by UNCLEAR 48 Replies latest jw experiences
Hi, UNCLEAR and welcome to the board.
What a wonderful Mom you are for not letting this organization's flawed policies dictate the best medical treatment for your son. I think you are very smart for following your instincts and not man-made rules.
Take it slow, one baby step at a time. There's a lot of baggage JWs carry around and it can be difficult to sort through it. We'll help all we can.
Hello and welcome
visit here often....you will learn so much....I felt the same as you once upon a time.
I am glad I learned what the watchtower is all about.
Welcome to the board UNCLEAR
son had an opertion that could require a blooD transfusion and to be honest I could never deny him that. I refuse to give up my sons life on an unsure policy, created by imperfect men. This policy could change tomorrow.
This is very sound and very balanced reasoning - you are 100% correct
Welcome to the board! It took courage to post and talk about how you really feel. I think you'll leave the org when you're ready, not a minute before. I look back now and I wonder why the hec it took me so long to leave. (I read Crisis of Conscience in 2001, I knew it wasn't 'the truth' but it still took me 2 more years to stop going to meetings all together) I know that fear kept me in. Who in their right mind wants to lose their family and the only 'friends' they've ever known? Who wants to leave their comfort zone when the unknown is so uncertain? And I thought leaving the org would be the same as leaving God and I didn't want to do that. Well I'm a Christian now and the cool thing is, I don't have all the answers, there are things I don't understand and that's just fine. I love this forum and the people on it even though we don't always agree and that's okay too. As far as who has the ultimate truth? Jesus does and he loves you. Hang in there - V Sky.
Looking Glass - my heart goes out to you about your gran.
Hi Unclear and Welcome.....
There are many threads of people like yourself...so many. I'll start listing them, then, if you want to take the time, they might be of interest to you.
Here's the first: http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/6/109978/1916656/post.ashx#1916656
Just pull up a chair and sit awhile... don't worry.... LIFE (that the good Lord gave us) IS A JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY.
Welcome Unclear,
Your post reminded me of one of my favorite stories. I posted it it a while back. It's The Secrets of Dysfunctional Families John C. Friel, Linda D. Friel titled: The Goose
Read it at: http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/6/55403/1.ashx
Welcome,
Most of us here have been through what you are going through and know how difficult it is, especially at first. You will find a lot of support here.
You comment on blood is very wise. The blood issue has changed considerably, and for legal reasons will continue to change. The early Witnesses realised that eatting blood is acceptable scripturally and hopefully this is one unnecessary restriction that will soon be removed.
I used to be in Bethel and it was there that I realised that the organisation is not well run. It is just another company, with all the good and bad that is part of any company. I found it showed no evidence of holy spirit. Funnily enough a friend of mine found being there faith strengthening because 'only something directed by God could continue to function when so poorly run'. The reality is that there are many religions that are as loving, as moral, as well directed and experiencing similar growth. This is not proof of being Gods organisation.
In answer to your question, no one knows 'The Truth'. There may be absolute truth, but no one can prove what it is. That is why there are so many religions. There are many people sincerely looking for truth, yet they all find different religions to go to because of it is impossible to know what absolute truth is. A persons religion is more related to circumstance and culture than anything else. It is unfair to say that anyone not belonging to one small sect is worthy of destruction by God.
What is the way to live? That is an individual question. But looking to the bible you will find that for the first half of human history there was no organisation. The men of old served God without knowing his name, without a bible, just knowing and loving their creator. Even in Christian times there were small groups of people meeting in homes. Jesus said where two meet together there his spirit would be. It is a very different concept to that of The Organisation being necessary for salvation. The concept of a leader or Organisation coming between God and an individual is the basis from which power hungry people have always manipulated others.
Check out www.jwfacts.com for a few things to think about that may help.
welcome unclear!
WOW - your questions and concerns are identical to what I was thinking when I started ALLOWING myself to questions things I saw as wrong.
take your time, and proceed carefully. You are in for a bumpy ride, but well worth it in the end - I promise!
keep reading and posting. I look forward to more from you.....
-freedomlover
Dear Unclear and Looking Glass,
Welcome to the board!! It is so nice to have you both here!! You are among many who have walked in your shoes, and have had the same nagging gut feeling that something was wrong, that you have. Just remember, we owe it to Jehovah, to our families, and ourselves, to examine what we believe. To make sure it is accurate. Afterall, a sincere examination should only be faith strengthening. Jehovah gave us the ability to reason. He also gave us the ability to ask questions. Why should we fear asking questions of our own faith. We have asked many to do just that of their own faith in the ministry. When it comes full circle, if it is indeed truth, you will know it. And you will be faith strengthened by the process. But then again, if it is not, we then need to make a decision. One that we have asked many to make, again in our own ministry, and that is: Are we lovers of truth, or are we lovers of tradition? There will be ones who will try to discourage you from asking ANY questions at all. To have a sort of blind faith. But Jehovah does not want that kind of service. He wants us to have conviction in what we believe. Remember, the Bible says to " Make sure of all things, hold fast to what is fine."- 1Thess.5:21. One of the most important things you can possibly do is to pray for Jehovahs holy spirit, and ask him to help you see the Truth, no matter what it may be. Then, as others have brought out, DO RESEARCH!! Check things, and double check them. That will give you the confidence that you will need to do the right thing. Also, one word of caution, I would be VERY careful as to who you tell you are examining things to. I appreciate DoubleEdge encouraging you to read my story, on the link he posted. I hope it may help you. And I look forward to hearing more from both of you!
Sincerely your friend,
Lady Liberty
