Are JW's closer to their creator than other religions?

truthseeker

I was thinking the other day, why so many xJW's become atheist or agnostic.

Is it because the WT admonishes us to "Draw Close to Jehovah" so much, that when a witness finally does see the "light" regarding the Watchtower, they feel that God has failed them?

Think of the publication, "Draw Close to Jehovah" - the book is practically a step by step guide to being God's friend.

Because Witnesses believe that Jehovah and the Watchtower are entwined, almost like a duality, then the closeness they feel with Jehovah God must be a catalyst for deep discord in the event that the truth is discovered about Watchtower teachings and dogma.

A recent KM told us in no uncertain terms, to view the message coming from speakers at the district convention, as "coming from Jehovah himself."

When one no longer believes that Jehovah uses the GB as his "direct channel of communication on earth", this must do serious damage to ones relationship with their Creator.

AuldSoul

Re: Are JW's closer to their creator than other religions?

Yes. I think they are much closer to Joseph Rutherford than other religions are.

AuldSoul

Crumpet

you mean with genocidal desires, vengeful streaks and sociopathically inclined?

Finally-Free

I'm not familiar with many religions, only the JWs and Catholicism. When I was in the Catholic church people used to go to church, get on their knees and pray, sing, etc. It looked like worship. The "worship" of JWs, if it can be called that, is very organization-centric. You don't see individuals praying or worshiping. It's more like a classroom setting. Most meeting parts seem to center around the organization, or getting other people to join it, much like an MLM seminar. They talk about Jehovah, but they make it clear that, according to them, there is no access to God except through their organization. Recruitment is their primary purpose in life.

W

mouthy

"coming from Jehovah himself."

Yes that is the real trouble That is when Deut 22:18- 22 shows up....SO many leave God after the WT has finished with them,,, Which is so very sad -because there is no one person to blame in front of the HIGH JUDGE( that is leading folks astray they are all followers of followers) We INDIVIDUALLY have to answer for ourselves. Like in Jonestown- or Koresh! it was an individual they listened too- but we followed many MEN!!! & they followed many men! & so on & so on & so on....I wonder if they ever REALLY loved God.After all we were warned there would be false prophets- also the Devil himself looked like an angel of light... So when we were duped instead of thinking What a fool I was.... We turn on the one that warned us to WATCH OUT!!!!!

City Fan

I became agnostic because I finally saw the "light" regarding the bible. I realised it was historically and scientifically flawed and had too many inconsistencies in it to be inspired.

ozziepost

I think AuldSoul had it right!

Closer to Jehovah or God or Lord or.......? - as if! They are further away from God than most others i would suggest.

M.J.

Jehovah and the Watchtower are entwined, almost like a duality

The WTS tries to take the place reserved for Christ..

You'll find that lots of other ex-members of cultish religions become atheists or agnostic as well. Take the Worldwide Church of God, for example: http://ironwolf.dangerousgames.com/philosophy/nonbelieverexwcg.html

I can see how y'all can become so turned off by everything religious after going through all that crap.

daystar

When one no longer believes that Jehovah uses the GB as his "direct channel of communication on earth", this must do serious damage to ones relationship with their Creator

No. One realizes that one never had a relationship with Jehovah in the first place. Many become atheist because when they realize this, they go looking for Him and He is nowhere to be found.

"Draw Close to Jehovah" is practically a step-by-step guide to being a slave of the WBTS. It should be entitled "Draw Close to the WBTS, for We Are Jehovah". That would be much closer to the truth.

tall penguin

It's funny because I've been battling with the whole concept of my relationship to my Creator since I left the org. The "Draw Close" book was my favourite book. I felt it was one of the better attempts at helping individuals to come to know their creator. My favourite chapter was chapter 24 which was titled "Nothing Can Separate Us From God's Love." Many of the points there actually stuck with me when I was disassociating, realizing that the wts were men and even they couldn't stop God from loving me.
The more the "truth" bubble breaks for me though, the harder it is for me to feel close to a creator. I was actually thinking about this just this morning when I work up.
While I think the God reflected by Jesus in the nt is someone I can connect with, the God portrayed in the ot leaves much to be desired. And now that the wts blinders are coming off I can see that the God I was raised to believe in as a jw isn't that likeable.
So now I'm left in a quandry. While I believe in some greater force or energy that pervades this universe, I'm not sure it resembles anything close to the jw version of God.
To answer your question, "Are JW's closer to their creator than other religions?" I'd have to say no. While they appear to be close to God, they are close only to their interpretation of him which is based on the ideas of a small group of men in Brooklyn, which imho is a very narrow view.
tall penguin

Are JW's closer to their creator than other religions?

Share this