9/23/08: One Year Since I Left

Well, its actually 6 days past the anniversary date. The last time I stepped foot into a Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses. I remember that morning because I hadn't been in about 6 weeks. Our building was being remodeled and we were meeting elsewhere... well, "we" editorially. "I" was not meeting anywhere.

No one bothered to tell me that they were back in their building. I just showed up that Sunday morning and it happened that it was their first meeting back. Really, the only reason I showed that morning was I was curious to see how they spent a quarter million dollars on a complete gut job. It was pretty... but to coin a phrase.... "lipstick on a pig...." well you know the rest..."is still a Kingdom Hall."

A long time friend was giving the public talk. It was all I could do to keep from screaming. I had already mentally checked out of the Watchtower cult. I knew this would be my last meeting. 45 minutes later (30 minute talks didn't start for a couple of months), the talk over, I gathered my songbook and bible and left. One brother asked where I was headed. I told him (truthfully) "to work."

As I left the parking lot that morning, I thought "{Snakes}, you will never set foot in a Kingdom Hall again...this is the end of a major chapter of your life." I can't even imagine doing so for a funeral or a wedding (both which are reduced to Watchtower Infomercials..if you never have been to one, go... see what I mean).

Freedom is funny. Freedom to think, to do, to be. With freedom comes responsibility. However, such responsibility is not burdensome, unlike all of the arbitrary (and unscriptural) rules and regulations imposed by a group of old men running a cult out of Brooklyn, New York (and likely soon out of Patterson, NY) who are out of touch with reality. No, this responsibility says that I should be a decent human being, treat others with kindness and respect, help others when I can.... and enjoy this life to the full...there is no other.

I continue my college education. I was asked by a female friend lately (a friendship started on eHarmony) what I wanted to do when I grew up.... funny since I am in middle age now....but it made me think... I am just now growing up. Maybe in a year or so I will slow down on the classes and find a real job.

I like my job though... I work when I want, hours I want, days I want. Right now I am getting ready to go to campus and do homework.

This was the last major landmark in my exit out of the cult called Jehovah's Witnesses. I am saddened that my mom is still in it. I won't burst her bubble anymore than I have. Most of my JW friends have turned their backs. The remainder will soon, especially if this blog is discovered and connected back to me and I were to be formally expelled. Ironic, it was a blog just like this that caused a friend to be disfellowshiped (expelled) from the JWs...a judicial committee I served on. Good thing he is a forgiving sort.

I figure I ought to post something occasionally. I have something else to report on, a recent hounding from an elder, but that story will have to wait another day.