preface question: (page 2)

Vidqun

Really Mohrb! Many of us have spoken up and have been disfellowshipped. So, welcome to the real world. You speak against the decisions of the GB, you will be disfellowshipped. You speak about your concerns to the elders. You will be disfellowshipped. You speak to your brothers and sisters, you will eventually be disfellowshipped. Have you heard the expression: Don't paint a sinking ship. Biblically speaking: That which is crooked, cannot be made straight (Eccl. 1:15).

SyntaxError1974

To answer your question, I am an active JW , Ministerial Servant. Yes actives are on here as well. Why? Well at first it was simply to learn how to defend my faith against "apostates". Now I visit here as a way to keep myself grounded. That is see both sides of the argument. Keep myself from becoming a fanatical JW. I think there are a lot of gray areas out there.

smiddy

mohrb

Welcome to this site , I hope you stick around and take on the discussions that arise with your points of veiw , you may then realise you cant have these discussions with your brothers and sisters at the kingdom hall or anywhere else for that matter , for if you do you will be the subject of a JC .

Have a nice day

smiddy

mohrb

1: Smiddy and Vid, It's all about HOW you have those conversations. I've listened to a Circuit Overseer talk and outright told an elder that it offended me to the point of disgust... that a major point to his talk was contrary to everything our congregation stands for, and he should be ashamed of himself (based on Mark 9:42 and Matthew 18:6). Not disfellowshipped. You can disapprove of what an individual does without suggesting that the entire congregation is evil conspirators for allowing such a thing as an old dude's talk being arrogant, foolish, and poorly worded.

2: Syntax, That's a very healthy attitude. And exactly why I'd like to attempt to buffer some of the conspiracy a bit, because I wish the internets were a safer place for JWs to see rational dissenting viewpoints. And, there ARE obvious problems, no doubt. But, for example, legally registering as a 501.c.3 company doesn't necessarily mean the society is "becoming part of the government it condemns! ONE WORLD GOVERNMENT! Takin' our guns!" ... it's just a bloody registration. There really are rational explanations for quite a lot of things.

3: Sparrow and Lisa, The rational step to seeing a problem... is -calmly and respectfully- fixing the problem. Find a way to improve the community... don't condemn the whole thing because a certain elder overstepped his biblical authority. 1 Corinthians 1:11-17. A good witness doesn't serve Paul or Apollos or Cephas or Elder Smith. But, God and his Son. It's sad seeing people go against the whole congregation... even the whole bible... even God himself because of the inpropriety of a certain elder (Or group). Some of those elders really should read Mark 9:42 and Matthew 18:6. However, it would be blatantly foolish for us to commit that same sin directly because of how much we were hurt when that sin was committed against us.

Phizzy

mohrb ! Welcome ! stick around and chat some more.

Really this Site is maintained by Simon, Angharad and hard working Moderators as a discussion Forum, mainly about anything to do with Jehovah's Witnesses, but, as you have noted, other things interest the Posters on here too, which they share.

I am sure that you have thoughts on many things JW that you would be happy to express, and this place, being free of danger to express any thought (within Posting Guidelines of course), is the very best place to see if what you are thinking is the best way of looking at things.

As I said above, stick around.

Alive!

"But, what is this "can not be fixed" rubbish? You realize the foundation of the religion is based upon questioning man-made teachings. The system isn't broken, the people have just been too lazy and sheepish to do their duty and speak up in a constructive, upbuilding way. Easier to throw a useless fit on the internet than do something productive and help the congregation grow."

Forgive me, my first post here and I haven't introduced myself yet..... Mohrb, reading your posts, regarding staying within the religion, providing Christian support and working to up build and effect change from within - this sounds wonderfully reasonable and appealing. But, our fundamental role is to make converts.

How can an honest person "witness" to folk with flawed and unscriptural doctrines - how could I possibly teach the latest generation teaching when I'm personally shaking my head and thinking...how could I have taught previous interpretations as if it were truth, absolute truth - praying with my students "that these marvellous truths sound down into their heart?"

How could I expect an honest hearted person to accept our stand on blood? Blood poured out for the intake of fractions is a conscience decision, but blood poured out for a transfusion is wicked and detestable to Jehovah? Is blood sacred or not? This isn't just about "us" - it's about proactively teaching others and drawing them into the organisation.

Would you witness and conduct bible studies, teaching interpretations which you have personally found difficult to swallow? What does that do to us? How damaging is that to our conscience? But what options do witnesses have? Is it fair to ask folk to join God's organisation knowing that once they are baptised, they will be expected to believe whatever new 'truths' are handed out.

I have loved the teaching of paradise like so many here - but over the past 20 odd years, my conscience has taken a battering. I prayed for the understanding of what turned out to be error..... so many times. That hurts - and it hurts that I have delivered intellectually dishonest publications to folk, containing manipulative language at times. Not my words, but written by men who don't seem to think it's a problem.....it's heartbreaking.

Phizzy

Welcome Alive !

What a heartfelt and accurate first Post !

You said : " .....it's heartbreaking." Which is exactly how I felt, as a Born-in, and active for 58 years, I found it so saddening when I realised the truth of what you outline in your Post.

What had become a vital part of me, instilled by my JW parents and my years in the religion, was that I am a lover of Truth. Hence I could no longer be part of something that either contained or used lies.

My question to mohrb is, How much truth is there in the JW religion, and how many untruths ?

DesirousOfChange

how could I possibly teach the latest generation teaching when I'm personally shaking my head and thinking...how could I have taught previous interpretations as if it were truth, absolute truth -

Beautifully stated.

Doc

DesirousOfChange

PHIZZY: My question to mohrb is, How much truth is there in the JW religion, and how many untruths ?

If you had a glass of crystal, clear water......how much poison/fecal matter can you add before it's to contaminated to drink?

How mush of the JW "Truth" is Bullshit? How much is acceptable?

Doc

objectivetruth

The Watchtower Teachings & Doctrine are beyond Broken, they are Irrevocably Flawed.

They will not be fixed, because the Gentile Times have ended, and the Watchtower Organization is a Gentile Religion.

God is no longer with the Jehovah's Witnesses. He is with the Jews.

"This is what Jehovah of armies says, ‘In those days ten men out of all the languages of the nations will take hold, yes, they will take firm hold of the robe of a Jew, saying: “We want to go with you, for we have heard that God is with you people.”’ Zechariah 8:23

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