How I ended up at JWD ...and out of the JWs.

I lurked on JWD for many years. I was an elder in the congregation at the time and read on the public section of the board. I always knew something was wrong with the Organization, but couldn't quite put my finger on it.

What led me there was a internet search of the UN. In our congregation, there was a young brother that had questions about the WTBTS and its association with the UN. Our (at the time) secretary wrote a letter to the Society inquiring about this tidbit of information. Now, anyone who has acquired any position in the Organization knows that if you write a letter to "Mother," it is likely to be forwarded to the local BOE and the CO. Such was the case. The secretary wrote the letter without the knowledge of any of the other elders (as it should have been, it was a private matter). The Society forwarded a copy to us with an explanation of the UN matter. I have always regretted not copying that letter, as I later became secretary and easily could have. We were instructed to share "points" or "highlights" with the publisher questioning it, but we could not let him read the letter itself.

This was the beginning of the end for this young brother and the Organization. Long and short: We disfellowshipped him. Partly because of a blog exactly like this one. Irony is fun.

With that background in mind, I searched UN and came across Randy's FreeMinds site. (www.freeminds.org) There was a link about the UN thing to JWD..and thus began my association with what turned out to be a life-saver for me.

I lurked for a long time, finally started posting in Feb 2007. By that time, I had been deleted as an elder for a month or so..... and I have been at JWD ever since.

I don't pretend to be the most insightful poster; Blondie and others have that wrapped up. If I helped anyone during my tenure there, great. I hope I can help others get out. I wish of all people my mom would wake up and smell the coffee. Alas, that is probably not going to happen.

I eventually expect to be busted and DF'd by the Borg, probably because of this blog. Ironic, isnt it?

Regards, Snakes

Lots of buzz over at JWD

I was shocked the other night as I was perusing the "Active Topics" link on Simon's JWD board and ran across his late night announcement...closing down the board. It was late, 1130pm or so CDT Wednesday night (8/6/08) here in the States. I was probably one of the first to see it and the second to post to it. I was reading kind of slow, in shock.

Now that we know it is true, as of this morning (8/8), that announcement had over 15,000 views and 375 posts. Too bad Simon wasnt paid for each view. Kidding aside, that board has been priceless.

I will post some more here about how I came to JWD in the first place.

regards.,.....Snakes

Why SnakesInTheTower ?

What a strange name for a blog(ger). It started out as a tongue in cheek joke. As an inactive Jehovah's Witness, I was looking for answers to questions I had about the religion of my youth and really my entire adult life. I was what is called a "fader," someone who gradually leaves the faith rather than just quit suddenly or resign. In the JW religion, you can't just resign without repercussions. If you are disfellowshipped (excommunicated) or disassociate (resign), then the rest of the members of the faith are told to shun you...even family members that are active JW's are not supposed to talk to you...since my mom is still an active member, and I still have a few JW friends, I don't want to lose that lifeline to them. So I had to choose a screen name rather than my own.

SnakesInTheTower has two meanings. First, I believe that the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses are the real "snakes" in the {Watch}tower. Ruining people's lives with arbitrary, non-biblical rules. The second meaning, is that they (the elders, GB, other higher ups at WTBTS) would consider me to be a snake in their tower... so be it.

I kept the SITT name for this blog to remain somewhat anonymous and for friends from the (soon to be) defunct ex-JW discussion board JWD. One day, I would like to tell my whole story, but for now, I have my JW mom to think about.

Feel free to comment.

First Post

I never thought I would bother with a blog. My blog name, SnakesInTheTower, is the screen name I used on a discussion board called JWD. a board soon to shut down. So I created this blog as a contact point for those who only know me by that name. Unfortunately, at least on THIS blog, I have to maintain my anonymity. I will post more as I feel the need and have the time.

Until then, I remain .... SnakesInTheTower