Any respect for organized religion ?

by friendorfoe 15 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  Francois

  Rex, you hit the nail on the head. As JWs we had it pounded into our heads that all other religions constituted the "world empire of false religion."

  But those of us who were paying attention realized that each and every one of the failures attributed to these "false religions" were being practiced by Jehovah's Witnesses in SPADES!

  And here we are. (Congrats on finding something that is pleasing and validating for your spiritual urges!)

  NOTE TO GOVERNING BODY: You've been challenged to a debate, boys. Dont you have ANY balls?
• 

  Ranchette

  Hi Friendorfoe,
  Speaking for myself there's not a religious bone left in my body.Since I was raised as a witness I really don't know if there ever was.
  I respect others rights when it comes to religion as I expect them respect my rights to my beliefs.
  I think many religions started out with good motives but I don't like where they all end up.I was very tempted at first to join a church not for religion but for comunity and sense of belonging.I'm so glad I didn't I kept my new found freedom and found what I needed elsewere.
  Yes churches get behind som good causes but so do other non religious organizations.
• 

  jelly

  I have no desire to join any organization just to 'study the bible'. However, sometimes I think about joining a very liberal and civic minded church. The reason for this is really quite simple; liberal churches focus on doing the things Jesus did, feeding the poor, housing the homeless, helping the sick, which are things that I would enjoy doing.

  Basically if I joined another church it would be for social and societal reasons and have nothing to do with drawing closer to God.

  Jelly
• 

  jelly

  Whoops!!!

  After reading my post I realized that I didn't respond to the original question.

  Do I have respect for organized religion?

  Yes, some of them. I have little respect for the bible thumpers, or the fundies. The more liberal churches though I have a great deal of respect for; they do a lot of good and help with social problems.

  I don't feel you need to belong to any organization to get close to your creator or to lead a spiritual life if thats what you are looking for. Basically I think organized religions are just another group civic institutions and not a path to God.

  Jelly
• 

  friendorfoe

  Thank you everyone for your replies now I know i'm not alone in my feelings.
• 

  Utopian Reformist

  Remember the Ancient Isrealites, under law, they suffered. They demanded their own "visible" king, and they were given a whole bloodline of kings.

  As humans, we are going to continue to make the same historical mistakes forver if we do not stop the vicious cycle. Why is everyone asking if there is another "organization, group, church" out there that is better than the WTBS. There isn't.

  THERE NEVER WILL BE BECAUSE ALL MAN MADE RELIGION LEADS TO THE SAME EMPTY DESTINY. I don't care if the "evangelical church" can help you pray to Jesus and God and even though they are not perfect, they are better than JW's.

  Listen to that dysfunctional pattern of reasoning! What's the difference between any so called christian religion? If it contains human leadership, human organization, then it will deliver the same results in one fashion or another.

  FACE YOURSELVES! STOP BEING AFRAID! DO YOU WANT ALMIGHTY GOD JEHOVAH AND HIS SON TO LOVE YOU? DO YOU STILL BELIEVE IN SCRIPTURE?
  THEN TELL THEM THAT AND BE SATISFIED AND CONTENT.

  Live your life according to the bible principles you accept and discipline yourself. Be an example to others, show kindness mercy and justice. If you still think you need others to do those things, then you prove to GOD you are NOT READY for a relationship.

  I don't relate to my family or friends through other humans. I know them. I associate with them and I speak with them and I love them.

  Jesus is your ONLY mediator. Get used to it. Read the gospels for inspiration and for comfort, teach yourself, be honest with yourself.

  Just like the isrealites, be careful what you ask for because if you need something tangible, something human, then you can't possibly be thinking in Spirit? Think about it carefully.