It is a tragedy to see the pain of the lost souls on this board. Everything that we have been warned of by the Society about leaving Jehovah, comes out and smacks you in the face on this board. It seems to me that a great number of people got on the net, read the ex-JW sites and said 'That's it! This isn't the truth!' Many brothers and sisters took a year or two studying before they got baptised, and it would make sense that people should take at least half that time before they make a decision to leave the truth. Many on here had close relationships with Jehovah and then one, 'POOF!'...no more! That course of action will cause nothing but pain.
LOST YOUR FAITH?
by QUANTUM 45 Replies latest jw friends
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NewWay
Quantum
, thanks for the efforts in sympathising with XJWs. However, I have to agree with a number here who say that they don't want to be preached at (even if that was not your intention). 'Representative(s) of God' is like a dirty word to many XJWs. It brings back bad memories. You will, of course, be aware that in the New Testament Jesus spoke of the *'Holy Spirit' being sent as a 'Comforter' which would guide his disciples in all things, not any human agency or representative. Others, as individuals, can add to our knowledge and understanding of the scriptures, but at the end of the day it is God's Spirit that has the final say, so to speak. Of course, all of this reasoning from the Bible is pointless if one is an atheist! *BTW, I don't like the word 'Ghost' as not only is it archaic and has a different meaning now, but I've seen one and it wasn't a pleasant experience!
I'm persuaded that there are a number of XJWs who still believe in God - even if He is something different from He who is depicted in the Bible, but like me they have no intention of joining the 'happy clappy' brigade (I don't know how else to describe it, but I'm sure you understand what I mean). To many, their spiritual life is a sober-minded affair that doesn't make them stick out like a sore thumb, they practise Christianity in a way that does not attract strange looks from other people. What I'm saying is that its not the 'Jesus saves, hallelujah' type approach. That's what puts many people off taking any notice of the Christian message. Please don't take offense. When we preach of course we have to take into consideration our audience, so that like Paul we can 'accomodate ourselves to people in all kinds of different situations' (1 Cor. 9:19-23 - NJB) - something no doubt that was your intention in starting this thread. XJWs are a mixture of all sorts of people, and what they believed before and after being JWs is from what I've seen extremely diverse.
lucidentity, with respect, I would like to draw your attention to the fact that the Canaanites were destroyed as the Israelites passed through the land. Even if a large number did survive in one way or another it was still tantamount to genocide. Now the Bible says that this was justified because for 400 years (see Genesis 15:12-16 - Canaanites descended from Amorites) the land had gone from bad to worse and that the people there were obviously extremely wicked. The problem is this. If the race as a whole was wicked and had to be destroyed, then how come everyone, including the children were destroyed but not the young virgins. Presumably the children were also wicked, otherwise the justice of God would require their preservation. I'm sorry to have to say this, but one can't help but entertain the idea that this sounds suspiciously like a man's idea, destroy everybody else but steal the sexually innocent young women. Funny isn't it how there was no decree to save any male virgins for use by the Israelite women!
Really, accepting the Bible as truly the infallible word of God requires our making excuses for things like this. We would have to say: 'Well there must have been some good reason for it'. This reasoning has been used even by myself in the past when I gave consideration to such instances as David numbering the people of Israel (1 Chronicles chapter 21), something that was obviously - from God's response - an extremely bad thing to do. Instead of David (the one responsible) being put to death, 70,000 Isrealites lost their lives as recompense. It is no wonder that many here now question the claim that the Bible is the infallible word of the only true God, perfect in justice, wisdom, and love! I don't say this to try to damage your faith, but in order for you to be realistic when dealing with members here. Your faith may be strong, but don't forget that the word 'faith' is synonymous with the word 'trust'. Since it is impossible for us to go back in time and actually check for ourselves if any given event recorded in the Bible is true, then we have to decide whether we are willing to trust it or not. Some decide to trust, others don't. But adverse judgement from God based upon what we decide to do as a matter of trust, does not accord with true justice. It is one thing to go down the wrong path deliberately when you have been shown real physical evidence of danger, but quite another thing to go down it because you reject what amounts to 'hearsay'. Kind regards to you both. -
funkyderek
It is a tragedy to see the pain of the lost souls on this board. Everything that we have been warned of by the Society about leaving Jehovah, comes out and smacks you in the face on this board.
What are you talking about? What pain? Most people here are happy and successful, much more so than the average JW. Since leaving the religion many here have gone back to college, got good jobs, started loving relationships and had families. The pain people here suffer is usually due to the abusive treatment they received - and continue to receive - at the hands of JWs. Personally, leaving that religion was the best thing I ever did. You'll find very few here who feel differently.
So what Society warnings are you talking about? What "smacks you in the face" about this board?
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NewWay
WholeWheat, please give consideration to the fact that while some may have disappeared in a puff of smoke (maybe they weren't in the 'truth' for very long anyway), there are many others such as myself who have taken years to make a decision to leave the organisation. You really should not make sweeping statements to the effect that everyone has lost his/her relationship with Jehovah, that is a value-judgement. There is a principle contained at Romans 14:4 concerning making judgements about 'the house servant of another'. It shows that despite our views 'Jehovah can make him [the servant] stand.' Leave the judging to the Almighty, and do not equate righteous indignation against the society and removal of support based on a conscientious decision with leaving Jehovah or weakening of a relationship. Nor adopt a 'told you so' approach using the hurt and anger as 'proof' that we did the wrong thing - these are emotions that are not bad in themselves and quite understandable given the circumstances.
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neyank
Once again a JW apologist states :
"It is a tragedy to see the pain of the lost souls on this board. Everything that we have been warned of by the Society about leaving Jehovah, comes out and smacks you in the face on this board."
How can you compare leaving a man made, man run, imperfect, lieing and down right not nice orginization to leaving God?
This is a serious question.
Why and how can you compare any human group to God?
Don't you think that if there was the slightest proof that God was using the WTS,
most of us would not have left?Many have asked it over and over again.
What proof does the WTS have that they are Gods orginization?
neyank
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Double Edge
Mackin..
Your reasoning is SO Watchtower
Pah-leeeeze... you've got to do better than that. My reasoning is my reasoning, it has nothing to do with the Watchtower...remember, I've never been a DUB.