Reddit reviews EXiting the JW Cult: A Healing Handbook: For Current & Former Jehovah's Witnesses

It's a bunch of gobbledygook about the generations and the kingdom and all of that. It's all nonsense. In my humble opinion, you need to de-indoctrinate yourself to fully remove these types of fears. Not sure if I've shared this post with you before, but here's what I did personally:

Take some time to learn about the history of the bible. For example, you can take the Open Yale Courses on Religious Studies for free.

Read Who Wrote the Bible by Richard Elliott Friedman

Also read A History of God by Karen Armstrong

Next, learn some actual science. For example - spoiler alert: evolution is true. Visit Berkeley's excellent Understanding Evolution Website.. Or, if you're pressed for time, watch this cartoon.

Read Why Evolution is True by Jerry Coyne

Read The Greatest Show on Earth by Richard Dawkins

Learn about the origin of the universe. For example, you could read works by Stephen Hawking

Read A Briefer History of Time by Stephen Hawking

Learn about critical thinking from people like Michael Shermer, and how to spot logical fallacies.


For good measure, use actual data and facts to learn the we are NOT living in some biblical "last days". Things have gotten remarkably better as man has progressed in knowledge. For example, watch this cartoon explaining how war is on the decline..

Read The Better Angels of Our Nature by Steven Pinker

Another great source is the youtube series debunking 1914 being the start of the last days.

Another way to clear out the cobwebs is to read and listen to exiting stories. Here are some resources:

https://leavingjw.org

Here is a post with links to a bunch of podcasts interviewing JWs who've left

Here's another bunch of podcasts about JWs

Here is a great book from Psychotherapist and former JW Bonnie Zieman - Exiting the JW Cult: A Helping Handbook

I wish you the best. There is a whole world of legitimate information out there based on actual evidence that you can use to become a more knowledgeable person.

You may still wonder how you can be a good human without "the truth." Here is a good discussion on how one can be good without god. --Replace where he talks about hell with armageddon, and heaven with paradise--

To go further down the rabbit hole, watch this series.

Here's a nice series debunking most creationist "logic".

Start to help yourself begin to live a life where, as Matt Dillahunty puts it, you'll "believe as many true things, and as few false things as possible."

The childhood indoctrination can be very strong, and deeply affect the paradigms that govern our perspective of the world. You are also struggling with a brain anomaly which can at times limit your ability to cope with these disturbing thoughts. You seem to be taking excellent care of yourself despite it though. If you are already seeing a mental health professional, make sure that they know your background in the JW Cult. All of these delusional beliefs you are experiencing are 100% commonplace among Jehovah's Witnesses, and you need to take care that your doctor understands this, so they do not misdiagnose you as having a relapse in your condition. You are struggling with the residual effects of the belief system, itself.

You seem very self aware of your condition. Here are some resources that might get your mind working on how to talk to your therapist about what you are experiencing:

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https://www.amazon.com/EXiting-JW-Cult-Handbook-Witnesses/dp/1508477132

https://journeyfree.org/rts/

https://www.babcp.com/Review/RTS-Trauma-from-Leaving-Religion.aspx

https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/hotline-project-support/hotline-project-training/religious-trauma-syndrome/

https://www.salon.com/2014/11/01/the_sad_twisted_truth_about_conservative_christianitys_effect_on_the_mind_partner/

http://marlenewinell.net/religious-trauma-syndrome-its-

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Hang in there OP...

You might identify with the author of this book:

http://www.amazon.com/EXiting-JW-Cult-Handbook-Witnesses/dp/1508477132

If you check the book's preview, you'll notice that on page 6, chapter 2 (shown in the preview) the final straw for the author was a very similar comment made by a "member of the anointed class" who had been sent by her house to snap some sense into the author...

>Sister "Anointed": It looks like you are willing to sacrifice a lot of very important things, so that you can enjoy a life of worldly treasures and ease. But believe me it won't be easy when you have to watch your children die at Armageddon!

I love the author's response:

>(after taking a deep breath): Now, it's exactly that kind of not-so-subtle threat that raises all kinds of alarms for me about this organization. I think it's best if you leave now.

Check Bonnie's books:

https://www.amazon.com/Bonnie-Zieman/e/B00XROE7JG

especially:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1508477132/

and:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1546894683/

This book will help:

https://www.amazon.com/EXiting-JW-Cult-Handbook-Witnesses/dp/1508477132

Steven Hassan former Moonie who is a therapist:

https://freedomofmind.com/the-bite-model-and-jehovahs-witnesses/

To understand why we all feel so messed up, take a look here:

http://www.exitingthejwcult.com/p/if-you-are-going-to-see-mental-health.html

Bonnie's book is a MUST-READ.

http://www.amazon.com/EXiting-JW-Cult-Handbook-Witnesses/dp/1508477132

The reality is your feelings about being controlled are all true - you're stuck in a cult, your parents & close friends are controlling, your partner is abusive - but your thought about having no control is false, you have just been conditioned and broken-down so you are like a bird in a cage with the door wide open.

The next time you see your counsellor ask them to read this [linked document](
https://bonniezieman.com/downloads/) about providing therapy to exjws. You will not be able to free yourself until you are strong enough within yourself to do so. Learning about healthy relationship dynamics and boundary setting is very important if you come from an abusive background. It may be the case your situation is beyond the counsellor's skill level to handle and you may need therapy instead.

Other resources for you:
"Exiting the JW Cult - A Healing Handbook" - Bonnie Zieman

https://www.youtube.com/user/KatiMorton - not a substitute for therapy but her videos are very informative.

Howdy, thanks for sharing your story, glad you're here! In response to u/edmonddantes1975 this is what I did to de-indoctrinate myself:

Take some time to learn about the history of the bible. For example, you can take the Open Yale Courses on Religious Studies for free.

Read Who Wrote the Bible by Richard Elliott Friedman

Also read A History of God by Karen Armstrong

Next, learn some actual science. For example - spoiler alert: evolution is true. Visit Berkeley's excellent Understanding Evolution Website.. Or, if you're pressed for time, watch this cartoon.

Read Why Evolution is True by Jerry Coyne

Read The Greatest Show on Earth by Richard Dawkins

Learn about the origin of the universe. For example, you could read works by Stephen Hawking

Read A Briefer History of Time by Stephen Hawking

Learn about critical thinking from people like Michael Shermer, and how to spot logical fallacies.


For good measure, use actual data and facts to learn the we are NOT living in some biblical "last days". Things have gotten remarkably better as man has progressed in knowledge. For example, watch this cartoon explaining how war is on the decline..

Read The Better Angels of Our Nature by Steven Pinker

Another great source is the youtube series debunking 1914 being the start of the last days.

Another way to clear out the cobwebs is to read and listen to exiting stories. Here are some resources:

https://leavingjw.org

Here is a post with links to a bunch of podcasts interviewing JWs who've left

Here's another bunch of podcasts about JWs

Here is a great book from Psychotherapist and former JW Bonnie Zieman - Exiting the JW Cult: A Helping Handbook

I wish you the best. There is a whole world of legitimate information out there based on actual evidence that you can use to become a more knowledgeable person.

You may still wonder how you can be a good human without "the truth." Here is a good discussion on how one can be good without god. --Replace where he talks about hell with armageddon, and heaven with paradise--

Start to help yourself begin to live a life where, as Matt Dillahunty puts it, you'll "believe as many true things, and as few false things as possible."

If he wants to pm me he can.

This is a process over time, not a point in time.

What follows is the best and worst example:

Elisabeth Kubler Ross' stages of dealing with death are applicable here.

Denial
Anger
Bargaining
Depression
Acceptance

They're pretty straightforward but that's not where the real problem lies.

The problem with them is that while they're listed in order of eventual resolution that anyone specific individual experiencing them will move back and forth between them over a period of time that will vary from person to person.

This is what the process of leaving will involve for him, what it involves for any exJW, but is often amplified for a gay exJW.

Coming out as gay versus becoming ExJW.

Either one is more than enough work, a major psychological upheaval.

Both of them together, simultaneously, is huge.

This link, under Recommended Reading in the sidebar, is for Bonnie Zieman's work: https://smile.amazon.com/EXiting-JW-Cult-Handbook-Witnesses/dp/1508477132/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1478470651&sr=8-1&keywords=Exiting+the+JW+Cult%3A+A+Healing+Handbook

I have not read it yet (ashamed) but she comes recommended and has the benefit of coming from an ExJW who has practiced and has degrees. She may, possibly, also serve as a clearinghouse for therapists who understand that ExJWs seeking therapy often encounter therapists who "just don't get it" or have their own religious biases to contend with.

Lastly, there's an ocean of people on this subreddit who are gay and have experienced precisely what is occurring here and I'd be surprised if they don't show up.

EXiting the JW Cult: A Healing Handbook: For Current & Former Jehovah's Witnesses https://www.amazon.com/dp/1508477132/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_Jjg0Db133BFW9

Very common symptom of religious trauma .
Try "EXiting the JW Cult: A Healing Handbook: For Current & Former Jehovah's Witnesses" ................ https://www.amazon.com/EXiting-JW-Cult-Handbook-Witnesses/dp/1508477132/ref=sr_1_30?ie=UTF8&qid=1550324746&sr=8-30&keywords=jehovah%27s+witnesses

Another therapist might be worth a try, perhaps one specialising in cult damage. In the meantime, this book is pretty great. Even cheaper in kindle edition. Where are you? Meeting with other ex-jws can be good too.

Omg you won't regret it!! There is the keys to your mental freedom!!! I also ordered this

https://www.amazon.ca/EXiting-JW-Cult-Handbook-Witnesses/dp/1508477132

A link at the back of this e-book written by an ex-dub turned therapist

jwleaks is still available on its Wordpress site.

Exiting the JW Cult: A Healing Handbook
https://www.amazon.com/EXiting-JW-Cult-Handbook-Witnesses/dp/1508477132/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1478470651&sr=8-1&keywords=Exiting+the+JW+Cult%3A+A+Healing+Handbook&pldnSite=1