history, and therefore not for true Christians. They do passover, in their own way, and couples can celebrate their wedding anniversary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What role does Jesus play in the religion?

Jesus is the son of God, pretty much the same as most Christian faiths, except they don't believe in the trinity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are members encouraged to tithe?

Yes, they have boxes called contribution boxes. You're supposed to spend as much time as possible going door to door, as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How do you get to heaven?

They believe only 144,000 are in/going to heaven. The rest will live on a peaceful earth, after Armageddon.