Once bitten, twice shy

UnshackleTheChains

Ok

Having experienced the jdubs over 27 years. I have come to the conclusion that sincere people have been 'conned' into the troof, into a 'system' of beliefs that immerses them into an organisation that holds them captive ie no honourble way out without being shunned by friends and family.

Having gone through this horrible experience, many are afraid to join another Christian group. It's a bit like someone who trusted someone most of their life only to find that person was a devious lying individual. Who therefore would you trust?

As someone who firmly believes in God and Christ, I am now cautious. I love God's word, I love God, I love the Messiah.......but am extra careful who and what I believe.

Is this something you personally feel?

DesirousOfChange

.but am extra careful who and what I believe.

Which is why I'm now skeptical about "God" as I cane to know him as a JW.

All knowing, all powerful, all loving, omnipotent Almighty God --and you're telling me that the Bible is the best he can do to convey His "will" to men on earth? Violence, strife, famine, disease, as have earth wide today are acceptable to this God who is perfect in love and justice?

WTF? (NOT Watch Tower Farms)

scratchme1010

sincere people have been 'conned' into the troof, into a 'system' of beliefs that immerses them into an organisation that holds them captive ie no honourble way out without being shunned by friends and family.

Hello, and thank you for posting the part that I quoted. I personally feel that I need to be reminded of that.

I also love that you are posing a question about a subject that i believe is not the most popular here, which is feelings.

I'm rather ambivalent about anything religious, and I can tell more about what i don't believe and what I don't want in my life as a means for healthy spirituality. So I guess what I feel is indifference.

Searril

As someone who firmly believes in God and Christ, I am now cautious. I love God's word, I love God, I love the Messiah.......but am extra careful who and what I believe.
Is this something you personally feel?

I had no use for the bible or anything relating to God for many years after leaving the Watchtower cult. I've mentioned to others that the Watchtower does an amazing job of creating atheists.

I did consider atheism for a time, but I found it to be too irrational. I'm not interested in arguing about it with anyone, but after a lot of reading and thinking that was the conclusion I came to. I do 100% believe in evolution, fyi.

But back to your question, in time I decided I wanted to look into a couple churches, and although it was a nervous experience at first it did not take long at all to find out that a real Christian church is NOTHING like the Watchtower claims. My closest friends in the entire world are a few people I met at church. Like, the kind of friends I could literally tell them anything and know that they wouldn't condemn me and wouldn't go spreading it. There is seriously no comparison between a good Christian church and the Watchtower Kingdom of Hell garbage.

Interestingly enough, another thing that made the entire experience easier was that I actually started studying the New Testament, both on my own and in various classes at the church. It did not take long at all to start noticing that the Watchtower churches are not even vaguely similar to how the NT churches operated.

I would say I had some lingering issues about whether or not the Watchtower was "the truth" for many years, but once I started to actually read in context and do serious study it became apparent very quickly that the Watchtower was nothing but a purveyor of insidious lies.

But the key really is to be willing to try different churches until you find one that feels right, because there are definitely churches out there that are unwelcoming and stuffy. If by some bit of odd luck you happen to be near north central Ohio you could come visit mine :)

punkofnice

shackers - As someone who firmly believes in God and Christ, I am now cautious. I love God's word, I love God, I love the Messiah.......but am extra careful who and what I believe.
Is this something you personally feel?

It was all part and parcel of my journey. After I left the Jobos I attended churches and felt that I had finally found Jesus. I was in extacy. Then I took time to do some rational research because I still felt something didn't add up.

Finally, the illusion crumbled. I am now happily atheist. That's my journey but might not be yours.

stan livedeath

i really think in this day and age, anyone still believing in the almighty hole in the sky just havent caught up yet--if they ever will.. i regard them as similar to the flat earth brigade.

Simon

If it isn't clear who is representing your god and most of them are liars, crooks, cheats and abusers, then what does that say about that god?

The simple fact is they are ALL liars and cheats selling the same fake product. But good for you for thinking *this time* you found the "one true religion". This time ...

_Morpheus

Sorry mac, i have to say the flat earthers are far worse. We have photographic evidence to prove how fucking stupid they are and yet they still think they will fall off the edge of the earth.

steve2

Hope springs eternal, I guess. But more relevantly, what does the evidence show about groups who claim to have "the truth"?

To paraphrase Paul (and add a bit of modernity): It is way passed time you grew up, accepted responsibility for your life and its direction and lay old fables and myths to rest.

Xanthippe

As someone who firmly believes in God and Christ, I am now cautious. I love God's word, I love God, I love the Messiah.......but am extra careful who and what I believe.
Is this something you personally feel?

No not now but a year after leaving the cult I did feel like that. As it's a year since you've joined the forum am I to assume you're about a year out of the cult? All I can say is honour where you are now but also question everything.

Once bitten is twice shy so don't just jump into another church. Ask yourself, is the Bible the word of God? What about all the other holy books? Would I be a Hindu if I'd been born in Delhi? What about evolution, what's that all about? Keep asking questions. Good luck.

Once bitten, twice shy

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