SwordofJah,
So troll-baiting works! Sorry SoJ, I don't really believe in this JWs-r-trolls/anti-troll stuff at all, and I'm glad you're here. I think it's obvious that the pendulum swings too wide against JWs here, and you should be made to feel as welcome as the next person. This "anti-troll" mentality is what creates the self-fulfilled expectations about what "trolls" act like, because most personalities wouldn't be willing to put up with it.
So if you understood that, I didn't mean to call you a "troll" I just mean that I think it takes a lot of self control to handle some of these threads as well as you have handled this one, so far. I appreciate it. Bring your friends.
At this point, I examine the scriptures along with Watchtower publications. I try to mediate on the way the writer of the article uses reasonings or logic. But I don't follow blindly as I make my own choices in life. I choose to believe or not a certain understanding.
That's a good, clear explanation of why you're here. You're a bit more liberal than some Society leaders would have hoped for, but I'm sure some believe that's just for your own protection.
What I do choose to do is to serve Jehovah wholeheartedly. To do his will to the best of my abilities and use my free time to preach the good news of the Kingdom.
Only the faithless will fault you for that. Now that I'm out it's OK for me to read Charles Taze Russell without getting looked at funny. Just two weeks ago, I ran across something surprising I agree with when he said that both the Object AND Manner of the Lord's Return are important. He said that if the Lord's Return meant that 99% of the people are going to be destroyed at Armageddon, then it's not good news of the Kingdom. In the 1950's the Watchtower agreed with the 99% estimate, however.
I have not chosen to hurt my brothers but to serve along with them side-by-side as we wait on Jehovah and his marvelous blessings. Something that some without faith would not understand fully.
I'm sure you think a lot of people here are hurting their brothers through opposition, when they should continue to work side-by-side, waiting on Jehovah. I agreed with that statement and I myself tried to stay for several years after I already knew about much of the WT dishonesty. I didn't think the negative stuff was worth spreading around. But when I started learning about some very positive, beautiful Scriptural ideas and truths that could make Christian Witnesses happier, I was tempted to share them. (As Jesus said, out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.) I never hurt my brothers with these truths, and was very careful to only speak to those who came to me. When giving public talks, some JWs could tell I was excited about something that they wanted to know more about. I met my beautiful wife this way, and have shared 22 fulfilling years with her. (20 outside the WTS.) I had to be very careful, cautious and discreet however at the time. When I asked to step down from positions of responsibility, everything changed. I was suddenly treated like someone who had ratted out the mafia. Even other JWs warned me that they are looking for anything to try to DF me. My old Bethel roommates warned me that there was a "contract out on [my] head." One elder wouldn't let me step down right away and assigned me constant talks and parts about subjects where they thought I might say something wrong. I got surprise visits from Bethel elders, COs, etc. Ciro Aulicino from Bethel warned me about what was happening, and he's still there! Still, I got pushed out of the organization without ever sharing negative information. I was as excited about truth and preaching and teaching as it seems you are. However, I admit that I had an open mind as you claim you have.
That open mind is part of what brings you here, but it's also the true danger which might become the key to your own freedom, and that's why the controlling men at the HQ don't want you on here with us.
Just be aware that it may not be doubts or negative, hurtful information that ultimately drives you out of the WTS. It could just as easily be the positive information you find in the Bible when you are looking up those Scriptures along with the WT publications.
Gamaliel
