just what am I supposed to believe now??

by purrpurr 94 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

• 

  millie210

  For me, the WTBTS robbed me of the magic and wonder of life. They reduced this universe and our earth down to nearly nothing.

  I would have to say that is/was true of me also. I am more aware now that I always had these "secret" ideas...

  ideas about the spiritual nature of well........nature! Animals and so on. I have never liked the way their role is downplayed by Jws. Maybe it was too much fear of that talking snake that caused that? I dont know!

  None of my ideaswere all that weird or special - just ideas that fell OUTSIDE the JW ideology. For example, I have never thought that Jehovah would destroy most people at Armageddon.

  You learn early to keep this type of thing to yourself however.

  So thanks for that link FlyingHighNow.
• 

  FlyingHighNow

  FHN - In what way do you think the superstitious, esoteric ramblings of gnostics add any clarity to life in the 21st century?

  I'm not interested ramblings, but found this ex jw's writings about the gnostic view of Jehovah to be quite an eye opener. I don't adopt their belief that Jehovah is an undergod. I do find it interesting what they believed about him. The thing is, the book is only a commentary on what they believed and how it helped this former brother, Cofty. If you haven't read the book, then you can hardly comment on the book.

  Purrpurr, I hope your thread doesn't become hijacked.
• 

  FlyingHighNow

  So thanks for that link FlyingHighNow.

  You're welcome.
• 

  givemejustalittlemoretime

  If you stillbeleive in JesusChrist as yoursaviour. Then seek him alone. The true church cannot be seen, it is not made with bricks or mortar or by human hands. You and i are the church. It is a spiritual arrangement and always has been since the 1st century. The presence of the Lord has always been here also. Earthly visible churches and organisations are counterfeit kingdoms, because God does not dwell in mad made temples.YOU are the temple for God, he will come and dwell within you in fact he already does but the mental,emotional and spiritual conditioning by man has palce layers upon layers inyou to hide the truth, which the Lord is stripping away bit by bit to reveal himself. The churches do not teach you this becasue it means we do not need to be emotionally attached to any mans teachings. Messiah himself will reveal himself in you and teach you all things.You will see things in a completley different way as bit by bit he is revealed .Eventually we will grow into the fullness of him. If we want it. There is no death nor law nor judgement in the spirit.SO the sons and daughters are set free from those things to walk in spirit and truth, love and mercy .Many people will oppose this. Why ? Because they are still attachedto the written word, which does not give live it only testifies about Christ. What gives life is The Living word Jesus Christ in you.
• 

  flipper

  We can believe in ourselves now. We were told that we could not - but believe me- we were mind controlled to NOT trust ourselves. We can trust OUR judgment more than the WT Society's judgment I guarantee you that. I really recommend that you read Steve Hassan's 3 books dealing with how organizations such as Jehovah's Witnesses use mind control to capture us and make us have low self esteem so we feel there is no hope in anything else BUT the organization. It's a psychological thing in which we re-train our minds to feel GOOD about ourselves asbwe have been so beaten down by the JW organization. We will be here as a support to you my friend. Steve Hassans website is www.freedomofmind.com. Hang in there. Peace out,Mr. Flipper
• 

  Mum

  Personally, I think we all have to walk our own path and find our own belief system out of our own experiences.

  Once I was listening to "Science Friday" on NPR, and they were discussing belief in God. A Jewish Rabbi called in to the show to say that, in Judaism, it is not necessary to believe in God as "a Being," but as "Being itself." Think about that perspective as a starter.

  If I were in your place, I would read some books and take some classes. I took college courses in Old Testament Survey, New Testament Survey, Introduction to the Study of Religion, and Psychology of Religion. There are many different perspectives on God and religion. You might want to take a class in the History of Christianity if there is one in your nearest community college or university. In any case, there are books and internet info on the history of the church or any religion. You are like the fly that has lived in the vinegar jar and thought it was the sweetest place ever because you'd never tasted honey. Get out there and taste the honey!

  You are embarking on a journey of opening your mind to all sorts of possibilities. You decide.

  Best wishes!
• 

  FlyingHighNow

  You are like the fly that has lived in the vinegar jar and thought it was the sweetest place ever because you'd never tasted honey. Get out there and taste the honey!

  I love this.

  I really recommend that you read Steve Hassan's 3 books dealing with how organizations such as Jehovah's Witnesses use mind control to capture us and make us have low self esteem so we feel there is no hope in anything else BUT the organization. It's a psychological thing in which we re-train our minds to feel GOOD about ourselves asbwe have been so beaten down by the JW organization.

  Good recommendation, Flipper.
• 

  FlyingHighNow

  Here's something to add a little magic back into your life. National Public Radio. This is a link to the station that I listen to:

  http://streaming.michiganradio.org/

  Right now Garrison Keillor's A Prairie Home Companion is playing. There are so many wonderful, wonder filled programs and news programs from around the world. When I am home on the weekends, I love their daytime programs. When I'm out driving and not in the mood for music, I listen to NPR on my car radio.
• 

  NewYork44M

  purrpurr, "what am I supposed to believe now?" I have been there, done that, and bought the t shirt.

  So where do we go from here is the eternal question, and one that is thrown out to you as a challenge. Keep in mind the Watchtower hopes you don't take the challenge.

  But the answer to where do you go from here is - anywhere you want to. You have found a freedom that very few people enjoy. Take advantage of this freedom and explore without committing. I can assure you that within a few years you have found your purpose that will sustain you for many years.
• 

  Terry

  Here is the difference between FAITH and HOPE and BELIEF and EVIDENCE.

  1. When you HOPE you have a positive attitude toward future events, while also realizing they might not happen the way you desire.

  2. When you BELIEVE you've locked down and shut out not only the possiblity of disconfirmation, but you turn a blind eye to your reasonable alternatives.

  3. FAITH is an active effort of will, creating the illusion of success during failure and denying the reality when all is lost. The outcome of FAITH is the inability to grow, to learn through failure and to listen to advice. The inability to view all reasonable alternatives is the net result of blind faith. FAITH is a self-imposed strait-jacket and self-imprisonment to fixed ideas stemming from false ideas of DUTY and the pressure to CONFORM through LOYALTY.

  To answer the TOPIC QUESTION: "Just what am I supposed to believe now?"

  The answer is: "Your basic premise has not been examined carefully so that you can remove the words SUPPOSED TO.

  Check number 3. above for why.