I'm more or less in the same no man's land that you describe.
There was lots of crap throughout Israel's history and 1st century christianity. Doesn't mean that God wasn't using them in spite of it.
My JW Experiences and Living in No Mans Land
by wizzstick 32 Replies latest jw friends
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Satanus
My wt life and exit was somewhat like yours. I was zealous, sincere, until i ran down, cuz wt philosophy just didn't work. Spent some time in no mans land. It all takes time, reading, thinking, talking. This site is a good place to help you to work things out faster. Welcome.
S
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Fernando
Hey wizzstick!
Like you say there is not too much wrong with the good things they teach per se.
One major problem is the context (religion: apostate legalism etc).
The next problem is what they do not teach (the "full Good News" or "unabridged gospel").
Greetings, blessings, peace and love to you and yours
Fernando
(Why does the "true religion" secretly blind its followers to the "Good News" according to Paul, Moses, Isaiah and Psalms?)
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paul from cleveland
Wizzstick, I'm in a somewhat similar place as you mentally even though I left many years ago. The core teachings still make sense to me. Other interpretations such as who "this generation" is referring to are clearly being made up as they go along. An elder told me once that 'Since the Society got the core teachings right, everyone just gives them the benefit of the doubt on the rest of it.' I'm sure that's true. In retrospect, it's easy to look back and see how manipulative they've been. To create the desired amount of urgency they've continually reinterpreted the definition of the "generation" to make the end seem ever imminent. I resent that. Then, like you said, to just fluff it off and basically say 'oh well... at least we were sincere and keeping on the watch'. To that I say what about all the other religions that are sincere but wrong? Do they have Jehovah's approval too?
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Quendi
I know you’ve been getting all kinds of advice and so I won’t burden you further. I will say that the “core doctrines” you have mentioned are the ones I have decided to retain. I believe they are scripturally correct. They don’t originate with either C. T. Russell or the Adventists of the nineteenth century but pre-date both by a considerable span of time.
I will also say that I’ve noticed an almost Pavlovian-style rejection by many to anything WTS connected. Some of these reactions are more emotional than they are rational. I can understand that because there are many things about WTS theology which affect me in the same way. You must make up your own mind about these questions and I wish you every success on your life journey.
Quendi
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goatshapeddemon
Welcome!
it will be interesting to see how you feel 6-8 months from now. My husband and I started questioning just a few things. Then we felt they had only the fundamental "big" things right. Then we thought, well at least they preach... Eventually, we threw it all out. But it took time. Our hearts - that wanted to believe - needed time to catch up with our heads, which knew it was all crap.
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ProfCNJ
1 Peter 2: 2: "As newborn babes, long for the spiritual milk which is without guile, that ye may grow thereby unto salvation." (American Standard Version) Spiritual milk is also translated as "rational & unadulterated milk".
JWs may still possess "some of the core teachings of the TRUTH". The problem is, in the course of crafting adjustments over the years, the organization has added "unessentials" that have somehow beclouded the truth. That is where the trouble lies. Once pure milk now becomes adulterated.
I have come to re-assess the preaching work since I and my family am are still doing it. What I do is to find ways to preach matters that can help the household appreciate basic bible truths - a combination of what the future holds and practical day-to-day application of scriptures - not much about WT literature. What makes me feel better is if I am able to let the other person smile for learning some good things about the Bible, e.g. family, personal problems, work etc. The emphasis is for them to realize the Bible is no ordinary book. It can be a lifeline. When principles are applied properly, it will give refreshing results. This is the positive side of preaching. But to impose on others to believe some doctrines that we ourselves do not believe anymore or having doubts to say the least, well, that's making me uncomfortable.
In the preaching work, we share the good news, hope, it's positive energy. We feel the Holy Spirit is guiding us. We channel their attention to the Bible and its infinite wisdom. This becomes like a commercial break for them who are so busy. Preaching and teaching others to change their lives for the better, making them praise Almighty God Jehovah and his wonderful works, these are the activities that will be hard to just let go.
And when things get really worst, I think it may just boil down to this: Choosing the lesser of 2 evils? :)
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Auntfancy
I have to agree with goatshapeddemon, because the more you search and study books and whatever you can get your hands on you will find that some of the beliefs you think are correct are not. I know I have gained so much knowledge from searching. Research the particular subjects like preaching and see what they did back in Bible times and some of the other beliefs and see where they came from and what the Bible truly says. The WTBTS has a way of presenting snipits of Bible verses but when you read everything around it the meaning is totally different from what they teach. I was talking with someone yesterday about the JW's and he couldn't understand where some of the beliefs came from and I said they take a portion of the scripture and use that and his comment was, "It is similar when someone takes a text message and pulls out a small portion of it and it has a totally different meaning than if you read the whole comment". That made so much sense because how many times does something get blown out of proportion in a news report when they just take a small part of the comment. Keep reading and you might want to reread C of C now that you are an adult, I think it was you that said you read it while a teen and also read Steve Hassens book because it will help you to see another view of the WTBTS.
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wizzstick
Thanks all for your comments.
I imagine I'll still be here in months and years to come. My wifes health is poorly, and the new world hope keeps her going. But that wont't stop me from researching what the Truth really is.
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gingerbread
Your sentiments and experiences are shared by many, many, many of us around the globe.
You found out that when you were an active and zealous JW you were already in No Mans Land. Your relationship with friends, God, the congregation and even some family members are 'conditional.' Your 'service' was empty (if we really believed that the end was coming any day now, all JW's would be begging to save everyone with the message - every single free minute of every day!). You were convinced that those outside the JW 'ark' were evil and doomed to everlasting destruction. You couldn't trust your neighbor, your mind, your heart or your own conscience.
The one decision that we must eventually make is this: Did God and Jesus choose the WT Society as their only approved representives on earth?