Questions for the forum...I need some help understanding

truckerich

I was just wondering just because the WTS have made a mess of things and have done things that are questionable. Is Jehovah still the name of God? Does he exist? Did Jesus really come to Earth and die for us? Should I stopped believeing some of the things that I have read in the Bible. The scriptures...not just in the NWT Bible, but in the other bible. I am really having a difficult time. These are just some questions that I have been pondering for quite some time. I think this is happening because the other day my seven year old son came up to me and asked why don't we go to church. How could I tell him that his mommy spent the first 26 years of her life in an organization that has left a bad taste in her mouth. I would love to go to church and pray to God, but after what I have been through that seems rather impossible for me.

I know you all don't know much about me because I haven't posted much about myself, just a comment here and there, but believe me I do keep up with the discussions on this forum and all that I have read has really opened up my eyes to the "mess" the WTS has been with the UN-Incident and not to mention the what the Silent Lambs org. have told up about the cover-up which I believe totally happened and is happening with the cover up child molesters which I have seen for myself. That very thing happened in my old Congregation and no one did a damn thing about. They blamed the girl because she was young and wordly, a foster child who was said to have taken advantage of the brother's situation-his wife was dying. So much more...I could go on and on.

I guess my question is What part of the Bible should I believe? I am a fairly intelligent and smart woman, but a part of me still misses having God in my life and when my son, who has really never been in a Kingdom Hall with the exception of a few meetings and a memorial or two, came to me and ask about Church and made me a Iittle keepsake with beads that spelled out "I Love God" that really blew me over. It was like where do we go from here? Is Jehovah trying to reach me through my son?

I hope everyone understand my ramblings.....thank you for taking the time to read it.

IP_SEC

Is Jehovah still the name of God? Does he exist? Did Jesus really come to Earth and die for us? Should I stopped believeing some of the things that I have read in the Bible. The scriptures...not just in the NWT Bible, but in the other bible. I am really having a difficult time. These are just some questions that I have been pondering for quite some time.

Well... you know, I had a buncha these same questons. I could tell you what I believe now but thats not gonna help you. The best thing is that you feel like you can ask these questions. Thats great. You will in time figure out the answers for yourself. Life is an adventure of discovery. Welcome to it.

codeblue

I second what IP said

3 years ago I had the exact questions you just asked. For 35 years I was told by someone else how to view things. It is now your time to do your research and see where YOU feel comfortable.

The fear of being destroyed use to be great in my mind. I feel at peace with being the best person I can be and show kindness to others. I don't have the fear of what "could be". What will be will be. And as a parent, I wouldn't abuse or destroy my kids when they make mistakes...why would God?

Alpheta

Hi truckerich,

I believe that we all have spiritual needs, whether we acknowlege them or not. And that need has a way of expressing itself in us if we are sensitive to it.

I don't know how old your son is. If he is in school, perhaps he has picked up on certain things he's heard from classmates, or perhaps he even has some memories of singing and prayer from the few KH meetings you took him too when he was younger, and that is resonating somehow. That he is expressing an interest in "church" is, I think, a really positive and good thing.

I would not recommend going back to the KH, I don't think the Watchtower can supply us with what we truly need to operate in our day to day lives. If you want to give your son a sense of religious "structure" other than opening up the bible with him and just reading it, perhaps a unitarian or universalist church would suit you. Perhaps you can take a "tour" of different churches in your area during the holiday season that will soon be upon us, and see which one (if any) in which you and your son feel comfortable.

As for the bible - wow. Some people feel it's the word of God, no questions asked; some people feel it's a conglomeration of Hebrew history; some people feel it's a blend of both; and well, I guess there are a thousand variations of what people think about the bible. Personally I think, it's designed so that you can take out of it what you need and disregard what you think is baloney. Personally, I never did pay any attention to Paul's sourpuss garbage.

Alpheta

jgnat

Others have said it. This is YOUR time to rebuild your spiritual life. You may have to do it without the aid of ANY organized religion for a while. So that you can truthfully say that NO MAN spoon-fed you your faith. I'm going to give you a reading list to help broaden your horizons a bit. These books are NOT instructional, but stories. They are NOT OVERTLY religious in nature.

The Red Tent by Anita Diamant

Rain of Gold by Víctor E. Villaseñor

Education of a Wandering Man by Louis L'Amour

If you take up my suggestion, and read them, please come back and tell me if it worked.

EDITED BECAUSE I FORGOT ONE:

The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (Today Show Book Club #8) by Alexander McCall Smith

While you are at it, read all ot Alexander McCall Smith's books.

mouthy

Hi welcome !!!interesting post. I think everyone on the board will answer how THEY feel NOW!! remember in the WT we couldnt think independantly. My answer to you is Your son in MY opinion is right WHY? dont he go to church.????... The Bible tells us it is not WHERE will we go but to WHOM we will go. The scriptures tell us JESUS is that way, truth,,life. God says listen to my son. Why not ask your son if he would like to go to a Church ---but I would recommend NOT the Kingdom Hall it is a cult ,,,,, Then if he says yes , why not visit a few. I had a couple of ex JWs visit our group http://exwitnessgrace.homestead.com/free.html They had two kids. One was about four the other seven ...The went to the sunday school while we were upstairs. Imagine the laughter that arose after the service when the kids rushed in the church shouting "OH MUM It was so good, much better than the Kingdom Hall!!!! We coloured & made pictures, & it was real fun."
The event of that much questions by the Parishoners were asked. And were told by the parents what goes on at the hall .... I also made $50.00 bucks LOL because I was asked to give my testimony to them another week.... Out of the mouths of Babies...So I would suggest you try a few main stream churches NO CULTS... If Jesus isnt driving the bus Dont get on their bus

JamesThomas

Truck:

I guess my question is What part of the Bible should I believe? I am a fairly intelligent and smart woman, but a part of me still misses having God in my life

Why believe anything about God? Beliefs are only ideas and concepts. Is a belief about a tree, a real tree?

Perhaps God is not so tiny and insubstantial as to be "missing" from your life. This tiny idea of a god is often a remnant of ancient tribal and biblical thinking. Let go of it, and be present in this moment of existence. Embrace the actual vibrancy and reality of life and see what godliness you can find here. Perhaps God is not so diminutive as to be absent, and rather it is your temporary inability to see.

j

Amazing

Truckerich,

The name "Jehovah" is not God's name. We really don't know his exact name, and creating an speculative name in English does not help the matter. Jews today suggest that the name of God might be "Yahweh" but they are not certain. However, Jehovah's Witnesses fail to understand a simple passage in the New testament which says with reference to Jesus Christ that not another name under heaven has been given, except Jesus, by which we must get saved. They are false prophets, false teachers, and have permitted or even committed crimes within their organization (e.g. the child abuse issue, etc.). Years ago I finally chose not to spend another minute trying to justify anything about the JWs or their beliefs. Instead, just look to Jesus Christ, follow the lead of the Holy Spirit, and God will find a good place for us.

Jim Whitney

jaguarbass

I was just wondering just because the WTS have made a mess of things and have done things that are questionable. Is Jehovah still the name of God? Does he exist? Did Jesus really come to Earth and die for us? Should I stopped believeing some of the things that I have read in the Bible. The scriptures...not just in the NWT Bible, but in the other bible. I am really having a difficult time.

If you come here or go any place else and ask these questions and expect another human being to answer them for you, then you are repeating a foolish behavior and setting yourself up for another heart ache. The questions you ask are valid questions. This is the new millenium, the information age. Google some of these questions study and read the pros and cons. I dont believe there is a qucik fix to the reality your dealing with. As one human to another after experiencing the jw cult learn to think for yourself. You are the only one who has your interest at heart. To everyone else your just something or someone to use, to work their angle.

Good luck

jgnat

I wouldn't say this is true for everyone, jaguarbass:

To everyone else your just something or someone to use, to work their angle.

There are definitely players out there, but sincere folk too. But even sincere folk don't know you as well as you know yourself. I would modify your statement to say, "Don't put your faith in anyone else's hands again. YOU have your best interests at heart."

Questions for the forum...I need some help understanding

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