Do you still read the bible? (page 2)

truthseeker1

"For those who don't believe in the bible, then you don't believe in Jehovah& Jesus, nor the creation, or the devil. In a way you either believe all or nothing." -JH

LOL. A tad ethnocentric, are we?

Sometimes...but not as the only guide for my life, now. I find myself picking it up and randomly opening to any page, read a verse or two and then let my mind carry me forward. I also do that with a dictionary, especially when I can't seem to think through some problem or situation. I have left the debate about it or any other religious writing being inspired to those who think they can change a person's opinion...not for me anymore!

riz

no

mike047

YES, Almost every day.

Mulan

One of the things I discovered about myself during my transition from being a faithful witness to my current status is that I am not now, nor ever was, a spiritual person. In the past mistook obedience to an organization for spirituality.

This is me too. The WTS was my God, and it took me years to find a belief in a creator again. I do believe in God, but I don't read the Bible anymore. Just not interested, and my faith in the Bible's accuracy has been killed, so why read it?

jgnat

Sorting out what is so wrong with the WTS theology has me reading my bible more than I ever have. I am re-examining my own faith and my own motives. If the Bible told me to jump in to a raging river, would I? (No). After watching the circular debates on this forum on unprovable intangible concepts; such as:

does God exist?
are Christians stupid to believe in Him?
the essential nature of God
is Armageddon coming?
what happens after death

has me wondering what value such debates have. Neither side have even a common point of reference. Athiests disprove the bible, many Christians use it as the anchor and guide to their faith. So why do I cling to a belief in something essentially unprovable? For me, the belief that a loving and just God is watching over me, modifies my behaviour. I consider my neighbour, not just my own self-interest. I want my life to have meaning beyond mere survival.

Why does the WTS single out all the death-and-destruction, duty, shunning scriptures? It can be very depressing reading the bible references offered in a typical WT study. When I first started reading the bible, I read a Psalm a day. David taught me that we can find comfort in God even on our worst days.

Edited by - jgnat on 4 December 2002 14:29:25

acsot

NewYork44M and Mulan:

One of the things I discovered about myself during my transition from being a faithful witness to my current status is that I am not now, nor ever was, a spiritual person. In the past mistook obedience to an organization for spirituality

Wow! I was just thinking this same thing of myself the other evening. I opened a Catholic translation, with commentary, and it was all very interesting and of course totally different from WTS teachings but in the middle I thought "I'm really not that interested in this." I'd like to learn of Jesus as a historical person and learn more about the good he did, and use that as a positive influence in my life, just the same way I'd use the example of the Dalai Lama or Mother Theresa or others as good examples. But spirituality? Not really. At least not now. Perhaps in time.

Wow (again)! People think just as I do! This place is amazing.

NewYork44M

Ascot and Mulan. Thanks for understanding the significance of my statement. I am happy that I have reached this point in my development as a person seperate from an organization. If someone would have told me 10 years ago where I am today, I would not have believed them.

KAYTEE

Yes, we do still read the bible and as a family too.

Since coming away from the Org. we have had to go back to "square one", not easy to eradicate so many years of brainwashing and false doctrines. We have recently purchased two new bibles -

King James and Phillips, we also have the Douay version. We're now finding it interesting to look and compare the scriptures in these versions.

KT

Kenneson

I've read many anti-Bible and anti-God threads in this forum, but I still read the Bible and still believe in God. I haven't found better answers from the anti- people, only more questions.

Do you still read the bible?