First off, I want to thank you all for taking the time to replying to my post :) <My first one at that>
I notice that many of the comments were "I would never go back"... funny, but that is not what I asked, I had simply asked if you felt that you had learned anything.To address the comment
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.
Im sorry, I must not have clarified, I meant Bible Timeline, starting from Adam and Eve, to Noah, to Moses, to Israel to Jesus, to the apoostles to Revelation. I do feel that I have a good understanding of the timeline due to my studies growing up.
Now, as I had stated, I have been disfellowshipped, (and still am) for over 5 years now... so I have had quite a bit of "deprogramming" time, time to search within myself............. of course many questions still left unanswered, but I do believe that my time away has allowed me to grow immensely.
They leave out the social and emotional controls that this closed society enforce within the membership. They require that you buy the whole program. Leave your brain at the door.
Addressing this, again, I am disfellowshipped right now, no one is allowed to talk to me, so no one is telling me what to do or not do.
In my search for path, I have read many books "anti-JW" ie. "Reasoning with the Scriptures with the Jehovah's Witnesses", "Kingdom of the Cults", and Franz's books to name a few.And you know the one unified thing that I learned out of these books is ...? So 'effin what!? So what if the "prophecies" were not right, So what if they didnt get it right the first time and have changed many beliefs over time... SO 'EFFIN WHAT! I say. Because it is the ability for the people within the JW culture to adapt, be flexible, see and admit new truth when it is presented to them without a doubt. How did the whole JW org start? BIBLE STUDENTS... once anyone looses that and focuses even one ounce ont he organization itself (idonlatry) then you are no longer a student of the bible.
I tell you what though, I have been reading alot of e-watchman.com lately... valiant man... he is a good example of looking at the scriptures with a critical eye, not focusing on the organization but the word itself.
From a psychological point of view, it would be quite natural for you to "feel at home" where you were raised. I don't see a metaphysical shred in anything you have said. It's all psychological.
Psychological? Maybe. But undeniable at that. I am a psychology buff myself and through analyzing these changes over and over that have moved me to change is much, much more that psychological... true physical effects have taken place. True Power, or a filling of new power has been bestowed within me. It is a presence, walking with me. Sometimes it drifts away, and other times its closer, but it is there and it is a force with strength. I have seen the world around me completely change in the last 3 months. If it were mere psychological, then the physical characteristics of people, atmosphere and relationships would not of been able to change so vastly in such a short amount of time. Moving to say the least :)
Mind control? - FOOEY I say.... no one controls your mind but yourself. It is human nature for some to want to fit in soooo badly that they control their own minds to observe and understand thier surrondings and program themselves to think that it is a must.... but I simply do not feel that this is the intent of the organization. If you LOOK for "evidence" of mind control, youll proove to yourself all day that you found it... but I can also proove to myself that the tree outside is blue and not green.
Lets talk about Elders for a min.
Why does everyone put soooo much emphasis on the Elders? They are just men. They dont get paid. They are only trying to do thier best to serve a congregation..... none of them are "well off"... I can understand that many individucal elders or even small bodies of elders you may find are twisted or even corrupt, but did not Paul tell us that these men would exist? and can you not tell me that you have never met an elder or a servervant who is TRUELY serving the congregation out of pure love for others? I have, and these are great men.
For example, this whole child abuse issue... WTF is the Elder supposed to do about it to begin with? Tell the accused, "not to do it anymore" I mean come on now... if the accuser has a case GO TO THE 'EFFIN POLICE for gods sake.
- Looks like I have alot to say and I will save it for other discussions... but being a newbie to this board, these are some of the things that are on my mind, so thought I would share.
Any replys are appreciated :)
Stay open, Stay judgemental, even of yourself