Went to my first meeting today anonymously!

TimothyT

Hi everyone.

Jack and I decided we would go to his local Kingdom Hall this morning. Although I have no interest anymore in being a JW, I think its still nice to have regular bible discussions, etc, which can give you something spiritual to think about each week. I love it and I think its damn good for you.

Today, Jack and I walked in, a little nervous, but were greeted and welcomed like friends. It was an incredible experience! The talk and Watchtower were spiritualy stimulating too. Now i look back at it, I see why new ones are drawn to it. It was a lovely experience, but it makes me totaly sad. The people are so nice, so genuine, so kind, but unfortunately, if they were to learn who we truly are, we'd be shunned instantly. There is just no easy way with this organisation is there! Its either all or nothing!

I explained to Jack as we walked home that of course, I know where i stand in terms of the organisation. I DONT believe it is the truth, but i enjoy the way it encourages bible study and discussion in the meetings. In effect, id like to use it purely for what i want and on my own terms. In the matter of becoming one again and sacrificing my relationship with him, my mind and heart are clearly defined.

Do any of you still feel this? Do you still desire the spiritual push or the desire to just have nice friends?

Timmy xxx

talesin

it encourages bible study and discussion in the meetings

This is an odd statement to me. It meaning the WTS? No, they encourage studying their own publications, using select Bible verses taken out of context, and in their own (often misleading translation) of said Bible.

the desire to just have nice friends?

Nice friends who would (in your own words and I quote)

if they were to learn who we truly are, we'd be shunned instantly.

Huh?

Also, I'm shocked that you are forgetting that as gay men, they would view you as immoral, disgusting perverts. And you really want to associate with them?

Not just shocked, nonplussed.

tal

J. Hofer

not that i care, but they don't encourage bible studies, they encourage studying their "based on the bible" literature.

i wouldn't stand 5 minutes sitting there. if you still hold some of their beliefs, there are probably some more tolerant churches out there that give you the same warm, fuzzy feeling except without the shunning part.

cantleave

I find Kingdom are the most UNSPIRITUAL places. If you still believe in a higher being and feel you have a spiritual need go to church. I went to my local village church to see my son be a flag bearer, it was 100% more spirutual and refreshing than a meeting.

nugget

Timmy,

I personally would never walk into a kingdom hall again given a choice. Mainly because what they teach is untrue and the people who listen and try to live by their rules are being harmed by their association. The inaccuracies and control are just too distracting for me. That does not mean that I don't enjoy spiritual discussion merely that I choose to explore it elsewhere. I find talking about scripture with people who have an alternate perspective and who are willing to listen and consider another point of view very refreshing something I could never do with witnesses.

what was Jack's take on the experience?

OnTheWayOut

I have to agree that it really encourages Watchtower literature study with Bible snippets.

You are free to ignore advice, but I would say you might find a Christian group that allows you to be yourself instead of hiding who you are to feel like you fit in.

IsaacJ22

When I was being converted, it often felt like a nice, spiritual place too. Then, after about 6 months, the Witnesses couldn't stand it any more and let their shields down. I had been indoctrinated by that point, so I stayed despite being miserable throughout.

What you do is your business. But I would encourage to remember the difference between the face of JWs and the reality behind the mask.

wannabefree

Timothy ... you are still way too indoctrinated

Terry

Think of it this way, the Kingdom Hall isn't there FOR you any more than the nectar on a Venus Fly Trap is there FOR the fly.

The "attractive" aspects and "spiritual" food serve to pull you in so that it can close around you and devour you.

This is a predatory religion.

watersprout

I think its still nice to have regular bible discussions, etc, which can give you something spiritual to think about each week.

If you like your bible yes... As in something ''spiritual'' you won't get that at the KH.

I love it and I think its damn good for you.

I love ''spirituality'' but you won't find it in a KH.

Today, Jack and I walked in, a little nervous, but were greeted and welcomed like friends.

They viewed you as fresh meat... Ones they can count their time with.

It was an incredible experience! The talk and Watchtower were spiritualy stimulating too.

Are you certain you were at a KH?? They are getting in your head!

Now i look back at it, I see why new ones are drawn to it. It was a lovely experience, but it makes me totaly sad.

*sigh* You are still indoctrinated. Give it time then your eyes will be opened.

The people are so nice, so genuine, so kind, but unfortunately, if they were to learn who we truly are, we'd be shunned instantly.

So these ARE NOT nice, genuine or kind are they?? If they were you WOULD NOT be shunned or treated as disgusting perverts or put on the same level as pedo's... And yes I have heard dubbies say that about homosexuals and pedo's...

There is just no easy way with this organisation is there! Its either all or nothing!

Give them nothing.

I explained to Jack as we walked home that of course, I know where i stand in terms of the organisation. I DONT believe it is the truth, but i enjoy the way it encourages bible study and discussion in the meetings

*Sigh* It doesn't encourage ''bible reading'' that is not allowed. You have to ''study'' the WT lit. I ahve friends who were d'fed becuase they ''read'' the bible........

Peace

Went to my first meeting today anonymously!

Share this