Something always bothered me growing up as a witness. We were always taught that people in the "world" couldn't possibly be happy because they didn't have the "truth." This ALWAYS bothered me. How can you judge whether or not someone is happy. But, being the good little witness I was, I let myself believe that. I would try to convince myself that no matter how happy "worldly" people seemed, it just couldn't be so. Now, my eyes are finally opening. I have not been so happy as I am when I am with people who aren't witnesses. They have great morals, contrary to what the society would have you believe. They believe in spending time with family and helping people. Not to say that there aren't a few bad apples in every barrel, but it's not nearly the way we have been taught that it is. Furthermore, happiness is a state of mind. Different things make people happy. Some people are happiest when they throw themselves into their families or traveling or career, etc. So how dare the WTS say that only witnesses are truly happy. As a child, I made myself mentally and physically sick praying for forgiveness for my inherited sins. You always hear that we offend Jehovah everyday, even when we don't know it. This makes me think "Give it up, no matter what you do, God's always pissed off at you." What kind of teaching is that?!
Happiness
by heybaby 22 Replies latest jw experiences
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sacolton
You mean the superficial conditional friends at the KH wasn't enough?
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Blasty
Your right, I use to feel bad for people of other denominations, and religions, figuring they were doomed.
Then when I began to think for myself, and I met these people, and got to know them, I realized that they are all just fine. For instance, my wife's grandmother was a baptist. She was about as devout a baptist as you could be. Yet she was so kind to me, and understanding of my beliefs. She never tried to sway me, she was happy that I believed in God. And she was faithful to her beliefs right till the very end.
How can we believe that these type of people are doomed? JW's would have you believe that God doesn't want people like this, that people of these beliefs aren't good enough for him. Even though they spent their entire lives in dedication to him.
Now some of the people on this board may not like what I'm about to say, but my belief in this is a two way street. If people believe in being a JW with all their heart, then so be it. As long as they feel they are close enough to God, then more power to them. it's when you feel like your not close enough, that you need to fix yourself.
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compound complex
Welcome, Heybaby!
Good points - I agree. That exclusionist mentality never appealed nor seemed right to me.
I'm happy now and hope you are too.
CoCo
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sacolton
I feel it's more than that, Blasty. Don't get me wrong. I respect what you're saying, but these innocent JW people are being misled by a mind-controlling cult that destroys families. The organization doesn't teach Bible truth - it sprews it's own theocratic agenda for one purpse: control. Can a Catholic and a Baptist hang out together? Absolutely. How about a Jew and a Methodist? Sure. Jehovah's Witnesses don't have that luxury to mix company with anyone except their own. They teach the "worldly" and "apostate" are bad associations. What proof? Oh, they'll give you generalizations of how those who aren't Jehovah's Witnesses are evil. Where is the Christian attitude that Jesus taught? "Love your enemies" and "Love your neighbor"? The WTBTS has already made itself Judge and Jury over anyone not a Jehovah's Witnesses.
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Mr. Majestic
What used to annoy me is if you pointed out that people in the world were happy, genuinely happy, then you would always be told that their happiness is relative and temporary. Only JW’s have a deep contented happiness………
Was there a special meeting that I missed out on or something, because I was miserable……..!!!
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Blasty
Oh yeah sacolton, I totally agree with you. I think the only thing I'm trying to say is, I hope that when people die, they feel secure in their position. Whatever it may be. I mean, i could give a laundry list of problems I find in every religous group. But the only thing I hope for every person in their is that they feel they are as close to God as they could possibly be.
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heybaby
Ok, so I have only put 2 posts on here, since I'm so new. You may want to read them first to get a little background on me. :) Anyway, let me say that I am feeling so enlightened and refreshed. I feel like there are people who understand me (the ones in this forum). Let me say, I have always wanted to celebrate birthdays and Christmas. I think it's absurd that because 2 birthdays mentioned in the Bible turned out badly, that this means we're not supposed to celebrate them. The fact that the birthdays were mentioned may have been just so the reader can get a clearer picture of the scene being described, not to say that birthdays are bad. Sorry....getting off track. At any rate, I want to celebrate holidays. Damn if it's "Wrong", I want to do it! Do any Ex-JWs celebrate holidays?
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jamiebowers
Ok, so I have only put 2 posts on here, since I'm so new. You may want to read them first to get a little background on me. :) Anyway, let me say that I am feeling so enlightened and refreshed. I feel like there are people who understand me (the ones in this forum). Let me say, I have always wanted to celebrate birthdays and Christmas. I think it's absurd that because 2 birthdays mentioned in the Bible turned out badly, that this means we're not supposed to celebrate them. The fact that the birthdays were mentioned may have been just so the reader can get a clearer picture of the scene being described, not to say that birthdays are bad. Sorry....getting off track. At any rate, I want to celebrate holidays. Damn if it's "Wrong", I want to do it! Do any Ex-JWs celebrate holidays? The longer you are out, the more you will see that every rule made by the WTB&TS is to gain control of a volunteer workforce and a customer base for the drivel they print. It all comes down to dollars and cents, my dear. And, yes, I am one of many exjws who celebrate birthdays and holidays in a BIG way. It takes a little money and a lot of time, but hey, what are you going to do with your resources if you're not running to the meetings and chasing your tail out in field service? Welcome to JWD. Enjoy the ride!
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Gopher
Welcome to the forum, Heybaby. I've enjoyed reading your posts, and you've sure come to the right place.
Do any Ex-JWs celebrate holidays?
Being an ex-JW is all about freedom of choice. Some choose to celebrate, others don't. I'd say that those with friends and family who celebrate are more likely to join in.
I grew up as a JW, and so have no emotional connection to any of the usual holidays. But to me holidays are about getting together with family or friends and just chilling out. It took a little while to get used to birthdays and holidays, but now they're second nature to me.