An open letter to ex Jehovah Witness’s or to the Shun
A letter I wish someone wrote me in that time,
Dear ex Member,
Hello, my friend I know you are very lost right now and very hurt. I’m so sorry for the way they treated you. Please know you are very special, and you are worth love and friendship. Do not let them change you and please do not let them make you bitter. You are a better person for standing up for yourself, and you will survive this. You are a survivor, and you will find your place again. You will struggle with trust and believing in people. That is ok! You went through a lot, and you need to heal and figure out who you are. You spent a lot of time in their lie, and you may struggle with who you are now. Know you are a strong person, and all though you have a battle ahead of you. It is worth it. I know you may want to write off all religion because the hurt you have endured during this time, and honestly, I don’t blame you. Know that not all churches are bad but there are a lot out there who abuse their power using religion. These are the people you want to avoid. You want to find something healthy and something that allows you to learn, and questions everything. You just came from the other extreme you owe yourself to ask a lot of questions. Look for your answer that you need, and don’t feel guilty. If you have chosen not to pursue religion or God that is ok. After what you have gone through you need to rest and to heal. Please just don’t let it be your last decision. I know you are hurt and frustrated right now, and you can’t process the trauma you are experiencing, but one day you will. You will see how these practices are part of a cult mind set, and how they were able to use things against you and others. You will see how people just want to be love and how they can easily be preceded to behave to earn that love, and most of all you will see how that is not love. Genuine love will not hurt you like that, and Genuine love will help lift you up and it will help you to grow. Also know you are subject to abuse after going through this and you need to learn healthy boundaries, so you don’t let others do this again. Learn about trauma responses and how you can react to them and how you can heal from them as well. Life is not what it seemed, and you must get out there and explore it. Learn what is important to you and how you want to live this life. You are free but don’t let that freedom consume you and take over. Set your own rules and your own limits. So, you can thrive in this world. Find your passion again and don’t be afraid to dream! It is a part of you for a reason. I hope with this new beginning you will find the happiness you deserve as a human and that you find your tribe to grow with. Stay strong and never give up! God made you for a reason and this can be your testimony to use to help others.