Ok I left the WBTS..... now what?? kingdom hall withdrawal

by sister x 48 Replies latest jw friends

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  WTWizard

  I would recommend, if you still want to worship God, to check out several churches. The Catholic church is similar in structure to the witlesses (who basically ripped it off from them), but is much more loosely enforced and they do celebrate the holidays and allow association with outsiders. You might try a few different denominations of churches, including the non-denominational ones. Small Bible study groups that use the Bible and just the Bible might be worth checking out.

  And I would be very wary about getting involved with the witlesses again. All they want is for you to be stuck with their "Where else shall we go" crap. The Seventh Day Adventists, Mormons, Moonies, and Scientologists are the other major cults to beware of; for sure, check out your church carefully before committing. If they push you to commit before you are ready, that is a red flag that they might want you to commit without knowing what you are getting into.
• 

  Pams girl

  Sister X, I feel alone and lost too, if its any consolation. I have found that getting to know the bible on your own terms helps. I have still only got the New Translation from the Jw, but I always concentrate on Matthew and Jesus words. It feels strange to me too that I cant gather together with others. Maybe the best way is to open your heart in prayer and let your heart guide you...your heart will never fail you. Build up your faith alone, and Im sure if its meant to be, you will find a place that fits you very well. I feel very dispondant too....dont give up. I wont. With you, Take Care.

  Paula x
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  sister x

  @ Carla... the military is nothing like the Kingdom hall. and I was speaking about worship? God did create the congregation for a reason," wherever TWO or more are gathered in my name". so i dont think i will find God walking in a park, I do have to congregate or go to some kind of meeting and yes the meetings were not all that enjoyable, they were very boring, mundane and no i dont beleive everything they were teaching... but the false hope felt better than NO hope, not to be rude or sarcastic, but where do you stand as far as worship to God is concerned Carla?

  @WTwizard.... thanks for the advice. I had some Mormons at my door the other day asking if i wanted to study. I explained their whole religion to them and their jaws dropped, then I asked each one how many wives they had, they just laughed it off. They said they would come back and never did. But I am going to get dressed in a little bit and go to the new church across the street.... i dont know why i feel hesitant to do it...
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  Lozhasleft

  Sorry to hear that you feel so lost sisterX ...its not easy at first....can I recommend that you get a copy of Crisis of Conscience and following that Ray Franz's next book...these will help you to find a balance and they are also very filling spiritually too...exactly what you probably need right now to help you to get a clear mind and focus.

  Loz x
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  Adiva

  Hi Sister X.

  Now that you have some free time, get to know yourself whether that means getting outside and enjoying nature (it's springtime here in the midwest) or picking up some books in the religion section of the local library or bookstore. As far as churches are concerned, I attended a Unitarian/Unity church for awhile. It gave me that sense of community but it's much more light-hearted in its' doctrine (if I can even use that word). They speak of god as either mother or father and their music is beautiful (think 'Morning Has Broken' by Cat Stevens). People are friendly and they don't care what you wear. I've also attended a non-denominational mega church just for the experience.

  The point is that your options are endless. You can pick and choose to do whatever you want. There's even a blog I follow on Facebook wherein this couple attend a different church every week. Their motto is 'we go to church so you don't have to' and each writes their own version of the experience.

  It's a great journey. Enjoy. I certainly am.

  Adiva
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  Rocky_Girl

  It seems as if you are still in denial about the JWs if you believe that you can worship God among them. What you are feeling is not a drive to worship, it is a drive to continue your routine. Worshipping on Sunday is a habit for you now. I believe that everyone connects with their inner spiritual self in different ways, whether it is in a church or not. But, you will never find the best way to fill your "spiritual need" (consider where you got this emotionally charged phrase) if you are simply feeding an addiction to Sunday worship. Go to church for the right reasons; to connect with God, to make friends, to kill time, etc. Never go to Church out of fear or out of some force of habit.
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  Mat

  Hi, it's good you are breaking their mind control and seeing for your self what other churches say and offer. I too tried other churches after I left them. I eventually decided I didn't want a replacement religion, but I understand why other people would feel differently.

  It does get easier. Leaving a religion is very like when someone dies. It's a total change of circumstances. You will go through a grieving process.
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  jamiebowers

  I don't have a need for religion, but if I did, I would attend the Unitarians. The congregation local to me consists of highly educated, liberal people who are very active in the community.
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  leavingwt

  What books have you read?

  I found it very helpful to DECONSTRUCT my cult experience. This took dozens of hours of solitary reading, from a variety of sources.
• 

  AGuest

  Greetings, dear SisterX, and peace to you!

  It's a very difficult thing for one to lose one's religion. That does NOT have to translate, however, into losing one's faith and your comments suggest that you have maintained your spiritual "need." Many believe, however, that our spiritual need can only be fulfilled in worshiping God through a religion in conjunction with a large group of other like-believers. This is inaccurate. It is based on the WHERE of worship to God... versus the HOW. I am sure you are familiar with the verse that says God is looking for those who worship Him... in SPIRIT... and truth. Well, that verse is not quite accurate. The Most Holy One of Israel, JAH (Psalm 68:4) is looking for those who worship in spirit, yes (meaning, through the "man" we are on the INSIDE, versus doing it through an outward appearance of being "faithful")... THROUGH [the] Truth.

  As Christ is recorded to have said, "I am... the Truth..." and "NO ONE comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6)

  The WTBTS is am imposterish golden calf which some call "Jehovah" and through which some worship the god "Jehovah." It is NOT, however, a designee for the Most Holy One of Israel. There is only One who fits that position and that is the SON of God, the Holy One of Israel and Holy Spirit (2 Cor. 3:17)... HIS Christ (chosen/anointed one)... JAHESHUA (which some pronounce as "Yeshua" or similar). HE... and ONLY he... is the Way.

  Why am I sharing this with you? Not to encourage to look into another religion, perhaps one that uses these names. But to remind you that, when some of the disciples were stumbled in their faith... and left off from following Christ... he is recorded to have asked Peter,

  "You do not want to go away, too, do you?"

  Peter's response to that question may be where you are now:

  "Lord, where are we to go away TO? YOU have sayings of everlasting life."

  What does this mean? It means, dear one... that there IS no "where" to go away to worship God, to even get to approach or know Him. There is only a WHOM to GO to... and go THROUGH: Christ. And that is a very personal, individual, and sometimes solitary journey. As it was with virtually all who followed Christ, starting with Abel. Yet, such one is NEVER alone. For as Christ is recorded to have said:

  "Look! I am WITH YOU... ALL the days..."

  If, then, you are still conscience of your spiritual need, dear one, take heart... and hope. The Door... which the WTBTS never was (John 10:7, 8)... stands open, still, ready to receive ALL who would enter through HIM, he being the "Narrow Gate" that FEW find. Yet, the Spirit and the Bride KEEP saying, "Come!" even now.

  May YOU, then, have ears to hear... when they say to YOU:

  "Come! Take 'life's water'... which is the spirit of God, the Most Holy One of Israel, whose name is JAH... of Armies... holy spirit... the "oil of exultation" which is poured out from the innermost parts of the SON of God, the Holy One of Israel and Holy Spirit, JAHESHUA MISCHAJAH, upon whomever HE chooses... FREE!"

  Again, I bid you peace!

  A slave of Christ,

  SA