Can people who were raised as JW'S ever integrate into the normal world, and be accepted?

Question

I, unfortunately, was raised as one. If you know anything about the JW religion, then you know it's a very strict religion, with not only strict codes of conduct, but also strange practices.

For example, people in that religion are not allowed to casually date. In fact they're not allowed to even have sex before marriage. And if they do marry, they are encouraged to only date people of their faith.

They're also not allowed to celebrate their birthday, nor any holidays, Christmas, Easter, etc.

And when it comes to parties, well they're allowed to do that, but no drugs, no over drinking, no smoking, no cussing, or anything that religion says is "morally wrong or questionable."

They also are not allowed to vote, or serve in the military, and are discouraged from being patriotic. And they're made to go out and spread their faith by knocking on people's doors and preaching to them.

(I think their religion is completely stupid, downright brainwashing. Nothing about it is normal.)

Now obviously we cannot help the way we were raised, or how our parents raised us. We had no control over that! Unfortunately we are the products of our environment.

But can a person who was raised so differently, who was trained to think so differently from everyone else, ever integrate into normal society, make a mental connection with others who were not raised that way, & thus make genuine friendships, & have people that want them around because they like them, & not just so they can use them?

Answer 1

besides the fact that the jehovah witness was started by a freemason in the 1800's who changed god's word

and added some of their own doctrine...

there's nothing wrong with believing in god and actually doing his word!

that is if you haven't changed it or added to it!



wake up people!

"in god we trust"!



god loves those who love him!

repent and love god almighty through jesus christ our savior!

read the king james bible (only bible authorized by a king and watched over by god)

Answer 2

2 Timothy 3:1-7 We live in a normal world? I alway get to smile at the comments to these questions and know and understand that Jehovah has the correct answer to all questions. Everyone enjoy your day.

Answer 3

Sounds to me like their beliefs line up exactly with what the Bible teaches.

Answer 4

You ask, can a person who was raised so differently, who was trained to think so differently from everyone else, ever integrate into normal society, make a mental connection with others who were not raised that way, & thus make genuine friendships, & have people that want them around because they like them, & not just so they can use them? The answer to your question is YES.



My parents became Witnesses in the late 1930's and I was brought up in that faith. I totally bought into the whole thing, believing that we alone had "the truth" and everybody else was part of "false religion." I left school as soon as I could so I could become a pioneer. I married a pioneer brother and we went to north Wales to pioneer there. We lived in a caravan half-way up a mountain and it was so cold that winter, the Calor gas froze.



Then our marriage broke up and we went our separate ways. My husband wanted out of the organization and was unfaithful to me. I left the organization in the 1970's because I had become totally disillusioned but I was ill-equipped to deal with reality. I had no educational qualifications, no job, no money, no home, no car and no prospects. I had to rebuild my life from scratch. For years I wandered in a spiritual wilderness, wanting nothing to do with Jehovah’s Witnesses in particular and religion in general. I was in a very cold and lonely place. But God healed me and broke down my barriers and brought me to saving faith in Christ Jesus. 21 years ago I became a Christian and my life was transformed. I no longer live in fear of being punished by men who spiritually abuse the flock and have come out of the spiritual darkness into the light and freedom that comes from belonging to Christ Jesus. I am now “normal” and the organization no longer controls how I think or what I do.



I want to point out that just because I abandoned a man-made organization does not mean I became immoral, a drug addict or a criminal, as Witnesses like Brian suggest. It is disgraceful the way they adopt the herd mentality that thinks Witnesses who leave do so because they are immoral. Thousands of Witnesses are leaving because they can no longer believe what the Governing Body tells them, and they are disillusioned with the manipulation and the rigid control those men force on people. Like me, many more have come to realise how they were deceived by false teachings. The Witnesses brand people like me as “apostates” saying I have abandoned Jehovah God. Well, all I abandoned was an organization. I am a Christian. I belong to Christ Jesus and he is my Lord and my Saviour. And I thank God that he saw fit to save a sinner such as me and adopt me into his family.



Jehovah’s Witnesses are decent, law-abiding and caring people but they have been deceived and they foolishly think that belonging to an organization will save them. They have given their loyalty and unquestioning obedience to the Governing Body and blindly follow every utterance that comes out of their mouths. They are imprisoned and stumbling around in the spiritual dark. Pray for them.

Answer 5

You remind me of the lady who got on a bus and took a seat next to a woman who had her head bowed down.



After a short time the lady noticed that the woman was crying. She plucked up the courage to ask the woman the reason for her tears.



The woman, young and quite pretty, said gently: "It's my husband!"



"Has he beaten you?" the lady enquired, lowering her voice, so that other passengers would not get the drift of the conversation.



"No, it's not that." she replied, "in fact, it's just the opposite!" "He's stopped smoking, stopped drinking, he doesn’t swear at me anymore, doesn't even come home from work late any more. He's stopped going out with other women and he even said he loved me the other day, and brought his pay packets home and gave them all to me for the last several weeks; he hadn't even opened them," she finished.



"So, what's wrong with any of that, it sounds like he's turned into Mr. Right for you."



"it's not that," blurted out the woman. "He's become one of Jehovah's Witnesses."



"Well," said the lady, who was herself one of Jehovah's Witnesses, "my husband died in an accident last year, so you can send him over to my house. He sounds like just what I'm looking for."



That latter was just to illustrate that the woman’s husband had turned into Mr. Nice Guy, and she was getting all upset over nothing.



It really isn’t hard to live in God’s way, respecting the boundaries He has set for humans, who generally ignore what His Will is. If people want to live by their own rules they’re free to do that, but, as Joshua said to the nation of Israel, at Joshua 24:15. “Now if it seems bad to you to serve Jehovah, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve, whether the gods that your forefathers served on the other side of the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are dwelling. But as for me and my household, we will serve Jehovah.”

Answer 6

If you view the JW religion as a cage you believe you are hard done by and unfairly imprisoned until you realise that there are wild lions roaming around outside... I am happy to be protected and loved by my 8 million brothers and sisters inside the cage than out chancing it with the lions.



And Jesus clearly said at John 18:36 “My Kingdom is no part of this world. If my Kingdom were part of this world, my attendants would have fought that I should not be handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my Kingdom is not from this source.” Jehovah's witnesses are ambassadors and adherents of that kingdom so never will be integrated into your 'normal world'

Answer 7

Be accepted by whom? By the world? By the people in the world? Absolutely. It will not be that difficult for you. Young people raised in the manner you speak of very often leave to go out into the world, experience all that it has to offer and do whatever they desire. It is quite common. And the world embraces them, yes. It will embrace you as well. Once you go out there, let us know from time to time how it is working out for you.



Hannah J Paul

Answer 8

I have some relatives who left after 20 and 30 years respectively brought up in the JWs. One is what you might call "integrated into the normal world and accepted"; the other has become a Christian who remains unspotted from the world. I don't expect you to understand that. A third has carried on as before with no discernible change except not having his life ruled by meetings and door knocking - he just enjoys freedom to be a private, decent individual living quietly as he wants to live.



All I will say is that many leave the JWs and go berserk, trying to make up for lost time, getting drunk, trying drugs, cigarettes, partying like there was no tomorrow.... tragic. They often settle down after a bit and become balanced. Others leave because they discover just who Jesus Christ really is and follow Him alone - no longer following an organization that tells them what to believe and what to do. They become followers of Jesus. The world doesn't understand them because they don't conform to the world's godless pattern, and the JWs refuse to believe that they have become Christians. That doesn't stop them following Jesus and being accepted by Him.

Answer 9

What you and many consider a "normal society" is being mislead.

Answer 10

"I, unfortunately, was raised as one. If you know anything about the JW religion, then you know it's a very strict religion, with not only strict codes of conduct, but also strange practices. '



The Bible teaches us that our morals must be very strong. If you moral compass is not very strong then that means you think we have strict codes of conduct.



I am happy that you bring out that we do not let our children date casually. Why should they? They are children. I am also happy that you think it is strange that we follow the Bibles morals on sex before marriage. We are on the right path.



"They're also not allowed to celebrate their birthday, nor any holidays, Christmas, Easter, etc."

We choose not to give glory to false gods. Why is this strange?



"And when it comes to parties, well they're allowed to do that, but no drugs, no over drinking, no smoking, no cussing, or anything that religion says is "morally wrong or questionable." "

We demand that our children be morally straight. Why is this strange? Why is it normal for a Christian to do drugs, to over drink, to smoke, to curse? Maybe it is normal for non-Christians to engage in these immoral activities. Not Christians.



"But can a person who was raised so differently, who was trained to think so differently from everyone else, ever integrate into normal society."

Sure. Put all you learned from the Bible to the side and start behaving to its contrary. This system of things is very easy to integrate into. Just put all your morals you have been taught aside and go at it.

Answer 11

If he believes and is faithful to Jesus, God the Son, miraculously he could.

Otherwise he will find it so difficult, as the deprogramming has to be done professionally.

Answer 12

no

Answer 13

Ex JW here. Father Elder Pedophile. Spent 22 years in the cult. Exposing the horrors of the cult helps for awhile but then you have to take your life back and demand your own happiness and not allow the cult to have the other half of your life by being obsessed over the damage that they have done.



Embracing or believing in a loving God is difficult for ex cult members, but it can be done.



ex JW

Orthodox Christian



Most of what you cay you "can't" do in the cult, is actually good for you to not do, In your complaint I see no real abuse being held against you. I was actually raped as a JW child and my abuse was covered up by the local elders and the congregants, If I can over come that, then you can get past not being able to have premarital sex (good for you) and not being able to celebrate a birthday (not going to harm you what so ever)

Answer 14

no

Answer 15

I am not unhappy with being raised a JW, though I am no longer part of their church. In olden days, we studied many important things from scripture. Also, the emphasis was on being a moral person, doing God's will. At that time my father encouraged me to read the Bible, he was not preaching that I had to be a fanatic about the Governing body; it was rarely mentioned. We did have a lot of church activity, preaching, meetings, etc. I even went out preaching as a small boy with my grandfather sometime back before the 60's. I admired him.



I am not unhappy about any of this. What I am unhappy about is having found out that the church doesn't seriously teach Bible truths or seriously pursue truth.



Even in this, I found that this is for the best. It opens the way for all Christians in all churches to be saved if they live in Christ.



Am I normal? Well, what is normal? I try living a moral life, try doing good, preach when possible, drink very little, do not smoke. Am I a saint? No way.



I read a lot; it's a compulsion perhaps. Used to love math and physics, love chess, love animals all kinds. At the moment, my life sucks! I wouldn't mind dying quickly and painlessly. - am I normal? You tell me.

Answer 16

You see! You are on your way getting what you asked for! All ready making your new friends, Aren't you happy! Their doing just what you want them to do! On your side being your trusted friends agreeing with you right? But Please Don't Forget (Galatians 6:7, 8) Do not be misled: God is not one to be mocked. For whatever a person is sowing, this he will also reap; because the one sowing with a view to his flesh will reap corruption from his flesh, but the one sowing with a view to the spirit will reap everlasting life from the spirit.



And it's good remember the account at (Matthew 12:22-37) Then they brought him (Jesus) a demon-possessed man who was blind and speechless, and he cured him, so that the speechless man could speak and see.  Well, all the crowds were astounded and began to say: “May this not perhaps be the Son of David?” At hearing this, the Pharisees said: “This fellow does not expel the demons except by means of Be·elʹze·bub, the ruler of the demons.” Knowing their thoughts, he (Jesus) said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself comes to ruin, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.  In the same way, if Satan expels Satan, he has become divided against himself; how, then, will his kingdom stand?  Moreover, if I expel the demons by means of Be·elʹze·bub, by whom do your sons expel them? This is why they will be your judges.  But if it is by means of God’s spirit that I expel the demons, the Kingdom of God has really overtaken you.  Or how can anyone invade the house of a strong man and seize his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Only then can he plunder his house.  Whoever is not on my side is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.  “For this reason I say to you, every sort of sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the spirit will not be forgiven.  For example, whoever speaks a word against the Son of man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the holy spirit, it will not be forgiven him, no, not in this system of things nor in that to come.  “Either you make the tree fine and its fruit fine or make the tree rotten and its fruit rotten, for by its fruit the tree is known.  Offspring of vipers, how can you speak good things when you are wicked? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.  The good man out of his good treasure sends out good things, whereas the wicked man out of his wicked treasure sends out wicked things.  I tell you that men will render an account on Judgment Day for every unprofitable saying that they speak;  for by your words you will be declared righteous, and by your words you will be condemned.”



Jehovah God have given all His angelic creation, and humankind free will, like he gave Satan, Demons that was his faithful angels, Adam, Eve, and Cain and you! (Ephesians 4:26) Be wrathful (very angry), but do not sin; do not let the sun set while you are still angry; (Psalm 37:8, 9) Let go of anger and abandon rage; Do not become upset and set out to doing evil.  For evil men will be done away with. Jesus said at (Matthew 5:5) “Happy are the mild-tempered, since they will inherit the earth. Please don't forget (2 Peter 3:9) Jehovah is not slow concerning his promise, as some people consider slowness, but he is patient with you because he does not desire anyone to be destroyed but desires all to attain to repentance.(Isaiah 1:18, 19) “Come, now, and let us set matters straight between us,” says Jehovah. “Though your sins are like scarlet, They will be made as white as snow; Though they are as red as crimson cloth, They will become like wool. If you show willingness and listen.

Answer 17

THE WORLD IS NOT NORMAL-SATAN IS THE RULER NOW.



Satan’s rulership is doomed. Jehovah is determined to bring Satan’s control over mankind to an end. He promises to “bring to nothing . . . the Devil” and undo all the damage that Satan has caused.—Hebrews 2:14, New World Translation.



God has chosen Jesus Christ to rule the world. Jesus is the complete opposite of this world’s present cruel, selfish ruler. Concerning Jesus’ kingship, God promises: “He will have pity on the lowly and the poor . . . From oppression and from violence he will rescue them.”—Psalm 72:13, 14.



God cannot lie. The Bible plainly states: “It is impossible for God to lie.” (Hebrews 6:18) When Jehovah promises to do something, it is as good as done! (Isaiah 55:10, 11) “The ruler of this world will be cast out.”—John 12:31.

Answer 18

Most parents don't want their children to engage in premarital sex. Most parents don't want their children drinking or using drugs.



How about the fear mongering cult indoctrination the JW kids are forced to participate in? How about the forced slave labor they are required to do by peddling for the cult?



How about the many JW kids who are raped, molested, and then ignored because there weren't 2 witnesses to the crime?



How about the JW kids who commit suicide because of the abuse and the disgusting shunning policy practiced by the cult?



There is a huge EX JW community out there that is growing fast. There are plenty willing to offer support to all victims of this cult. Why would anyone choose to "use" you simply for being an EX JW?



jwfacts.com , jwvictims.org , jwsurvey.org , avoidjw.org , silentlambs.org



BTW, I know you are an active JW because no EX JW would ever ask such a stupid question. There are valid reasons to leave the cult like the one's that I've mentioned. You've also asked this question before which would indicate that you are nothing but a JW troll.

Answer 19

even in the bible we are in the world not of it

Answer 20

I suppose it depends on the individual.



True story, I had a neighbor who was a Jehovah's Witness, but left the faith after her divorce, and then went sort of wild. This woman went from her marriage right into an affair with a married man. This was down in Los Angeles, and this naive woman had the stupidity to have an affair with a man who had a very jealous and mean wife. I told her, "You keep up this affair, you're going to get killed", but she just laughed me off.....



Until the day she staggered home after having been caught by the wife and having the hell beat out of her.







In this instance, the ex-JW in question clearly did not adjust well to the normal world.

Answer 21

It sounds to me that you are incorrectly aligning what your parents wanted you to do, with what the J/W's teach. They do not base their faith on rules at all, only Bible prinicples. So they might suggest that attending parties where there are drugs an alcohol is not a good idea (and I think most religions would agree with that), but they wouldn't say you are 'not allowed'.

Answer 22

They're no more/no less cult whackos than christians, muslims, or other cult whackos in society.



I know several christians who do a great job of cooking my fries at Wendy's, and others who work at the local 7-11 -- one at 7-11 just made it to 2nd Asst night manager after 8 years there... i knew a JW once who was a dental assistant and did a great job of flossing my teeth.

Answer 23

When Jews will present the antichrist, JW's will accept him because they're awaiting an earthly king.



Source: Paisios

Answer 24

Join the military, it'll deprogram you.

Answer 25

Just leave and go to a Bible believing church.



JW's are a CULT, do not listen to them. They modified the bible and made their own version NWT.

Charles Taze Russell who founded the Jehovah's Witnesses. He prophesied the world would end in 1914.



1) The JW's modified John 1:1 from ‘…was God to ‘…was 'a god' (for grammatical reasons which of course changed the meaning of the verse). Again the statement that Jesus was the only begotten Son of the Father Is stated again in John 1:14



2) The JW’s say earth will last forever. See ‘New Earth’ as stated in Isaiah 65:17



“For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth;

And the former shall not be remembered or come to mind.



The current world is passing away because of sin

1 John 2:17

And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

Also ..

Romans 8:21-22

21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious

liberty of the children of God.

22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.



3) One God..

Deuteronomy 6:4

“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD.”



What the JW's misunderstand is that God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are one in essence not absolute.



For example, The key word “one” (Hebrew achad) is often used to denote unity in diversity. For example, when Eve was united to Adam in marriage, they were said to be “one flesh” (Genesis 2:24). Similarly, on the third day of creation, the waters were “gathered together unto one place,” yet this gathering together was called “Seas” (i.e., more than one sea, Genesis 1:9-10). Dr. Henry H. Morris, ICR



Update

JW's deny the deity of Christ and have changed God's word.



1 John 4:1-2

4 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God;

because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God:

Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God,



Rev 22:18-19

18 For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.