What do most ex-JWs "believe" after leaving?

Whatever they want to; which is a big change from the WTS.

As a person who is mentally out but physically in, I just believe that there is a god. That's all. Honeslty, I don't even blieve in the Bible or Jesus or ANY religion out there.

Peace out!

I have an open mind but so far science is winning out over religion....however

who knows what tomorrow may bring?

The Oracle

I took this quiz yesterday on facebook,  I thought it summed my current feelings quite well.

I don't think there ever was a survey done with a meaningfully large sample but from what I gather from ex JW boards a large part become atheists and another large part join mainstream christian denominations or at least accept their beliefs but don't closely associate with them. A smaller part join non christian religions such as neo paganism, judaism, buddhism etc

I accept the basic tenets of christianity and that it is the ideal way, without being judgemental against those that do not though I enjoy having debates with them.

I am confused always... looking for ways to dispute every uncomfortable doctrine pumped down my throat 3 to 5 times a week for 18 years.  When I was a JW I of course wanted it to be true.  Being sheltered from the hypocracy becz my family was good at being JW's (I guess)  I took it all in, accepting it ,and looking down at the "world" for not wanting to hear the true religion.   Now I am in the "world".  I think I really left becz of some rebellion and not wanting to be controlled.  I did believe it was the true religion even when I left.  I just did not seem to really care.   I used to tell my Mom "I would rather die with the world..then live forever with these people."  I had no friends in the congregation and felt a horrible need to escape to somewhere that seemed more normal.   I have been out for 10 years now and have just been living my life day to day.  I mean the "world" kind of sucks too.  The word ALONE takes on a new meaning out here.   I know I am depressed by being shunned by my family.  I cry as I type now.  But it will never change.  They are hooked, and they have a support system.  There are 5 of them all faithful zombies of the organization, and one of me.  I could never go back now.  I have pushed all that nonsense to some corner in my brain.  It pops up occassionally and I put it back where it belongs.  I mean when someone tells you that 1 and 1 equals 4 your whole life.  You really need factual proof to make you change your thinking.  Due to the fact that no one really knows what the heck God wants,  or if there really is a God at all, how could I ever feel totally secure.  I need to do more research for myself Im sure.   That is why I am on this site.   Please help me with any unduckable facts that make their doctrines fake. 

It seems to me that most people who completely sever themselves from the JW's

believe that the JW's are a bunch of liars and sadly misled people.

There are many very nice but very gullible people in the org.

fokyc

I can only speak for me....

After a period of anger and the typical "never again" thoughts, I realize that culturally, I was raised in a Judeo/Christian religious cult, in a Judeo/Christian society. Thus, I label myself culturally as a Christian for generalizing purposes. Religiously, I have no evidence to support traditional Christianity, with Jesus as god, anymore so then Islam, Buddhism, etc has such evidence.

I certainly believe that logic and reason, along with establishing ones own unique identity, is something god would want us to do.

I do not believe that organized religion is particularly healthy, both in my experience and in a review of history. However, I plainly see that this somewhat difficult to define "spiritual" side is part of most of us, and how we choose to take care of that can impact ones quality of life significantly.

I value honesty in myself and in others most of all.

Thats it!

I would describe myself as an agnostic at this point in my life.  As for others I knew who used to be JW's most are either atheist or agnostics, it seems very rare for them to return to whatever religion they previously came from, or in the case of those that were born in it seems the JW experience kills any desire to return to another organized religion.

LightCloud wrote: "I would describe myself as an agnostic at this point in my life.  As for others I knew who used to be JW's most are either atheist or agnostics, it seems very rare for them to return to whatever religion they previously came from, or in the case of those that were born in it seems the JW experience kills any desire to return to another organized religion."

Yes, I am getting that loud and clear from everyone.  It seems the WTS experience destroys trust in Scripture, God, the supernatural, and faith itself.  :(

Thanks for asking...great question.

Since experiencing the truth about "the Truth" (tm) and joining this forum I have given this matter a lot of thought.  Perhaps it is my reluntance to give up the faith of my birth and parents, but for me I have, even though I still attend meetings, etc for my wife, kept some of the JW faith but with a twist. 

First, I have resigned myself to the fact that the WBTS is a cult that allows evil proeple to take advantage of others and that the WBTS victimizes the victims.  Once I realized this damaging and currupting influence, I resolved to never subject anyone to this cancer, even though I go out "in service" (tm).  And, so far I have managed to keep myself secret in my true beliefs...

What are my beliefs?  I believe that at one time the WBTS had close to (not all) of "the Truth" of the Bible but greed, power, curruption and just plain stupidity caused them to fail.  That failure God sees and will judge the WBTS accordingly for all the harm they have done and contiue to do.  Therefore, I do believe in a god that cares for ALL mankind (not just JWs) and that he does have a purpose to restore his original plans for the earth.  It's just that we do not know when that will be.  But I do know now that the WBTS is not the means to attain that "hope" and that the good people of "the world" can look forward to these blessings while the "bad" of the WBTS will be amazed at their judgement.

HQ

I certainly don't believe in organized religion.

I do believe in the harmony found within nature.

ESTEE

After the typical abusive experience with the watchtower I am surprised that any ex JWs at all believe in God or Christ, it is more than enough to put anyone off religion for life that awful and oppressive JW god and his actions but fortunately he is just a satanic god and not the real one.

Many believe that they are personal failures for failing to meet the Divine Standards of "The Only True Religion," and that they are unworthy of life and happiness, since the sole purpose of life is to croak praise to the Creator, like a bunch of toads.

THESE BELIEFS ARE ERRONEOUS!

I think All Time Jeff made an excellent point.

I, personally, was never a JW and my parents largely never went to church.  Therefore, I wasn't raised to believe in anything like God even though my mom believed in Him.  I was, however, exposed to it early in my life and by the time I became a young adult, I immersed myself into Christianity at an Independent Fundamental Baptist church because I always knew that I was a 'spiritual' person and I was looking for answers.

To Jeff's point, I latched onto Christianity because I live in a Judeo-Christian country and I particularly live in the 'Bible-belt' southern part of Virginia, the home of Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson and the like.  Frankly, after truly examining myself, I can just as easily see myself becoming a Hindu or a Muslim or a Buddhist had I have been raised in a different part of the world.

As for me, I am still a Christian as I believe it is the best religion for me spiritually.  However, I do not like the idea that I have to follow a bunch of rules thinking that by doing so, I will have everlasting life.  Never-the-less, I think rules are important in a civilized society and as long as they line up with the Golden Rule, it makes perfect sense.  Dumb rules like "Thou Shalt Not Dance," "Thou Shalt Not Salute The Flag," "Thou Shalt Not Live At Home Past 18," etc. serve only the rule makers (men) and not God.

 They usually don't know what they believe - they are just finding out and discovering new ideas. Peace out, Mr. Flipper

I believe that she, , is hawt.