I did it for two hours last night....

by AK - Jeff 36 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

• 

  OnTheWayOut

  JamesFree:

  That is sooo funny. Yeah, find a Church that makes you feel good and leaves out the doctrine...

  At first glance this may sound either spiritually or intellectually weak or dishonest. As a real JW I would have been first in line to cast the first figurative stone at Jeff. But consider this:

  We are social beings.

  There are churches that are like support groups for those that believe in Christ.
  They would focus on the message of peace and love and forgiveness, instead of whether
  Lazarus was in Hell or whether people from Sodom could receive a resurrection. They would
  preach Christian morality instead of doctrine.

  As a former JW, I tend to understand how we decide to prove the doctrine or disprove the doctrine
  and search for the absolute truth. I tend to agree with JamesFree. But we have to understand
  why others do things differently.

  I see nothing wrong with a "feel-good" church that encourages the members to seek spirituality
  by any methods that THEY see best. They don't discourage research or sharing the message, they
  just aren't about that.

  In "Alcoholics Anonymous" there are people from all walks of life with a common problem.
  In a book club, there are people with differing lifestyles that want to find a commonality.
  In a social church or "feel-good" church of Christianity, they have a commonality and just want to
  find like-minded people. Like-minded is okay, just not an insistence that everyone agree in unity
  with the leaders.

  Personally, I would never join another religion (according to my current mindset, subject to change)
  but I would have no problem visiting one.
• 

  AK - Jeff

  Absolutely agree, OTWO.

  I am not seeking 'truth', whateverthehell that is. I am not seeking to feel good either. I am not looking for someone to twist the scriptures around and tell me I have to agree with them to gain salvation.

  I am seeking to find others who share spirituality. I am seeking to replace, at least partially, the community that I lost when leaving Jw's. I am not, as some posters seem to think, "Advertising Christianity" in this thread. I do continue to think of myself as a Christian, so it would seem sensible to fellowship with others of same inclination at times. I doubt I will ever join a church again.

  I suppose, that a liberal minded group is what I seek. I want very little doctrine shoved at me, but understand that doctrine is part of it. I know the Bible, though I have begun to develop greater doubts about it's authenticity lately. In short I am still finding my spiritual self. Also, I suspect that more liberal churches would have far more tolerance and far less judgementalism associated with them. I have come to embrace people of all sorts now. I have friends who are atheists, gay, pagans, Jews and Christians. And a lot of friends here on JWD who could not actually label themselves as any of the above. I have no intention of putting God back in a box.

  My reasons for posting portions of my personal journey in matters like this, is that as a former cult member, re-integration into a religious setting is not the easiest thing to do. I honestly at times don't even know if I want to do it. JWD is a big part of my community, therefore I share many things of mundane as well as deep importance in my life with this board.

  I am surprised that my simple observations have sparked such wide range of emotions and viewpoints. But then that is what I love about this place.

  Jeff
• 

  HappyDad

  I understand Jeff,

  For the past nine months, I have been gung ho over the Assembly of God Church I started attending at the urging of friends who attend there.

  I enjoyed it for a long time but it started to remid me too much of the cult I escaped. They REALLY pushed the small group thing and acted hurt if I had other things in my life apart from the church activities. I was fresh and willing meat so to speak.

  Then there were two women there who I consider to actually be influenced by "unclean spirits" so to say!

  One practically howls and screams in tongues at any given service and is a "negative attention" whore. Then if nobody interprets.......she does that too! Go figure! She does nothing else to benefit the church. And the pastor......who I respect and will continue to respect says nothing. Maybe here "tithes" mean too much to chastise her for her actions.

  Then there is the other woman......the howlers cohort. She goes into crying histerics and believe me........I don't know how she bends so far backwards without falling on her a$$. Then she is in a catatonic state for the rest of the service.

  So last month I said......GOODBYE ASSEMBLY OF GOD........ and returned to the church I first started going to........The First Evangelical Free Church in McKeesport, PA. It is a great church with a lot of good people and they are all happy to see me return.

  No more Pentecostal or Charismatic BS for me!

  HappyDad
• 

  HappyDad

  I understand Jeff,

  For the past nine months, I have been gung ho over the Assembly of God Church I started attending at the urging of friends who attend there.

  I enjoyed it for a long time but it started to remid me too much of the cult I escaped. They REALLY pushed the small group thing and acted hurt if I had other things in my life apart from the church activities. I was fresh and willing meat so to speak.

  Then there were two women there who I consider to actually be influenced by "unclean spirits" so to say!

  One practically howls and screams in tongues at any given service and is a "negative attention" whore. Then if nobody interprets.......she does that too! Go figure! She does nothing else to benefit the church. And the pastor......who I respect and will continue to respect says nothing. Maybe here "tithes" mean too much to chastise her for her actions.

  Then there is the other woman......the howlers cohort. She goes into crying histerics and believe me........I don't know how she bends so far backwards without falling on her a$$. Then she is in a catatonic state for the rest of the service.

  So last month I said......GOODBYE ASSEMBLY OF GOD........ and returned to the church I first started going to........The First Evangelical Free Church in McKeesport, PA. It is a great church with a lot of good people and they are all happy to see me return.

  No more Pentecostal or Charismatic BS for me!

  HappyDad
• 

  ESTEE

  I was hoping for some pictures of an incredible two hours.

  Oh, sorry, I thought you were talkin' 'bout somethin' else.

  ESTEE
• 

  Prometheus2

  I hope nobody minds my jumping in here. Let me just say a brief hello: "Hello."

  At first when I left the WTBTS in 1996 I was reluctant to go to any religious service. My mind was doing some pretty crazy things during my initial withdrawal from the JWs. No friends. No family. I'm sure most of you have been there.

  Well, in time I tried the recapture the spiritual experience. Went to a variety of churches (god lite; nothing fundamentalist) and other religious services (Buddhist). Nothing. Zilch.

  About a month ago I got an invitation from a woman (lesbian) to go to this new church -- she said it would be like nothing I had experienced before. It was billed as "open to everyone." The service was held in a lesbian bar. The main minister was a very large butch lesbian. There were gay couples (male and female). Some transsexuals (they were obviously in transition). Did I say most of the church was black and gay ... and it seemed most had a Pentecostal background.

  There was singing and clapping and dancing and crying because it was so emotional and Jesus was so good to 'em -- 'cause everybody else had turned their back on them ... they had like a Motown Revue on the stage ... and more crying and singing. And boy, did they love Jesus.

  The singing, clapping and dancing was great fun -- but I just can't buy into the whole cathartic "I just think Jesus gave me an enema! hysteria. And yes, I'm glad these marginalized people have a spiritual nexus to somewhere. And the people were all very nice ... Guess I'm just a-religious these days.

  Prometheus2
• 

  exwitless

  I just can't buy into the whole cathartic "I just think Jesus gave me an enema! hysteria.

  That's hilarious! And welcome to JWD, Prometheus2!

  Jeff. It sounds like you're keeping a level head about your spiritual searching. Just a thought-have you ever considered visting a service of a non-christian religion? Such as Buddism, Judaeism, etc. I'm not suggesting you drop your christian leanings, but maybe a completely different perspective would help round out your search for spiritual well-being.
• 

  James Free

  "I am seeking to replace, at least partially, the community that I lost when leaving Jw's."
  
  Now this I can totally understand. The WT gets you to dump all friendships with those on the outside when you are in, and then they dump you when you leave, and even get one's family to do the same.
  
  But you don't need to go to another church for association, and you don't need to go out of the frying pan into the fire. Ultimately, all religions will let you down at some point. Try to widen out, try to develop friendships with people who will like you for what you are, not what club or church you belong to. Easy to say, I know, and I have certainly had my lonely times. But, to borrow a biblical metaphor, build your friendships on rock, not the quicksand of religion. I am not saying don't build friendships with active church-goers either - but be their friend for wider reasons.
• 

  LittleToe

  I don't think I would be staying around that church, either. To me, if their doctrine doesn't add up to at least something akin to my own persuasions, then I'm just inviting a continual internal battle that I don't need. I like being challenged, but we all need somewhere to call "home".

  Groups of any description will always let you down at some point, even the most secular. If you cease to share a common interest you will all start to part company. All very human really. The distinction I would make over the JWs and some fundamentalist groups is that they will actively shun you when you leave.

  Meanwhile there's no harm to keep searching for a group that meets your personal needs. You aren't seeking ultimate "truth", just a few like-minded souls...
• 

  truthsearcher

  And yet, if the Bible is true, it seems to indicate that we should care about correct doctrine. The Witnesses would have less converts from Christianity if those Christians knew their Bibles better.