I'm here on this forum because I have some doubts deep down inside about what I've been taught is really the 'truth.' I think that is obvious. The 12 points I listed are the things that make sense to me about what a religion that is pleases to God and based on the bible should believe.
Okay, good. An admittance to having doubts. This is the first step...and a good one. In addition to the 12 steps that are things that you feel point to the religion being true, you should also list the things about the religion that causes you to have doubts or things that you disagree with. Continuing to reflect on just the "good" doesn't face your doubts.
They (GB) don't really know anything more than we do about the nearness of the end. Yet at every convention the information provided stressess more and more how close we are. I forget exactly where, at the special day assembly, it was mentioned that a certain scripture Jehovah was, via the holy spirit, helping the GB to understand that it was applying to our time right now. It had to do with either getting ready for the end or building our faith up stronger. Something like that. Everyone seems to be talking about the nearness of the end more than any other topic.
Another good sign. Instead of accepting them at their word, test out that what they say. Of course, they don't want you to, they want you to just obey, but the Bible gives examples of people who did test out what was taught. Compare their track record in past predictions. Compare how they went about convincing people in the past to believe to how they try to convince people now to believe.
My defensive statements here are simply because this is what I have been taught. I've been told apostates resort to lies and half-truths, want to make decipiles of themselves, are bitter, want the org to change it's stance on matters (blood, disfellowshipping, etc) because it affects them directly not because of doctrinal soundness, that they are unhappy, that they are poison, etc. So obviously I have a strong sckeptisim to what is said here. I've also been told not to listen to what apostates say (obvisouly). However, how can one truly claim to have an open mind, to be reaonsable, and to seek truth, without looking at all sides of an issue?
Exactly...how can one have an open mind, if not willing to look at both sides of the issues. So you have to ask - why doesn't the leadership want me to look at both sides? Why are those who speak out against their teachings labeled so harshly? "Apostate" is a cult buzzword. They create a model of what an apostate is so when a JW meets resistance or opposition from former members they immediately fear that person as "apostate"...something evil and possessed. Apostates are not an organized group, seeking to bring down the WT. Most apostates are people who just tired of the lies and/or the unloving attitude of some and left. Some are bitter. Some are more militant. Some are not quite right in the head. But most are just ordinary people who have been hurt by this organization. As you read through these 14 pages...and other threads...see if you see the "apostates" that you were warned about. The fact that you posted here...and have continued to do so...shows that maybe you know that the WTS depictions of those who choose to leave may not be true.
All my family and friends are in the truth. I love them all dearly. If I stopped, I am certain they would not listen as they do not seem to have any doubts what so ever and are very much caught up in the 'we-are-so-close' mentality, save perhaps one. I'm very active right now and if I slowed down I know that would raise some red flags.
Many of us are in the same exact boat. I am. My family are all JWs. I have to tread lightly whenever I criticize the bOrg. I had to slowly fade away and become inactive. I never DAd or was DFd. My name is still on the books. But as far as I'm concerned, I no longer believe, will no longer have anything to do with that organization. It hurts my family and it has caused some issues but as time has gone by, it has become apparent that I'm not coming back, so they accept it and go on about their deluded lives. And I've learned that they have as much right to believe it as much as I do to not. It's just that I'm not afforded that right as far as they're concerned. You'll see that as time goes by if you start to take a stand.
I still feel the GB though is not being malicious. I think they are scincere. They have had all these concepts ingrained in them for so long now. I think they really believe they are trying to protect God's people. I think some people look to deeply for dirt on them (i.e. REGI. U.S. stock).
What if they are sincere? Maybe the pope is sincere. Maybe the Mormon president is sincere. I work with a born-again Baptist preacher...I know he is sincere; he's still wrong, but he's sincere. Just because they may be sincere doesn't mean that they are the leaders of the one true religion. If the evidence piles up against them it doesn't matter how sincere they are if they're still wrong. Why do owe them anything if they're wrong?
Here's where the indoctrination is apparent: you're putting too much emphasis on the GB. This group of men has put themselves on this pedestal, replacing Christ as your mediator. Jesus is the head of the Christian congregation, not the GB. You've seen it....the GB speaks and all the good little dubbies fall in line obeying and almost worshipping these men. But the scales are falling off your eyes and your starting to see.
Yet there are also many sincere people that are happy and like to help others. These seem to be the majority of the very active ones. These are the ones I enjoy being around and add happiness to my own life. So to leave this behind would be very difficult to do.
There are many sincere people in all religions. It can be said that most other religions do more to help others than JWs. Aside from their disaster relief work (which has some interesting scandals with it, I might add) what charities does the WT run to help people? The import of the WTS has been preaching, not helping the poor or distressed. And the preaching is a means to an end...to gain more converts who become peddlers of the publications and who donate to the coffers.
Yes...leaving is very difficult. It comes down to how bad do you want to be free of a false religious organization vs being around family and friends who don't see the man behind the curtain. In the end, it's your call, your decision. Some have seen the lies of the WTS and know that it's false but yet have gone back or stay in, just to make life easier. Maybe it works for some, but I know for me, that I can't let this organization run my life or coerce me to do its bidding.
I do wish you good luck (despite the WT's fear of that term). It won't be easy to be honest with yourself. You'll lose sleep....you'll doubt yourself or your research from one day to the next. It take time to come to grips with what you learn about this organization.
But if you're willing to come here to find answers...or at least be able to voice your doubts without being harrassed by those still zealous, you may be one who can't live within an organizational structure of lies and deceit.
