New Believers, Studying. (page 4)

cupcake ... I started studying when I was 19, I got baptized a year and a half later, everything goes along fine as long as you believe it is the one and only truth, the study process gradually gets you to the point of accepting it all and living with the things that seem off because you grow to accept that it is God's Organization and whatever they say must be right.

Twenty-four years later, after much prayer and bible study, I could not see it as the truth anymore, I was an elder, I was active in the ministry, now I sit through the meetings and hear all of the things that are wrong, the worship of an organization, the works based salvation, the minimizing of Jesus, things that for over twenty years I did not see ... now it is painfully obvious ... now I face the reality of losing my adult children to a religion that I had them indoctrinated into since birth hoping that I can somehow wake them up, and reach my minor children while I hopefully still can.

Just do research. Most Jehovah's Witnesses are good people, look past that, there are many good people in the world, understand what love bombing is.

Research cult tactics.

Would God lead you to be a Mormon, a Branch Dividian, a Moonie, a Christian Scientist ... etc? There are many who feel God has led them to that.

Check www.jwfacts.com www.freeminds.org check out these short videos, they are accurate http://www.watchtowercomments.com/

Ask questions. I wish you well.

cupcakekourtney88

Thanks. going to go for tonight.. it is late.

be back tomorrow or sometime

Ding

Hi Kourtney,

If you want to keep studying with the Witnesses, please also read Ray Franz's book Crisis of Conscience.

Ray was on the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses and nephew of the then president, Fred Franz.

He gives you the inside story of how the organization is run and documents things about its history that you should know before you decide whether or not to become a Jehovah's Witness.

This book should be available through your local library system. If not, you can order it inexpensively in paperback form through www.freeminds.org.

Don't be surprised if Jehovah's Witnesses try to discourage you from reading that book.

Look at it this way; if a salesman told you not to read a book about his product, wouldn't that be a big red flag to you?

Investigate thoroughly before you commit your life to the Watchtower organization, because once you make the decision to get baptized (if you do) you will no longer be free to read such literature or question the teachings of the Governing Body without being disfellowshipped and shunned by all active Jehovah's Witnesses.

scary21

Truth can never change...truth should stand on it's own.....truth has nothing to fear......Is Jesus your mediator? JW will tell you NO ...not for the earthly class........Guess who IS your mediator ? They will not come out and say it.......but.......You must follow the faithful slave....They have replaced Jesus......thats scary! When you read the Watchtower.......who do they write about the most....Jesus or the slave...same with the new song book.....same with their prayers.....thank you thank you thank you for the slave....with a token ( in Jesus name amen ) Just read and listen with a open mind.... You will learn soooooo much here....keep researching..JW facts is a great site very balanced...glad you stopped by! Hope you stay awhile!!!!!

Sherry

poppers

Ever since I told my sis I am doing a bible study she coming around more and talking to me more... But she wont talk to my brothers bc they dont study..

That alone should speak volumes to you.

I really dont know how far I am going to go into the JWs... but I guess how ever far God wants me too..

Study on your terms, and don't let them tell you what material you can or can't use.

I still visit other churches and what not, but my sister tells me I am not aloud to.. she is not baptize yet.. but she been studying for 2 years now.

That should set off warning bells, too. Don't set yourself up to be accepted into an organization that practices and teaches conditional love. Stray from their version of things and you'll get treated like yesterday's garbage. If you want to live a life where every decision is made for you, where you aren't allowed to think for yourself then the JWs are perfect for you. But if you value actually thinking for yourself then stay away. Do yourself a favor and listen to the many people on this board who advise you to investigate carefully, and read their suggestions, starting with Ray Franz's books and jwfacts.com .

TheListener

Welcome Cupcake

A great online source for biblical information grouped by subject matter or scripture topic is Truthforlife.org . They've got tons of free biblical sermons and all sorts of subjects. Really informational and easy to listen to.

I also very highly recommend two books "In The Grip of Grace" by Max Lucado and "Breaking the Bonds of Legalism" by Neil T. Anderson, Rich Miller, Paul Travis.

It's very unfortunate that even your own sister would make her association with you and your brothers conditional on studying. I'm sorry to hear that. I truly don't believe that it how Jesus would have behaved and would not approve of his followers doing so either.

I wish you the best.

Broken Promises

Why hasn't your sister been baptised yet?

If it's really the truth, why hasn't she dedicated her life to the JW religion? I smell some self-righteousness and hypocrisy here (in your sister).

Please listen to what everyone has said in this thread. I was born into the JWs and I didn't leave until I was 30. They claim that they were chosen by Christ in 1919 to be God's only organisation that he speaks through. Ask for Biblical proof for EVERY claim they make. Don't just accept things because they say so.

flipper

CUPCAKE COURTNEY- Welcome to the board ! Nice to have you here. I understand how confusing it can be when you are trying to decide what's right for you. You mentioned your sister mentioned something different to you about who survives God's destruction or not. Try to understand Witnesses will tell you one thing to lure you into the organization with positive promises - but once you are in the Witnesses and join - it becomes more strict and demanding of you and your time.

Many times I found when I was a Witness they would say one thing in the publications , but would really practice something different. And there are 2 versions of the Watchtower . One for people in the field service with positive paradise vibes. But another more strict demanding Watchtower that Witnesses study at their meetings requires more strict obedience and has controlling information which will dominate your life and you will be expected to live up to WT society standards and expectations if you join the Witnesses. It's something to consider - seriously. You may end up surprised just HOW controlled you are once you join. Then it's too late. They'll expect you to stay. So my advice- don't join in the first place

Aussie Oz

Welcome kourtney

in answer to one of your earlier questions about this site:

It was originaly started by an active JW who wanted to start a forum for discussion. within a short time he came to realize that not everything added up with the watchtower society. Over time it became a site focused more on those who had been negitively effected by the Jehovah's Witnesses.

Some like yourself come to the forum and begin posting without spending time to see what discussions go on.

FORTUNATLEY for you, you have done this and i really hope you actually spend time paying attention to things you can learn here.

All is not well with the JWs, infact, very little is well at all.

You will learn nothing but JW doctrine in your study. See what happens if you ask to just use the bible alone and no 'book'...Finding pre written answers to leading questions is only learning to parrot back the answers they want you to have.

QUESTION EVERYTHING.

oz

New Believers, Studying.

charlie brown jr.

wannabefree