Hello all,
I've had in the past studied a little about the bible with JWs but have yet decided to be baptised.
I've just read Lavenders' moving letter to her son and her love and well being for him is very obvious. I do like the bible teachings very much and to this day I'm very interested in the end of the system of things which will very soon come to fruition; I'm a very strong believer, however I must stipulate to all, in retrospect I'm not sinless.
One of the posters says that JW's ask you to do a liitle bible study with them, attend one of their meetings and when you get baptised you have to do exactly what you are instructed or else. I'm asking you all what is this or else mean? Will you be given a difficult time?
The wintnesses I've spoken with didn't come across as unpleasant people; the magazines I've read always say that JWs love their fellow man and try to help others in difficult times.
The passage in the bible that says "an eye for an eye tooth for a tooth" as I would interpret it means an appropriate just punishement should be applied for a wrong doing. Does that mean if someone physically hits me I should hit back? If this is so, then why does Jesus say you must love your enemy and also if someone slaps your cheek turn the other cheek as well. Then doesn't this mean for example if a thief enters my house to rob and/or assault me I should let him do freely as he wishes (because Jesus said you must love your enemy) and I not raise my hand or stick against him to defend myself? Can you see how confusing this is. I don't know what to think; it's seems contadictory, can someone enlighten me please?
To become a witness requires a lot of deep thought and huge lifestyle changes but some things are very vague. I don't like the fact that as I have read in various posts a JW is shunned if he/she associates with non JWs; what is one to do; not speak or have anything to do with life long friends, just end the association? I don't think the bible states that anywhere; it does state to be wary and distance yourself from wrong doers (murderers, adulterers, people involved in disorderly conduct etc, etc).
From the many posts I've read about the unpleasant experiences ex JWs have been confronted with and some still do feel the ill effects, and although I like JWs very much I would go as far as calling them my friends, the worst thing I've read to date is the horrendous break up of happy families; children being dragged through ugly divorces because some in-laws follow the teachings to the extreme, if I may say something akin to military extreme and precision which they impose on their children. What I have discussed with JWs is that Jehovah created man with a precious gift called a free will to exercise, think and do what is appropriate for him and not to have someones will imposed on him.
Can someone out there who has travelled this road provide some advice regarding the above mentioned please.
Many thanks,
dontknow