Did I turn my back on Jehovah's True Organization?

by sandy 46 Replies latest watchtower bible

• 

  sandy

  I was wondering as I have been lately; Did I turn my back on God and am I wrong for turning my back on the Organization?

  Are there any of you out there that feel like you have a real personal relationship with God with or without religion in your life? Do you still call God Jehovah? Do you call him Jesus?

  The reason I am asking is because of something I cannot forget. When I was going through my emotional breakdown a few years back I prayed to Jehovah like I never prayed before. I must have been having a panic attack.

  I was so confused wondering if God even existed at all. I was in my room one night just thinking and thinking about my future and wondering what the heck I was going to do with my life.

  So I pored my heart out to Jehovah and I asked him are you really even out there? Who am I praying to? Prove you exist. I went on and on and told him everything I was feeling. And right after I said Amen I felt this unbelievable feeling of relief and calmness. I could not believe it I was so amazed! Never in my life did I feel such a sigh of relief!

  This is why I am posing these question to you. At the time I prayed this prayer I was inactive but was planning to go to the meeting at the urging of my family. I confessed everything to the Elders and was privately reproved. A few months later I left the KH for good. It has been four years now.

  I have been reading all these posts and trying to gather information myself about the Org. But part of me just doesn't want to let go for fear that they really are God's people. I know many of you are going to say that just shows how badly you have been brainwashed. I am not dismissing that either.

  I would just like to know what all of you think? I mean Everyone: Religious people Non-Religious people, Athiests, Agnostics, Everyone.

  Is it possible to have a relationship with God without religion?

  Thanks for listening.

  Sandy
• 

  reubenfine

  Hi Sandy,

  I think it is possible to have a relationship with God without belonging to a religion. The fact that you feel your prayers were answered shows that it is a personal thing. Jesus never talked about devoting yourself to an organization, especially one where you are not allowed to think for yourself. If they really are God's people they will have love among themselves and it will be obvious. I think we were all brainwashed to some degree and the guilt you are feeling is probably a part of that. I believe your search for truth will be never ending, not that that's a bad thing, it's a good thing. At least it will be your search and your relationship with Jehovah.

  I'm not sure what is the truth about religion but that's ok. I'm still open to the truth. I've just had so many years of my life wasted by a mind-controlling religion that I'm suspicious now. I think you're asking the right questions though. I know you will find the right answers for yourself!

  I think religion is like getting a person to 3rd or 4th grade in school. After that you have to move on with your own reseach. I sat for decades in the Kingdom Hall hearing the same old basic stuff, bored to tears. Enjoy your journey!
• 

  shera

  Hi Sandy,

  It took me about 10 yrs to realize I donot need to be a part of the JW's to have a relationship with God.It wasn't until I started going to websites like this and learning the truth about that org,that I was able to develop a closeness to God.

  I had people pray for me when I was pregnant with my daughter,that are born agains.I felt that I was prayed for and I didn't even know at the time they prayed for me.

  That feeling of calmness that you described when praying,I felt that before when I was at a low time in my life.I had nothing to do with the JW's and I knew they were a bunch of poo poo.

  Call God,what ever makes you feel comfortable.I call God,God almighty.

  While I don't really think people need to be part of an org to have a relationship with God,there is nothing wrong with being part of one too.The social part of it is nice.

  For myself,I'm starting to go to a church,that does not preach religion,just teaches from the bible.It doesn't claim to have truth and every other religion is doomed.

  Take time and gain a relationship with God,without religion.Read the bible with out any lit.from the WTS and any other religion too.Just some suggestion,I don't want to sound like I'm trying to tell you what to do.another thing is learn as much as you can about other faiths.

  Here is a good site that has helped me a great deal. http://www.beliefnet.com/

  take care
• 

  Satanus

  Sandy

  If you ever had a good cry, did you afterward feel the same peace that you felt after your long prayer?

  About your question, it is a big subject, but the amswer is, yes, you can have a relationship w god, as you understand him, without an org. Of course many people can't, but that isn't the because of god. It's because of the people. Religions are a bit like schools. Religions support people until they can walk on their own. The problem though, is that most religions don't want to let people graduate, so to speak. It sounds like your thinking of graduating, and that's great.

  SS

  Ps, some people are not able to sense a higher power at all, so they become atheists. That's ok. There are a lot of religious people who also cannot sense the higher power, but deny it, preferring to live in denial. They call it faith. I think that's not ok.
• 

  RAYZORBLADE

  Hi Sandy, nice to see you are posting.

  Sandy, I think what is important, is YOUR personal relationship with your god. What is sad when there is interpretations made on another persons behalf, on how to worship 'god'.

  We are all individuals, and the important thing for those that have a faith in god, do so on their own terms. I think it becomes more real and more fulfilling, and not cluttered with baggage and judgement.

  Having been through the WTBTS mill, it can be very difficult to create a relationship with god. When your mindset had been previously ruled by the JW wordspeak and doctrines, it seems like anything beyond it is: futile, empty and/or desolate.

  I don't think that this has to be so.

  OK...I look at things differently, and for me, well...we won't go into that. But for those who are achieving a personal relationship with god - do so. But create one that is between YOU and god. It'll be much more meaningful, attainable and quite possibly, personally fulfilling.

  Do it all on YOUR own terms Sandy. You'll be a better person for it, and far happier too.

  I wish you well. Don't allow the trick of smoke and mirrors created by the WTBTS cloud your relationship with god.

  Best to you!
• 

  cruzanheart

  Sandy, your answer is NO, you didn't turn your back on Jehovah's True Organization. Yes, in the Bible it shows us that Jehovah has identified himself with certain groups of people, but he has also used individuals who were not part of those certain groups, as needed, and Jesus when he was on earth went out of his way to talk to ALL people. If anything, my faith is stronger than before I left the JWs because I am not looking to humans to give me my answers about God -- I'm talking to Him and I'm trusting that the Creator of this beautiful, incredible universe will see that I'm doing my best and that my best will be good enough. I'm so glad you found peace that night and I hope that you continue to find it.

  By the way, almost every time I've prayed to God to show me if I'm right to leave the organization, some JW does something really mean, asinine or just plain stupid, so I think I'm getting my answer.

  Nina
• 

  JamesThomas

  

  Sandy, The distance between what the word "God" points to, and you, is none existent. We can not be separate from what is Infinite and limitless. That so few know this, is simply because we focus attention -- which is really all we have to give -- on concepts, ideas and beliefs of the mind. Seldom are we conscious of this very moment and the endless depth of Being within. Be still, and know. JamesT
• 

  c_harris

  1 John 5:1 Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him.(NKJV)

  There is no true religion. The only One that is true is Jesus Christ. ( John 14:6)

  Don't look to man for your salvation, because we are all imperfect.
• 

  Robotnomore

  Absolutely not!! If they were Gods true org. their predictions would come true. Not a single one has. But they claim to have gotten their info from God. You did not leave Jehovah's true org. you left the Pharisee's. You know, the ones that put burdens on people, the ones that Jesus condemned. Be glad your out!
• 

  free will

  sandy, i feel the same way you do. i haven't had the courage yet to pray again. my question is - where do we go from here. i've been raised as a jw, and so don't know where to go. what to do. but, i've a feeling we'll find out when we get there.