Personal encounters of a JW

This is an interview I did on my ex-boyfriend, which was a Jehovah Witness when we were dating but does not consider himself apart of the religion anymore.

What is it like being a Jehovah’s Witness?

The people are very friendly an caring just like a family, and every one seems to be happy for the most part. There were defiantly some things to get used to since I wasn’t born into it. I had to get used to not celebrating holidays mainly.

Where you forced by your parents to partake in the religion or did you choose to on your own behalf?

They were very meticulous about the things you watched the music you listened to and the people you hung out with because of bad association. I wasn’t really forced but I kind of knew I had to do it because I was living in a house with my family and I didn’t want to let them down. As far as believing in the religion I did because I was always surrounded by it growing up, so I believed in it at the time.

So why did you choose to leave it, and where you shunned by the people you know, maybe even by your parents?

I pretty much grew up I feel like I noticed that religion kind of keeps people "stupid" and things didn’t make sense any more.

Can you talk to me a little about the whole blood/ hospital issue and if you knew anyone that was ever put into that situation and what their decision was?

Well the whole blood thing is looked at as unclean an dirty. Taking blood from another person you don’t know nor are related to is unclean. JW's would say no to blood all the time because of the God fearing faith.

Even if it was a life or death situation?

Yea they were strong when it came to saying no to blood. Due to this doctors found healthier ways around blood transfusions, so they would allow those. None of these methods used any actual blood.

That sounds cool.

Yea there were videos we had to watch and stuff.

I remember you telling me you weren't allowed to date. I’m not sure if you were only allowed to date other JW's but I specifically remember you telling me that. What is the issue with dating, and if you can't date how do they go about finding a partner?

Well they only want you to date when your ready to get married and they encourage us to marry other JW’s but that is not always the case, my mother and father serve as a perfect example.

So how are you supposed to go by doing that when you are ready if you haven’t found the person your ready to marry?

It is called courting in the Bible. When your interested in someone and you know they feel the same way and your at that age to date you can definitely go for it.

How about if you have more than dating experience, is that ok? Like searching 4 the one as people would say.

Yea I guess as long as you don’t take it as far as sex than its cool.

Ok and what do they think of homosexuals?

They are looked down on

But they can still believe?

Yea as long as they’re trying to do what is right in Gods eyes and fight that urge of imperfection is ok but fornication is bad.

That is kind of contradicting though.

No type of fornication can happen and they are not allowed marry, so having sex when your not married is fornication.

Fornication consists of a man and a woman so they basically cant have sex ever due to not being able to get married

Yea

Well thank you for putting up with my questions. I have one final question.

Go for it.

What do you think of JW’s now that you aren't apart of the religion?

Since I am looking from the out side in with a different pair of eyes I see them as the same as other religions, just a bit different and a little more organized.

Thank you again

Your welcome