Hi Flipper! You express very nicely how I feel. My brother and his wife think that any time I question anything the jws say that I am attacking their beliefs. They feel what jws say is always right and everything else is always wrong. He felt that my talking to him about my doubts or information I discovered on the internet ( especially from this forum) or asking any questions is a threat to his faith. He said I am "satan's mouthpiece" and he does not want to hear from me again. Yes, this is how witnesses are conditioned to think. I used to feel that way too a long time ago. But I saw so much wrongdoing over the years, and felt unsatisfied with the wts explanation of certain scriptures and other things and, well, it all eventually led to my being more open minded and willing to listen to what others say.
I am not trying to destroy anyone's faith. No one should base their faith on what I say. But on this forum we do get to share our experiences, doubts and questions with others and some people do listen. I know many here experienced things that I went through as a witness too.
And Haddit- I agree with your comments too. ( I don't know how to quote from peoples posts here). As a witness you do feel 100% sure you have everything worked out. You have the wonderful paradise earth to look forward to, and all your health problems will be removed and you know you will have a wonderful eternal life there and get to see your dead loved ones there again and have your friends there with you. It is a certainty and you base your life on that. Then you discover it is not true and your future hope is gone and you have nothing and find out you knew nothing.
I was not a born in like many of you were. I was born and raised Jewish. I chose to become a witness. I believed in it 100%. My family disowned me pretty much. Years and years went by. Then I discover: I was lied to. I'm not going to have that wonderful future. Now everything looks bleak. I don't know what to believe, indeed, I no longer believe much. I am done with religion.
But I'm not trying to attack anyone or their beliefs with anything I post. I am too new to be that familiar with BrotherDan, but I hope he was not offended by anything I wrote. I'm just trying to find answers. I enjoy reading most of what is posted on this forum and everyone is entitled to their own views, ideas and beliefs.