by Fernando 8 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
At times I want to kick myself for mindlessly letting the "god of religion" teach me about the "god of Abraham" for more than 40 years. What was I thinking?
Then again I was a third generation born-in who simply and naively believed the "reality" I was presented with, whilst unknowingly being held captive by spiritually blind, confused, inebriated and insane Watchtower religionists in a mental prison with invisible bars.
Who was the God of Abraham ?
Foreskinius
You were a born-in - why shouldn't you have gone along with the craziness. Apples seldom fall far from the tree. Celebrate your strength of character for getting out rather than castigating yourself for having ever beleived the nonsense. Some people never wake up - yet, worse still, actively defend the nonsense.
Hey wobble!
I have come to intimately KNOW and understand the "god of religion" (Satan the great impostor) by analysing his mean-spirited and effectively supremacist MESSAGE of self-righteousness attained by means of following the supposedly "right" rules (legalism), morals (moralism), doctrines (ethnocentrism) and knowledge (Gnosticism). His followers and family become hypocritical, judgmental, critical and condemnatory of those who do not "measure up", whereas none of us can measure up to a perfect standard.
I have come to intimately KNOW and understand the "god of Abraham" (our heavenly father and his son, my older brother) by analysing their generous and effectively liberating MESSAGE of IMPUTED righteousness, cleanness and sinlessness granted as a free gift which cannot be earned, deserved or paid for. Their followers and family become more generous/liberal towards, and accepting of, all who do not "measure up", since none of us can measure up to a perfect standard.
For me it has been a journey of increasing contrasts between the baby and the bathwater (or the honey and the arsenic):
- faith versus religion
- spirituality versus religiosity
- truth versus religion
- the "good news" versus religion (the "bad news")
- disciples versus religionists
- Rom 3 and 4 versus Matt 23
- IMPUTED righteousness versus DEMANDED righteousness
- inner transformation versus outward window dressing
- worthiness versus unworthiness
It is no accident that no Watchtower religionist (so called "publisher of the good news") has any idea what the "good news" according to Paul is about. Bear in mind that more than half the Bible's 152-odd references to the "good news" are by Paul!
Thank you for listening to my story.
Greetings and best wishes
Fernando
Who was the God of Abraham? Foreskinius
Actually, his full name was Foreskinius-Nomore.
DOC
I felt sometimes the same. Like half of my life has been stolen from me. Even though I left wtbs over 12 years ago, aftermath was anything but painless because decisions and directions taken prior to the exit have had far reaching consequences. Its like when your car is hit on the motorway, it ain't over until it stops tumbling and then some.
After I left, deep down I was an upset, a bitter man. Everywhere I looked I saw evidence of wtbs ruining my life. I wanted to compensate for it so I went on a wild ride. Ride that left me feeling empty. I guess I was searching for something, something that wasn't there.
In the end I felt like Jack Nicholson in the movie Warren Schmidt "I know we're all pretty small in this big scheme of things, and I suppose the most you can hope for is to make some kind of difference, but what kind of difference have I made? What in the world is better because of me?"
Then one day, about two years ago I got custody of my little angel. The only bright thing that happened to me because of wtbs. I will never forget one morning she got up early, saved a piece of chocolate. Wrapped in notebook paper like 10 times. Came to my room, looked me deep in the eyes and said "daddy are you happy? Here I saved this for you"
That was it. She made it all worthwhile. I realized then and there, everything I needed I already have. Its strange I should say that but the peace that came into me was almost 'spiritual'. I never looked back. Today I live in a moment and for the moment, after all that is all we have.
Its funny when you stop looking at the past, past loses its power.
Few days ago my x wife made admission to me that she now realizes everything I told her was the truth. In the end one realizes what you really need is peace, everything else flows from it. I can't change past, but I can change this moment, and that is exactly what I've been doing ever since.
And at the moment its time to watch a movie :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0kGAz6HYM8
Marked-- i appreciate zagor sharing his experience. I feel very much the same way. I'm hoping for that moment of peace to come soon. I love my girls, they provide me with great joy, but the loss I suffered feels like an intimate death. I'm still mourning all that I lost. I know I can piece together a brighter future bc I'm taking those steps. But it's hard. I don't want to let go.
Fernando, When JWs tell me that the NT Epistles are written to and for the 'anointed' class, i think of this verse in Galatians:
"Those false teachers are so eager to win your favor, but their intentions are not good. They are trying to shut you off from me so that you will pay attention only to them." Gal.4:17, NLT
The org has convinced the Witnesses that the WT publications have more direct relevance for them than the New Testament itself.
I love your list of contrasts! Cheers!
