I've made my decision...

Jeff1

I've only made one topic post prior to this one and for the past two months I've been reading practically everyone's posts. Im not one to rush into anything so when I found out about the ARC, multiple lawsuits, keeping pedophiles hidden, and 587 BC being the actual date Jerusalem fell i decided to research everything myself.

I've always admired the Beroeans as they made it their aim to research and see if the things they heard were true. So likewise I do the same. I personally believe it to be ignorant if you're going into a discussion without knowing the opposing side or if you immediately dismiss anything anyone else says because it's different from what you believe to be true. Being a JW my whole life, as you already know, I've only heard one side.

In my research I found everything out to be true. Pedophiles are being hidden behind the two witness rule. Jerusalem did fall in 587 BC and the only reason the GB doesn't want to change it is because they have to admit they're not inspired by God to all JWs, and then lose the position they have. And the reason they're selling all the KHs is to get more money to pay for the lawsuits they've had to go through.

I've still been going to the meetings but each time I'm there I don't find myself listening to anything because I feel that I can't truly trust anything that's mentioned there. The people I've come to know for years are still very friendly. I know they are earnestly trying to do whats right, but unfortunately the people that are supposed to direct them are two-faced. Worst part about it is I can't ask questions and I can't speak out because the second I do I'm labeled as an apostate.

I told my father everything. Showed him all the evidence and he believes me and knows that the GB is in the wrong. It wasn't bad to tell him since he isn't in the truth only my mother is and she joined the Jdubs after she got married.

I may have to still go since I'm still at home with my PIMI mom but once I finish college im going to just head out to another state, get a job, and just fade.

Through all of this I can say that I'm severely disappointed in the organization. I can only equate this to a child being told Santa exists but finds out years later that it isn't true haha. At least I found out while I'm young.

Thanks for everything you've done guys. You've truly shown me the TTATT.

nowwhat?

Great job making an informed decision!

Finkelstein

the only reason the GB doesn't want to change it is because they have to
admit they're not inspired by God to all JWs, and then lose the position they have.

No truer words but given the position, power and privilege the GB have within the organization, one can see why they would want to uphold those past doctrines as much as possible, even if they have varying doubts themselves.

Much of the problem with the JWS and the past IBSA is that these organizations were headed by novice bible theologians who were more endeavored to sell those appealing doctrines to the public than verifying them to their truthful accuracy.

If you do leave, I hope it goes smoothly for you.

Jeff1

Thanks. I'm hoping to leave in the smoothest way possible. I'd rather not make waves as I know that nothing good would come of it. No one would listen to me at the Hall or in my family anyways.

punkofnice

Jeff1 - The people I've come to know for years are still very friendly.

...until you tell them that you don't believe that the watchtower corporation is god's one true channel. Then you'll be shunned quicker than a false statement in court by a corrupt copper.

Their conditional love isn't love at all....it's a means to stay in the cult compound in their minds.

Vanderhoven7

Congratulations Jeff1!!! Thank God you realized ttatt while you are young. One question: Were you baptized as a Witness?

The Fall Guy

All the best Jeff. If your fade (greatly aided by moving) goes as well as me & my wife's, you'll be delighted!

Have a great life and live as a liberated person.

Giordano

I've still been going to the meetings but each time I'm there I don't find myself listening to anything because I feel that I can't truly trust anything that's mentioned there. The people I've come to know for years are still very friendly. I know they are earnestly trying to do whats right, but unfortunately the people that are supposed to direct them are two-faced.

Being well informed is the right way to proceed out of this religion. What is happening to you is that you are getting this religion out of your system now and once you are out it will not be a part of your life any longer.

When I was 16 a good friend lent me a copy of Eric Hoffer's The True Believer. It was about mass movements. I read it and saw the reality of the WT Society.

Here are a couple of quotes from the The True Believer. Even though he never mentioned the WTBTS he certainly nailed them and how they operated.

All active mass movements strive, therefore, to interpose a fact-proof screen between the faithful and the realities of the world. ...by claiming that the ultimate and absolute truth is already embodied in their doctrine and that there is no truth nor certitude outside it. ...To rely on the evidence of senses and of reason is heresy and treason. It is startling to realize how much unbelief is necessary to make belief possible. What we know as blind faith is sustained by innumerable unbelief's.

Here, as elsewhere, the technique of a mass movement aims to infect people with a malady and then offer the movement as a cure.

Not only does a mass movement depict the present as mean and miserable - it deliberately makes it so. It fashions a pattern of individual existence that is dour, hard, repressive and dull. It decries pleasures and comforts and extols the rigorous life. It views ordinary enjoyment as trivial or even discreditable, and represents the pursuit of personal happiness as immoral.

If a doctrine is not unintelligible, it has to be vague; and if neither unintelligible nor vague, it has to be unverifiable. One has to get to heaven or the distant future to determine the truth of an effective doctrine.

The reality is that this is no longer an acceptable religion for the on coming generations.

There is a growing new reality......... non believers.

OnTheWayOut

Thanks. I'm hoping to leave in the smoothest way possible. I'd rather not make waves...

I faded. As I was in process, I made a few waves. Nothing came of them, but it could have hurt my fade had I made more waves. I support each person's decision on how to leave. You do what's best for you. Some burn bridges and some just fade away.

Fading has allowed me to have a full relationship with my JW mother and a tolerable situation with JW in-law family. I don't give a damn about "the friends" who abandoned me as I have made new real friends.

Anyway, I am just saying it works for me. Good for you.

Jeff1

Yes Vanderhoven7, I was baptized and have been for about 10 years now. I had the privilege of being able to wait until I was old enough to make the decision myself.

I've made my decision...

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