Wife and Sister-in-law

by Undecided 5 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  Undecided

  Hi All,

  I think my wife and her sister are finally seeing the truth about the churches they have been associated with. I have been going with them to the church services and pointing out the inconsistences of the dogma that is preached. I'm not trying to destroy their faith in God but sometimes my comments may seem that way. I am having a hard time keeping any faith in the God of the bible, there are too many things that don't add up. It would be great to have faith in God but my reason won't let me without ignoring so many facts that contradict his professed love of humankind. I haven't given up yet but it doesn't look too good right now.

  I have a lot of precious memories of my family when we were JWs, but it was in spite of being Jws not because of it. I miss the many friends I had through the years, most are dead now, but sometimes I reflect back on the good times and remember that not any of them expected to die before the "New World" was a fact. There have been so many of my family that had their hopes and dreams disapear with time.
  I was of the younger generation that beleived and I'm 65 now, so most of the older generation has passed on. It's kind of sad to recall these memories.

  Love to all,

  Ken P.
• 

  Ranchette

  I agree it is sad.
  I understand what your saying about the Bible and God.It is hard to know what and how much to say to others about things like this.It's such a personal journey.For my own family and friends who are satisfied that the bible is inspired by God,and that Christianity is the answer,I am very careful not to shock them with to much too fast.It takes time but alittle here and there is better than them going into shut-down mode.But if the person has no interest or motivation in this journey for more knowlege ,I don't push.I can't do it for them and neither can you.
  Have you read the book by Thomas Paine called AGE OF REASON?This book exposes glaring inconsistancies and other problems in the Bible.Great book!
  Another good one is A HISTORY OF GOD by Karen Armstrong.It is so interesting.It gives a basic of the worlds religions from their beginings.Vere eye opening.
  You can get these at bookstores or find them in the library.
  hope this is of some help to you.
  Ranchette
• 

  Undecided

  Hi Ranchette,

  Thanks for the info. I have read Thomas Paine's book but not Karen Armstrong's "A History of God". I will give it a look. It has been interesting observing the character of other religions from the inside. It seems the core of all religions are about the same, a set of beliefs to try to explain our existance and the hereafter. Some are more controlling than others, some have more humane ideals than others, but they are all based on fear of this life or the future. Those that I have observed seem to waste our life and money, at least from my point of view right now. There are good, honest people in and out of religious orgs. and the oposite kinds in both places. Life goes on.

  Ken P.
• 

  felix a

  Hi guy's,

  If we're talking about interesting books to read. You might add "The Dark Side of Christianity" to the list. I'm unable to remember the authors name. Finding out would mean risking waking up the wife by turning on the bedroom light. So I'll wait...

  I've enjoed reading Karen Armstron and loved T. Paine...

  felix a (David P)
• 

  SIDK

  Hi Ken,
  Thanks for sharing your thoughts
  with us Ken. As always it was not
  only interesting but the replies you got suggested some reading that
  sounds worth researching.
  I have the pleasure of having Ken
  as a friend and always enjoy chatting with him and his lovely wife and sister-in-law in his swing in his peaceful backyard.
  We can not beat him in rummy.
• 

  Rex B13

  I think that you are only exposing the total rationalist mentality that JWs are trained in. You want everything explained on How God Operates. If you are going to critisize various churches or actual Christian doctrine then you need to read my book list:

  Check out some of these links first: http://www.watchman.org/jw/answers.htm Answering Watchtower Objections
  http://www.gospelcom.net/apologeticsindex/t03.html The Biblical Basis of the Doctrine of the Trinity by Robert Bowman
  http://www.gospelcom.net/apologeticsindex/t10.html The Doctrine of the Trinity
  http://answering-islam.org.uk/Trinity/beckwith.html The Trinity by Francis J Beckwith
  http://www.probe.org/docs/bel-trin.html Why We Should Believe in the Trinity Pat Zuckeran
  http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/9t8/9t8072.html Writing the Trinity Philip Yancey
  http://www.atlantaapologist.org/Sharp.html A Bicentennial Defense of Granville Sharp's Argument for the Deity of Christ.

  You will have some of the 'glaring inconsistencies' answered, then:

  Christianity: a Witness of History......J.N. Anderson
  the New Testament Documents: Are They Reliable?......F.F. Bruce
  Evidence That Demands a Verdict (1 & 2)........Josh McDowell
  History and Christianity........John Montgomery
  Basic Christianity..........John Stott
  Bible Explorer's Guide......John Phillips
  Mere Christianity.........C.S. Lewis

  Read the last book first. I have demonstrated to some here how the ideas that JWs have about the valid doctrines of the Bible are false and easily refuted. JWs are taught to arrogantly think their basic beliefs are true and the orthodox beliefs are not.
  Ron Rhodes book on 'Reasoning from the Scriptures' absolutely debunks JW assertions and probably some of your own notions will pop up. I wish you well. May you find God again, brother.
  Rex