by Lee Marsh
http://freeminds.org
A few years ago I wrote down my personal declaration of freedom. I thought maybe I needed to go back and look at it again. Many things are the same but I realized some needed to change and it was time for the change. So here is my new Declaration of Freedom.
I am:
free to be more tolerant of the beliefs of others. free to be more accepting that we aren't all the same and are not at the same place in our lives. What I needed when I was 20 is very different than what I needed at 30 or 40 or 50 or even now at 60 free to be more tolerant of others' lifestyles (because they are none of my business) free to be able to do things I love (lots more time because I am not out telling other people how to live their lives) free to show my love and care for others without worrying that it takes time from the Watchtower Society free to get an education that has improved my self-esteem, my career opportunities and my knowledge of the world around me free to get the therapy I needed which took away my depression and improved my self-esteem free to be really happy without guilt free to live in a way that I feel good about that enables me to go to sleep at night with a clear conscience free to watch/read/listen to what I want without fear of being caught reading something I was told was bad or guilt free to buy what I want without fear (especially at garage sales - no more fear of demons) free to live without thinking the elders are coming to talk to me about some supposed infraction free to let my children lead their own lives without preaching to them free to live my life without preaching to anyone free to live THIS life without worrying about getting into paradise at some mystical future time free to publicly speak out against the things I think are harmful like abuse and cults free to accept myself for who I am today knowing I am a work in progress free to change what I don't like about myself free to not see anyone in my family who tries to make me feel like crap free to leave an abusive husband, relative, friend. I don't have to stand there and take it free to see those members of my family that I care for and treat me with love free to no longer be a victim (of people or of the Jehovah's Witnesses) free to celebrate life and holidays, birthdays and even death free to love God without being told what to believe and how to believe free to sleep in on weekends or any day now that I am retired free to spend my holidays on vacation instead of at a convention, assembly or meeting free to write about what hurts me without fear free to be honest - really honest - not false honesty free to be happy - really happy - not fake happiness free to talk to active Witnesses who come to my door (despite that I was told by the elders not to) free to sing the anthem, salute the flag and be proud of being a Canadian free to have pets instead of wondering what to do with them when I went to convention. Life is what we make it. It isn't directed by some external controlling business masquerading as a religion. I choose and if my choices aren't always the best I have the freedom to change my mind. I am free!