Hello. I'm an atheist, and I'd like to take some time to talk about why I hold a great deal of respect for the Jehovah's witnesses, and some words of encouragement that may put an end to the ridicule and disrespect you seem to get from, well, all sorts of people.
I never gave this kind of criticism a second thought: I knew nothing about you, and I figured you were just another fringe group of christianity. I now feel terrible about this, and I wish to apologize for my (admittedly never spoken) disrespect. While I do feel that many of the Watchtower's stances on various issues (such as the scientific theory of evolution) are problematic, I can honestly say that I'm not bothered too much.
Because the Witnesses are the only branch of Christianity that has the courage to denounce what I feel is the single most evil idea ever contrived by anyone: The Hell of Eternal Fire And Brimstone.
Oh, not every christian in other denominations believes in hell, but this is always a personal opinion, and not the official church doctrine. Not so with you guys. You don't feel the need to skirt around the issue, or be evasive and vague, oh no, not at all. When I told a Jehovah's Witness who came to my house that I left christianity because I feel that hell is evil and sadistic, he flat out agreed with me.
Thus I find myself deeply disturbed when I hear of people leaving the Jehovah's Witnesses and joining another Christian religion. How can they sleep at night having embraced the idea of hell? And then they have the nerve to criticize your ethical stances?
Your stance on hell is extremely admirable, and the disrespect you receive is completely uncalled for. Nobody I talk to seems to be aware of your moral stances, and seems to just know of you as "those crazy door-to-door proselytizers."
Which brings me to my words of advice:
Be more vocal about your beliefs about hell. Make videos on youtube talking about how hell is inconsistent with a loving God. When I wrote my term paper recently about hell, I could only find one book, reasoning from the scriptures, that contained excellent quotes.
Let your moral views about hell be known. Do this, and the whole secular community will gain a higher opinion of you. Not only that, but maybe some of the Atheists who were driven away from God solely because of the idea of Hell will join you guys!
Thanks for listening.
Why This Atheist Respects the Jehovah's Witnesses-And why other Atheists should too!
by RaustBD 30 Replies latest jw friends
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RaustBD
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isaacaustin
So what is your view on the JW belief that those who are not a part of their group, faithfully serving as the leadership demand they will be personally struck dead by God?
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Mad Sweeney
I am calling BS on the OP.
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sabastious
Because the Witnesses are the only branch of Christianity that has the courage to denounce what I feel is the single most evil idea ever contrived by anyone: The Hell of Eternal Fire And Brimstone.
PROPAGANDA ALERT!
So if a rapist DENOUNCES murder charismatically than it's ok that he rapes people? Common man!
-Sab
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Abaddon
I have to ask; do you genuinely believe that or is this a trojan horse of an argument? Not that you'd tel me if it was, but your reply would be illuminating never-the-less.
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aSphereisnotaCircle
By their fruits you will know them.
It doesn't matter what they claim, or put in print,
what matters is what they do, and what the end result is.
Oh and BTW, if your an atheist, Im Charlse Taze Russell, and my cat is Teddy Jackass
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Little Imp
I take your point but that said the JWs do talk about Satan a lot, isn't that as bad?
I remember when my husband and I got married you will expect to receive a kind perhaps congratulatory comment wouldn't you? No, a elderly old JW lady said to us "Satan will try and split you up".
This is just one example and surely this is as talking about hellfire is it not?
I look forward to your comment.
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DanaBug
While I do feel that many of the Watchtower's stances on various issues (such as the scientific theory of evolution) are problematic, I can honestly say that I'm not bothered too much.
Are you aware of JWs stance on blood transfusions, higher education, and disfellowshipping? If so, are you bothered by these? Have you read the articles and quotes used to support these doctrines and does the manipulation of information and deceit bother you, especially regarding articles and publications about blood and evolution?
While JWs can be commended for not believing in hell, they are harmful in many other ways. They more than make up for that little doctrinal difference, and that's what they're criticized for.
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LostGeneration
Yeah they don't believe in hell, they just believe that nearly 7 billion people will be murdered by God because they didn't accept a poorly written religious magazine presented to them on their busy Saturday morning by two salesmen in cheap suits.
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Pika_Chu
@RaustBD:
Like isaacaustin pointed out, Hell and Armageddon are more or less the same thing. I have heard several times at meetings about how people who were raised in other denominations who ended up being traumatized. Some kids had nightmares and grew into very anxious adults. You won't hear a word about this at the meetings, but the same things happen to many victims of the JW religion. Yes, denouncing hell is good, but I wouldn't say that the Watchtower's concept of Armageddon is much better. The prospect of dying in Armageddon is not any less traumatizing than the prospect of going to hell. On the other hand, at least JWs question the idea of cruel, eternal punishment. But, then again, their replacement is virtually the same thing.
By the way, welcome to JWN!