Through everything... do you feel that you learned soemthing?

by anotheropenviewpoint 72 Replies latest jw friends

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  anotheropenviewpoint

  I am new to the board and have read countless gripes and pokes at "the organization" but I fail to find one interesting question.

  In preface... I was disfellowshiped myself over 5 years ago. In that time, I had done much searching, visited many churches and faithes.. going to some for as short as one session and some as long as 6 - 8 months. After I felt my search was in vein I stopped attempting to go to these shurches all together.

  I never forgot how to pray through. I still knew that God was still there. I had a yearned to find him.

  After praying for quite sometime, I felt myself drawn to attend ONE meeting back at my home congregation of JW's. I had been going to all these other churches, why not try it one more time.
  I hadnt been there in quite some time. I felt overly nervous, for one of course no one was allowed to talk to me, and for two something felt strange. The song began, I stood up and began to sing under my breath, heart pumping now with nervousness as the prayer began. Prayer was over, I sat down................................................ and an utter calm came over me, as if my father was holding me and I was a little child. This peace, calm, or maybe even disallussion was unmistakable.

  When I got home I prayed and prayed for HIM to show me a sign as to what I should do... which leads me to now.....

  I think back....

  Did I not learn more than most about the bible while I was there? Like, Birthdays... PAGAN in every encylopedia, yet most people dont even know it. Basic (to say the least) understanding of the timeline of the bible... which is more than most at churches I attended and their pastors combined.

  So I ask....

  Through the gripes,.... Through the pokes and making fun of....

  Do you feel as though you did learn something while you were there through.... ?

  Since I have been going back, I have been able (when I could not alone under any attempt) stopped smoking (cig and marijuana) stopped drinking, stopped cursing etc............ and to think that I allowed myself to fall into such depressed shame.
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  RAYZORBLADE

  In the long run, I learned that I did not need validation to in order to possess self-worth, self-esteem, dignity and integrity by means of religion/s, god, bible, WTBTS and it's followers: the Jehovah's Witnesses.

  I learned plenty about my former self: naivity (embarrassingly so)

  I also learned that one should examine things more closely, and ASK more questions.

  I learned that one should not believe everything they see or hear, no matter how sweet the message.

  I learned that there is no such thing as Armageddon, and no longer live in fear of it. What a relief!

  It's difficult to compare my present self to my former self. They are like two entirely different people.

  I have learned to be anything like them; exact opposite.

  Finally, if I can keep one person from becoming a member of the JWs, I consider that: a success

  Interesting post anotheropenviewpoint.
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  borgfree

  Hi anotheropenviewpoint,

  Your question:

  Do you feel as though you did learn something while you were there through.... ?

  One outstanding thing I learned, after a lifetime of believing the WT org, was just how hateful, hurtful, and downright evil, some of those "wonderful brothers and sisters" could be. Believe me I will never go back to that cult.

  Borgfree
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  be wise

  It taught me how to get tied up in a load of rope and lose ends that accomplish nothing but surface image for the person and the organisation. There are the genuine few who think what they're doing is the right way to go and willfully turn a blind eye to all the cultisms.

  When I left I learnt about been able to live and let live and also being happy with who I am not as an advert for the Organisation. I was always confused by the image they always tried to create as a very young child, I knew it wasn't real somehow - it just didn't add up. To be honest anyone who has experienced it knows it's a complete shambles.

  Did I learn anything?

  Yes, but much more than they would have ever liked me to know.

  be wise.
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  free will

  yes, i have learned that i have freedom - true freedom of choice. i have learned that i have a mind and that i am supposed to use it. i have learned that i am not supposed to unconditionally agree with the fds. i learned to take off the blinders. free will of the you can't tell me what to do class. ;)
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  aunthill

  I learned a lot about the Bible, some true, some false, during the 25 years I was a JW.

  I learned that the F(aithful and) D(iscreet) S(lave) lie like anything and turn on you like a cornered rat when cornered.

  I learned that the FDS (see above) think they know better than one who says they are of the anointed and partake for the first time, even though they say "Jehovah makes known to the anointed that they have the heavenly hope" and "it is between the (individual) and Jehovah." (Not speaking of myself, BTW, but a sister that I was close to.) They presume to stand in God's place in that regard, and judge that person's motives and calling, not to mention all the other things they judge (with the same judgement that you judge, you will be judged."

  I learned that no matter what I did as far as meeting attendance, commenting at meetings, field service, etc., it was never enough.

  I learned there was NO LOVE in the Kingdom Hall - a few individuals might show some compassion from time to tome, but the vast majority did not.

  I learned that when I researched the Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (which the WTB&TS quotes from extensively) that the WTB&TS had not been faithful to translate the original meaning of the words.

  I learned from researching the Strong's Exhaustive Concordance that the WTB&TS added and took away from, and CHANGED the meanings of various verses.

  I learned that I could pray to my heavenly father, through Jesus MY mediator (not just the 144,000) and get answers to my prayers.

  I learned that I DON'T NEED the WTB&TS, the "anointed" 144,000, the Watchtower magazine or any other publications to learn about my God and Savior other than the Bible.

  I learned that I do not need rules, rules, rules and more rules set by arbitrary old men and control freak "elders."

  I learned that love of God and love of my neighbor fulfill the requirements of God.

  I learned that God is sufficient and fulfills all my desires and longings.

  I learned to pray that people like you will find the same FREEDOM and SECURITY and LOVE that I now have.

  It is my prayer that Jehovah, the lord and creator of the universe, will open your eyes and set you free.

  Aunthill
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  hillary_step

  I am new to the board and have read countless gripes and pokes at "the organization" but I fail to find one interesting question.

  Of course things were learned, some good, some bad and many indifferent. There is no doubt that many whose lives were purposeless and without meaning were given focus and a support system by their attachment to the WTS. Many have been damaged by the same system as you note in your opening post. The same can be said of any religion, despite your seeming lack of respect for other peoples faith. For example, the Catholics harbor priests that abuse children, they also manage leper colonies and run hospices for those who die screaming in the night, something the WTS could afford to do, but chooses not to. The Salvation Army does a commendable job throughout the world helping the unfortunate within society and expecting nothing in return - a very Christian quality, I am sure that you would agree.

  The issue is not really whether the WTS is the correct religion because it helped you to get your life, or my life in order, as this may have happened in some other religious or social scenario. I know at least five persons whose life was saved by Alcoholics Anonymous, but despite the millions of lives repaired by AA, they do not claim to speak for God. It would also mean that all the Hindus and Buddhists who were enmeshed in substance abuse and manage to free themselves, would by your own definition be worshipping a useful God - do you believe that they are?

  The issue is whether what the WTS preaches is sustainable Scriptually and socially. On both these counts many on this Board have researched the issue and found the WTS is claiming to be what it is not. I am very pleased that your worship of the WTS, and I use that term deliberately, has bought you happiness. I hope that you continue in your studies with an open mind and with your personal integrity intact.

  Best regards - HS
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  avishai

  Like, Birthdays... PAGAN in every encylopedia, yet most people dont even know it. Basic (to say the least) understanding of the timeline of the bible... which is more than most at churches I attended and their pastors combined.

  Wedding rings, PAGAN!!! Numerology(which is used to divine 1914) DIVINATION.....PAGAN!!!! Birthdays, mentioned more in the bible thatn the dubs tell you.

  Timeline of the bible, such as 607 bce, 1914, etc. WILDLY INNACCURATE!!!!!!!!! Most pastors EDUCATED FOR AT LEAST FOUR YEARS, dubs, very little, if at all.

  Yes, I did learn to ruin my life by not attending school. I learned that they break the law on a regular basis & cover up child molesting in mandatory reporting states. I learned that they got a shitload of people in malawi & mozambique killed by not allowing them to do exactly what they WERE allowing bros to do in Mexico. I learned that the UN is bad, the great wild beast of revalation. Oh, wait, their good now, right? I learned that everyone not a dub was evil & going to die, horribly in armaggedon. I learned that there is a double standard for those with $$$$ in the cong. I learned that if you suck up to the right elders, you won't get a death sentence. Any more questions? I learned lots more, I'll post it later
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  breal

  I think being raised a JW gave me a very basic set of good morals to abide by. These same morals and values can be instilled in a person no matter the religious affiliation. I believe the JW’s take it one step over the line to a form of severe control and manipulation. Congrats on the changes you have made in your life and I am happy for you that you found being part of the JW’s an impetus for that. I believe that for each individual the willpower or motivation to change things in there life they deem to be negative varies.

  Upon leaving I learned that one can be a good person without belonging to any religious organization. I discovered that I don’t always need to be striving to constantly prove myself worthy to other people.

  Cheers,

  BReal
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  obiwan

  I'm not intimidated by anything or anyone now, I sit back and observe things before I get involved. People have to earn my trust now, I just don't give it to anybody.