You are not crazy but you are looking around the country in which you happen to live to see if there is any organisation sent by God. It is because you are unsure about being unsure who God is. Many humans in the past have arrived at this problem and today is no different. Billions of people now on Earth will ask the same question and not have a JW anywhere near so they will get involved with others around them. Certain humans have had problems with all organised religion and Buddhism tried to become a non organised organisation if you catch my drift where it encouraged people to explore their own feelings and emotion toward creation and other humans around them. My feeling is along those lines but it leaves me isolated but I am prefering that to the alternative of being told how to feel and think until I meet similar souls to myself which may never happen and que sera to that- but hey I must be true to myself and not stress about doing that very thing - it is who I am and I will live or die by it! I even heard about Quakers meeting in which Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, Hindus etc all prefix their belief with Quaker as a humanitarian feeling they all hold for the peaceful collaboration of all believers - yet another freeing of minds and using ones own mind to build love and peace and compassion for all. IMO the one way philosophy creates too much conflict in the souls of individuals rather than embracing difference and creating an atmosphere of inclusion, understanding and compassion in which everyone can share and communicate with each other. That's my feeling for what it's worth!
PLEASE tell me I'm crazy!!!
by Elyse867 32 Replies latest jw friends
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hubert
I walked away feeling like a disappointment and feeling guilty. Convince me that this is NOT God's answer to my prayers, please?
As "Lover of Truth" said, Consider reading "Crisis of Conscience" by Ray Franz.
I say.....Get the book and read it. Once you do this, I can almost guararntee that you won't feel any more guilt about leaving the j.w. cult. I'm sorry, I can't call it a religion anymore.
So, seriousely, get the book, read it, and let us know how you feel after you read it. You want to lose the guilt feeling? Read the book. You are ripe for it.
Hubert
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mentalclearness
I used to be one of those JW's who always prayed for help and then I would open a Watchtower and Awake and find this article on the exact same thing I was needing help in. I always thought my prayer had been answered. Until I stopped going to meetings altogether, and one day while waiting for a friend, I picked up a magazine for parents. I found three articles dealing with the exact issues I needed help with at the moment. I hadn't been praying for help or anything. But I stumbled on this magazine. Why? Because I was alert and was looking. Your oledr sister friend coincidentally was there and because you were open to talk with her you did and felt your prayer had been answered. But you were looking for your answer with the power of suggestion strongly instilled in you that you would find it in Jw's and now you feel you might have....The mind is a powerful thing. Can play many games on you.
One other thing I wanted to mention is that it's o.k. to not know what happens when we die. I felt so strongly about having these answers to tell my children, but then someone just point blank asked me..How do you know what happens when someone dies? No one knows with certainty...And they were absolutely right. It's o.k. not to have all the answers. I would prefer no true certain answers, to ficticious almost mythical like ones that in the end are downright lies. Wouldn't you?
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R.Crusoe
Mental clearness you make an accurate point. It is true that people are drawn to groups that seem to have the best 'story' about who God is when the questions in individuals minds make them feel very insecure. Most people who feel there is a God feel an overwhelming responsibility to do what God wants. IMHO it is dangerous for you and your family if you follow any intense regulation as a result of such insecurities. The emphasis should be on gradual awareness and NOT haste! Some faiths teach you how to be worried and reliant and almost an emergency situation for you to get on board! This will be bad for your soul! When you are happy with decisions rather than worried, guilty or stressed - then God is with your human nature! It is why I am learning to hate parts of the Bible because it instills conflicts and disharmony in the soul rather than love. I remember that God is love and so too I try to be!
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compound complex
Dear Elyse,
All these fine answers have made me analyze what brought me "into the Truth."
It was new information combined with lots of emotion that jump started my youthful desire to serve God. But it's like that emergency situation that was mentioned, I believe by R. Crusoe. The mechanic says to get these repairs done NOW - your car will never make it home. I believed the mechanic because he cared about me and my safety! In addition, I took everything as a sign from God. I continue to believe in God, but I am not so inclined to believe, sparked by Gopher's comments, that every single daily occurrence is divinely controlled.
All the best in your course of self-discovery,
CoCo
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momzcrazy
OK, you're crazy.
I did the exact same thing you did. I prayed and prayed. I told my hubby,"I don't know what to do, I'm praying and I'm not getting an answer!". He said to keep praying, you'll know. And I did. I had reached the day, after months of praying, when I said please today. My sister called a half hour later. She was leaving too. I had no idea she had been thinking of it. So I said,"Why? I want to see if it is for the same reasons I am." I had decided and have not regretted it or felt guilty. I think that is the key. Guilt comes from JWland. Peace and happiness come from God.
The Gospel of John really helped me to see how Jesus meant things to be. If you still read the Bible, try reading it, NOT in the NWT. When you know it will be peaceful and refreshing.
momzcrazy
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shopaholic
Take the time to clear your mind of preconceived religious ideas, and once you've done that you can start fresh.
I agree. When you're leaving the JW org, you can become consumed in doubt as to if you made the right decision. Also, because what we've taught is so deeply rooted within us we quickly see other teachings as false and begin to wonder if the JWs had it right all along. Time away from anything religious is a good approach to clearing your mind so that you can process ideas logically and objectively.
BTW, you probably are crazy...we all are
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LuckyNun
I think the "it's not too late" speech is a last-ditch effort because they know if you leave they're obligated to shun you. You can genuinely care for people and still not believe in their religion any more.
After I walked away from the constraints and pressures of the religion, I felt like the weight of the world had been lifted from my shoulders, and I lost about 100 people who had known me all my life, but I gained all that and more in friends and acquaintances who accept me for who I am and who would never treat me as if I was a walking dead person.
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AGuest
May you have peace!
You state:
I've been praying a lot (I still believe in God) asking him to direct me somewhere, just give me something to believe in.
Please know that there is neither a "where" to go away to... or a "thing" to believe in. There is only One, the Son of God, Christ, JAHESHUA ("Jah Saves/Salvation of Jah") MISCHAJAH ("chosen/anointed of Jah"). John 6:68
God's name... is Jah (Psalm 68:4). He sent His Son for us to put our faith in. He said for us to listen... to HIM. HE, Christ, is our leader and mediator. There is no one else... there is nothing else.
That is why Christ said, "Come... to ME... all you who are toiling and loaded down," and "Come... to ME... all you who are thirsting." And "If anyone is thirsting, let him come... to ME... and drink."
I want to refer you to the words of our Lord at John 5:39, 40, if I may:
"You are searching the scriptures, because you THINK that by means of THEM you will have everlasting life; and these are the very ones that bear witness about ME. And yet, you do not want to come to ME that you might have LIFE.
If you still believe in God, then, please EXERCISE that faith... and ask God to send you His Truth (John 14:6)... not earthling man's: the Holy One of Israel... His Son and Christ, JAHESHUA MISCHAJAH. For THAT One is the ONLY One who can set you TRULY free. John 8:32; John 14:6; John 8:36
And if you ask IN FAITH... you will certainly receive what you ask for. (Luke 11:13)
May the undeserved kindness and mercy of the Most Holy One of Israel, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, whose name is JAH... of Armies (VEH)... and the peace of His Son and Christ, my Lord, JAHESHUA MISCHAJAH, be upon you, to grant you His holy spirit... if you so wish it.
I am your servant, as I am servant to ALL those of the Household of God, Israel, and those who go with... and a slave of Christ,
Shelby
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Warlock
You prayed and you got your answer.
Warlock