The Society themselves make this very appeal, in a sideways manner. Who taught you, they say, that Hell doesn't exist? Who freed you from belief in the Trinity? Who follows Jesus' command to preach and teach the good news? Who taught you that God's name is Jehovah? Who let you know that we're living in the last days of this old system of things? They get back to basics with the core beliefs.
Some Witnesses (my wife included) say "the Witnesses may not have everything right, but they are the closest to the truth of any religion out there. Ergo, we should stay."
But this misses the point, doesn't it?
The Bible doesn't say that Jesus would come down, look around, find out which religion was the closest to the truth, and then murder everyone else on the planet. Even if you believe that the Witnesses are the closest to "the truth," the fact that they need to make doctrinal changes proves that it's impossible to completely attain truth.
With that fact established (absolute truth's unattainability), do you think it would be reasonable for God to kill off people who have other parts of the puzzle correct, not the same ones as the Witnesses, but still, pieces of the truth? Is there some arbitrary percentage score that God will assign, and the Catholics might be like 46% correct, and the Witnesses 75%, and he will just find the religion with the highest score?
Nah--even if you buy into the idea that the Witnesses are very close to being correct, it's hard for me to believe that God would be so cruel and arbitrary.
But what if they're right............still the Truth?
by ScoobySnax 126 Replies latest social family
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under_believer
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ScoobySnax
Katie. No I was gay. So that was never right, but that wasn't their fault. I'm sure every help would have been offered to me, it was a very loving congregation, but it was much "easier" at the time to fade and vanish and pursue my own lifestyle choice. That doesn't however when I look back make their teachings "wrong" it just made it impossible for me to continue being an active Witness. There lies the dilemna. It has never dimmed my view of what the say though. Hope that makes sense!!
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ScoobySnax
Underbeliever....... But I think their is one true religion which will put me at odds here with most people. It's an uncomfortable fact that Jehovah/God whatever you want to call him, did always have a people. And yes I think He probably will look about and "ask" who are doing his will. Like back then, even today. And that's being honest with you.
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fullofdoubtnow
none of them seem to have the ring of truth that I remember from the Kingdom Hall.
I can't think of one major jw doctrine, or any minor ones for that matter, that has the "ring of truth" in it, but I am an atheist these days, so that could be the reason. As for why some ex jws, and ones who have been out much longer than me, are still at the "what if they're right" stage, you summed it up with these words:
You can call it indoctrination maybe
There's no maybe about it, that's exactly what it is. Years and years of having jw doctrine drummed into you leaves it's mark, and some are going to take longer than others to get over it.
I know they aren't right, but even if they were, the thought of spending eternity with those dullards has about as much appeal to me as having my teeth pulled without anaesthetic. If they're right, I'd rather be wrong than go anywhere near them again.
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Warlock
Any religion that bases their teachings on the Bible have at least SOME things right.
Warlock
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ScoobySnax
Unbeliever.......and I think Jesus made that point very clearly in Matthew somewhere.....
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stevenyc
Scoob,
if you ever think they may be correct on a 'jw' doctrine, just read the bible where they state their case. But, read the WHOLE context.
JDub's are a great 'proof-text' cult. They're a bad 'lets read the whole context and take it for what it says' cult.
steve
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blondie
I understood that you, Scoobysnax, are living a lifestyle opposed to what JWs believe in. If you believe the WTS is right, have you gone straight or at least are living a celibate life?
You prove you don't believe the WTS has the facts by the way you live your life. Am I mistaken as to how you are living your life?
Blondie
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ScoobySnax
There's that "cult" word again.
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ScoobySnax
Blondie.....you must spend hours making your posts about the latest Watchtower study "what you won't hear" yet you can make a statement so black and white as you just have above. It's really that simple is it "Blondie"? Sheesh.