You are welcome here; this is a community all its own so this is a good start for you. Keep reading here - you'll find plenty of mind opening stuff about the truth of "the Truth". As for searching for truth, don't limit yourself to what's in books; the truth of what you are is enough, so discover that. Why get lost in a bunch of ideas from dusty books?
Hello there from questioning newbie
by Uncertain 25 Replies latest jw experiences
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choosing life
Welcome Uncertain,
The things you list drew me to the jws also, along with no hellfire teaching. After time, though, I saw how they replaced the fear of hell with the fear of Armegeddon.
Most of us here have been down the same path, but there are as many different views here as there are posters, which is a good thing.
As you look for truth, don't ignore what is deep inside of you and the beauty of nature and life itself.
Sincerely, Choosing Life
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SnakesInTheTower
welcome uncertain...
I'm a study, maybe a perpetual one
When I was still a pioneer (I am still technically an active JW, but not very busy in their ministry or meetings these days), we called those like you PBS (Professional Bible Study)....and especially in the winter we loved it because it meant we had a definite place to go for 1-2 hours a week to keep warm and "count our time",....does that sound callous? does that sound loving? NO? The love will continue until shortly after your baptism...some here call it "love-bombing"....then you will be expected to "toe the line" regarding doctrine, etc....
no tithing lectures
hmmm..you must not be going to the Service Meeting yet....at least once a year they will cover the annual article in the Watchtower magazine (published usually in October/November the article comes out if I recall) regarding making financial contributions to the Society and how to go about it. And if the funds are running low locally or enough is not being contributed to the Worldwide Preaching Work (aka "Watchtower Slush Fund/Pedophile Payout Fund"), there will be a "local needs" talk at the Service Meeting (local needs talks are made up topics from the elders, sometimes at the urging of the circuit overseer or a letter from the Society)
racial indifference
hmmmm...not so much, depends on where you are. At one time, I served as an elder (I am white) with another elder (who is black) who was always going on about black folks being repressed by whites and even in the "Truth"...and believe me I heard him use the F word in elders meetings on more than one occasion regarding these arguements....he was reverse racist as far as I was concerned.....so the JWs are not immune to racism...and he is still an elder.
political neutrality
this can be a good thing I guess.....but dont try to go to your local alderman about a neighborhood problem if you are not at least registered to vote. In my town, if you go to your local alderman, first thing he does is hangs up and checks to see if you are registered. If not, I never hear back from him or get the problem resolved. You can be neutral without a religion telling you how to be neutral (or is that how neutral to be?)
And as I am more discerning in the book study, I am seeing more doctrine and less truth
good for you! Think with your brain not your heart or feelings. This is easier if you are not baptized yet....but I may have to post a separate thread on how I may end up being hypocritical on this myself....
if this truth isn't for me (and it may not be), then where do I go for the things I value?
the things you value are not dependent on anyone or anything else. your values are YOURS and yours alone. You may find out in the greater worldwide community people with similar sets of values, but they will never exactly mirror yours. What JWs try to do is make everyone a clone of themselves....same values, all think, act, dress, do the same things....and it is not working and has not worked for 128 years of their existance and will never work.
Please read Crisis of Conscience (I am reading this now) and In Search of Christian Freedom by Raymond Franz (a former JW Governing body member)....CoC is sometimes difficult to read because it quotes extensively from older WT literature, which has a very different style of writing than you may be used to in current WT publications. Whatever you do, dont let your study teacher see you read this if you are not ready to cut the cord to the JWs. As a baptized JW, you are not even supposed to be on this forum...we are the bad guys so they will tell you....see. we tell you to think for yourself.....Keep an open mind and keep posting here....
pull up a log, open a cold beer, and stay around the fire...the company is good and the conversation is lively.
SnakesInTheTower (of the "glad to have Uncertain here" Sheep Class)
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Carmel
Welcome Bea! As you can see many here are turned off on "organized" religion. Personally, I don't really hanker to "disorganized" religion as that would be an oxymoron. You are looking for community and a "spiritual" surroundings without the dogma and conflicting doctrins and rules, rules, rules. I don't think you will be all that content with the JWs who are all warm and fuzzy as long as you "go along". Don't try disagreeing or asking too many questions that shows you are an independent thinker. That will get you the "treatment" real quick. There are lots of great "communities" that are fulfilling and may even satisfy your relgious and spiritual needs. don't give up. carmel
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nvrgnbk
Hi, Uncertain!
You are most certainly welcome here! LOL!
Enjoy mental freedom.
Enjoy improved health.
Enjoy improved finances.
You get the idea.
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Bumble Bee
Welcome Uncertain!!
BB
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GoingGoingGone
Welcome to the board, Uncertian!
Nice to have you here!
GGG
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skeptic1914
Welcome Bea. Keep your eyes open and read the fine print.
Skeptic1914
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journey-on
Welcome aboard, Uncertain. Nice to have you. Enjoy your stay. Ask any question you need to ask, take in all the answers, digest them, then THINK for yourself.
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RollerDave
Uncertain,
Of COURSE you are welcome here!
We're a pretty friendly bunch, and don't demand anything from you but honesty.
Hey Snakes, toss me a beer?
Roller (of the 'misses Dawg' sheep class)