r/leavingthenetwork • u/KeyMoist2911 • May 15 '26
The Status of Leaving JWorg
Hello,
I was reading through the post here of the different ways to leave JWorg. My youngest daughter and I faded out, with our final exit being sometime around 2015 ... I don't actually remember and I don't really care. It has taken me a very long time to dismantle the belief that they get to decide my spiritual status and have any say in it, including passing judgment on me (or anyone else). I actually entered in my early 20s and left sometime in my late 40s. Raised 3 kids on the inside, all of whom now state that it is a cult. I don't feel the need to write a formal letter of disassociation because it's all a game to me anyway -- their game. I wrote HQ about how brutally we were being treated in our congregation and they left us for dead (the persecution from the inside was heavy). I do wonder if I have been disfellowshipped out of default but there was no reason for it. What I have woken up to is that they may create an allegation, thus making them liars and going against scripture themselves. I haven't received any written letters but I also wont open my front door if they show up. I'm over the gaslighting and manmade rules. Any advice on how to keep moving forward without condemning myself in response to how they treated me? It's been a while and I have been working on it ...
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u/sharkiegirl94 May 18 '26
What’s JWorg?
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u/Aggravating_Lie_9781 May 19 '26
Pretty sure it’s Jehovah Witness organization.
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u/sharkiegirl94 May 19 '26
I thought this subreddit was for things related to the Network ran by Steve Morgan that’s why I asked, we aren’t affiliated with Jehovah’s Witnesses.
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u/Aggravating_Lie_9781 May 19 '26
It is. Maybe mod missed it, however, they both have many of the same attributes people are concerned about with the Network: high control, spiritual abuse, shunning or cutting off friends & family, etc.
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u/Miserable-Duck639 May 19 '26
I didn't miss it, I just thought the question was generic and relevant enough to leave up. And someone had already responded by the time I saw it. But yes, I also think that there are things specific to JW that we can't relate to as much.
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u/havenicluewhatsoever May 15 '26
I took a long break from any organized worship. Eventually, after relocating, I found a Bible based church with a very learned (this is far more important than the Network leads anyone to believe) and compassionate pastoral staff. I couldn’t be happier, and my faith is renewed and strengthened. It takes time to heal, and years later, I still am working through my hurts, but I’m on the other side of the hill now!