Remember the book " Millions now living will never die" How old is that book?
As witnesses, we definitely were told that this world was short lived. I remember thinking in elementary school,that I probably would never make to middle school. When I was in Middle school, I thought I would never make it to high school. Same when I chose a trade and went through years of apprenticeship training. (I was a rebel and sought after a higher education). I now believe I may get old and die someday. That doesen't mean I want to get old and die. I want to live forever under perfect conditions. I want to feel no more pain. No more hatred. I want to pet the wild (now tame) animals in paradise. I don't want to feel tempted by satan anymore. I want to be in that beautiful paradise picture that is drawn out in so many Watchtower publications. It was hard to let go of what I believed to be a sure thing. I believe that is what the Watchtower uses to keep the membership numbers as high as they are (dangling the carrot) . It was hard to realize that some of the Watchtower teachings were not correct, and they may not have the "truth" as they claim.
Now, I know that some witnesses think of me as someone who has given up on Jehovah. That I will not see the beautiful paradise and be destroyed at armageddon. That is sometimes difficult for me to deal with because there is still that tiniest of doubt that always lingers. Beliefs instilled as young children are hard to break I guess.
I guess I should add a few things to the paradise want list: I want to eat all the junk food I want and always be in top shape. I don't want to have to work anymore. I would appreciate it if things just appeared when I wanted them. I would also appreciate it if I did not have to worry about the thousand year loosing of satan to once again temp us all, just in case some truly wicked people made it through armageddon into the paradise. I just don't want to have to worry about that.
As per John Doe's other thread, I used the word "dangling"
